The debate over what is the heart of Missoula is one that will undoubtedly never be resolved. Some will lay claim to the river, while others will give the title to a shopping mall. While this is pondered and discussed, sitting quietly in the background is KUFM: The Spirit of Missoula. Since 1965, when the station broadcasting power was a mere 10-watts (barely enough to cover the campus), KUFM has grown, evolved, and expanded. The station now boasts a vastly more powerful broadcasting range that serves the surrounding community, sometimes influencing said community in subtle ways that, in turn, has changed the world. I'll explain: For too many years, if you didn't dig classic rock, pop-music love songs, country, or MTV, you had one single alternative in terms of music on the radio: two radio shows that broadcasted in the middle of the night on Fridays and Saturdays without promotion or fanfare. The shows reached out far and wide with a simple message: "You are not alone. There is something better." Many, if not most heard about these shows via word of mouth through like-minded individuals: "Oh, you like Iggy Pop? Check out this radio show." Some, like me, stumbled on it in the middle of the night while desperately searching for any signs of life. Through these late-night broadcasts, listeners would find out about shows, events, and businesses in both Missoula and other near-by communities that they otherwise might not have known about. Later, some of these individuals would do extraordinary things, such as lay the foundation for the "grunge" scene, produce stellar bands, jot down incredible and influential writing, and generally create a world in which they could tolerate living in. That was a long time ago, but still, at KUFM the "I'm your next door neighbor" feeling has been retained after all these years. Sure, the jocks at the other stations do live in Missoula. But those stations are all controlled by out-of-town/out-of-state corporations who only care about bottom-line dollar revenue and ways to maximize it. Community announcements? Dropped. Reading passages from selected books? Forget about it. "Guest" DJ's taking over the controls for a session? Yeah, that'll happen. Live bands playing in the studio? Don't hold your breath on that one. KUFM, through its staff and local community involvement, constantly reflects the changes occurring. Instead of talking at you, they're talking along with you. The news and shows you are hearing informs not only you, but individuals living in places where the dirt-road ends, and the hiking trail to their home begins. And really, isn't that what radio is really all about? read more