Just wanted to say that I'm excited to start listening to the new station...I sounds like it's just what the twin cities has needed for some time. Two questions: 1.) when will WCMP begin? and 2.) Any chance Mary Luccia might be hired...if she's interested?

If you guys are interested in doing some dance stuff, I found a nice page listing local club DJs: http://www.beatworld.com/events.html

Alternatively, could you carry the BBC's "Essential Mix"? ;-)

The official coverage area of the station can be viewed at the FCC's website (your mileage may vary a lot in either direction):
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM167639.html

Yes, Diane, that's correct. When we make the format change, The Morning Show will move to 89.3 in the Twin Cities metro. Thanks for the info about your reception! Even though there are good coverage maps at the address given by Mike in his post, we've found that coverage maps tell only a part of the story. For example, there are neighborhoods in Minneapolis where 99.5's reception is better than others. That's why we're especially eager to hear from folks about their 89.3 reception.

I am so thrilled for the new format of 89.3. I have been envious of other radio stations nation wide that seem so creative compared to the lack luster or MN music. I would like to suggest blues-rock like Keb Mo, Bruce Hornsby (deeper than the top 40 releases), Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tadeski, Eva Cassidy then going towards folk/bluegrass music. I hope this radio station is as good as all the positive feedback that I have read. I can't wait.....

Two questions:

1) when will this new format go on the air?

and b) how about having Elvis Costello's 'Radio, Radio' be its opening song (or some significant song)?

How about some Eddie Cochran, the unsung 50s rock and roll hero born right here in Albert Lea, MN? It's a shame that the Brits know more about him than the citizens of his home state.

Although I like the idea of highlighting local music, I think not including shows like the Thistle and Shamrock, which has a built in audience, is a mistake.

For portability and compatibility with any player, I don't think you can beat MP3 streams. iTunes supports MP3 streams, and the overwhelming domaninace of the iPod probably also represents a large & growing population that uses iTunes as their primary media player.

For quality, aacPlus is the way to go, but AFAIK Mac (and iTunes) support isn't there -- yet. However, aacPlus -- also an open standard -- is the format of the future.

The Real Player is very invasive & Real has a terrible reputation. At one point, Car Talk discontinued Real support because listeners had such a bad experience with the player. The BBC had to force Real to create a version for BBC listeners that at least allowed users to turn off all the intrusive advertising (or messages or promotions) that's on by default.

I agree with the focus on local music and not syndicating national shows. Nothing against the World Cafe -- I listen sometimes when I'm up in Duluth. But KUMD (Duluth) lacks the energy and vibrancy of a station like KEXP (Seattle) that creates all of its own programming.

Glad to hear about this station. I'm impatiently waiting!!! Thorn, dig, dig, dig into the library!!!

Not to be too cliché but I’d like to here, “where are they now…” segments for local bands that have split, moved on to Mars, etc.

OK, you've addressed "Thistle" - tho I'm not encouraged by the response. C'mon, what's one hour out of 168???

If you don't pick it up, I hope you do find someone "local" who can do a bang-up job with Celtic music.

Now, any further news about bringing over Mr. Sparks ("The Other Side of Country") and returning "Weekend Notes" to the air? I REALLY miss what Stephen Davis brought to my weekends!

I live in western Plymouth. I've been a fan of the Morning Show since the days of the Prairie Home Morning Show - more than 20 years. I tried to find out if I could get the "new station" but since I never heard any call letters broadcast, it could have been 90.1. None of my radios have any numbers on the dial between 88 and 92 FM so it becomes a guessing game. The radio in the car has no indication at all anymore as to what station is playing so I have to leave it on 99.5 with a warning to all not to touch the tuner on pain of death. Replacements? Jayhawks? Not my generation. I will have 99.5 on all day in my office in St. Louis Park. I can't get good reception of anything lower than 91.1 on the dial there anyway. My workstation does not have speakers, so streaming audio is out. So as far as I am concerned, my FAVORITE show, the one that has started the day for me for a significant part of my life, is effectively trashed. Can I get a break on my membership fee?

VideoLan Client (free) will play aacPlus on Mac and Linux.

for those of you still whining about the loss of your precious WCAL, GET OVER IT. you've had what now, like 4-5 months to get over it, and you're still bitching? give it a rest and go buy an ipod and fill it up with a ton of classical music, put it on shuffle, voila, there you go.

Gee Jeff, tell us how you really think?

Outside of KUOM, WCAL was one of the oldest radio stations in Minnesota, and I can understand why people are annoyed. It's almost similar to that of REV 105 going off the air.

No one likes a sore winner.

I hope KSJN brings back an abundance of WCAL's programming, and DJ's -- and hopefully it will be a win-win for both classical and contemporary listeners alike.

Classical music pieces aren't all identical.

I don't care much for classical music but I do feel sorry for those who lost a favorite station. I'm sorry it comes at the expense at what looks like something I've been waiting 10 years to listen to. Market forces do speak though. Look at the top 100 albums, top concerts, non of that is classical. And it sounds like 89.3 will play more than just one genre.

Please play some Iffy & Har Mar Superstar (both local artists that I've never heard played on FM here in MN)

I moved to the Twin Cities 6 years ago. After listening to Toronto and NYC radio stations, I must tell the people of Minnesota that radio here sucks really well. Actually its that rare thing which both sucks and blows.

I may be wrong but it seems to me that this new station will be very much in the vain of KCRW. I hope so.

http://www.kcrw.org

i suggest to look at Pam Hill's play list form KFAI (Tuesday morning show) which can be found at the KFAI web site. she has a wonderful amount of diversity, and very cool play list. you all can find great music both local and international from her show and i hope you take a clue form it.

other recomandation would be the Black Keys, a rocking bluesy feel, really cool!

I'd sure like to see some more stations stream in ogg vorbis format. Perhaps you can offer multiple streaming formats, mp3 + other.

As format goes, more KCRW and less Rev 105 would be quite nice.

Echoing what Brian said concerning streaming, a basic ShoutCast/IceCast-style mp3 stream would be best. The broadest possible selection of listening clients and you don't lock yourself into a proprietary (Real, WMA) format.

Greetings,

I'm excited about the new additions and format. I'm also a big fan of the Morning Show. I am, however, concerned that I will not be able to enjoy the new programming, as the 89.3 signal at our home here in Roseville seems to be quite weak. Our brand new Sony receiver pulls stations like 91.1 and 99.5 in loud and clear but gets little more than static for 89.3. I'm hoping something improves. Thanks.

I can't wait for the new format. I have lived in several cities -- Madison, Duluth, L.A., Twin Cities, etc. and my favorite radio station of all time is KUMD (UM-Duluth's radio station -- great music, no commercials). I realy look forward to the new 89.3!!!!

If you want to find local programming how about picking up Bluegrass Saturday Morning with Phil Nusbaum from KBEM?

Also, I am an avid fan of the Morning Show and am concerned that songs that could be included in your new format are being incorporated into the Morning Shows playlist already. Examples are, Beth Orton and Sugar. Can that program be left as is?

I'm glad to hear that you are eschewing tapping into the specific national shows, like Thistle and Shamrock etc. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to avoid the thematic hours which are 770 and KFAI's hallmark. That's there niche. As for me, while I enjoy the music on both, I don't listen to radio like I would say, watch TV: that is, organize my life around listening to specific shows. Rather, it is arterial -- connecting me from place to place, while I drive, or from task to task, while cooking to washing the dishes, let's say. To me, I just want to be confident that when I turn the dial to 89.3, I'll have a good mix of music - interesting (hey, if I wanted to listen to only Celtic music, I'd put on the CD). That's not to say that a Celtic jig once in a while wouldn't be good, or for that matter some Klezmer or Orchestra Boabab, but let's play it with Outkast to Lucinda Williams to the Shins to Wilco. In a phrase, desegregate radio.

That's a public mission: desegregate radio.

As for separating yourself from Cities and Zone 105, I like the idea of local music, although I like the idea, too, of playing more music from some of today's best bands. For example, Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was one of the best albums of the last few years, but all we heard on the dial was "Heavy Metal Drummer" while so many other excellent tracks (such as "Jesus Etc" and "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" went unplayed).

Also love the idea of playing the NPR news at the top of the hour (as WXRT does, say in Chicago).

My suggestions for music are an eclictic mix of bands currently eating up gigibytes on the IPOD, have earned deserved critical praise, and to whom I think have wide appeal, but are underplayed (or a few songs, overplayed): Liz Phair, Aimee Mann, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Tribe Called Quest, Wilco, Franz Ferdinand, the Ramones, Beck, Nirvana, Steve Earle, Beth Orton, Weezer, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, James Brown, Al Green, Outkast, Mos Def, Kanye West, White Stripes, Rilo Kiley, the Shins, Iris Dement, Beulah, Uncle Tupelo, Paul Simon, Replacements, Jayhawks, Prince, Olympic Hopeful, Owls, Neil Young, Beatles, Flaming Lips etc. etc. and those bands that received heaps of critical praise over the past few years and I'm aching to hear, but don't have the $$$ to pony up for their CDs -- such as Arcade Fire, New Pornographers, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Ron Sexsmith, etc.

Good luck.... I'm rooting for you (and thus, for us!)

I second the comments from Lu Wilmot. I am a long time fan of The Morning Show and supported of MPR. I listen to 99.5 all day at the office in Bloomington, however the reception of 89.3 is very poor. Sorry, but if you do not do something to increase the broadcast power of 89.3, I will no longer support MPR.

I liked when you said , "...now we're leaning toward finding the right people to create local specialty shows rather than rely on stations and producers from outside Minnesota...."

PERFECT !!

I've (we've !) waited so long to get a station like this. A variety of music on a stronger (I love 90.3 KFAI) 'public' station. I'm tired of this 24-7 classical music played mostly on the other statiions.

Bring it on ! Mark Wheat is an excellent DJ !

I am SO excited about this new radio station. I'm happy to hear that Mary Lucia's voice will be included. I am hoping that we will hear more WOMEN artists that have taken a back-seat in other corporate radio stations.

Tina Schlieske (formerly of Tina and the B-sides) is producing a new album, and I hope to hear it supported by her local radio.

I'd also love to hear:
Neko Case, Carolyn Mark, Kelly Hogan, Beth Orton, Melissa Ferrick, Dolly Parton's bluegrass... there is so much out there!

Thank you for bringing back diverse radio!

I would like for you to have some jazz programing and lots of Latin! Also,how about putting Stephen Davis back on the air fo r a program similar to Weekend Notes. (WCAL)

I agree with much of what has been posted to date.

I hope 89.3 will become the best source of new music the region has to offer. I’m tempted to list the types of music I want to hear - but what I want most is to hear artists and music I’ve never heard before (I suspect I will).

I’d like to see an expanded format for upcoming live shows.

I like the idea of local production. For example, it would be great to have a musical version of Bob Mondello on the air. And it would be fantastic to have different versions of The New Releases - for other genres - jazz/blues/gospel, alt country, world, etc.

I appreciate the new artists being played recently on The Morning Show, but I hope this is not taken too far.

Each week public radio (ATC, The World, etc.) introduces many new artists and new releases, but it's almost impossible to catch them all. I think it would be fun to devote some airtime to recap the best of the new material broadcast over public radio each week.

Please avoid schizophrenic programming as exemplified by American Routes (and previously, by Peter Schickele). I prefer programming to be (temporally) consistent enough that I can generally predict whether or not it will be of interest.

The enhanced music listings and links are much appreciated. Web resources will be even more important to me with the new format.

Thanks for providing this forum.

How about a real-time web playlist like kexp.org - with links to buy the records and support KCMP at the same time. They also have a massive web archieve of both live performances and regular shows. It adds immeasureably to the depth of KEXP's programming.

Other bands to consider, in additon to those already mentioned:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Idlewild
Snow Patrol
Vue
Stratford 4
The Hiss

Play some Melissa Ferrick!