Name: Peggy La Point
College: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Radio Station: WRST
Years Active: 1984-1989
Position(s): DJ (84-89), Program Director (87), Asst. Station Manager (88), Station Manager (88)
Favorite Bands (then): I don’t know where to start here. In college, anything from REM, Depeche Mode, Prince, The Police, New Order and 10,000 Maniacs (and more than I can remember). But also local bands in Oshkosh – The Twistin Egyptians and Second Childhood.
Favorite Bands (now): Decemberists, Anderson East, Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, Michael Kiwanuka, Jack Johnson, Maggie Rogers, Wailin Jennys, the list goes on & on
What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in college radio? My advice is the same I would give when I’d be talking at our weekly radio workshop class – “Get involved and try new things. The more experience you get in college, the more you have to offer”. And my advice now, decades later (and also what I tell my son who’s a freshman in college) “Take advantage of what college has to offer, big and small. You’ll be happy you did.”
What was your most memorable interview? I’ve been able to interview a lot of people/artists while working at KINK. Prior to the pandemic, I hosted two podcasts (not at the same time) and I would interview artists in our live performance space. One of my favorites was when I was interviewing Tegan & Sara (2016). They came into our live studio, but not for a performance or in front of an audience. We decided to do something different. The three of us sat on stage and during the interview, our crew brought up 3 kittens. So while I was interviewing them, we were petting and wrangling the kittens as they climbed over us and elsewhere. Tegan & Sara where great and loved it, since they’re big animal lovers.
Any funny stories or anecdotes specific to your time at the college radio station? When I was either PD or SM, a couple of friends decided to start a fan club “Peg Radio”, I’m not sure when I found out about it, but not until they made buttons and t-shirts (one of them is on the quilt I made). They sent me a letter pretending to be a talent scout (I just found that a few months ago…totally forgot about it). They put signs around the station offering pieces of my clothing or other memorabilia if you joined the club. And one day, as I was walking from my apartment to class, I came across signs along the way for Peg Radio. They were all around campus and I think this was before I knew who was behind the club. It was pretty surreal & funny. But the best part I found out later. A friend, who was also involved at the radio & TV station, was dating someone who was w/campus security. He was either in a meeting or heard about a meeting where the chancellor was trying to find out what Peg Radio was and who put the posters up.
But really, I have the best memories about my time at WRST and Titan TV 2 (our on-campus TV station). People in the R/TV/F department hung around together a lot, both on & off campus.
