Bullock Texas State History Museum
Longtime Listeners Unite!
RECEIVED Wed., Aug. 27, 2014
Dear Editor,
General Manager Stewart Vanderwilt at public radio KUT is making a serious programming mistake and doing it as silently as possible ["KUTX Shuffles Programming," Earache, Aug. 19]. Sunday night’s lineup of Folkways, Across the Water, Global Grooves, and World Music Sundays is being thrown out to make way for eight hours of Latin music, featuring a new program called Alt. Latino. These changes were not advertised on the KUT website. The surreptitious strategy is demonstrated by not labeling that the schedule is new, and posting it two weeks before the September 1 fiscal year. KUT’s management shows a complete disinterest in providing the opportunity to take into consideration the views and opinions of loyal listeners and members of the KUT family.
Eliminating the wide cultural range of folk, Celtic, and world music in one fell swoop, seemingly to meet a demographic marketing model, narrows the listening options for everyone. I love Horizontes, and look to it as a mainstay for my transition into each weekend.
In short, I don't like Mr. Vanderwilt’s rejection of responsibility to consider all listeners, especially longtime fans of the Sunday night cultural kaleidoscope of music. Clearly a change is needed in the management lineup of Austin's supposed public radio station instead of these fine shows and the dedicated, talented, and entertaining deejays of Folkways, Across the Water, Global Grooves, and World Music Sundays.
Austin, will you allow this ill-thought decision to stand, since you have the leverage to influence KUTX programing, given the reliance on public financial support? Loyal listeners of roots music (which includes Latin music) can create a backlash against those who completely ignore consideration of the diverse interests of the public, which is the foundation of public programming. Make your voices heard!
General Manager Stewart Vanderwilt at public radio KUT is making a serious programming mistake and doing it as silently as possible ["KUTX Shuffles Programming," Earache, Aug. 19]. Sunday night’s lineup of Folkways, Across the Water, Global Grooves, and World Music Sundays is being thrown out to make way for eight hours of Latin music, featuring a new program called Alt. Latino. These changes were not advertised on the KUT website. The surreptitious strategy is demonstrated by not labeling that the schedule is new, and posting it two weeks before the September 1 fiscal year. KUT’s management shows a complete disinterest in providing the opportunity to take into consideration the views and opinions of loyal listeners and members of the KUT family.
Eliminating the wide cultural range of folk, Celtic, and world music in one fell swoop, seemingly to meet a demographic marketing model, narrows the listening options for everyone. I love Horizontes, and look to it as a mainstay for my transition into each weekend.
In short, I don't like Mr. Vanderwilt’s rejection of responsibility to consider all listeners, especially longtime fans of the Sunday night cultural kaleidoscope of music. Clearly a change is needed in the management lineup of Austin's supposed public radio station instead of these fine shows and the dedicated, talented, and entertaining deejays of Folkways, Across the Water, Global Grooves, and World Music Sundays.
Austin, will you allow this ill-thought decision to stand, since you have the leverage to influence KUTX programing, given the reliance on public financial support? Loyal listeners of roots music (which includes Latin music) can create a backlash against those who completely ignore consideration of the diverse interests of the public, which is the foundation of public programming. Make your voices heard!
Bill Stout
