In 1974, 89.3 WKRF did not exist. The notion of a public radio station in Baton Rouge was still germinating inside the mind of Eric DeWeese, then 27 years old. The “mythological station” would go on to promote local talents, especially those of LSU, inaccessible anywhere else on the airwaves.
“When I first started with this idea Louisiana Public Broadcasting even didn’t exist,” DeWeese, station manager, said. “This was a fairly new concept in Baton Rouge.”
At that time Baton Rouge was “one of the ten largest cities without a public radio station,” the Corporation for Public Broadcasting said. The CPB went on to help establish a Baton Rouge location for National Public Radio through grants.
A handful of people began raising funds and promoting the creation of WKRF. DeWeese composed the volunteer staff and became the first employee of the station. But DeWeese’s successful opening of the station did not come easily.
“It was war of attrition in that it took four years, but I kept at it and succeeded,” DeWeese said. “I told myself the project would come unraveled at least once, and it happened twice.”
The station faced many obstacles in attaining space, money and permits. Many in the community contributed to the survival and realization of WKRF. In 1979 all those obstacles were hurdled and a year later DeWeese broadcasted the station’s first transmission, Tchaikovsky’s “Winter Dreams.”
WKRF now showcases many of the talents home to LSU. Its Sunday night lineup includes broadcasts from the LSU School of Music hosted by Constance Navrital. Michael Bellinger, public relations coordinator for the music school, is an intermediary between the musicians and Navrital.
“I think [broadcasting the school’s programs] is absolutely wonderful,” Bellinger said. “I’ve enjoyed having my own work played on WKRF.”
Bellinger also appreciates the exposure it grants performers at LSU.
“The essence of being a musician is in live performance,” said Bellinger.
The station also broadcasts Baton Rouge Symphony eight times per year and Louisiana Symphonic led by LSU professor Dinos Constantinides.
The School of Music shares the Sunday schedule with LSU English professor Don Moore who hosts “Spoken Word.”
“In 1980 I told DeWeese I would do the show for free for six months,” Moore said. “That was 20 years ago and I am still doing it for free.”
Moore’s show highlights authors of all genres by reading aloud or playing readings of celebrated literary works. Moore also hosts guests; noted are novelists Lee Smith and James Lee Burke.
“Moore does a good job of featuring local authors and catching authors who are coming through town,” DeWeese said. “The authors get more exposure and the station gets a lot more exposure.”
Also from the LSU English Department, professor Andrei Codrescu is a nationally broadcasted commentator for NPR. He is the recipient of the Peabody Award, ACLU Freedom of Speech Award and the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Award. Codrescu is also the editor for “Exquisite Corpse” magazine.
John Maxwell Hamilton, dean of the School of Mass Communication, also contributes to NPR’s national “Marketplace” program.
WKRF has been a priceless tool to promote and share the plethora of talent LSU nurtures.
“A lot of folks out of LSU are doing interesting things and we are glad to give them exposure,” DeWeese said.
Now 89.3 has nine on-air employees who consist of educators and graduates of the University. The station broadcasts celtic, big band, classical and international music as well as “Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor. Programs produced by the staff include “The Opera-Hater’s Guide to Opera” and “The History of Tin Pan Alley” that looks at the growth of contemporary American music.
Throughout numerous economic struggles the community of Baton Rouge has secured WKRF’s place on the airwaves for its devotion to fostering local talent.