Because of the amount of time I spend in Bexar County, I’ve gotten conversant with local radio. Two come to mind. Headed south, out of Austin, I’ll listen to some kind of a mix. But when I pass San Marcos, I start fiddling with the dials.
New Braunfels has 92.1, which lists itself as Americana Music. About the time I hit the outer loops, in SA proper, I’ll switch to 92.5, which calls itself “outlaw.” That moniker so curious. I’ll guess that there’s a whole post that can be reserved for voice-tracked Clear Channel Communications, stations that lack soul. The broad, can be in any town, and for that matter, can be at any time, anonymous recorded voice, which is all canned.
A personal favorite, Hank III, a true rebel and a definite outlaw, his music pops up with regularity on that 92.5 station. That’s odd because the station is a Clear Channel station, supposedly no soul. To me, it also sounds like there’s just one vocal talent doing all the work. Ads, fillers, stringers, all the same voice. Not that it’s bad, it’s just the way it is. With tag lines like “Hell yeah my mama uses lard in her tortillas,” it’s clear to me that this place has a touch of the real outlaw. Big company corporate culture or not.
When it comes down to the play lists? That’s what counts. Dead even heat, here. I was cruising along, and I heard Brian Burns, singing about Texas, the aforementioned Hank III, and then, some guy was warbling about “You look better on My space.” Country (slash) roots rock kind of tune. But the singer had that country accent. Hilarious tune.
The biggest problem? I can’t tell if the two station compete, or if they work in harmony. The play list for the truly alt-americana station, in New Braunfels, is slightly skewed towards folk-rock, but it still has a strong local flavor. I suspect that the New Braunfels station would play the Grateful Dead whereas the Clear Channel stable mate probably wouldn’t.
Yeah, get your twang on. I would suppose that regional music is important enough so it warrant two stations. And competition improves the breed.
Pick a favorite? Inside the loop? The corporate signal because it’s stronger. But Southbound, (I) 35? The last of the indy stations. Sure.
92.5 The Outlaw
KNBT Radio New Braunfels
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