High Plains Public Radio:

Public radio remains alive and well in the High Plains region thanks to the generous membership donations given during a spring campaign drive for High Plains Public Radio. Forty percent of the HPPR operating budget depends on membership contributions, and the station exceeded its need. "We went 10 percent over our goal," said Jacob Breeden, director of membership support. "That seems to be the national trend for public radio right now." Because memberships don't have a specific price tag, a variety of pledges poured in, ranging from $5 to $1,000 a month. Loyal listeners were eager to keep their favorite programs streaming through the signal. For Amarillo area residents, that signal is 105.7, KJJP. "Me and my grandson enjoy listening to Click & Clack on Saturdays," said Richard Chambers, a math and engineering instructor. Click and Clack are the hosts of Car Talk, a Saturday morning show where humor is used to address issues from buying a car to vehicle maintenance. HPPR listeners are exposed to a broader variety of programming than the content of an average, privately owned radio station. "Our programming is centered around the listener's needs," Breeden said. He said many privately owned stations have a program director who selects the music and the programming is more about the DJ's personality. Because the DJ's at HPPR are music-driven, many independent artists have a chance to be promoted. "Our DJ's still select their own songs, so you won't hear the same song being played over and over," Breeden said. The depth of information about what's happening in the news is another major contrast. "A single news story on our stations will receive four to five minutes of coverage compared to 60 seconds for other stations," Breeden said. Studio 360, a recipient of PRI's Peabody award, is another popular program. Hosted by Kurt Anderson, the program guides listeners through the latest happenings in pop culture from choosing the right movie to a song that could affect your life. Listeners do not have to change their dial as they travel through HPPR's coverage area. Its signal covers an area the size of the state of Ohio, reaching from south of Happy to Garden City, Kan.