As many of you may have heard, our treasured KPLU broadcasting license has recently been sold to KUOW and all that remains to finalize the sale is the approval of the FCC, which seems to be a formality.
We have had a very strong partnership with KPLU since it started broadcasting Jazz in 1983 and have enjoyed working with all the wonderful people who were, and are, so dedicated to presenting this music. This radio station has been a beacon of light not only with it’s jazz and blues programing but also with its news departments that rival any station in the country.
That is why we were all surprised, to say the least, that the station would be sold to KUOW which competes in the news department but does not present any (or very little) of the music programing presented on KPLU. While there has been much discussion as to why this is happening, we do have a few thoughts to share:
1. We are saddened by the sale and will miss KPLU and our friends with whom we have garnered a very close partnership.
2. KUOW is a fine organization that has wonderful news programing and has been part of this community for a very long time.
3. We have no reason to believe that their commitment to Jazz and Blues is anything other than valid and that they will do a respectable job presenting this music, as promised.
There are however, others in the community that may have information that we are not privy to or hold other valid opinions which need to be heard. It is in that light that we have included the following information if anyone wishes to express their own opinions.
Whatever shakes out – this music is here to stay and needs to be heard through any means possible. We here at Jazz Alley in conjunction with The Pacific Jazz Institute will continue to present live music and support all avenues in its advancement.
Thank you,
John Dimitriou
1.) Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Phone: 1-888-225-5322
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
Videophone: 1-844-432-2275
Fax: 1-866-418-0232
To Contact the Commissioners via E-mail
Chairman Tom Wheeler: Tom.Wheeler@fcc.gov
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel: Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.gov
Commissioner Ajit Pai: Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael O’Rielly: Mike.O’Rielly@fcc.gov
2.) E-mail Donna Gibbs (PLU Vice President for Communication and Marketing) or PLU President Thomas Krise. Donna Gibbs: gibbsdl@plu.edu, Tomas Krise: krisetw@plu.edu
3.) E-mail UW Communications Vice President Norm Arkans, KUOW head, Caryn Mathes, and the Chair of UW Board of Regents, Norm Arkans: arkans@uw.edu, Regents: regents@uw.edu, Caryn Mathes does not list her e-mail so the programming e-mail is: programming@kuow.org
4.) Leave comments on the KUOW and KPLU Facebook pages.
5.) Let KUOW know your feelings about donations to the station.