Interview with Steve Preston Daniels, September 25, 2008

Partial Transcript: Um, so, I usually start out by saying, um, my name is Mick Jeffries and I'm conducting this oral history project...

Segment Synopsis: Daniels explains his involvement with WRFL during the 1980s. Daniels also briefly talks of his current job as a writer.

Keywords: Alternative music; Bruce Springsteen (Artist); Concert committee; Frankfort (Ky.); Kathleen "Kakie" Urch; Lexington (Ky.); MTV; R.E.M. (Artist); Rolling Stone Magazine; Theo Monroe; WRFL; Writers

Subjects: Artists; College radio stations; Friend; High school; Meeting; Radio stations; Tickets; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Can you describe the tone of her columns as you remember them?

Segment Synopsis: Daniels characterizes the nature of one of the main founders of WRFL, Kathleen "Kakie" Urch's column in the student newspaper. Following this, Daniels describes the first meeting of people interested in establishing a college radio station. Daniels then details the development of WRFL after the initial meeting.

Keywords: Advisers; Common interests; Frustrating; Kakie Urch; Kathleen "Kakie" Urch; Kentucky Kernel (newspaper); Lexington (Ky.); Quirky; Student groups; Theo Monroe; United; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Meeting; People; Progress; Radio stations; Teachers; University of Kentucky; Voice

Partial Transcript: If you could sort of compare and contrast sort of, you know, UK at large and then sort of UK with WRFL.

Segment Synopsis: Daniels articulates a comparison of the University of Kentucky outside of WRFL with the segment of the university within the WRFL community.

Keywords: Activities; Frankfort (Ky.); Fraternities; Friends; Lexington (Ky.); Sororities; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Comparisons; Radio stations; Student government; Students; University of Kentucky; Voice

Partial Transcript: So, so yeah, so I mean to, to, to kind of continue along those lines, I mean can you d, describe the sort of social climate down there, if you will.

Segment Synopsis: Daniels discusses the social climate of WRFL during his time working there as a DJ in the late 1980s.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Attitudes; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Documentary; Kakie Urch; Kathleen "Kakie" Urch; Lexington (Ky.); Metal (Music); Music directors; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Confidence; Friend; Meeting; Radio stations; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: And then furthermore--I mean do you--here's another question that's kind of one that gets asked a lot.

Segment Synopsis: Daniels highlights some of the most important skills that he learned while working at WRFL.

Keywords: Computers; Cool; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Lexington (Ky.); Skills; Useful; WRFL; Writers

Subjects: College radio stations; Interviews; Knowledge; Music; People; Radio stations; University of Kentucky; Women; Work

Partial Transcript: There was a period of time where alternative music was still alternative, but it was certainly on the, on the, the cusp of being cool.

Segment Synopsis: Daniels briefly talks about the development of alternative music and its evolution into the mainstream. Additionally, Daniels also discusses the emotional difficulties of leaving WRFL to obtain a career.

Keywords: Appealing; Careers; Cool; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Lexington (Ky.); Mainstream; Tough; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Education; Identity; Life; Radio stations; University of Kentucky; Work

Partial Transcript: Um, let's see. Do you--what else here?

Segment Synopsis: Daniels examines the reaction of the University of Kentucky to WRFL, with an emphasis upon the student response to the radio station.

Keywords: "Sorority girls"; Alternative music; Cool; Lexington (Ky.); Violent Femmes (Artist); WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Conservative; Counterculture; Music; People; Radio stations; Student government; Students; University of Kentucky; Violent Femmes (Musical group)

Partial Transcript: Now, I wasn't--I don't secret--I didn't secretly listen to Double Q or anything like that.

Segment Synopsis: Daniels compares the music genres and songs that WRFL played to other radio stations in Lexington (which primarily played rock music).

Keywords: Comparisons; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Led Zeppelin (Artist); Lexington (Ky.); Nirvana (Artist); Record reviews; Smells Like Teen Spirit (Song); Sonic Youth (Artist); Soundgarden (Artist); WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Led Zeppelin (Musical group); Music; Nirvana (Musical group); Radio stations; Rock music; Songs; Sonic Youth (Musical group); Soundgarden (Musical group); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Do you--well, you mentioned record reviews, and I was wondering if you had any recollections about record reviews...

Segment Synopsis: Daniels provides an overview of the daily assignments and tasks that were expected of DJs when he worked at WRFL in the late 1980s.

Keywords: Appreciation; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Friends; Fun; Lexington (Ky.); Record reviews; WRFL

Subjects: Bond; College radio stations; Enthusiasm; Love; Meetings; Music; Privilege; Radio stations; Staff; University of Kentucky; Work

Partial Transcript: What was that, what was that essence rare...

Segment Synopsis: Daniels explores the essence of WRFL during its early days. Subsequently, Daniels examines the impact of WRFL upon his life.

Keywords: "Fitting in"; Accepting; Facebook; Frankfort (Ky.); Fraternities; Kentucky; Lexington (Ky.); Misfits; Organizations; Sisters; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Comfort; Divorce; Experience; Friendship; High school; Life; Memories; Music; Parents; People; Radio stations; Social skills; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What's your fondest memory of, of WRFL?

Segment Synopsis: Daniels shares his best memories of WRFL, focusing upon his work with local bands on his radio show. The signing of several local bands to record labels is also mentioned. Daniels describes the Lexington music scene throughout the 1980s.

Keywords: Amoeba Music, Los Angeles (Calif.); Bands; Diverse; Fun; Lexington (Ky.); Local music; Louisville (Ky.); Mainstream music; Music directors; Radio shows; Record reviews; Rivalry; Seattle (Wash.); WRFL

Subjects: Audience; College radio stations; Influences; Memories; Music; Musicians; Nine Pound Hammer (Musical group); Proud; Radio stations; Record labels; University of Kentucky