Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - College of Education & Professional Studies Urban Education (Darden) Spring 2001 A History of Public Radio in an Urban Community: Its Impact Upon Education, Culture, Public Opinion and Policy Barry K. Graham Old Dominion University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/urbanservices_education_etds Part of the Mass Communication Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Influence and oliticalP Communication Commons, and the Urban Education Commons Recommended Citation Graham, Barry K.. "A History of Public Radio in an Urban Community: Its Impact Upon Education, Culture, Public Opinion and Policy" (2001). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), dissertation, , Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/0844-fp53 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/urbanservices_education_etds/116 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Education & Professional Studies (Darden) at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A HISTORY OF PUBLIC RADIO IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY: ITS IMPACT UPON EDUCATION, CULTURE, PUBLIC OPINION AND POLICY by Barry K. Graham B.S. 1982, Old Dominion University M.S. 198 9, Old Dominion University A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY URBAN SERVICES URBAN EDUCATION CONCENTRATION OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY May 2001 Interim Dean of School of Education Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT A HISTORY OF PUBLIC RADIO IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY: ITS IMPACT UPON EDUCATION, CULTURE, PUBLIC OPINION AND POLICY Barry K . Graham Old Dominion University, May 2001 Dissertation Chair: Dr. Maurice Berube In a relatively short history, Public Radio in Hampton Roads has emerged as a most important cultural and educational asset to the urban community. The dynamic growth of the Hampton Roads urban infrastructure is the result of several political, economic, and cultural factors. Public Radio has been one of these factors and has served as a catalyst for change and growth in the community. This case study focuses upon Public Radio stations WHRO-FM and WHRV-FM and the elements which brought about their historical development. The study presents a history of events that marked the beginning of Public Radio in Hampton Roads. Through reliance on oral histories, media accounts, and other documented sources, a record emerges. Subsequent analysis also points to the impact of Public Radio in development of cultural institutions within the Hampton Roads community. Current research indicates that the nurturing of the arts has a dramatic impact upon development of urban communities. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This study identifies significant elements which brought about the sudden and dramatic growth of Hampton Roads Public Radio. The study also provides a basis for understanding the dynamics of cultural forces in an urban community. The analysis examines not only the development of two community based radio stations, but also a model that emerges when cultural and economic forces combine to create a vital regional endeavor. Five research questions emerged from the study. The study concludes with several findings, including: 1. WHRO-FM and WHRV-FM are model Public Broadcasting entities and provide a key resource for urban community development. 2. WHRO-FM and WHRV-FM provide urban amplification of issues by broadcasting news and public affairs programs which are significant to the Hampton Roads region. 3. Public Radio stations WHRO-FM and WHRV-FM have had a dramatic impact upon the growth and emergence of cultural arts related functions in the Hampton Roads region. 4. Public Radio stations WHRO-FM and WHRV-FM extend educational offerings to the region through a number of public affairs programs. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgments Many individuals contributed to this case study. Great appreciation and acknowledgment is given to my Dissertation Committee; Dr. Raymond Jones and Dr. Dwight Allen. Special acknowledgment given to my Chairman and friend, Dr. Maurice Berube, who I swear I must have been in a former l i f e . Grateful acknowledgment is also given to Dr. Van Spiva, former Dean of the Old Dominion University School of Education and to Dr. Robert A. Magoon, former Professor of Education, Old Dominion University. Both had a tremendous impact upon my undergraduate and graduate work at ODU. Many individuals connected with Public Radio in the Tidewater region also contributed invaluable time and resources to help me fulfill this study. Dr. Forrest "Pat" Clay gave me time, materials, and direction that could not have come from any other source. His dedication to the cause of "good music" and Public Radio in Tidewater is an inspiration every time a Mozart Concerto is heard or an NPR program airs. He deserves more than simple mention in this work and much from Public Radio aficionados. Norman Willcox, Betty Vickers, Chris Astle, John Morison, Betty Luse, Rollie Bristol, and Neal Murray helped me to fill in the gaps of information between WHRO-FM, WHRV-FM, WRVC-FM and WTGM-FM. Long before I began this project, Bill Massie began to weave ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. the story of WTGM-FM and WRVC-FM to me. I still long to hear his voice come over my radio. Several individuals also contributed greatly to my twenty some year odyssey of higher education: Mr. George Rhudy, History Teacher at Norview High School, Lisa Murray, Vianne Webb, and my supportive art show committee-Millie, Carolyn, Carol, Dave, Laura, and Tim. Deep thanks given to Andrea Berendt, Jackie McCartey, Rick Jennings, Randy Hobbs, Earl Watkins, and Daryl Vaught, who grilled me incessantly to get me through the candidacy exam. Deep gratitude is also given to Carolyn Banks who worked wonders on her computer to help tidy up my typing errors. Great appreciation is also given to my colleagues at Kempsville High School, especially Nancy Bowles, and Principal Dr. Louis O. Tonelson, who Supported me during this grueling process. Ultimately, I owe my deepest gratitude to my family and friends who daily provide me with the emotional support necessary for such an undertaking as two jobs and graduate school. My very best friends, Susie Waugh, Tom Karan, and Leonora Reiley have always convinced me that normalcy has no place in this world. My family, whose endurance of my many pursuits is truly worthy of praise: my brother Bob, who I think is the bravest person in the world; my sister-in-law Becky, who kept Bob with us far longer than any of us had dared to hope; my iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. sister Andrea, my brother-in-law Ski, and my "kids" Jennifer, Tucker, Melissa, and Christopher, are the backbone of support which kept me going when I had lost faith in ever finishing this project. Ultimately, my Mother and Father deserve every accolade and word of praise for any of my accomplishments. Everything I've ever achieved in life is due to their belief in me. Finally, I offer the following promise to my family, friends, and especially to Tom: I will never go to graduate school again! iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS I . INTRODUCTION...............................................1 An Overview ........................................... 1 The Focus of This Study ..............................2 Statement of the Problem .............................3 Background ........................................... 4 Funding ............................................... 5 Influence on Other Media ............................ 5 Effect on Public Opinion and Policy ............... 7 Influence on Culture ................................ 7 The Urban Context .....................................9 Controversy .......................................... 11 Procedure for Conducting This Study .............. 12 Interviews with Firsthand Observers and Participants .................................. 13 Historical Records ................................. 13 Demographic Surveys ................................ 14 Rationale for the Multiple Types of Resources .... 14 S u m m a r y ...............................................15 II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .............................. 17 Radio's Early History .............................. 17 Beginning Federal Regulation of Radio ............ 19 Growth of Educational Radio ....................... 21 Emergence of Commercial Radio ..................... 22 Decline of Educational Radio ...................... 24 Birth of Pacifica Radio .............................25 Birth of Public Radio ............................... 27 The Emergence of Community Radio ..................2 9 The Impact on Popular Opinion, Policy, and Popular Culture ............................... 31 The Emergence of Hampton Roads, Virginia Public Radio Affiliates .................................... 38 The Financing