SAN MATEO — In the on-air studio in the basement of the College of San Mateo library, KCSM Jazz 91.1 FM director of program operations Alicia Clancy sings along to the tune she is playing on her show, “A Morning Cup of Jazz."
Her co-host, Michael Burman, taps his pen furiously on the desk in beat with the drummer on the recording.
The music and energy from the station's disc jockeys has attracted a following of loyal listeners, upon whose donations the station relies for 70 percent of its $1.2 million annual operating cost.
KCSM holds on-air pledge drives three times a year to raise funds, but in today's battered economy, convincing people to give money to a public radio station is an uphill battle.
“When you worry about putting gas in your car and milk on your table, you have to make decisions," said KCSM general manager Marilyn Lawrence. “When we're the second or third choice, all of the sudden someone doesn't give anymore. So it makes it a little harder."
Clancy said that each pledge drive is expected to earn the station approximately $300,000, which is enough to operate for three months or so. The funds raised, however, have been falling short of that goal for several years and Clancy said she knows it is due to the economy.
She said the station always manages to balance out a low fundraiser with an increased amount on the next drive.
Her co-host, Michael Burman, taps his pen furiously on the desk in beat with the drummer on the recording.
The music and energy from the station's disc jockeys has attracted a following of loyal listeners, upon whose donations the station relies for 70 percent of its $1.2 million annual operating cost.
KCSM holds on-air pledge drives three times a year to raise funds, but in today's battered economy, convincing people to give money to a public radio station is an uphill battle.
“When you worry about putting gas in your car and milk on your table, you have to make decisions," said KCSM general manager Marilyn Lawrence. “When we're the second or third choice, all of the sudden someone doesn't give anymore. So it makes it a little harder."
Clancy said that each pledge drive is expected to earn the station approximately $300,000, which is enough to operate for three months or so. The funds raised, however, have been falling short of that goal for several years and Clancy said she knows it is due to the economy.
She said the station always manages to balance out a low fundraiser with an increased amount on the next drive.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
