WZM-Who?

Believe it or not, there are more radio stations in town than the popular 99X or Bob 93.3. Many students at ECU do not even realize our school has a radio station on campus that broadcasts daily during the school year. If you are one of the many who are not aware of this, you are not alone. In fact, it can take more than three semesters to discover our very own radio station.

The station is 91.3 WZMB. They broadcast each and every day that school is in session. This is a station that has one purpose for existing: to entertain you by playing the music you want to hear. What other radio station around here plays a wide variety of music and has a daily program that conforms to your standards? You won't find rap on 99X and you won't find great ska, the beach, punk and swing mix, on Bob 93.3. WZMB has them both!

"We just want to play what people want to hear," said senior Shawn Lamons, WZMB general manager. And the station does just that. Their daily schedule plays everything and anything. That means you get a lot of rock, hip-hop, R&B, punk, ska, metal, jazz, blues, brand new music, classic rock and gospel. And if the supply of metal is not enough for you, let them know. They want to make a program schedule that fits the desire of every person on campus. Name one other mainstream commercial station that has as much variety and works to ensure your satisfaction, rather than pleasing the likes of investors.

The radio station begins its daily broadcast at 8 a.m. with the MorningZ. The DJs "pretty much play whatever they want," said junior Kacy Thompson, program director of the radio station. Requests are always accepted and granted easier than a commercial radio station.

Two times a day, WZMB dedicates time to playing brand new music. Some of the bands featured during these time blocks are newly signed bands, while others are still shopping their demos to record labels. A lot of the songs are brand new buzz cuts everyone in America will soon be singing daily, but here at ECU, we get to enjoy them before anyone else. "We were playing bands like Modest Mouse and Franz Ferdinand before they become popular," Lamons said about their "New Music" blocks. "We try and shy away from playing just the singles," Thompson said.

"The Blue Note Café" can be heard on WZMB during lunchtime. This show features a lot of blues music and jazz. This segment is particularly popular amongst the faculty at ECU. There's also the "Drive at 5," which plays whatever people want to hear. If you're stuck in your car on the ever busy Greenville Blvd, this is the show for you. Give the DJs a call if you want to hear your favorite song on the radio while you wait in traffic after classes. It's always a great feeling to hear a song you love come on the radio at your request while the streets are clogged with many cars.

The station also has specialty programs throughout the week that play all punk, all ska, all retro, all metal, all reggae, all indie rock and all techno. Where else can you find this much variety on one station in Greenville? On the weekends, WZMB continues its broadcast with gospel music, roots rock and classic rock in addition to playing some of the other specialty programs.

WZMB also features different talk shows that pertain to likes of every single person on campus. Monday nights, the station has "Pirate Talk" which covers everything from ECU sports all the way to the national level, which features TEC's own Tony Zoppo. This show features many guests that have included ECU Athletics Director Terry Holland and former ECU athletes. The sports team at WZMB also provides live broadcasts from all the Lady Pirates home basketball games. They broadcasted all the home football games from last season, and are trying to air some of the home Pirate baseball games this upcoming season. There's also the "Insight Show" which is issue based. Lamons said this show contains "stuff that pertains mainly to college kids." They talk about everything from different organizations to student health. They also have counselors come in and do on-air interviews. Another show is for local music only where local bands come into the studio to do interviews and to get their name out. Guests have included Afroman, Squeezetoy and even a band all the way from California. If you are in a band and are interested in being featured on this show, drop off your demo at the radio station. Not only will it be put into rotation, but you might even get to come into the studio for an interview. Finally, there's the "Expressions Show" on Thursdays. This covers minority issues on campus, focusing on all the minority groups we have here at ECU.

Contrary to popular belief, employment at the radio station is not limited to just communication majors. Both Lamons and Thompson happen to be media production majors, but there are a wide range students with different majors working at WZMB. Sports Director Scotty Williams is a history education major. When asked if he finds it difficult working for the radio station and not being a communication major, Williams said "it's a great experience for communication majors, but it's also good for students who want to get experience working in media." WZMB is always looking to hire new employees. For those who don't want to broadcast, there are also jobs available for behind the scenes work, such as production and grants. Stop by the station to apply (it's a paying job, too).

Since this station works for the students of ECU, they are also willing to help promote campus events. They work closely with Pirate Underground and their DJs are at all the shows. They will also do some on-air announcements for different events around campus. If you want on-air publicity, just stop by the radio station (sorry, no announcement for frat parties).

WZMB is your radio station. The entire staff is committed to making sure that they play the very best music that you want to hear each and everyday of the week.

"We've grown a lot since I first started in 2002," Lamons said about her tenure at the station. "We want feedback," Thompson said. The station will conform to the types of music that you want to hear. There are not a lot of radio stations out there that will alter their programs just because their listeners want it changed. If you have never tuned your dial to 91.3 in either your long or short time here at ECU, you might want to give it a try and see what you have been missing. It may be that hidden treasure you never knew was there.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.