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| When WKSU goes to events in Northeast Ohio, listeners always praise their favorite programs. Nightaire, Classical Music, Folk, Car Talk, A Prairie Home Companion all have a loyal following. But so does a program that hasn’t been heard on-air at WKSU for nearly 20 years. The original “Fresh Air” still brings a strong response of love and devotion from a generation of listeners who wanted something different from the nighttime airways. Although the student DJs from “Fresh Air” have gone on to have success at a variety of careers, they have put together one more show to mark WKSU’s 50th Anniversary. Check back again soon for a link to listen to a 50th Anniversary webcast of Fresh Air!
“Fresh Air” was a late-night radio program which aired on WKSU during the ’70s. The student-produced program had its historical roots in the sixties and by the early seventies had evolved into a structured format with a rock and roll basis. What was originally called “underground rock” was eventually called “progressive rock” or “alternative rock” and could be one of the ways to describe “Fresh Air” in the early 70’s. As additional rock and roll styles appeared, “Fresh Air” evolved. By the late 70’s, programmers were incorporating jazz rock fusion, new wave, new age, folk, world music, avant-guard jazz, psychedelic sounds, German techo, minimalist, 20th century classical, and electronic sounds into the mosaic that was “Fresh Air.” Fresh Air Format Rock’s most popular music was often incorporated in its early days, but there was also a desire to discover and present lesser known groups, artists, and musical styles. The tendency in programming was to play less of a group once they became well known. Since each show was programmed by that night’s host, “Fresh Air” often had a slightly different feel and sound from one night to the next. Generally, announcing was less important than the quality, selection, and flow of the music. The various styles of music were selected to complement each other, and the smooth segue between pieces was the programmer's golden ring. The musical journey, movement from one style of music to another, and one mood to the next, was the ultimate goal. This is not to say that “Fresh Air” was a totally free-form format. There was an unwritten understanding of the “format,” though hard to verbalize, which was executed easily by the staff. As WKSU matured as an NPR station, most of the many block formats offered in the ’70s began to take notice of the developing public radio programming principles. The “Fresh Air” staff learned and incorporated many audience building techniques and its following grew and stabilized. Features such as: The Import Album Premier, Domestic Album Premier, Industrial Wasteland (interview program), and the featured Artist Of The Week, established “Fresh Air” in local ratings books. The last program aired on Dec. 30, 1981. Public radio was in a period of change. Research indicated that WKSU was juggling too many formats, and that audience service would improve by focusing its efforts. Fresh Air Webcast Listen to the on-demand special 50th Anniversary webcast of Fresh Air! (requires RealPlayer) Hour one  Hour two Hour three Hour four |