Real Community Radio Network Inc., based in Cabool, has been granted a permit by the FCC for a new full power radio station, KZGM, assigned to broadcast on 88.1 FM.
Myron Jackson, a director of the group and the new station’s program director, said the station will broadcast 12,5000 watts in the towns of Cabool, Willow Springs, Mountain Grove, West Plains, Mountain View, Summersville, Houston, Licking and more.”
“This last October the FCC accepted applications for new non-commercial stations. Qualified local applicants had a real chance to obtain a license for the first time in seven years,” Jackson said. “Being local worked in our favor to save the 88.1 frequency for local use as an out-of-state satellite broadcaster had planned to file for it.
Jackson said the first locally programmed non-commercial signal in the area will reach more than 35, 000 people.
“Independent media is essential for an informed public, which is in turn essential to democracy. Our goal is to inform, educate, and entertain,” said Kazie Perkins, a director of RCRN and the station’s operations manager. “This is an excellent opportunity for local folks to showcase their talents, share their skills, perform their music, read their poetry, tell tall tales, broadcast oral histories, call-in nature happenings and gardening information, discuss the care and feeding of the Ozark farm, you name it. We intend to be real community radio.”
News Director Gene Colliflower said the station would not be competing with others.
“National studies confirm what we learned at meetings with local organizations. Many people have stopped listening to radio because they aren’t finding programs they want to hear,” he said. “They want live comprehensive trustworthy news and programs that can make a positive difference in their community and in their lives.”
Even though the station is months away from going on the air, it has already received national recognition. For Super Tuesday, Colliflower provided a story about voting in the Ozarks and Missouri to the Pacifica network, which became part of a news program heard on 40 stations nationwide.
“We have the opportunity not only to build our local communities, but to express our culture nationally,” Colliflower said. “We will also have full weather coverage and are prepared to function as a needed voice for emergency information during local or regional emergencies, providing continuous coverage and updates.”
Jackson said several faces of the project – raising funds for the station, signing up charter members, recruiting and training volunteers – continue.
“If you’ve ever wanted to learn about and become involved in radio this is the perfect opportunity,” he said. “Call us and be a part of this project. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Current plans are for the in early summer. The Station’s Web site is www.kz88.org. The phone number is 417-547-4665. The main studio is at 1211 Ozark Street in Cabool.
Glass blocks engraved with the names of each charter member will become part of the historic stone building on the edge of Cabool that serves as home of the new KZ88.1 FM.