KUNM’s radio music show “Ear to the Ground” features a variety of local musicians whose styles range from Reggae to Calypso and everything in between.
“We’re trying to broaden people’s horizon,” said John Strader, the show’s host and producer. “We’re getting them to listen to more than their two genres of music.”
“Ear to the Ground” airs Saturdays on 89.9 FM at 7 p.m. and gives local musicians a chance to play a few of their latest songs and tell listeners more about themselves in a behind-the-music interview with Strader.
“It’s good exposure for us,” said Keith Thomas, lead singer of The Withdrawls, a band featured on the Feb. 17 show. “People will hear us on the radio and then go out and buy our CD.”
Since 1997, “Ear to the Ground” has grown from a live garage band show to an edited, clean music show full of variety and culture.
“You don’t hear this type of diversity anywhere else,” said Nola Daves, a production assistant and UNM senior. “And, it might not be the stuff you typically listen to, but when you’re exposed to this kind of variety you start to open yourself up to different genres of music.”
Originating from KUNM’s 1982 “The Live Variety Show,” “Ear to the Ground” now has more staff and the technology needed to run a smoother, more professional show. The show’s crew said the past live shows were more stressful to run and carried the burden of technical difficulties.
“There’s a large misconception about our show,” Strader said. “People think that we just get tapes or CDs from the bands and play them.”
Strader explained that every show is recorded and edited by hardworking KUNM staff. All nine employees of the show are volunteers and work anywhere from six to 10 hours per show.
“You wouldn’t believe how much work goes into this show just for one measly hour,” Strader said. “I think we’re the hardest working hour in radio.”
The show’s crew said they make an effort to bring music to their listeners and expand themselves into the community by recording at local clubs and outdoor venues during the summer.
“Ear to the Ground” also airs a special segment two to four times a year called, “Blues in the Bathroom,” which features the recordings of blues artists from KUNM’s women’s bathroom.
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Strader thought of the idea for the segment after noticing the soothing touch the bathroom atmosphere gave to the sound of blues during one of the blues band warm ups. A special all-star jam session of “Blues in the Bathroom” that will feature blues musicians Chris Dracup, Dennis Dillon, Stan Hirsch, Alex Maryol and Thomas Blues will run this Saturday.
Strader said the show averages about 3,000 to 5,000 listeners per week but explained that the numbers can fluctuate dramatically because the show features different types of music every week.
“We target everybody,” Strader said. “We try to give everybody a voice.”
Local musicians interested in working with Strader can send demo tapes to: “Ear to the Ground” at KUNM, O§ate Hall, 87131-1011.
