Round Up: ”Rural Voices Could Be Yours”

So we were all just catching up with one another in the KWMR main office (where the broadcast studio is located). It was one of those times when many of us were in the room, not in a meeting, and basically shooting the breeze about various things. Sometimes this is when the best ideas are germinated. Not a formal brainstorming session, but just hanging out talking.

The topic of station IDs came up. Those are the recorded bits of audio that you hear on KWMR at the top and bottom of the hour. Maybe you even recorded one! Some of them are new, some of them are quite old but have endured the test of time. Some feature pets that have long passed the rainbow bridge, and some people find some of them annoying!

Sometimes I even find them annoying. When we can reach a consensus on annoying we often pull the announcement. We were discussing the ID that Michael McQuilkin (Family Music Hour) and his son Alexander recorded a while back. Since we don’t technically “play” the Family Music Hour (we promote it), we thought we might see if they were available to record a new one.  Jeff Manson was tasked with reaching out. Not five minutes later the door opened up and in walked Michael McQuilkin. I kid you not. 

He was dropping off some items for one of KWMR’s volunteer programmers. We asked him if his ears were burning and explained the station ID. Maybe he could swing back with Alexander one day soon. Alexander? He’s in the car! 

“Alexander, get in here!” Yelled Michael, and they were ushered into Studio B to record a new station ID.

If you have ever thought that YOU would like to record a KWMR station ID, then reach out to Jeff Manson ([email protected]) and schedule a time to come on in. 

Share your message for Rural Voices Day!

There is another opportunity to share what you love about KWMR and get your voice on the air. March 4, 2026 is Rural Voices Day. We invite you to record a short voice memo on your phone or computer and send it in to KWMR. Let’s all celebrate together. Here is a LINK to how it works, or click the graphic below:

Hear me out…

Have you been tuning in to the Winter Olympics? All those amazing athletes doing what they do best. I love the Olympics! I also have found that I quite enjoy watching the sport of curling. It’s kind of zen, but they yell a lot, and it seems chill, but that ferocious sweeping and the pesky time limit! So great. 

I have been struck at how amazing it would have been if Kristin Skaslien of the Norwegian Curling duo could have been played by Catherine O’Hara in a hilarious dramatic take on the sport of curling in a movie directed by Christopher Guest. Catherine O’Hara passed away on January 30th and her comedic genius will be greatly missed.

And hats (or helmets) off to the National Football League for showing us what America really looks like. Yay Seahawks!

Amanda Eichstaedt
KWMR Station Manager,  Executive Director & Development 

PS: I am sorry for saying winter for six more months. That was a typo and the Editor’s Club just got bigger (scroll to the end!)

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