Tuesday, October 14th, Maryanne gave birth to our second child, Magan Jean. We were better prepared this time than with our first child. So far things have gone about as well as could be expected. Sarah thankfully shows more excitement than jealousy over it.
Yesterday there were snow flurries in the air, a sure sign of the coming winter. Hopefully it isn't as harsh as last winter.
This morning there was yet another change: I learned that the radio station I've been listening to, WHLK, 93.1 FM, "The Lake," is no longer on the air under its previous format. It was previously a classic rock radio station, evolving a bit over the last few years. Since early this morning it's been broadcasting nothing but hip-hop. No thanks.
I wrote a long e-mail to the station. You can view it in the full post.
To whom it may concern:This was the response I got:
To say that I'm disappointed by the demise of WHLK "The Lake" would perhaps be a gross understatement.
I don't know if there was any advanced warning of the impending end, but imagine my surprise and consternation this morning when I tried to turn on my favorite radio station and instead found something else.
When The Lake first came on the air I was intrigued by its format: a classic rock radio station that went deeper into the roots of rock and roll than most stations did and playing more obscure songs by sometimes obscure artists.
Over the years the station evolved, and I accepted that evolution, as all things must change to stay relevant and current.
This most recent change, however, seems to be a surrender, as if Mid-West Family Broadcasting is saying it can't compete with other classic rock radio stations in Madison and just gave up to play something else.
The Lake gave me an alternative to the repetition of WIBA, a station owned by Clear Channel and therefore a station I don't wish to listen to; it also gave me an alternative to the more insipid songs played on oldies stations like WOLX. It gave me a morning show I could actually listen to, unlike the irritating morning show on WWHG. In short, I could almost always count on The Lake to play something I liked, and to feature radio personalities that were interesting; it was rare that I went searching the dial for something else.
Now, unless your company owns another classic rock station in the Madison area, I will most certainly need to search the dial for something else.
Terry,
Thank you for the email. It is very difficult to make these decisions but with that said we did what our Research has been telling us to do with this signal for 3 years now.
I thank you for your loyalty to The Lake and I am sorry MWFB does not offer an alternative station for you to listen to.
Thank you.
--
Jolene K. Neis
Chief Financial Officer
Mid-West Family Broadcasting
608-441-3601
Jolene.neis@mwfbg.net
Now I have to find a new radio station.
Mood: Pensive
Music: Rush: "Working Man"
