As your true community radio station, we proudly offer some twenty original broadcasts, created by hosts with a wide range of ages, backgrounds and interests. And we’re always seeking more. If you’re considering sharing your knowledge and passion by hosting a show, you might enjoy a look at the process of creating one.
Talk show hosts share insights they’ve gained through their profession or their personal interests. Dianne Wassenich, host of “Wonderful World” (11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month), which draws on her many years as Director of the San Marcos River Foundation. “I am always thinking of things that I think the public ought to hear about,” she explained.
Hosts find potential guests among friends and co-workers, as well as through reading and browsing the internet, then prepare interview questions. “I think of things I want to know about that person or that issue, that I think they might know about, and could fill me in,” Dianne said. She aims for a casual conversation, and enjoys both meeting new people and chatting with those she knows well. “I always learn a lot and enjoy the discussion.”
Or maybe melodies and lyrics fill your imagination and demand to be shared in a music show. “Celtic music is always churning around in my head,” said “Limey’s Lass” (Jeanne Randall), host of “Celtic Corner” (Saturdays noon-2 p.m.) Like her, you might have a growing collection of vinyl albums, CDs, or music you’ve purchased from Amazon or Apple Music. KZSM has two CD players and a turntable ready for your selections, or we can load your MP3 or WAV files into our DJ computer. (Copyright laws forbid playing music directly from YouTube or Spotify.)
You can browse through your collection to create a playlist for each show. Jeanne plays about 30-35 songs per broadcast, depending on the length. “I try not to play the same songs all the time, but it's tough when 20 artists have covered the same song.” The order might be random or organized around a theme like Burns Night. “I have fun doing the show,” she adds, “and it keeps me in touch with my Celtic roots. And I get to share music that others may not have heard.”
Like these hosts, you can have fun, learn, enjoy, and share what you love. Go to KZSM.org and click “Get Involved” to complete a volunteer form.
