By: Erica Johnson
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Donna Harrington-Lueker
“I may have ‘train wrecked the tracks’ with this one,” I thought when I reached the New Residence suite for my interview with the new directors of WSRU. The forces behind the revival of the station were eager to share their views, and so were the suitemates.
Mosaic: Round one, What’s the new goal for WSRU this year? Friend 1: When are you gonna do an interview with me? Friend 2: Yeah, what about men’s soccer, we deserve an article! John Demling: You guys! She’s here to do her job, not to talk to you. M: Let’s try that again, the new goals? Katie Barry: To get it on the air. J: (Nods) Just to get it started. M: How did you each become interested in the station? K: My major is Communications, and I thought it was a good idea to get involved. And I needed a job and since it’s work-study I now get paid for doing something I’m interested in. Steve Ryan: I’ve always loved the radio (a longing glance and gesture towards the radio near his desk, then laughs). John actually had the idea for us to revive the station and then we talked about it over the summer. When we saw the work-study position, I said, “Let’s do it.” J: Yeah, since 7th grade I’ve always been interested in music. Like splicing music for Big Johnny D and trampoline wrestling with Steve!! (Jumps up into a victorious wrestler pose). Look, I got the CD I made! S: (laughs) Oh no, you don’t. M: (After hearing a few samples) Hey, not bad. I could see this on WWE. J: That’s JJWA: The Music of Legends. M: What music will the station feature? S: Everything! Especially classic rock. K: Alternative. J: All hip hop, all the time. Nah, it’ll be whatever the students want. They can do student interviews or talk shows, things they are interested in. M: And what’s your favorite type of music? S: Classic Rock K: Alternative J: Hip Hop M: Wow, should have seen that one coming. What are you asking student DJs to do? S: To play music you like. J: Bring what you have with you. We don’t have a very good music selection. And just to be on the air. K: Each student will have a training session for the equipment and then given certain hours on air that they are to cover. M: So, John, I’ve personally heard you rap. Are you going to be doing any free-styling on air? J: If that’s what they want, you know it. (Reporter side note – If you give this guy a word, he’ll turn right back and spit you out a rhyme. Even with the word “orange.”) M: Why is it important for Salve to have a radio station? K: It’s a great way to communicate between students. And to give another outlet for students who might not be involved in other campus organizations. J: It gives us an identity. Meaning the Salve students and individual DJs. M: What does WSRU mean to you personally? S: It’s a good learning experience, and I’m considering a minor in Communications so this might help determine that. K: It’s great background, kind of a foot in the door for Communications. I also wanted to be more involved in college than I was in high school. J: Well, I’m an undeclared major. Basically in the long run, I’m out to promote myself, to let the people know who JD really is. And I’m looking for students who want to promote themselves as well. M: Now the tragic question: What happens if the station fails again this year? J: Better luck next year, I guess. We’ll keep fighting. S: Hey, we tried. K: Yeah, we’ve got four years to make it big.———- J: Hey, don’t forget to talk about those promo spots I played for you. Tell them about all the famous people we’ve been interviewing for them! Definitely mention Mike Tyson, Bill Cosby, and Michael Vick. They are some of my favorites. M: Ok, John, I won’t.
