KSER's Jeff Hofman - 25 Radio Years!

This Saturday, KSER's Jeff Hofman celebrates doing 25 years of playing great music and doing great radio in the Pacific Northwest.  Jeff is the host of Dusties, every Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. on KSER 90.7 FM featuring some incredible soul and R&B music.

Not only does he play music from great artists, but frequently he has them in the studio. For example, see the picture below of Jeff at KSER with the legendary Brothers of Soul and JJ Barnes.

Richard Knight; Bobby Easton; Jeff Hofman; Ben Knight; JJ Barnes

But Jeff has also interviewed Martha Reeves; Tony Drake; Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company...and a lot more. 

Jeff started doing his weekly radio gig 25 years ago this month and he'll have a special show this Saturday, December 8, 2012 to mark the occasion. 

And here is some show-name trivia (and a photo) that may stir your memory....

Jeff Hofman - The Early Years

Some of Jeff's early radio work was on a show called 'Nuggets' and then the 'Rock and Soul Shack', and then the 'Grab Bag.'  At KSER his show stared out as 'Rising Soul', but eventually he settled on the name 'Dusties' in honor of great old records that sit around gathering dust.

 Jim Hilmar of KSER's Frettin' Fingers fame with Jeff Hofman

If you love great Soul and R&B and music you probably haven't heard in a long time...if ever...make sure you catch Jeff Hofman and Dusties, especially this Saturday when he marks 25 years in radio (which is like 500 years in normal life!).

Jeff is part of the great KSER Saturday lineup that starts with Tim Bliss at 5 a.m.; The Academy of Comedy at 7 a.m.; Steve Ward's Big Bandstand at 9 a.m.; Frettin' Fingers at 11 a.m.; Jon Noe's Juke Joint at 1 p.m. and Pull the String with Van Ramsey at 3 p.m....all followed by a great Saturday night of KSER music on Audio Indigo; Blues Odyssey and The Dawghaus.

The hardest part for some people to believe is all these great KSER music shows are all prepared, produced and hosted by dedicated hard-working volunteers.  And, remember, if you want to contribute to KSER and ensure this kind of independent public radio continues, just visit KSER.org and click on the Donate Now button.

More Odds & Ends...Mostly Odds!

This is odd, but true.  I was standing in line at a coffee shop this week and trying not to eavesdrop on the two guys in front of me.  But one said to the other, "If I don't get tickets to see Amy Goodman, my wife is gonna kill me."  I could tell by his tone that he wasn't excited to see Amy, but his wife apparently was. I'm glad KSER is doing it's part to keep marriage strong.  By the way, if you haven't bought your Amy Goodman tickets yet, there's still time.  What better way for a happy couple to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon than listening to the host of Democracy Now!  Ticket info here.

We know that some listeners get tired of our Pledge Drives at KSER.  But we always remind people that we only do a few per year and usually only for 7 to 10 days at a time.  And, on the air, the pledge breaks are still less time-consuming than the commercial breaks you hear on most stations.  But if you made a donation, thank you! And if you were getting tired of hearing about it, it's over! And if you thought about donating, but just didn't find the time, you can still donate online.

Speaking of odd, a number of people have asked us about the over-sized yellow egg-timer our on-air hosts used to time pledge breaks during our recent pledge drive.  People wanted to know if they could buy it, really. So we may offer it at auction in our next pledge drive!  By the way, someone inadvertently brought another over-sized egg-timer, this one blue, into KSER. We come in one morning, and there was something new! 

Never trust those Blues

Talk about dedicated volunteers. Many people know that nearly all of the on-air hosts at KSER are volunteers. Volunteer DJ's do their own show prep, pick their own music, put their shows together and do their shows at the same time every single week.  And some of them have been at it a long time.  Take, for example, Jim Hillmar.  Jim is the host of Frettin' Fingers which is on KSER every Saturday morning at 11 a.m.  Next month will be Jim's 15th anniversary of hosting the show.  That's a frettin' long time!

Jim Hillmar

If you can't be near a TV for the Presidential and VP debates (or if you just can't stand to watch anymore) you can hear the remaining debates on KSER.  The next one is this Thursday, October 11th at 6 p.m. with Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.

Tickets are on sale now for KSER's annual Voice of the Community award ceremony.  The event is Saturday evening, November 10th.  You can find out more about the nominees and how to order tickets here. 

During our pledge drive, not only did people donate at KSER.org and call our pledge line (425-303-9070) but some people actually stopped by our studios in downtown Everett. On Saturday several visitors were admiring the "cardinal" color of Van Ramsey's KSER T-shirt and wanted to know how to get one.

KSER Shirts come in Many Colors!

You can buy all of our shirts and tchotchkes at the KSER Store.

Weekend Manager's Mailbox

Another weekend, the worst of the heat is over. Time to chill out with another edition of the highly acclaimed (cough) KSER Manager's Mailbox:

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Aaack, I keep hearing songs I like on KSER but sometimes I can't stick around long enough to hear the name of the song or the artist. Is there a way to find out what the DJ played?  Bernie, Gold Bar

Bernie:  You can always track down our playlist online. Just go to www.kser.org and click on live playlist. You can also listen to past shows, both music shows and all of our news and public affairs programs for the past two weeks, using the radio replayer button.

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Hi, I moved to Alaska about 2 years ago but I still listen to KSER a lot when I'm at home.  I listen online.  But, I'm on the road a lot and would like to listen on my I-phone. Is there a way to do that?  Leonard, Wasilla

Leonard: It's easy. Go to App Store. Search for the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) app. Once you get the app, simply search for and bookmark KSER and you can listen on your phone anytime, almost anywhere. Even if you go moose-hunting with you know who.

Dear Tom@KSER.org: My favorite program on KSER is Amy Goodman. I've been listening for several months now.  Can you tell me how I can learn more about her?  David, Everett

David: There are a few links and background info on Amy in this recent KSER story.  And Amy is about to launch a 2-month, 100 city tour to promote her new book she has written with Denis Moynihan. It's called The Silenced Majority. The tour includes a KSER stop in Everett just before the election on Saturday, October 27.  We're working on details and looking forward to her visit.  Stay tuned.

Dear Tom@KSER.org: I just started listening to KSER and I heard your announcers talking about ballots and voting for the board of directors?  But I don't know how you vote or what the voting is for or even what the board is really for. I love your station can you tell me more about it?  Dennis, Seattle

Dennis:  Anyone who is a member of the station is eligible to vote. And anyone who contributes at least $35 in a calendar year becomes a station member.  There's a board of directors election once per year.  The board members serve on a volunteer basis and are local citizens who help guide and control the operation and future of KSER, which is a non-profit community station.  If you'd like to become a member, you can sign up here. We mail out ballots every year at election time. And not only do you get to vote and help decide the direction of the station, you'll also be making an important and vital contribution to local community radio.

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Not sure if you're the right guy to ask this, I love KSER but my girlfriend always switches the station to some hip-hop stuff.  Should I go along with her?  Put my foot down? Get a new girlfriend?  Any advice? Sean, Lynnwood

Sean:  I'm not the right guy. Try the Stranger.

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Have you ever thought about playing more music from Hawaii?  I love Aloha Friday, but it's only an hour and I'm often working and miss it.  Please think about playing more!  Emma, Mill Creek

Emma:  We already do. Every weekend. Check out Da Coconut Wireless every Sunday afternoon for 2 hours at 5 p.m.

Dear Tom@KSER.org: That one DJ you guys have, Van Ramsey, has a band. I heard you guys play some of their stuff.  They are great. What's their name and where can I see them?  Luke, Lake Stevens

Luke: Van Ramsey's band is the Wild Snohomians. They play a lot of places. They're at the Everett Craft Beer Festival this Saturday; at Lake Stevens Music in the Park next Thursday; and the Evergreen State Fair next Friday...among others. They've reached a stature somewhere between the Grateful Dead and the Beatles.  Sort of.


Dear Tom@KSER.org: I saw that picture on your website earlier this week of the four outgoing members of your board of directors. I couldn't help but notice that they all are wearing the same designer eyewear. My eye prescription just changed and I need new frames. Can you tell me where I can get those?  Sasha, Everett

Sasha:  They're Versace's. Try Neiman-Marcus.

Sandy Thompson; Tom Killorin; Karen Crowley; Miriam Driss

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Do you think maybe you overdo how often you ask for people to contribute to KSER?  Otherwise I like your blog a lot.  Mike, Arlington

Mike:  Thanks for the tip. And I like you, too. Oh, check out this cool link!