Listeners are turning their radio dials to 91.7 FM for the sound of jazz, and the radio station is turning to its listeners for donations.
After the loss of Smooth Jazz 98.9 in mid-October, WUMR became the primary source for jazz lovers in Memphis.
"Our phones have been a lot busier," said Mark Bialek, program director of U92. He hopes that the new listeners will help increase funding.
"We don't have a sales staff, so it is important for our listeners to donate," Bialek said.
Dr. Bob McDowell, general manager of U92, said because The University is seeing annual decreases in state funding, they are affected like other departments.
"That is why we have to go more and more into raising our own funds," McDowell said.
The station kicked off its third radiothon Sunday at 2 p.m. to give listeners a chance to donate in support of their favorite radio programs.
Previous radiothons held in September 2003 and May of this year generated nearly $19,000 in donations.
"We are almost at $5,000 on the second day, which is really good," said Dr. Bob McDowell, general manager of U92. He hopes to raise $12,000 by the end of the week.
McDowell said the money is used not only to refurbish and repair equipment, but it also funds the salary of the full-time program director.
"We were able to hire him (Bialek) because of donations from the prior radiothons," McDowell said. "He is able to devote a lot of his time to help improve the operation of the station and enhance the training of student volunteers."
Bialek, a '92 U of M graduate and past U92 sports announcer, was hired in April.
"We try to get the best stuff to use so we can train our students properly and they can enter into the radio profession," Bialek said.Bialek said that student volunteers are able to work in a number of positions, such as news and sports announcers and disc jockeys. There are currently 10-12 students who serve as disc jockeys at U92 and there is a waiting list.
Sophomore journalism major James Derousselle said that he would love to work for the radio station.
"I've heard people who do radio work and television broadcast work say they made so many mistakes on their first job," Derousselle said. "But you can go into a job already knowing what this button does or that button does. That will put you above the rest."
Donors do receive something in return for their donations. There are four levels of rewards. Listeners who give the highest level, which is $250 or more, will receive the WUMR newsletter, a WUMR gel pen, a four piece coaster set, a classical jazz compact disc and tickets to a major U of M jazz event.
People within the community are going on the air to help raise money. Legendary Memphis broadcaster George Klein and former Fox 13 news anchor Claudia Barr are among the local celebrities helping out, McDowell said.Bialek and McDowell said students and faculty are welcome to help with Radiothon III as well.
"We have a need to answer the phones and take down pledges, and as always they (students and faculty) can donate," said McDowell. The shifts are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 to 6 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
Interested volunteers and donors can contact Mark Bialek at 678-4843 or mbialek@memphis.edu.
