AIR | Member Spotlight: Archive

October 2005

[ © 1998 Ethan & Joel Coen / Gramercy Pictures ]

AIR's Virtual Annual Meeting is Tuesday, October 11th, 8-10 PM Eastern. It's our biggest party of the year -- the best opportunity to catch up with far-flung friends and discuss ideas with the AIR Board of Directors. There will be election results announced for the 2006 Board and Executive Committee, an update from AIR Executive Director Dolores Brandon on AIR's 2005 accomplishments and 2006 goals, plus a "2005 Winner's Circle" of creative AIR producers for a forum and Q&A (and you can LISTEN to the award-winning sounds in advance -- audio links are here). And, as always when AIR Members congregate, we'll have fun. Log on -- it's our night together!

   2005 Virtual Annual Meeting Agenda
   2005 Executive Director's Report
   2005 Board Members' Statements
   2005 Award Winners
   990 Filings
   The AIRPod
   The AIR Rave      Chat Transcript

Image © 1998 Ethan & Joel Coen / Gramercy Pictures

September 2005

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about CPB Radio, But Were Afraid to Ask

Kathy Merritt, CPB's Senior Manager for Program Investments steps into the September AIR Member Spotlight to answer your questions. You'll hear about the recent changes in the radio division of CPB, and details about how you too can apply for CPB funding. You'll even get a look at how radio fits into larger CPB budgets.

As one of the primary funding sources out there, you can't afford to miss this unique opportunity to speak directly with a key decision maker at CPB. So, mark your calendars to join Kathy Merritt and your host, Kerry Donahue, in the AIR Member Spotlight Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 8-10pm ET.

Kathy Merritt's Bio
Chat Transcript

August 2005

Internship programs are a vital part of the public radio landscape, but with budget cuts and busy schedules, many interns end up at the copy machine. As KQED's Stacy Bond advocates: Interns need to be treated better, and can often be put to better use. Stacy developed the current internship program at KQED FM in San Francisco, and believes interns should be more involved in the production process. Join us on August 9th from 8-10pm EST (5-7 PST; 6-8pm MST, 7-9pm CST) for a conversation about everything related to public radio internships -- including accelerated training and the value of interns as members of a newsroom. Stacy will also share her professional history, and discuss the nuances of sound and story.

Stacy Bond's Bio
Chat Transcript

July 2005

Reese Erlich has an extraordinary journalism career that spans nearly four decades and all media. He's produced award-winning television and radio documentaries, writes regularly for newspapers across the country and, in 2003, co-authored Target Iraq: What the Media Didn't Tell You. Fresh from Iran, Reese will join us as our guest Monday, July 11, from 8-10:00 PM EST, for a conversation on what it takes to develop content and an expertise in international reporting. He'll give us insights into how to make a living as a world-roving journalist and give you his up front and personal critique of today's mainstream media. Reese will be happy to discuss his latest production, Lessons of Hiroshima 60 Years Later, a one hour documentary hosted by Walter Cronkite.

Reese Erlich's Bio
Chat Transcript

June 2005

As the Assistant Editor at Public Radio's freshest show, Krissy Clark says she is staying true to her independent roots. One of Weekend America's youngest editors, Krissy is willing to share her ideas about pitching and producing with fellow newbies and seasoned veterans alike. From pirate radio to the big league, she has worn many hats and accumulated a stash of comical stories to share. Join Krissy and other friendly voices from Weekend America on June 14th from 8-10:00pm EST for a conversation about the spirit of radio and the art of getting your foot in the door and your voice on the air.

Krissy Clark's Bio
Chat Transcript

May 2005

Log on Tuesday, May 10 from 8-10pm Eastern Time for the AIR Member Spotlight, public radio's monthly online forum. Our Guest will be Assistant Managing Editor of NPR News Peggy Girshman.

Peggy joins us to unveil NPR's new rates structure and to answer your questions about Indies and the Network.

Peggy Girshman's Bio
Chat Transcript

April 2005

Join us on April 12 from 8-10 PM EST for a conversation about today's challenges in programming for public radio. The spotlight will be shared by Maxie Jackson of AIR Member Station WETA and Fred Wasser of WUNC. Many other AIR Member Stations' representatives will be on hand, too.

     Maxie C. Jackson's Bio
     Fred Wasser's Bio
     Chat Transcript

March 2005

Join us on March 8th from 8-10PM ET for a conversation with María Martin. María has dedicated her career to covering and promoting Latino issues in public radio and is currently launching the GraciasVida Center for Media -- a nonprofit dedicated to independent journalism and training. María was the executive producer of Latino USA for 10 years and worked as the Latino affairs editor at NPR's news desk before that. As her career has been spent covering Latino issues, María is an expert on the topic of minority voices in public radio. From bilingual news features to coverage of minority issues, María has advocated for and helped develop more equal opportunities. How does public radio represent minorities? What role do Latino reporters play in public radio? María will share her personal experiences, provide advice and share her vision for public radio's future.

Bio
Chat Transcript

February 2005

The test tubes at WNYC's Radio Lab are bubbling over with great audio chemistry this season, but the mad scientist behind it all, Jad Abumrad, is taking a step away from the process and into the spotlight. Jad, the show's host and producer, began his career as an independent reporter and documentary-maker. Now, as one of public radio's youngest hosts, Jad is well positioned to discuss the challenges and opportunities impacting new producers. On February 8th, from 8-10PM ET, join us to discuss the art and science of storytelling, and the way to build momentum for a new show or documentary.

Bio
Chat Transcript

January 2005

PRX and Audible are joining forces to help independents get their work heard! While PRX is making it easier than ever to get independent work distributed, Audible.com has been building the Web's largest marketplace for spoken word audio. Soon, with this new partnership, you'll be able to make your work eligible for distribution via Audible and, subsequently, at the Apple iTunes Music Store. It can be confusing to keep up with all of the new distribution channels out there, so come join host Geo Beach as he shines the spotlight on spotlight veterans (and AIR board members) Kerry Donahue from Audible.com and Jake Shapiro from PRX and on Tuesday, January 14, 8-10pm ET to talk about what's out there beyond the radio dial.

PRX is an Internet-based platform for the digital distribution, peer review, and licensing of public radio content. A collaboration of the Station Resource Group and Atlantic Public Media, PRX invites new voices to the airwaves, helps noncommercial radio stations assemble diverse and exceptional programming, and creates new revenue streams for producers and stations. The prx.org website is an online community and marketplace for radio programming.

Audible is the Internet's leading premium spoken audio source. Content from Audible is downloaded and played back on personal computers, CDs, or AudibleReady(R) computer-based mobile devices. Audible has 58,000 hours of audio programs from more than 180 content partners that include leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers. Audible.com is Amazon.com's and the Apple iTunes Music Store's pre-eminent provider of spoken word products for downloading or streaming via the Web.

     Kerry Donahue's bio
     Jake Shapiro's bio
     Chat Transcript

December 2004

Independent Producers aren't just for public radio any more! In Ben Manilla's nearly thirty year career, he has developed, directed, and produced thousands of programs for commercial and public radio. His recent award-winning 13 part series, The Blues, was the most successful special ever distributed by PRI. Ben's other projects include a new book of blues interviews called Elwood's Blues, co-written by Dan Aykroyd, the weekly House of Blues Radio Hour, and he's currently teaching a course on radio at the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

Come talk with Ben Manilla about how he's successfully crossed lines between commercial and non-commercial radio and what independents need to be on the lookout for today. Join us on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, from 8:00 -- 10:00PM ET, no registration required.

Bio
Chat Transcript

November 2004

How do you survive life as an independent?

Based on Barrett Golding's long list of awards, grants and masterpieces, it seems the lad has figured it out. His project, Hearing Voices, demonstrates an artful and creative approach to successfully answer three difficult questions: how do I cultivate an original craft in an increasingly formatted field, how do I find funding for my projects, and how do I get things on the air?

Barrett's approach might surprise you. He manages to give shows exactly what they want, yet his tactics and aesthetics are remarkably non-traditional.

Join us on November 9th for an adventure with the master of independent narrative form.

Bio
Chat Transcript

October 2004

On Tuesday, October 12 from 8PM-10PM ET, the Spotlight Crew opens up the online forum to all members for a Virtual Annual Meeting! Come one! Come all! Celebrate the Member Spotlight's 2nd Anniversary with rousing discussions, new discoveries, and an insightful look into what AIR and AIR members have done in the last year.

Hear about the state of AIR affairs with a report from the Executive Board. Learn more about Sue Schardt's "Mapping Public Radio's Independent Landscape" project. Talk to award-winning AIR members about the craft of Radio.

All at the Virtual Annual Meeting, Tuesday October 12 from 8PM-10PM ET.

   Meeting Agenda
   Executive Report by Dolores Brandon, AIR Executive Director
   Mapping Public Radio's Independent Landscape
   Results of the October 2004 AIR Board VOTE
     Chat Transcript

September 2004

The fourth annual Third Coast International Audio Festival is taking place October 28-30 in Chicago. Are you ready? Or, maybe you're still wondering just what does happen when 250 radio producers get together to talk, listen, and celebrate great radio? Find out a lot more when The Third Coast Festival Executive Director Johanna Zorn and Managing Director Julie Shapiro step into the AIR Member Spotlight on Tuesday, September 14, 2004.

Bio
Chat Transcript

August 2004

Bangkok has a thriving freelance community, although independent radio producers are few and far between. Luckily for us, Orlando de Guzman, AIR member, freelance reporter, and regular contributor to The World is one of those few and will be in the glow of the Member Spotlight from 8PM -- 10PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 17. Orlando has a knack at bringing out stories and voices that normally wouldn't be heard as he covers the issues of Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. Come talk to Orlando about being an international indy, the power of journalism and free press, and resisting the tradition of filing stories on tight deadline in exchange for filing work that gives rich culture and diverse viewpoints.

Bio
Chat Transcript

July 2004

On Tuesday, July 13th from 8-10pm EST, the AIR Member Spotlight proudly presents B-Side. With producers like Amy Scott from MPR's Market Place, Tamara Keith from KQED's The California Report and a slew of recent grads from UC Berkeley's Journalism Program, B-Side describes itself as a show produced by and geared for the "younger demographic." B-Side explores stories off the beaten path and isn't afraid to go break a few rules along the way. For more experienced producers it's a creative outlet, for beginners it's a training ground, and for everyone involved, it's a labor of love. Recently, B-Side's Caught on Tape episode was awarded a Silver Reel in the National Federation of Community Broadcasters 2003 Golden Reel Awards competition.

Bio
Chat Transcript

June 2004

On Tuesday, June 8th, 8-10pm ET, Kerry Donahue hosts a special two-part spotlight chat. In the first hour (8-9pm ET), Margo Melnicove talks about her role as the newly appointed NPR liaison with independents. Then, in the second hour (9-10pm ET), Joe Bevilacqua talks about his role as the AIR liaison to Public Radio Weekend (PRW). Join Margo Melnicove and Joe Bevilacqua in the AIR Member Spotlight and learn more about how these point-people can help you get your work on the air.

Bios

Chat Transcript

[ NPR.org ]

May 2004

With her microphone firmly in hand, Peggy Berryhill has provided an authentic voice to award winning productions since 1973. Her insight into Native American culture comes through in a wide range of productions: from serious documentaries to the outrageously tongue-in-cheek humor of Club Red.

Come talk with Peggy about surviving as an Independent Producer, educating and informing with humor, use of authentic voice, and more!

It's the May AIR Member Spotlight, 8PM - 10PM ET Tueday May 11.

Bio
Chat Transcript

April 2004

Barry Rueger considers community productions to be more than grass-roots efforts. He says they are national and even international treasures. After twenty years of experience with community radio groups, he has seen how many people believe commercial radio and NPR are failing to serve their needs. Join us in Cyberspace on Tuesday April 13th from 8-10pm Eastern Time for a chat with community radio guru and long-time non-profit consultant, Barry Rueger. Help us compare emerging Canadian and American trends. As always, we will provide you with a forum to ask your questions and express your concerns.

Barry Rueger

Bio
Chat Transcript

March 2004

In March, join host Matthew D. Payne for a personal conversation with Dmae Roberts in the AIR Member Spotlight.

Dmae's personal mission to create works that bring diverse communities together, has created hundreds of hours of amazing radio, educational outreach, a Peabody Award, and a wonderful sound-rich website, Stories1st.org. Through her productions and outreach, Dmae broadcasts marginalized voices, sifts out stifled opinions, and brings diversity into public radio.

Join Dmae Roberts on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 from 8PM-10PM ET for a discussion on reaching for creativity and diversity in public radio.

Dmae Roberts

Bio
Chat Transcript

February 2004

In February, Kerry Donahue hosts Jim Russell in the AIR Member Spotlight, public radio's monthly online forum.

Over the past thirty years, Jim Russell has created, developed, and defined public radio's tentpoles. From NPR News to All Things Considered to Marketplace, Jim Russell's innovative approaches enriched the radio soundscape. And now he's got another big ambition -- Public Radio Weekend.

Join Jim Russell and your host Kerry Donahue on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 8PM-10PM ET to talk about how public radio sounds today and where it's heading next.

Jim Russell

Bio
Chat Transcript

January 2004

[ Aaron Ximm ] As public radio producers, we've all experimented with the use of sound as a narrative device.

Join us on Tuesday, January 13th; 8PM-10PM ET, as the AIR Member Spotlight features Aaron Ximm, a sound guru and award-wining public radio producer.

Come prepared to chat about the way sound transports us into deeply intimate spaces. We'll talk about deep listening, sound images, and the logistics of recording and collecting original sounds.

Aaron Ximm

Bio
Chat Transcript

December 2003

[ Joe Bevilacqua ] Joe Bevilacqua has always had a strong voice in Public Radio. In fact, Joe has always had several strong Public Radio voices: gracing the airwaves with such characters as Willoughby and the Professor in his radio theater works.

After taking a few years off from Public Radio in the late 90's, Joe has come back to what he loves most: creating truly quirky, independent and innovative radio programming. Not that it's been an easy task: find out how Joe has juggled doing what he loves with making ends meet, and talk with him about what he finds are the current hot topics for independents: the future of radio theater, freelancing for NPR and local stations, the future of satellite radio, how to use the internet to network, and more.

It's December's Member Spotlight chat with public radio character Joe Bevilacqua.

Joe Bevilacqua

Bio
Chat Transcript

November 2003

[ John Barth ] John Barth has been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn & a king... Well, make that a reporter, producer, anchor, news director, professor and editorial director. He's certainly worn many hats in his nearly 25-year career in public radio and on the Internet. From his days as Senior Producer of Marketplace to his recent stint as a VP at Audible.com, John's made it his mission to challenge everyone in public radio to think beyond what's been done before.

John's recently returned to public radio as the editorial director of the Public Radio Collaboration. This year's project, Whose Democracy Is It?, will be heard on many public radio stations during the week of November 3 - 9th. On November 11th, you can come chat with John about the Collaboration and where public radio should be headed next.

John Barth

Bio
Chat Transcript

October 2003

[ © 1998 Ethan & Joel Coen / Gramercy Pictures ] Have you ever pictured yourself as the star of radio stage and computer screen?

Do you think individual Indies are what make public radio great?

Are you ready to bring your ideas and imagination to a live forum featuring the very best of the Association of Independents in Radio -- YOU?

YOU are in the Spotlight, when we feature the Members of the Association of Independents in Radio.

Bio
Chat Transcript

Image © 1998 Ethan & Joel Coen / Gramercy Pictures

September 2003

[ Torey Malatia ] Wouldn't you love a suit with style?

Ever dream that management could be inspirational?

Want to hear how to turn the most creative audio ideas into trend-setting radio programs?

Join WBEZ president and PRI Innovator Award winner Torey Malatia in AIR's Member Spotlight.

Torey Malatia

Bio
Chat Transcript

August 2003

[ Jake Shapiro ] Some would call him a Renaissance Man. Public Radio Exchange Executive Director Jake Shapiro calls himself "overextended and enjoying it." Luckily for us, Jake has found enough time to be our next victim... um, I mean, Guest in the Member Spotlight chair this August.

With more projects on the oven than he has burners, Jake's work has brought him from Russian Studies and Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society to the Media Production company Lydon McGrath and L-Shaped Records LLC (which he co-founded).

And lets not forget his rock band, Two Ton Shoe.

Luckily for the Public Radio world, the project placed firmly on Jake's front burner at the moment is the Public Radio Exchange, the new distribution system for independent producers that is currently in the Beta Testing phase. If you're the type of Independent Producer who loves to have your work easily presented to stations (and here's an original idea: even GET PAID FOR IT), you might want to check this little soiree out.

How did Public Radio Exchange's beta-testing go? Is Two Ton Shoe a reference to Shaquille O'Neil's footwear? Find the answer to these questions and more from renaissance man and Public Radio Exchange dynamo, Jake Shapiro.

Jake Shapiro

     Bio
     Digital Libraries [intro] (00.59.6). Stream: DigitalLibraries.rm
     One Glass Eye [song] (05.06). Download: MP3 [4.7mb]
     Chat Transcript

July 2003

[ Nancy Greenleese ]
Ever dream of moving to another country, learning a new language, AND making a living as a radio reporter? Nancy Greenleese can tell you how! Nearly two years ago, Nancy left San Diego and moved to Rome. She took along a strong list of U.S. contacts, found a great apartment, secured a land phone line ("very important"), and took an intensive course in Italian. Soon, Nancy was covering everything from the euro to the Catholic Church.

Now that Nancy's back on this side of the Atlantic, she's ready to share all of her practical advice about how you too can to make it as a radio reporter living abroad. Come chat with Nancy Greenleese. Open seating and no plane ticket required.

Nancy Greenleese

     Bio
     Keeping "Italy" in Italian Food [segment] (04.49). Stream: ItalianFood.ram
     Under the Tuscan Sun [segment] (04.40). Stream: TuscanSun.ram
     Chat Transcript

June 2003

[ Sandra Rattley ]
You know her as the woman who created NPR's "Hothouse" back in 1972. Or as the Executive Producer of "Wade in the Water," or "Making the Music." Nelson Mandela's spokeswoman? Perhaps you crossed paths when she was VP of Cultural Programming at NPR, or received seed money from her for your first radio program back in the '80's when she was head of the Satellite Program Development Fund.

If none of this rings a bell -- or if all of it does -- you'll want to be there when Sandra Rattley steps into the AIR Member Spotlight. Open seating and no reservation required.

Sandra Rattley

     Bio
     ALC Program Samples
     Chat Transcript

May 2003

[ Allan Coukell ]
Ever thought about putting another nation in "National" Public Radio -- like Australia, Britain, the Netherlands, or New Zealand?

Wonder how to make science really sing on the radio?

Interested in chatting with a producer from an innovative daily show that wants to buy Indie content?

Warm the Coukell of your heart when Allan joins us in the AIR Member Spotlight.

Allan Coukell

     Bio
     Antarctica: the base [excerpt] (03.29). Download: MP3 [2.3mb]
     Chat Transcript

April 2003

[ John Dinges ]
Got ethics?

Find out the real story of how the CIA covertly supported Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Pick up some talking points should you find yourself defending NPR on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor.

Drop on by, warm up those typing fingers, and join us for another thought-provoking AIR chat.

John Dinges

Bio
Chat Transcript

March 2003

[ Bari Scott ]
"The first cut I ever played was about 20 minutes long... the title song off of the Art Ensemble of Chicago's Tutankhamun," she says. "I needed as much time as I could get to find the courage to open up the microphone and start talking."

The year, 1975, and the program was Jazzmania on KPOO in San Francisco. And so began the long and winding radio career of Bari Scott, one of public radio's most winning independent producers. On Tuesday, March 11th, Bari will bask in the glow of the AIR Member Spotlight, and talk about how she continues to produce work that "pushes the envelope," whether exploring the deepest facets of avant garde jazz or, more recently, unwinding the mysteries of nucleotides, double helixes, and the "keepers of life's secrets" (NY Times, 2/24/03) with her docu-series The DNA Files. I'll try to get her to share some of her own secrets about fundraising in these challenging times, and her personal views on rumors that the demise of Dolly the sheep has moved Scotland ever-so-slightly off its hard-line stance on Iraq.

We'll supply the microphones, lava-lamps, and save a cushion just for you. Come one, come all.

Bari Scott

     Bio
     DNA Files Intro (02.20). Stream: Intro.ram
     Chat Transcript

February 2003

[ Jonathan Mitchell ]
Take seven years (7 yrs) formal training in musical composition and Whip It! Whip It Good! Set aside. Separately, take sixty gigabytes (60 GB) of hard drive and Slice It! Dice It! with a Ronco Veg-O-Matic. Combine, and beat in one harmonica (1 Hm) and several Loose Leafs of Literature (3 holes per leaf) until the mixture achieves a sparking Shade of Gray. Bake, rotating three hundred sixty degrees (360°). Serve at your favorite Salon.

There's a reservation in your name at AIR's Table Number One.

And you know who's cookin' -- PRPD Iron Chef Jonathan Mitchell!

Bring a hungry mind and tasty ideas.

Jonathan Mitchell

     Bio
     Superdiamond [segment] (03.28). Download: MP3 [3.3mb]
     Chat Transcript

January 2003

[ David Clements ]
You can ask David about his new radio station, e-commerce, changing the face of public radio, and even his fascination with Neil Diamond!

David Clements

     Bio
     Silophone [segment] (05.24). Download: MP3 [12mb]
     The User [segment] (02.00). Download: MP3 [2.2mb]
     Chat Transcript

December 2002

Michael Johnson
Wanna know how you manage to be a GM? Wanna hear what it sounds like to produce melodious music programming? Wanna figure out how to strip down that damn minidisc to its barenaked 1s and 0s and recover your lost interview?

Remarkably, all those answers from one man:

Michael Johnson

     Bio
     Talking to Sophia [story] (03.54). Download: MP3 [1.5mb]
     Chat Transcript

November 2002

Sue Schardt
What's your dream as an independent producer -- a little help from a friend who understands what's happening in the back rooms, right?

Wouldn't you love to get connected with an expert who knows the networks, the station skinny, the power players, the in's and out's of negotiation?

Don't you fantasize about working with someone who sees both sides; who develops successful nationally-distributed programs and sits behind a live mic for two hours every week? Someone who "believe[s] in the inherent power of 'the ear' as an agent of transformation"?

Sue Schardt

     Bio
     In The Margin of the Other [promo] (00.48). Download: MP3 [0.8mb]
     Chat Transcript

October 2002

Sandy Tolan
How do you pack when your beat stretches from the Middle West to the Middle East, from Indian Country to India? If Arabs and Jews are all mad at you, does it mean you're doing good journalism? Can you tell the truth about the dirty details of public radio -- and still get great gigs?

Sandy Tolan

     Bio
     A Need to Belong [excerpt] (01.31). Download: MP3 [2.0mb]
     Chat Transcript