WGSU is an FM radio station located at 89.3 MHz and broadcasting from Geneseo, New York, USA. The station is located on the campus of the State University of New York at Geneseo and is run and staffed primarily by the students of the college.
In the early 1970s, WGSU was one of the most progressive radio stations in the country. Imagine hearing Bessie Smith followed by Erik Satie followed by a spoken word artist followed by Sun Ra with some Firesign Theater tracks and some Hungarian folk music. The format, brilliantly developed and executed by John Davlin, was known as a "continuum."
After Davlin's departure in 1974, WGSU continued to operate with a dedicated staff of student managers and programmers, providing the western New York region with an eclectic mix of rock, jazz, blues, World music (referred to at the time as "ethnic") and a smattering of classical music. A typical program during that period could include such diverse artists as Pat Metheny, Bruce Cockburn, Karla Bonoff, Clifton Chenier, Thelonious Monk, Gentle Giant, Patti Smith and Captain Beefheart.
WGSU rode the first rumblings of the New Wave in the mid 1970s, featuring musicians like Talking Heads, Elvis Costello and Devo before they gained nationwide attention.
Despite having an antenna measured at only three meters (9.84 feet) above surrounding terrain, WGSU's signal occasionally reached as far as Toronto, according to listeners' letters.
Today, the branding is "The Revolution" and the station is still a compelling listen. A recent report from Geneseo indicates WGSU has just installed a new transmitter.
Why were you involved with WGSU? What did you think at the time? Were you a DJ? If so, when was your show? What music did you play? What were your favorite bands/songs/albums? Who was on the staff? What happened?
If you have any fond memories of the radio station at all, please contribute. This is not limited to former radio station staff.
This is not a blog. This is not a source of current WGSU news.
Please comment on any post or email us to contribute.
9 comments:
I'm so excited about this that I created an audio file for the project.
http://www.thejuicyshow.com/post/33456310
I worked at WGSU from 1999-2003. The very first freshman ice-breaker was held in the compound area and DJ'd by WGSU's Tom Wall. I got curious about a radio station since my high school didn't have one and was really excited at the chance to host my own program. The next day I went to the offices and filled out an application. I was very thrilled about the prospect and the entire team was excited to have me on.
Coming from Queens I had only listened to hip hop and rap. I had not a clue to a single band name that was housed in our library. So I'd go through movie soundtracks when given the option during my shows to play whatever I wanted outside of rotation. But just by being open to listening to new music I got really into it. One day - on my 2nd week on the station I received a call from music director for the 1999-2000 year, Margaret Lum. She said "who is this?" I said "Dhaval." She said, "I'm listening to the show right now and you're doing a great job!"
She was encouraged because often times people would come in and play music that you can hear on Top 40 stations and it would defeat the purpose of The Revolution.
This encouragement was inspiring. I also had the chance to host my own radio program called The Juicy show.
I love the revolution. I've recorded an mp3 of the above and a bit more on audio: http://www.thejuicyshow.com/
I worked as a DJ on WGSU during the DAVLIN years (my shows were 1970-74 era).
It was a life-changing experience, and I enjoyed LISTENING to the continuum format almost as much as DJing it.
I discovered so much great music that remains with me today (now on MP3!).
I have never found another radio music station so satisfying to
listen to.
I loved being a part of it.
And in the wreckage of today's Korporate radio/media, there is nothing that even comes close
to WGSU.
Some of the best DJs from my era were Joe Lunga, Rik Cohn, Mark Semmelmayer, a blond guy named Kevin, I believe, who was really a master of the format, and a few others whose names escape me, but displayed true radio brilliance
at times.
If only the continuum format would return to radio and replace all that crappy hate-filled talk that saturates the airwaves today.
,
("...And before THAT you heard John Coltrane, preceded by the Bauls of Bengal... and we started the set off with Captain Beefheart...")
--DonL
And I must add a salute to the great DON MATHISEN, who had an outstanding show for a couple years.
Last I heard, Don was working for Bloomberg News in NYC.
DonL
I too worked as a DJ (then called "program hosts") at WGSU from 1971-1974. Everything posted by Anonymous #1 is completely true. The station's format was brilliant. The DJ's had to learn about, or enhance their knowledge of, a wide variety of musical genres. The goal was to demonstrate the similarities of music across a wide variety of idioms. Often, the attempts fell short, but when they worked, they could be mesmerizing and enlightening. It was a wonderful learning experience for the broadcasters as well as the listening public. Personally, my musical horizons were greatly expanded, and my appreciation of so many different forms and styles of music continues to this day.
By the way, the "blond guy named Kevin," referenced in an earlier post, was Kevin Maul, who was in fact an extraordinary DJ. He subsequently taught himself to play a variety of stringed instruments, and put out an excellent acoustic album named, I think, "Toolshed."
I stumbled across this post by checking Google to see what the world was saying about me these days. I appreciate DonL remembering me (i think i know which Don it is) as a good program host. Agree with him about the others...and Mathisen and Maul and all, like Frank Glew, Rick Askoff, Dan O'Brien (still active in alumni affairs)Steve Lapa and Don Friedman.
Those were the John Davlin days. I worked as an undergrad @ GSU '70-74...and did some summer fill in work in 75 and 76 with my then-wife, Patty Conary. I worked there because I loved bradcasting and broadcasst journalism (was news director in '73 and '74) and, because I had a 3rd Class FCC licensem the state would pay me to "supervise" opther hosts who didn't. Somebody had to log transmitter readings hourly!
John Davlin's "Synasthesia" programming concept...no walls between music type, more similarities than differences...was revolutionary then and remains so now. Would love to find a station in some market..or a satelite station...who'd be willing to try it. I think it would succeed.
My time at Geneseo and with GSU was some of the best time in my life. Stimulating, mind-expanding, exciting. I owe a debt of gratitude to all at WGSU i worked with. They taught me much and had a significant influence on the person I am.
Hello? Is this site still active? I just came across it on a Google search. I see it was started over 6 years ago and hasn't been very active. I was heavily involved with WGSU from 1979-1983. I've been working at WHEC TV 10 in Rochester since 1982 in the control room.
Likewise, to echo Paul Pakusch, I would love to be in touch with whoever is behind this site - for potential future official collaboration with WGSU.
Regards,
Mike Saffran
Communication Lecturer | WGSU-FM Faculty Director
SUNY Geneseo
I'd like to endorse Prof. Saffran's comment about establishing a connection between this site and WGSU - and raise the possibility of working with the site owner to promote the upcoming 50th Reunion of WGSU. The GSU Summer Reunion will be July 12-14, 2013 at GSU and a WGSU Reuion is slated to be one of the featured activities. This site could be a great way to reach out to alumni and share their memories. Thanks, TT. /Tad Thompson
I might be the blonde guy...Kevin Maul. Will get something of substance together and contribute my memoirs soon.
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