Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 20, 1990 TAG: 9006200358
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
Send them to radio station WUVT at Virginia Tech.
WUVT has an idea that's sure to make parents, and kids - and maybe even listeners - happy and interested.
Wake up to the "Hickory Dickory Dock Show" from 9 to 11 a.m. and start Sunday off with a bang.
This isn't babysitting but a chance for young listeners to get something other than prepubescent dance music. It's educational, enlightening and just plain fun.
"There's been a reawakening in children's music," said Linda DeVito, one of the program's founders and DJs. "And the involvement straddles all ages."
Children's radio has been called an endangered species since public radio shows such as "Kids' America" and "Children's Radio Theatre" went off the air because of a lack of funding.
Today, however, dedicated entrepreneurs have gotten some children's programs distributed through National Public Radio, via satellite and from the Longhorn Radio Network of the University of Texas.
Though the 3,000-watt WUVT-FM at Virginia Tech isn't a national station, it is hooked up with the Intercollegiate Broadcast System. And "syndication sure would be nice," said Kat Van Wey, the other "Hickory Dickory Dock Show" founder and DJ.
"This isn't the cheesy, nasally, obnoxious kid stuff either," said Van Wey, 21, a communication major at Tech. "You can get something out of this."
The program went live last fall after DeVito and Van Wey each approached radio administrators with their idea that a niche for children was not being filled.
Van Wey got the ball rolling after she was assigned an early Sunday morning shift. She brought albums in - the ones she listened to when she was a child - and put together a show.
DeVito, 33, is a Tech alumna who's been working part-time at the station since 1977. She came aboard to help run the program, adding her Long Island accent, some albums, a bunch of groovy ideas and a special guest.
That guest is her son, who's stage name is Nick Anthony. He's only 2, but he's a professional. He finds time to sing along with the tunes, munch on cookies and recite his alphabet.
But the best thing, according to Van Wey, is that Nick creates the atmosphere for the "Hickory Dickory Dock Show." How could you do a children's program without a child?
Because of Nick, some of the listeners will call up to make requests or just to talk.
"This is the best," said Van Wey. "In college there's not a lot of opportunity to interact with children. This is the best way to do it."
There's an open invitation for interested children to come up to the station and read, sing or just visit. It's an opportunity for children to get involved in a medium they might not otherwise notice.
All a child has to do is write or call the station and let the programmers know what you have planned. DeVito and Van Wey will call and set up an appointment. Only a few people can be allowed in the broadcasting booth at a time.
Over the months, the show has become more professional and popular, netting a $100 donation from a family in Floyd and other $25 donations from throughout the valley.
"Those kinds of donations are unheard of at this station," said Van Wey. "We're used to $2 and $3 donations."
A sponsor for the program has yet to be found. Business owners of children's toy stores, clothing stores, bookstores - anything having to do with children - can sponsor the station, in turn receiving commercial time.
And since the show's record library has a collection of only 30 albums, CDs and tapes, musical donations are being sought.
Students and community residents have already donated such classics as "Zoom Tunes," from the Emmy-winning TV show, "Big Top Pee Wee," "Mary Poppins" and "Sesame Street" and Disney albums.
And DeVito has found newer releases in the progressive country vein, which is transforming the sounds of children's radio, from the likes of Dan Crow, Tom Chapin and John McCutcheon.
There's also slower, dreamier stuff such as "Star Dreamer" by Priscilla Herdman, with lullabies.
"People with hangovers call and request the lullabies. They don't want the peppy stuff when they're trying to go to sleep," said Van Wey. "You know how college kids are."
Such stars as Peter, Paul and Mary and the late Elvis Presley also produced some children's albums. DeVito predicts more famous entertainers will make tunes for children.
The "Hickory Dickory Dock" jocks also read stories and poems, such as John Newberry Medal winner "Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices," and the classic "The Three Little Pigs." Literature professors from Tech have even read their publications over the air.
"We're broadening the musical horizons for children," said DeVito.
The two have many plans for the program including festivals, contests and skits. And as Nick Anthony gets older, he will add new perspectives to the program.
Said Music Director Ron Thigpen, "It's a good alternative for kids and it's a diversion from TV."
For information, or to send music and literature donations, write to Linda DeVito, WUVT, 100 N. Main St., Suite 210, Blacksburg, Va. 24060 or call 552-0644.
by CNB