KLOI Lopez Community Radio has developed an on-air repertoire that reflects the diversity of our island’s community. With over 15 deejays and programs like Kitchen Table Politics and Sustainable, Local Food Systems, KLOI offers something interesting any time of day.
On the air since April 13, KLOI is holding its first live pledge drive on Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m., broadcasting from Lopez Center. “It’s the kick off for our fall membership drive. We are asking for contributions so we can pay the light bills and keep the computers running,” said Carol Steckler, KLOI board chair.
Gary Alexander is hosting the show, which will feature live music from Lane Langford, Karjam Saeji, Eric Hall, Lance Brittian, Sam Bernardi, a sing-along with Rhea Miller, and surprise guests. Alexander and Mary Wondra will perform their duet from the recent production of “Fiddler on the Roof” and there will be a short theatre parody of “Dragnet.” The show will run about an hour and a half.
KLOI will be accepting donations from $10 to $1000. “By making a donation you become a supporting member. Participating members pay $120 a year and can be on the air. But if people can’t afford that we make sure they are on the air anyway. We want to make it accessible for everyone but also pay our bills,” said Steckler. Individuals can pay for an announcement every week “for your cause or your business.” Steckler says they also offer free public service announcements.
Lopez Community Radio has been continually adding deejays and programming since its first broadcast. It is also a Pacifica affiliate and runs the national news programs Democracy Now with Amy Goodman and Free Speech Radio twice a day.
There are 15 deejays – seven host music shows, and eight host talk programs. The music shows feature jazz, folk, funk, rock, local bands, and ‘60s and ‘70s tunes. Programs include a community bulletin board three days a week, Kitchen Table Politics, First Amendment Dialogue, Sustainable, Local Food Systems, and updates from the Lopez Library and Lopez Senior Center. Lopez School will have a weekly program starting in September.
“We do a lot of local interviews and recently we’ve had live music on the air with musicians who come into the studio,” said Steckler. In addition, KLOI volunteers record local concerts and events that are later played on the air. “We’ve also been making sure our equipment is updated. We have a full-sized radio console now,” said Steckler.
“Many, many people have said, ‘I thought this was going to be a good thing for the community but I am amazed at how great it is to listen to local voices,’” commented Steckler. In between live programs, a random playlist with a range of music is set to play, so 24 hours a day, seven days a week, people can tune in and hear a broadcast. “It is excellent, excellent music. Someone told me, “When I woke up one morning at three o’clock the radio was still on and it was playing great music. It doesn’t get any better than that.’” Steckler says quite a few businesses and construction sites have KLOI playing all day.
To check out what Lopez Community Radio has to offer, tune in to 102.9 FM or play the online stream at www.kloi.org.
