Charlie Castleman reads different pledges during the annual KSYM pledge drive April 2013. File
Drive helps KSYM stay on the airwaves.
By Tyrin Bradley
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
In an effort to keep the music playing, this college’s radio station, KSYM 90.1 FM, will launch its annual pledge drive March 20.
“The pledge drive helps us fund the station,” said Dallas Williams, radio-television- broadcasting sophomore. “Everything in this office is funded by our wonderful listeners who donate.”
Williams is one of the students and staff members responsible for coordinating this year’s drive.
It will fund “everything from our annual fees that we have to pay for music licensing to new computers that we are going to be working in this year, and a new software system that is going to help us run the station,” he said.
KSYM’S pledge goal is $50,000.
To reach this goal, the station will invite local media personalities and politicians to volunteer an hour of on-air fundraising.
Those special guests can attract new, loyal listeners, Williams said.
KSYM offers shows like the blues heavy Sauce and the Americana Third Coast Music Network. It also broadcasts hip-hop, indie rock, heavy metal and even sex talk.
In 2014, the San Antonio Current’s Best of SA edition named KSYM the top music radio station in the city.
There is more to the pledge drive than just keeping on the lights, Williams said. The pledge drive also promotes a sense of community for music lovers.
“This is always a time of year where we really get to see, talk and visit with our fans and listeners, because they really do become family,” Williams said. “It’s really nice to talk to music fans in general because there is something in (a music fan’s) core that we just understand about each other.
“We can connect on this level that there is a lot of music not being played on other stations, and luckily we have KSYM to do that.”
The station also gives back to the community by donating to local organizations such as Alternatives to Hunger, which provides food for the hungry and educates the community.
The pledge drive is accepting donations March 20-27.
Donations can be made online at www.ksym.org or by calling the station at 210-486-5796.
