Radio station expects to be on air by January

Pahrump is about to get another very local, low-frequency radio station very soon. Program Director Creag Rowland said the radio station will operate under the umbrella of the Pahrump Film Festival and doesn’t just cater to adults.

Rowland said before the station airs 24-hours-per-day, it will start slow and customize its programming to end at midnight.

The vision for the station is to play 1950s music during the day, switch to talk shows from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and spend three evenings per week with a program he calls “Bedtime Stories” for the kids before returning to late-night programming “similar to what Art Bell used to do,” Rowland said.

Rowland said the music is selfexplanatory but he wanted to elaborate on the talk shows and the youth programming.

“We’re different than a for-profit station and we’re a Nevada nonprofit not a federal nonprofit. We will depend on donations in order to broadcast desirable programs.

“There are things we can’t say on air and we can’t talk price, or tell people donations can be a write-off on their taxes, not as a donation, but as an advertising expense.”

“We also can’t compare ourselves to the competition. It’s expensive to get the broadcast license and there will be employees to pay.

“As for the programming — I’m interested in working Swith nonprofit organizations, businesses, members of local government and so on. The one thing we will not do is hold a discussion on air based on hearsay. Before the program airs, potential talk show clients will need documentation to back up what they are saying.”

Rowland said there is far too much rumor going around and wants the talk show programming to be based in facts.

“As for businesses, they are welcome to come on air and talk to the public about what they do and the services offered. The equipment to provide call in shows is not available right now. It’s expensive and we have to be able to have the broadcast delay to edit through questions for relativity to the subject matter and be sure nothing goes over the airwaves which is against the Federal Communications Commission. We certainly don’t want to offend them.”

Rowland’s most important vision is to get the community youth involved in the arts.

“Plans for the Bedtime Stories part of the programs is so very important. How many parents read to their kids anymore?

“I want to take it to a new level with having a portion of the story hour for very young children and the last half for those from 7 to about 12 years old. If the book has four characters or animals, then we have four different people reading the parts so each character has a different voice.

“Schools spend so much money on sports and none on the arts. There will be internships available where students can learn to write programs and the internship will teach them all that it takes to get something on the air.”

He said the Pahrump Film Festival is also calling for youth to submit movies. “Kids are so good with technology and it consumes their lives. They can learn angles for filming and lighting, composition — so many things that will help develop the right side of the brain capabilities.”

KPFF Radio will broadcast at 97.7 FM and should be on air by Jan. 1.