Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls, and Jackson Browne have joined a grass-roots group that is trying to load up the FM airwaves with thousands of new low-power radio stations.
The Federal Communications Commission has been studying ways to license 100- and 1,000-watt radio stations to private individuals – a proposal many music industry figures feel will free the airwaves from corporate control.
With low-watt stations, people could broadcast their own music or public service programs to their immediate area.
“Low Power FM Radio stations will make it possible again to establish and manage stations out of love of music, not love of money,” said the group of music insiders in a letter to the FCC.
The group will cap off a national 10-day concert series titled “Left Off The Dial: 10 Days For Low Power FM” tomorrow in Nashville, Tenn., to promote their cause.
The idea is supported by FCC Chairman William Kennard, who believes the initiative will build a stronger minority and noncorporate presence on the airwaves.
If Kennard gets his way, any individual or group could apply for a license to play their favorite tunes or broadcast community announcements in any language.
“Most, if not all, of these stations will be non-commercial and will rely on support of local governments, educational institutions or the community for survival – but because of their low-power nature the operating costs will be much lower …,” continued the letter, also signed by band members of Luscious Jackson and Sonic Youth.
But not everyone sees the influx of new stations as a positive step.
The National Association of Broadcasters thinks the plan will only invite disaster.
“We think this is a prescription for increased interference and less service to the radio listening public,” said Dennis Wharton, senior vp at NAB.
“This proposal will create tremendous chaos on the airwaves,” Wharton added.