In the world of traditional media, it's not all that common for movement progressives to get a platform, which is why I wanted to tell everyone the good news: Today, Clear Channel announced the launch of my new radio show on KKZN-AM760 - the statewide progressive radio station here in Colorado. The show runs every weekday morning from 7am-10am MST (9am-12pm ET). You can tune in locally on AM760 on your radio dial or stream it/podcast it from anywhere at the show's website.
I will still be writing my weekly syndicated newspaper column and my book, I'll likewise still be contributing on my regular schedule to OpenLeft - and the new radio show is a really great opportunity to add to that work. But this is not just a great opportunity for me, but for us as a movement.
It's an opportunity for discussion, debate and journalistic analysis from a progressive perspective each and every weekday morning right here in the Great American Heartland. And here's the thing - we're not going to be carrying any water for either political party, but for journalism and the progressive movement. As I said in the Clear Channel press release that went out today, "Talk radio often ends up being a mindless screaming match between Democratic and Republican Party propagandists - but what we need is more frank debate, honest discussion and tough questions."
In the last 9 months of filling in, we've had terrific guests come into what I've called the AM760 Progressive Dojo (there is no fear in this dojo!) for tough questions, debate and discussion - from U.S. Senators like Bernie Sanders and Michael Bennet; to national journalists like Bill Moyers, Naomi Klein, David Brancaccio, Rachel Maddow and Dylan Ratigan; to legendary writers and comedians like Carl Reiner, Lewis Black, James Ellroy, Steven Coonts, Noam Chomsky and Chuck Klosterman. We're trying to provide a solid mix of politics, pop culture (the intersection of which is what my upcoming book is all about) and, on Fridays, taste tests of local craft beer. For our efforts, we've gotten some great reviews - my favorite of which was from Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) who said, "There's one thing I love about your show - you never throw me a softball."
Obviously, if you have topic/guest ideas, please send them along here, or instant message us at the show's website. I'm going to need your help to make this the best show it can possibly be.
If you want to know more about the show and some thoughts about what we aim to achieve, check out Westword's new article on the announcement here. If you want to know more about the show and some thoughts about what we aim to achieve, check out Westword's new article on the announcement here. I've learned a helluva lot from my good friend Jay Marvin, and it's intimidating to try to follow in the footsteps of such a radio legend. But I'm looking forward to the challenge.