17/02/2024
This Sunday evening, I am hosting TRADITIONS on WFDU-FM from 10pm to 1am. It is a show that I started back in 1980. WFDU is in the middle of our annual fund drive, and this year I fear for the future. The last few years have been difficult as the changing landscape and listener habits, coupled with the rising costs to operate at terrestrial public radio station has made shows like mine harder to justify. Listener support has kept the show going, but now that I am in a new time slot, I worry. The donations have been considerably lower this year for my show.
The concept of existing on listener support is not a new one in the world of folk music, but it is one that wears on a person. I know it is difficult for listeners who just want to hear the music, and I hope listeners realize how difficult and stressful it is for the hosts as well. This is not why I do radio. At times I feel the creative spirit gets sapped out of me because of the harsh realities of fund raising.
I actually joined WFDU in 1975 as a freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University. I had graduated in 1979 but stayed on and was asked to start a folk show in 1980. Next year will mark my 50th anniversary at WFDU and the 45th anniversary of TRADITIONS. I question whether or not I can make it.
While I hate doing this, I am asking if you are a listener to the show, or if you want to see folk music kept alive on terrestrial radio in the NYC/NJ area, I hope you can find it in your heart to throw a few bucks our way. You can donate at www.wfdu.fm/donate . IF YOU DONATE, PLEASE BE SURE TO MENTION THAT YOU ARE DONATING TO SUPPORT "TRADITIONS" AND/OR RON OLESKO.
Yes, I know that there are other outlets to hear this music in our Internet age, including Folk Music Notebook, but I remain at WFDU because I do see a need to share this music with a wider audience who may not have access to the Internet. I get e-mails from truckers who listen while doing deliveries, from folks working on Sundays and have the FM radio to keep them company, from people in nursing homes and even from area prisons! Radio is changing, but the basic human need for music should not disappear.
Sorry for the soapbox. I realize how self serving I must sound, and I know the constant asks for financial support is a turn off, in fact I am guessing many readers stopped reading this by the second paragraph. If you can help, please know it is appreciated - by both myself, the staff of WFDU, and most importantly to me - the artists whose music is the reason I do this work.
Thanks for listening, to this post and to my radio show!
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