Sisters radio station set for growth

KZSO 106.5 FM, the low power radio station located just off the lobby at Sisters High School is setting the stage for growth.

Since "going live" in 2005 the station has primarily been a student-oriented program playing a mix of country and classic rock music with an occasional "live remote" high school sports event.

The station proved to be a valuable community resource during the August 2006 Black Crater Fire when Erin Deggendorfer reported daily on the scene, with fire updates and interviews with the crews fighting the raging blaze.

Following the example set by KPOV 106.7 LPFM in Bend, which broadcasts "an eclectic mix of music, news and talk shows that you won't find elsewhere on your radio dial," KZSO in Sisters is now planning to tap into the talent, voices and perspectives of Sisters Country people.

This past January the station conducted an online listenership survey with responders ranging in age from 19 to 66. The survey asked questions ranging from basic awareness of the station to preferred music genres to new suggested types of programming.

Survey results showed that Sisters Country people, in general, were not aware of the station and, if they knew it existed, were not interested in listening because they perceived the programming to be "for students." Responders' "music wish list" included everything from rock to jazz to folk to big band to local live performances.

New programming ideas included live city meetings, a regular Sisters Country news report, forums on current issues, a "talk radio" show, live high school sports coverage and live Sisters event reporting.

The survey also revealed that approximately 30 Sisters Country businesses were interested in learning more about "underwriting support" opportunities with the station.

In an effort to realize the original "community vision" of KZSO, the Sisters School District is enlisting the help of Bill Mintiens, a longtime Sisters resident and current KZSO radio show host of Sisters Pioneering Spirits with Bronco Billy.

The show debuted in January 2007 and is an extension of the Sisters "visioning and branding" process, taking its name from Sisters' new logo and slogan "Pioneering Spirit." Interview guests have included Mayor Brad Boyd, Jeri Fouts and Susan Arends, City Council President Bill Merrill, Family Access Network advocate Theresa Slavkovsky and Sisters Starry Nights performer Chely Wright.

Mintiens is taking the original vision and combining it with the survey results to attract a wider listening demographic.

"We have so many talented people who would like to get involved with the station. And nearly everyone listens to the radio sometime during the day. My goal is to provide locally created programming that retains our student listeners - but expands to include every age and interest group in Sisters Country," said Mintiens.

Mintiens is encouraging Sisters Country people who are interested in either hosting a show or simply exploring the possibilities, to contact him by phone at 504-6696 or e-mail: [email protected]