While for most people the 4th of July means food, flags, and fireworks, at SPR the patriotic holiday means brainstorming. This afternoon Verne padded into the office with no shoes and a harried but eager look on his face, clutching a fistful of scribbled notes on 4th of July special programming. During any holiday listeners expect something different and exciting from the station to match the mood of the day. This all boils down to the need for a surge of creativity from the broadcasters. Verne ran his fingers through his hair so that it stood wildly on end as he went over the first draft of the holiday weekend schedule. In addition to special programs like satirical singing group Capitol Steps performing their 4th of July version of “Politics Takes a Holiday" and the critique of government action during the Vietnam War "Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers” performed by L.A. Theatre Works, Verne said that the station will also run a mix of holiday-appropriate music throughout the weekend.
“We’ll have patriotic songs and music to burn burgers by,” he said, thumbing through notes. Verne mentioned the tentative schedule (that Capitol Steps will air on KSFC on July 2 and 5 at 5 pm and on KPBX on July 4 and 5 at 4 pm and noon respectively) but be warned that times may be altered.
“That’s the fun of radio,” he said, heading back to work, “changing our minds at the last minute!” And with that he ducked out the door, leaving half-formed notes as the remains of a patriotic brainstorm behind him. For an up-to-date schedule of 4th of July weekend programming go to kpbx.org or follow Spokane Public Radio on Facebook.
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