Interview with Brian Keith Parker, December 29, 2008

Partial Transcript: Um, but I just kind of roll these things and--

Segment Synopsis: Parker briefly talks of his background and association with WRFL.

Keywords: Concert committee; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Interior design; Lexington (Ky.); Seattle (Wash.); WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; High school; Music; Radio stations; Students; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How did music affect, like in high school even...

Segment Synopsis: Parker discusses the impact of his musical interests upon the group of friends that he chose to associate with.

Keywords: Bands; Eurodance; Influences; Lexington (Ky.); MTV; Outcasts; Tates Creek High School, Lexington (Ky.); The Cure (Artist); The Cure (Band)

Subjects: Cable; Dance music; Fashion; Friend; High school; Music; Parties; Punk rock music

Partial Transcript: Um, so do you, um, have any recollection of, um, of proposing this show...

Segment Synopsis: Parker explains how he became a DJ at WRFL during its early days. Parker then characterizes his overall experience as a student at the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: CDs; Clubs; Colleges; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Mixtapes; Saturdays; Timeslots; Vinyl; WRFL

Subjects: Anonymous; College radio stations; Friendship; High school; Music; Radio stations; Records; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Um, let's see so--

Segment Synopsis: Parker describes alternative music that he enjoyed during his time spent working at WRFL in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Keywords: Acid jazz music; Al Jourgensen; Alternative music; Family; Front 242 (Artist); Front 242 (Band); Lexington (Ky.); Outsiders; Record reviews; Record stores; Seattle (Wash.); WRFL; Wax Trax! Records

Subjects: Albums; Cable; College radio stations; Dance music; Electronic music; Front 242 (Musical group); Information society; Jazz; Music; Radio stations; Spanish; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Um, we might want to talk for just a second for no particular reason than just 'cause I want to...

Segment Synopsis: Parker briefly examines the musical trend of remixing older jazz recordings. Additionally, Parker describes some of the most memorable WRFL concerts.

Keywords: Billie Holiday (Artist); Concert committee; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Echo & the Bunnymen (Artist); Echo & the Bunnymen (Band); Ella Fitzgerald (Artist); Lexington (Ky.); Nina Simone (Artist); Radio shows; Styles; The Jesus and Mary Chain (Artist); The Jesus and Mary Chain (Band); WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Concerts; Dance music; Electronic music; High school; Jazz; Music; Radio stations; Remixes; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How did that stuff--can you describe how, how that part of your personality...

Segment Synopsis: Parker illustrates how useful his time as a DJ working at WRFL has been throughout his career working in interior design. Parker then explains how he cultivated his radio voice.

Keywords: Accents; Computers; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Influence; Interior design; Lexington (Ky.); Playlists; Radio shows; Radio voices; Seattle (Wash.); Skills; Song logs; Typing; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Interior design; Music; Radio stations; Rhythm; Speech; University of Kentucky; Voice

Partial Transcript: We got into, um, a telecable show.

Segment Synopsis: Parker discusses a public access TV show that he directed and produced in Seattle. Following this, Parker lists the benefits of working in radio.

Keywords: Appearance; Directors; Lexington (Ky.); Local channels; Production; Seattle (Wash.); Shyness; TV shows; Telecable; Television shows; WRFL; Writers

Subjects: Actors; Cable; College radio stations; Personality; Radio; Radio stations; Stuttering; Television; University of Kentucky; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: One of my big curiosities, and sort of research points has to do with just sort of underground music in Lexington.

Segment Synopsis: Parker chronicles the Lexington underground music scene. Some of the most famous bands (both local and touring) to visit Lexington during this time are also mentioned.

Keywords: Bands; Bars; DJs; Deejays; Disc jockeys; Gay listeners; Gay nightlife; Lexington (Ky.); Local music; Music requests; The Flaming Lips (Artist); The Flaming Lips (Band); WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Counterculture; Nightlife; People; Radio stations; Underground music; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Do you know Bradley Picklesimer?

Segment Synopsis: Parker details what the Lexington gay cultural scene was like in the 1980s.

Keywords: Clubs; Colleges; Drag queens; Friends; HIV/AIDS; Lexington (Ky.); New Orleans (La.); Ronald Reagan

Subjects: Drag shows; Gay culture; High school; Parties; Twentieth century

Partial Transcript: Did you feel that RFL was a place that, you know, embraced differentness?

Segment Synopsis: Parker considers the nature of WRFL's culture and music scene. Various bands and genres that WRFL played during the time that Parker worked there are also mentioned.

Keywords: Active Ingredients (Artist); Active Ingredients (Band); Bands; Boyfriends; Camaraderie; Clothing; Electronic Supergroup; Goals; Lexington (Ky.); Local music; Nine Pound Hammer (Artist); Nine Pound Hammer (Band); Phone calls; Record stores; Soundgarden (Artist); Soundgarden (Band); WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Culture; Memories; Music; Nine Pound Hammer (Musical group); Punk rock music; Radio stations; Sexual orientation; Soundgarden (Musical group); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Do remember any of like the early, um--do you happen to remember...

Segment Synopsis: Parker articulates upon the founding of WRFL. Parker then explains the educational value of WRFL for students.

Keywords: Communications; Dance mixes; Donations; Effort; Funding; Lexington (Ky.); Playlists; Radio reporting; Timing; WRFL

Subjects: College radio stations; Education; Experience; Radio stations; Students; Technology; University of Kentucky; Voice