WNMC 90.7 FM Extends Its Reach and
Welcomes Your Support

Welcome to the new 90.7, Northern Lower Michigan's only community public radio station. We operate with one full-time paid General Manager, a Board of Directors, and over 70 on-air volunteers. WNMC started broadcasting from the campus of Northwestern Michigan College in the fall of 1967. It began as a sort of "club in a closet" with homemade record players, speakers, and other various pieces of non-commercial equipment pieced together to become what would be Northern Michigan's first college radio station. You could only access the station if you lived in the dorms. Since it was a carrier current, you had to plug your radio into the wall socket to hear it. From there it upgraded to 10 watts of raw FM power and at times utilized the fence outside the dorms as an antenna to try and reach as many households as possible in a several block area.

In the 80's a number of things happened that would change WNMC forever. First, we went to 150 watts and a true stereo signal, which meant that you could listen to the station all over Traverse. Many people discovered WNMC for the first time, and community members were encouraged to become involved with the station. Next, after a failed millage increase, NMC dropped the broadcasting curriculum, and subsequently the small but adequate funding for operating expenses was eliminated as well, forcing WNMC to find ways of becoming financially independent. This is when things really changed; on-air fundraisers were initiated as the primary source of income along with other promotional forms of fundraising such as concert promotions, benefit bashes at our local pubs, and on-air underwriting. At this time the support from the community in the form of volunteerism and monetary subsistence was overwhelming. People really started to take notice of WNMC for it's D.I.Y. ethic and the diversity of it's programming.

A few years ago discussions were initiated about upgrading the station and its signal. After a couple of years of hard work, fundraising and grant writing, WNMC realized it's dream of expanding its signal to the five county area by relocating its antenna to higher ground, raising the power from 150 watts to 600+ watts, and changing frequency from 90.9 to 90.7. You can now take WNMC on your journeys around northwest Michigan.

WNMC offers programming in the public interest. We broadcast 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, with plans to go to a full 24 hour broadcast day with the help of our newly acquired listeners. To become a volunteer all you need to do is stop by and fill out an application. All training is provided at no charge and the training is valuable not only for radio work but is also handy in all aspects of public relations and other broadcast fields.

On-air announcers are not the only trained volunteer positions available. It takes a multitude of tasks to keep this radio station running every day. Training is also available for those interested in on-air production, traffic scheduling, data entry, desktop publishing, music reviewing, concert promotion & execution, and advertising. Other essential tasks that need doing on a daily basis include recycling, labeling, archiving, and cleaning up.

The programming offered at WNMC is unsurpassed by any other radio in Michigan and most metropolitan areas around the country as well. How do I know this? I have been involved with public radio in one form or another for most of my life and I know what is being offered out there. With the influx of new people moving to the area, we are able to acquire information on various other radio stations and their offerings. Most of the listeners who have had a chance to experience other stations offer comments like "This is the most wonderful station I've ever heard!" or "The diversity and range of the music you play is hard to match, even in larger metropolitan areas!" And this is not only coming from radio listeners but seasoned, experienced musicians as well.

How is it that such a great radio station emanates from the great white north? Well, it's the love of the music and the love of community radio in general. We have several music directors who spend many hours researching music from all forms of media, various periodicals, and the Internet. Hours are spent discovering, acquiring, reviewing and finally airing the music. It is a labor of love for all of us.

We are fortunate that WNMC is more of a community station rather than a college station. The big 3 "types" in public radio are NPR affiliates, which are very structured and offer national programming found on all other NPR stations. They are the business end of public radio. Then you have college radio; the majority are 100% student run and are not open to public volunteers. Some do a very good job of offering programming of interest but most are radio versions of MTV. Finally, you have community/college radio that is operated by community and student volunteers. This is where you find the best programming because it reflects a broader spectrum of input and experience via community/student interaction. More local interests vs national interests are explored and the community benefits from the dialogue/brainstorming on local issues

WNMC is probably best known for its diverse musical offerings. But, it also airs progressive informational programming offered nowhere else on the radio dial. Some commercial stations in the area air hate radio and dis-informational "hosts" such as Rush Limbaugh and G. Gordon Liddy. NPI affiliated public radio airs news programming that always seem to avoid the hot, controversial issues; shows like "All Things Considered" are an example. WNMC presents shows like "This Way Out", the only international gay & lesbian news show available. "Second Opinion" is a half hour of thought provoking commentary and interviews from The Progressive Magazine. "Counterspin" is put out by the F.A.I.R. (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) group. This is non-biased informational programming that you cannot get elsewhere; at WNMC we devote an entire night to this enlightened fare.

We have also offered indigenous shows such as "NMC Talks" which focused on interviews with NMC staff. "Traverse Bay Radio Theater", which recently ended it's 10 year stint on WNMC, was a weekly hour long radio play which featured nationally & locally penned plays and players. "Heart to Heart" is hosted by Julie Chai and presents interviews with local practitioners in the alternative/holistic health fields. "Folks Like Us?" is hosted by Sol Michaels (aka Michael Sullivan of "Song of the Lakes") and focuses on local & regional performing artists. Henry Morgenstein also delivers his original commentary four times a week on WNMC. The Beach Bards, a local group of poets, offer potent prose and verse. So you can see that plenty of local flavor is available on this community radio station.

"Open Space" provides another opportunity for the community to participate in local radio. It airs the first Sunday of the month from 3pm until 5:30, replacing "Sabroso" for that weekend. "Open Space" is just like it sounds. It is there for almost anyone to utilize. Want to do a show on local waterways, explore alternative power sources, interview local candidates, program a couple of hours of avant-garde minimalism? This is the spot for you. We have had everything from discussions on power substation locations, to interviews with people who possess a certain talent, to city commissioners expounding their views. We offer the technical assistance and the rest is up to you. It is your access to the airwaves!

If you're interested in utilizing Open Space, contact me at the station for additional information (616-922-1091). We know you have something to offer community radio, and community radio certainly has something to offer you. Join us!

The following list will help guide you to the informational & political commentary on WNMC 90.7.

These are top of the hour informational programs

Out on the Town
WNMC's twice daily events calendar lets our listeners know what's going on in and around the area as well as downstate events, with info on concert and alternative events. Airs Monday thru Saturday at 1 and 7pm.

Earthwatch Radio
is an award winning series of two-minute public affair radio programs. Airing seven days a week at 11am, 5pm & 9pm covering environmental, science and Great Lakes issues of interest to Midwestern radio listeners.

Pulse of the Planet
Features info on cultural, ecological and social diversity presented as two-minute reports. Airs M-F 9am &4pm.

Star Date
An astronomy series that brings you skywatching tips & tales of ancient skylore. These two-minute reports air everyday at 8am, 6pm & 11pm.

Earht & Sky
Provides information on both earthly & heavenly events in two minutes. Airs Monday - Friday at 10am & 2pm.

Other informational spots

Insights
Start each day with some fresh insight on our social & political woes from Matthew Rothchild the editor of the Progressive magazine. Airs Monday - Friday at 8:30 am & 3:30 pm.

Henry
Always tweaking the gray matter of our listeners. Henry (outrageous!) Morgenstein features commentary on both local and global concerns. Airs Tuesday & Thursday at 9:30 am & 5:30pm.

Beach Bards
Hear local poets reciting their work at 11:30AM and 6:30PM Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Local Informational Programing on Sunday Nights

Hearth to Heart - 5:30PM
Hosted by Julie Chai, a half hour conversation with local persons involved with alternative healing, spirituality & holistic lifestyles.

Syndicated Programing on Sunday Nights

This Way Out! - 7:30 PM
International gay & lesbian radio news magazine, always on, always fun.

Counterspin - 8:00 PM
Put out by the media watchgroup F.A.I.R. Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting and is hosted by Laura Flanders. Find about the real story behind the story. Things you need to know, but are not being told.

Second Opinion - 8:30 PM
Hosted by Matthew Rothchild editor of the Progressive Magazine. A half hour interview with people who are making a difference.

Radio Nation - 9:00 PM
Similar in spirit & depth with Second Opinion. Hosted by Marc Cooper editor of the Nation Magazine, a half hour interview progra.

Making Contact - 9:30 PM
Various hosts dig deep into grassroots efforts toward community and connecting.

New Dimensions Radio - 10pm
Offers a definite Buddhist bent. Interviews & conversations with important thinkers from various disciplines, who are ushering in the new paradigm.

Return to the Index of Synapse 42, Winter 1997/98