Ethnic Radio has impact in Seattle - Puget Sound RadioÂ®

On Radio:

Long-running Scandinavian programs can endure, historian contends

by Bill Virgin
seattlepi.com
August 22, 2007

Lots of examples of ethnic radio can be found on the Seattle-area dial, from stations devoted entirely to Spanish- or Korean-language programming to individual shows for the Russian, German, Vietnamese and Hawaiian communities.

The original flavor of ethnic radio, at least in these parts, was Scandinavian, starting in 1929 and continuing today.

Olaf Kvamme, a retired schoolteacher and administrator, has chronicled the "History of Scandinavian broadcasting in Seattle" in an article for a recent issue of the Nordic Heritage Museum Historical Journal. By scouring newspaper radio listings and ads, consulting oral histories and interviewing some of the participants, Kvamme has been able to compile a record of just how long and extensive Scandinavian radio has been here.

The earliest program Kvamme was able to identify was Olsen's Scandinavian Band, which first made an appearance in the radio listings in 1929. Over the years, programs have included "Ole's Hour," "The Scandinavian Reporter" (a dinnertime show whose theme song was "Swedish Wedding Bells," played on the accordion), "Lars and Lena," "The Nordic Hour," "Kari's Kozy Korner," even the "Halibut Fishing Report."

The tradition of Scandinavian broadcasting is continued to this day by "The Scandinavian Hour," heard at 9 a.m. Saturdays on KKNW-AM (1150). Kvamme's article repeats this column's assertion that the show is likely the longest-running local show on Seattle radio. It actually began in 1958 with Svein Gilje. Current hosts Doug Warne and Ron Olsen took over in 1959, the show went off the air briefly, then returned in 1961, and has continued since then, although it has changed radio homes several times.

"We always need more advertisers, but we're surviving," Warne says.

Although the show has been trimmed from two hours to one ("That's all we could afford," Warne says), it retains much the same format it has followed over the years -- playing traditional Scandinavian music and providing a bulletin board for the region's Scandinavian clubs and organizations.

Warne says the show is drawing new listeners, including "people who are doing genealogical research -- they're interested in their roots -- and those interested in the folk ways of their ancestors."

Kvamme thinks ethnic radio programs can endure. In the conclusion to his article, he writes:

"The 'naysayers' were wrong in the late '50s and early '60s, when they predicted that radio would disappear. Now there are 'naysayers' that say there are not a sufficient number of recent immigrants from Scandinavia who are into the traditional folk music and popular music that the post-World War II era represented.

"Others contend that just as there are substantial numbers of American young people who enjoy American folk and country music, so there are those who will enjoy Scandinavian folk music and the Scandinavian version of country music. And still others contend that the 'naysayers' do not understand the ingenious flexibility of broadcasting presenters, which will result in a continuation of Scandinavian-oriented programs."

In other radio notes:

A longtime announcer, reporter and producer for KUOW-FM (94.9) has left the station, citing differences with management. Ken Vincent, who most recently handled middays for KUOW, said in an online blog his departure was because of "irreconcilable disagreements" over "editorial, airsound, technical and compensation concerns." KUOW management said it doesn't comment on personnel matters. Vincent started with KUOW in 1984, left in 1991 to work for Seattle City Council and later to write for the Seattle Weekly, then returned in 1995.

Meanwhile, the station plans to make changes to its afternoon program "The Beat," which began with a focus on the arts but lately has expanded into more of a lifestyle and local-interview magazine. On Sept. 17, "the Beat," which airs at 2 p.m. weekdays, becomes "Sound Focus." KUOW says the station will do more on-location interviews of Northwest people in business, science, activism and other areas.

Among other changes: Amanda Wilde, host of the Saturday evening "Swing Years and Beyond," will contribute a weekly interview called "Sound Reflections" on the Northwest's musical heritage. Garrison Keillor's "Writer's Almanac" has been dropped, although KUOW says it is looking for another spot on the schedule for it.

Blues singer and pianist Marcia Ball performs in the studios of KPLU-FM (88.5) at noon Friday.

Don Riggs' guests on "Introspect Northwest" at 6 a.m. Sunday on KMPS-FM (94.1) and 9 a.m. Sunday on KPTK-AM (1090) include Seattle writer Mary Daheim, author of "Scots on the Rocks."

Tami Kosch interviews Ballard-based biodiesel marketer and advocate Dan Freeman on "Community Matters Weekend Edition" at 8 a.m. Sunday on KPTK-AM.

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P-I reporter Bill Virgin can be reached at 206-448-8319 or billvirgin@seattlepi.com.

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