Program name change

Wake Up And Rock has a new name! As of April 16, 2006, the new name is Laurapalooza. For future blog posts, go to www.laurapalooza.blogspot.com.

Upcoming changes in KPFT program schedule

Beginning the afternoon of April 16, there are going to be some changes in the KPFT program schedule.

Some of the current programs are being sunsetted (canceled), some are moving to the KPFT podcasting site (www.kpfti.org) and some new programs will be added to the program schedule.

I have been informed that Wake Up And Rock will move to Sundays (same time, 4 to 6 a.m.), but will air every other week. My last Friday morning program will be April 14. My first Sunday morning program will be April 23, 2006.

At first, I was disappointed that Wake Up And Rock is moving to every other week, but I decided to look at the bright side -- it wasn't sunsetted or moved to the podcasting site -- and -- it's moving to the weekend!!

Stephen Yerkey has a new CD out (see below). 

Stephen Yerkey metaneonatureboy CD front cover 

Stephen Yerkey metaneonatureboy CD back cover 

Stephen Yerkey calls in to Wake Up And Rock

Stephen Yerkey phoned in this morning to the KPFT studio at about 5 a.m. and chatted with me about his new record that was released this month called metaneonatureboy. It was produced by Eric Drew Feldman and released on Echo Records this month. It is being marketed by World’s Fair Label Group.

In today’s music world full of sound-alikes, it is refreshing to hear Stephen Yerkey’s very unique sound. Over the last few weeks, I have played several songs from metaneonatureboy for Wake Up And Rock listeners – Songs Put Things, Cadillacs Of That Color, Link Wray’s Girlfriend, and Fall Out Of Love, and I’m sure I’ll get around to spinning a few more in the coming weeks.

Stephen was delightful to talk to and he promises to let me know if he’s coming to Houston so we can arrange a live guest appearance on Wake Up And Rock. You can find more info about Stephen Yerkey and his new album at www.stephenyerkey.com, www.echo.co.uk, and www.worlds-fair.net.

KPFT Photo Gallery

I’ve been looking through my files for any pictures that were taken of my guests in the studio during Wake Up And Rock and “24-PM” interviews with live music performances. Christiane has posted them online at the KPFT Photo Gallery. Hopefully, I’ll find some more for her to add later. I hosted more than 80 musician interviews while “24-PM” was a regular on the KPFT program schedule and I made sure to get audio recordings of almost all of them, but didn’t routinely take pictures of the guests.

Here’s the link to the KPFT Photo Gallery: http://www.kpfthouston.org/gallery

Back to regular program schedule

The KPFT Winter Membership Drive is completed and we're back to the regular program schedule. Thank you very much for pledging your support by either becoming a member or renewing your membership.

Our station is more than 90% listener supported financially with less than 10% of its funds coming from grants. Listener support allows KPFT Houston to operate, broadcasting independent news, community affairs programs and music programs.

During the membership drives, I try to present as much music as possible while requesting contributions and explaining why it's important to contribute to non-commercial, listener-sponsored community radio.

I received many nice phone calls during the drive and I really appreciate hearing from you. More and more people are finding out about the KPFT Archives at www.kpft.org, where Wake Up And Rock is archived for two weeks. You can listen to the show at a time of day when it's convenient for you if you want to enjoy the music, but just can't do it from 4 to 6 a.m. on Fridays.

Thank you, KPFT listener-sponsors

This morning’s show was another successful membership drive edition. If you called in your membership pledge during the show, thank you very much for contributing to Pacifica Radio KPFT in support of Wake Up And Rock specifically. Because of you, I met and exceeded my goal for today’s show and you are doing your part to support free speech and freedom of choice in music on the radio.

I heard from several listeners by phone during the show who called to say they just discovered Wake Up And Rock this morning and will set their alarms and start listening every Friday morning. Several others said they listen to the show every Friday and really enjoy the music, especially the political and socially conscious songs.

The membership drive will still be in progress next Friday. If you can’t call in during the show, there are a couple of other ways to pledge. You can go to http://www.kpft.org/ to pledge online or you can e-mail your pledge of financial support to me at laura@kpft.org anytime between now and Friday, February 17. Just let me know in what amount you wish to pledge and how you want to pay (credit card, check, electronic funds transfer).

There are lots of KPFT logo items such as T-shirts, mugs, hats, etc., available to you at various pledge levels. Just ask. The special items I am offering as thank-you gifts are listed in my last post.

Thanks for supporting!

My heartfelt thanks go out to the listeners who contributed this morning to KPFT in support of Wake Up And Rock. The program has been airing for nine months and is steadily gaining supporters (listener-sponsors). Each week, I receive phone calls and e-mail from listeners saying they are really enjoying the interesting music (check out my playlist archives).

The Winter Membership Pledge Drive will still be going on at KPFT next Friday. If you didn’t pledge your new or renewal membership today, your next opportunity to pledge your support for Wake Up And Rock will be next Friday between 4 and 6 a.m. You can call in your pledge during the show at 713-526-5738 or pledge online at http://www.kpft.org/. If you pledge online, be sure to designate which program you want your contribution to be attributed to. None of the programs receive any actual money, of course, but it’s one of the ways KPFT programs are judged for their viability when changes in programming are being considered.

The main reason to pledge is to help keep free speech and freedom of choice in music alive on the radio. KPFT is over 90% supported by listeners and less than 10% by grants. There are no corporate sponsors controlling our programming.

Sometimes listeners call in asking me who decides what music is played on my show and they are surprised when I tell them I choose everything I play on my show. I wouldn't host a radio show if it meant someone else telling me what music to feature or who to have as guests.

You can pledge a financial contribution by credit card, check, or electronic funds transfer. If you prefer, you can come in person and pay with cash. You can also arrange a payment plan of whatever amount you are comfortable with per month to pay your annual membership pledge.

Another way to pledge is to e-mail me at (laura@kpft.org). I would be happy to complete your pledge form and submit it on Friday at 6 a.m. The current membership drive is planned to go on through February 17, 2006.

A basic KPFT membership (which does not include a thank-you gift) is $35 and membership is good for one year ($25 if you are a student or on a fixed income), but we accept pledges of any amount.

If you are already a listener member in good standing, then consider purchasing a gift membership for a friend or family member.

There are many great items with the KPFT logo available as thank-you gifts when you donate to KPFT, including T-shirts, coffee mugs, caps, or a Lobeman (cordless mini-radio that fits on your ear).

Anyone who makes a credit card pledge of $60 or more will receive “The Blue Pages: A Directory Of Companies Rated By Their Politics And Practices.”

The following are special items available to you as thank-you gifts when you pledge to KPFT in support of Wake Up And Rock:

$60 pledge level:
17-minute 1962 Bob Dylan interview at WBAI in New York,
including the three songs he performed live during the interview

$90 pledge level:
Thea Gilmore’s 2005 album (CD) “Songs From The Gutter”
or
Cary Swinney’s 2005 album (CD) “Big Shots”

$150 pledge level:
Both of the above CDs

$180 pledge level:
Both CDs and Bob Dylan interview