KSCA-FM Eulogized

Predictably enough, the one glimmer of hope for Angelenos who had grown tired of the stale and commercial state of L.A. radio is soon to be history (“Is KSCA About to Ride Off Into the Sunset?”; In the Know, Nov. 4). The likelihood that KSCA-FM (101.9) will be sold hits hard with those of us who enjoy its signature sound.

For a while, it appeared that artists who lacked that grungy vibe suitable for college radio airplay, yet who were not polished and shiny enough for the corporate-FM circuit, had an outlet to gain some much-deserved exposure. What other large-market station will take a chance with such promising new talent? Nowhere else on the dial will we hear veterans like John Hiatt and Joni Mitchell or new talent like Son Volt and Rusted Root.

The myopic, profit-minded focus of our local radio programmers has contributed greatly to the lack of innovation and cutting-edge broadcasts that used to be a Los Angeles trademark. This development also illustrates the injustice of power-hungry media corporations that seek to dominate the market by squashing a station at its first sign of a ratings struggle.

While the record labels’ carbon-copied artists end up with an MTV Buzz Clip their first time out, KSCA’s brand of musical repertoire will now end up with an “FM BuzzKill.”

PAUL E. DUVAL

Canoga Park