Interview with Alan Thomas Creech, July 4, 2009

Partial Transcript: --just to let it roll so I'm just gonna do that.

Segment Synopsis: Creech talks of his life currently as a nurse practitioner. Creech also summarizes his educational path and how he became involved with some of the primary founders of WRFL.

[Content warning: explicit material at 4:15].

Keywords: Bryan Station High School, Lexington (Ky.); Champaign (Ill.); Classes; Eastern Kentucky; Grade point average (GPA); Grades; Kakie Urch; Kathleen "Kakie" Urch; Lexington (Ky.); Prisons; Selective admissions; Surveys; WRFL

Subjects: Drugs; Education; High school; Marijuana; Mutual friend; Nurse practitioners; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, um, okay so you said you met Kakie that way.

Segment Synopsis: Creech briefly explains how he met Kathleen "Kakie" Urch. Additionally, Creech talks of the staged nature of professional wrestling.

Keywords: "Set-up"; Andy Kaufman; Books; Fake; Kakie Urch; Kathleen "Kakie" Urch; Newspapers; Randy Savage; Sacha Baron Cohen

Subjects: Mutual friend; Women; Wrestlers; Wrestling

Partial Transcript: And again, part of this project that is, uh, I think of, of some appeal to, to people...

Segment Synopsis: Creech characterizes the political climate of the University of Kentucky throughout the 1980s. Creech then recalls his life during the time that Kakie published her column on the need for a college radio station at the university.

Keywords: Athens (Ohio); Community colleges; Dead Kennedys (Artist); Girlfriends; Kakie Urch; Kathleen "Kakie" Urch; Leftists; Politics; Preachers; Ronald Reagan; Suspended

Subjects: Apathy; College radio stations; Conservative; Dead Kennedys (Musical group); Father; Friend; Punk rock music; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I mean, the--we had gotten, the um, um, the radio show--

Segment Synopsis: Creech introduces the concept of his radio show on WRFL called "What's Left in America." Some of the most interesting interviews that Creech conducted during the early days of the radio show are also mentioned.

Keywords: Ann Druyan; Books; Carl Sagan; Cornell University; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Friends; Lexington (Ky.); Parade Magazine; Politics; Radio shows; Socially Concerned Students; WRFL; What's Left in America (Radio program); Wife

Subjects: Abortion; College radio stations; Education; Interviews; People; Radio stations; Students; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I, I guess talk about the start of "What's Left in America," I mean how, uh--what was the impetus?

Segment Synopsis: Creech discusses his radio show on WRFL, "What's Left in America". The political nature of the show is emphasized. Creech also briefly talks of his political activism during the Gulf War. A notable interview with a man from Florida who was arrested under suspicious circumstances is then explored. The level of preparation needed for the show is also mentioned.

Keywords: Anti-war rally; Arrested; Charles Friedman; Florida; Governors; Gulf War; Lexington (Ky.); Mark Beaty; Material; Political talk shows; Preparation; Radio shows; Ronald Reagan; WRFL; What's Left in America (Radio program)

Subjects: College radio stations; Conservative; Friend; Interviews; Liberal; Plastic surgeons; Publicity; Radio stations; Speech; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: And, um--(laughs)--I, I had just actually digitized a piece of hers.

Segment Synopsis: Creech illustrates his efforts to digitize the recordings of his radio show. Some of the most notable guests to appear on "What's Left in America" are then listed.

Keywords: 4th of July; Arun Manilal Gandhi; Charles Friedman; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Flag burning amendment; General managers; Guests; Lexington (Ky.); Seneca Nation; WRFL; What's Left in America (Radio program)

Subjects: Archives; Collection; College radio stations; Interviews; Radio stations; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What was the reception to "What's Left in America?"

Segment Synopsis: Creech reflects upon the reaction of the public and the radio station's management in Lexington to "What's Left in America." Cartoonist Joel Pett and his work with the show are also mentioned.

Keywords: "Republican Earth Day"; Cartoonists; Europe; Gulf War; Issues; Joel Pett; Kentucky Kernel (newspaper); Lexington (Ky.); Politics; WRFL; What's Left in America (Radio program)

Subjects: Administration; Apathy; Artist; College radio stations; Drawing; Friend; Interviews; Management; Radio stations; Satire; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Let's see. So, did you--it's interesting, you said something about...

Segment Synopsis: Creech explores some of the primary issues, both local and regional, that were covered on "What's Left in America."

Keywords: Anniversary; Dumps; Issues; Lexington (Ky.); Otis Singletary; Recycling programs; WRFL; What's Left in America (Radio program)

Subjects: Administration; College radio stations; Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970; Kent State University; Perspective; Radio stations; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Um, just as kind of a side note, um, if you remember anything else about talking to Dr. Singletary it's very welcome...

Segment Synopsis: Creech highlights the role of then-president of the University of Kentucky Otis Singletary in establishing WRFL. Some of the university's scandals that occurred in the 1980s are also briefly discussed.

Keywords: Administration building; David Roselle; Funds; Lexington (Ky.); Otis Singletary; Ron Pen; Scandals; University administration; University presidents; WRFL

Subjects: Archives; Basketball; College radio stations; Fire; Money; Music; Professors; Radio stations; Retirement; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Okay, so a couple other controversies I want to touch on...

Segment Synopsis: Creech details some of the controversies that "What's Left in America" covered throughout the 1980s. Subsequently, Creech briefly talks of Theo Monroe, who was a political activist in favor of intervention in South Africa, and also played a major role in obtaining WRFL's FCC license.

Keywords: Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Sr.; Baseball integration; Charles Haywood; Diversions; FCC licenses; Happy Chandler; Irrelevant; Lexington (Ky.); Nelson Mandela; South Africa; WRFL; What's Left in America (Radio program); Wife

Subjects: African Americans; Apartheid--South Africa; Baseball; Basketball; College radio stations; Controversies; Economics; Professor; Race; Radio stations; Resignation; Sports; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: You know, um, talking about these issues, uh, you guys, um, housed a lot of passion on a certain level.

Segment Synopsis: Creech provides a comparison of the political issues of the 1980s to those of the 2000s.

Keywords: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); George H.W. Bush; George W. Bush; Gulf War; Lexington (Ky.); Passion; Ronald Reagan; Socially Concerned Students; Tension; WRFL

Subjects: Administration; Article; College radio stations; Comparisons; Gun control; Interviews; Liberals; Life; Radio stations; Terrorism; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now there is still the space where the different student organizations have their--

Segment Synopsis: Creech explains his role in obtaining a space in the university's student center for student-led organizations. Additionally, Creech shares his thoughts on the state of healthcare in the U.S. today and the direction it will be heading in the coming years.

Keywords: Frank Harris; Health insurance; Healthcare; Issues; Kentucky Kernel (newspaper); Letters; Politics; Protests; Single-payer system; Social issues; Socially Concerned Students; Specialized medicine; Student organizations; Tuition freezes; VA Illiana Health Care System, Danville, Illinois; Vietnam veterans; What's Left in America (Radio program)

Subjects: Administration; Article; Editorial; Students; University of Kentucky