University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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WVUM WAS ONE OF THE FE W stations in South Florida whose format consisted of various shows appealing to all musical tastes. In the vast WVUM record library, Debbie Beaton looks among thousands of albums for a particular title. tphoto by Tracy Mackt MUCH MORE GOES into preparing a radio show than most students realized. General Manager Adam Abramson is responsible for keeping the student-run, non-profit station in working order. tphoto by Tracy Mackt Wm wmwwm Q Student Life

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was closed, Ms. Average hooks up with some of her fraternity brothers at Happy Hour with the intention of doing a little ttcelebrating? Please understand that most guys, re- gardless of whether they had greek letters or an Allsports logo on their shirts, subscribe to the following theories. First, knowing when to say when, means knowing when to make the mad dash to destination urinal. Second, drinking responsibly was the avoidance of spilling beer on the blouses of beautiful women. And finally, beechwood aged for that clean, crisp taste...this Budis for them. So, with her fate in the hands of the brotherhood of I Tappa Kegga, Ms. Average finds her petite 10 1-pound frame cannonball- ing Michelob Drys like Evian until she cannot tell the difference between a Busch and a Heiniken. Which brings us back to the religious overtones. She would spend the next hour or so feeling the effects of the holy wateris spirits. Next the young lady would drop to her knees and carry out some serious praying to the porcelain god. Which was followed by the inevitable confession about her commitment to Harold back in Exit Threeville. Not everyone got sloshed as just chron- icled. Peoplels drinking tolerance levels were quite similar to the boxing weight Classes. In this sense, those with the attributes of Mike Tyson could drink a full case and a half of Beckls and still spot an ant on the underside of the VCR. Those who resembled a stick- and-move version of Pee Wee Herman how- ever, could mistakenly identify you friend as a palm tree of a slippery when wet sign. Regardless of each studentls individual conditioning, beer had indeed become an intricate part of socialization. But please do not get the mistaken impression that every- one drank to reach the point of no return. Still, the fact remained that if most students were given the choice between a Saturday after- noon game of ke g softball and a guaranteed A on their political paper chronicling the rise and fall of the Bull Moose Party, priorities would prevail. Play ball! 27 Student Life

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At 4:20 a.m., a cresting wave of sound physically staggered the tightly-packed rec- ord stacks of radio station WVUM-FM t90.5l, the Voice of University of Miami. Some people called it progressive, some called it new wave and even punk. But if you tuned in to 90.5 on the FM dial, you heard for yourself. The non-profit station is sponsored by UM and run by undergraduate students. Create din 1968, the station started with just 10 watts of power and it played strictly alternative, non-commercial music. Today WVUM has grown into a 365-watt station. Up until now, the station has been finan- cially dependent on the UM. This year, however, WVUM began its search for out- side financial backing and autonomy in order that they may gain more control of its re- sources. Goals included expanding the power output. The station accepted no advertising, but received money from underwriting - mentioning sponsorsi names during shows. Underwriting Director Rob McMahon said, llWe try to emulate a professional and commercial radio station without losing sight of the fact that we are here to serve the students? WVUM was one of the few stations in South Florida whose format consisted of various shows appealing to all musical tastes: reggae, religious, local music, heavy metal, rap, hard-core and import all had their time slots on the air. Sunday l 3 programming included aChris- tian music show, S unday S imcha tan Israeli show, a reggae show, a local music show and a showcase of jazz. On Tuesdays, the Voice took over the backdoor of Club Nu and broadcasted from the Miami Beach bar. For headbangers, a Metal Mania show was broadcast on Wednes- days. And those who enj oyed rap could listen Thursdays at 10 pm. for the three-hour Rapa- thon. Fridayls shows included the Tidal Wave and an all-request show at night. ill think the radio station is overlooked by a great number of students, said Program Director Marc Hochman, who also hosted the Rapathon as disc jockey Doc Hoch. ttAl- though alternative music is not for everyone, the specialty programs offered by the station are unique compared to other South Florida stations? WVUM provided music for everyone within a 30-mile radius of frequency from the transmitters located atop Hecht Residential Collegeis Pentland Tower. The station,s staff estimated 70 percent of its listeners were commuters, many from Kendall and Brow- ard. General Manager Adam Abramson said he thought one of the stationis most promis- ing programs was the promotion of local bands through the local music show. ltAs important as it is to break nation bands, the Voice also places an emphasis on local bands waiting for a big break? Abram- son said. liThere are many quality local rock bands playing the Miami circuit that deserve a chance to be heard since commercial radio will not play anything without major label backing. Itl 3 up to college radio like WVUM to give these bands a shot? A success-story example of these local bands was Nuclear Valdez, which first re- ceived air play on WVUM and has now signed a seven-record deal with Epic Rec- ords. Many of these bands needed radio atten- tion and air play to help them get out of the local circuit, and the staff of WVUM helped open the doors to their success. An enormous promotional program by the station also had the disc jockeys continu- ally givin g away tickets to concerts and clubs, and coupons for free products and services, such as haircuts. WVUM also connected UM students with UM students with Miami Hurricane sporting events. The station broadcasted home and away baseball games as well as home football and basketball games. Dr. Lemuel B. Schofield, the station,s faculty advisor, said he believed the station had done an incredible job in its sports cover- age and claimed the college station had the most sports coverage of any college radio. ltWVUM has a fine executive board and an excellent showcase for the University of Miami providing outstanding opportunities for the students who run the station working at a highly professional level? Schofield said. MUSI From progressive to rap, and new wave a punk, WVUM-FM provides students w the alternative in m BY JACK VARELA 29 Student Life