Issue date: 7/14/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Ruth Rhyne Stephen Hodgson, senior biology major and DJ, ponders which songs to add to his playlist for the night. Hodgson hosts his show, A Leaf Falls, which is named after an e.e. cummings poem reference, every Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year, it is a wonder to many why radio station KANM is Texas A&M's best kept secret, said KANM chief engineer Michael Crawford.

"We've existed as a student organization since 1972, so we're probably the oldest tradition at A&M that most people have never heard of," Crawford said.

Crawford said there are 70 members of KANM 1690 AM, but that the station is not at full potential in the summer. During the summer, the organization uses an automated DJ system, featuring Billy the Auto DJ. During the fall and spring semesters, KANM student programs air live at least 12 hours a day, uninterrupted.

Crawford said KANM is like many other student organizations, and that they do not receive any money from the University to fund themselves.

"We are just a student organization, so our annual budget from the University is $0 - all of our funds come from dues, fundraising and donations - a Paypal donation link is available on our Web site," Crawford said. "Since we get no regular funding from the University, there is very little involvement or control over the station exerted by the University."

Despite the lack of knowledge around campus about the organization, Crawford said everyone who works at KANM is enthusiastic about his position and enjoys what he does.

Matt Bannon, KANM station manager and a senior anthropology major, said he enjoys working at KANM.

"The atmosphere is quite easygoing," he said. "We're all there because we love good music, so there's always music being played and enjoyed."

KANM's members desire to give students the chance to listen to music that they do not hear on commercial radio stations.

"Essentially we are a music-only radio station that plays only independent music," Bannon said. "No Top-40 tracks from the past or present. Nothing heard on any commercial radio stations, no major label rubbish. We want to provide TAMU students with new sounds, with bands that are playing music because they love to do so."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools