Due to the recent insight of Chris Kozak (1/19), a praised radio programming aficionado and opinion columnist for the DI, I have decided to implement some changes in the way WPGU is programmed. First and foremost, all current “The” bands we are playing will no longer receive any spins. I am going to immediately remove all songs by The Postal Service, The Killers, The Walkmen, The Shins and The Cure, and replace them with such innovative acts as Linkin Park, Hoobastank, Good Charlotte and Simple Plan. If you’re lucky, I may even revive “Hey Ya!” and play it no less than three times per hour. You know that could never get stale.

I am extremely thankful to the invaluable information Chris has bestowed upon me. Now I can’t fathom the idea of programming a radio station that values Bright Eyes (only one of Radio and Records’ top 8 artists of 2005) over Linkin Park (Linkin Park + Jay Z = magic!), or Death Cab For Cutie over Blues Traveler. To the fans of Modest Mouse and Franz Ferdinand, I apologize. I guess those two bands just aren’t as talented musicians as Bowling For Soup. Again, I thank Chris for his good service to all of Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding counties in bringing my attention to the error of our programming ways.

From now on, the only songs WPGU will play will have to be on every Top 40 list in the country and obviously signed to a major record label. All you nonstudents out there and fans of local music, I’m sorry, but you are going to have to go back to “your purple-haired, nympho girlfriends,” unless she walked out on you and caused you to “run out of black nail polish.” To show how mistaken I have been, I wasn’t even aware our listening audience was 100 percent male…

In closing, I have extended an invititation to Chris to come into the studio to give all our listeners the distinct pleasure of hearing commentary from a true radio programming icon. He obviously knows far more than me, so the only honorable thing I can do is step down and yield to his ingenious philosophy. I sincerely apologize to Liz Mozzocco. I guess national award nominations for your show and local praise for the format change has all been a farce.

Jim Finnerty

Program Director, WPGU 107.1