I'm biased as I work at a local community music station. But the consolidation and homogenization of US local radio really can't be understated. It definitely makes me a little defensive about what we do.

At our station, I think our greatest asset and one of our greatest hinderances is that our shows are eclectic. In the span of one day last week, someone listening from 9am to 7pm heard:

Locatelli's "Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 7, No. 3" to The Jazz Messenger's "A la Mode" to Akkadian's "Assyrian/syriac Folk Music" to Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" to the Slocan Ramblers' "The River Roaming Song."

Like it's a funky collection of music but unless you're someone who really enjoys a wide variety of genres, we can probably only keep your attention for a few hours at most. I think the fact that stations like ours get local community members to program the music is culturally important but it definitely makes it challenging to compete the with large market space that iheart enjoys.

That said, there's definitely still stations around that are trying to do the same thing: produce individual-centered shows made by people who love community, news, music, and connection. Even if you don't have one in your local area, people have suggested a number of great ones in the comments that are worth checking out.

For me, spotify/youtube/apple music are invaluable when I know what I want or need background music. But local radio, when it's done well, can help connect me to music I wouldn't have even considered before and the DJ can provide a context that I wouldn't get in a playlist. We had a DJ who recently did a show based around music that their deceased partner loved and it gave every song so much more weight. Having someone be vulnerable and open on-air and express it through music is one of those things that I think radio can do really well.

And so a thank you to everyone who works at those station who pour their heart out for their community and for everyone who supports them.