Local Rags & Radio
Albuquerque: The Magazine
Sometimes at the Guide offices, when we feel redundant, we mosey to the Flying Star to bury our faces in a $12 eclair. Those days, we make a point of sitting near the register, in view of Albuquerque’s premier hyper-gloss, ATM. And we remember there are, as everywhere, (at least) two Albuquerques: theirs, and everyone else’s.
KABG (Big Oldies)
Corporate, but straight-up old-timey DJs and great old music. Classics and rarities from Bobby Daren, Brenda Lee, Big Bopper, the Chordettes, Little Richard, Fats Domino, and on.
KABQ
Best Country in town, and the only station that isn’t blasting corporatized New Wave Nashville. Count on ‘em for your Waylan Jennings, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Charlie Daniels, and David Allen Coe fix.
KANW
Damien says, “Literally, the first FM station in Albuquerque. They broadcast from a tiny room with a big antenna, and pick up all the NPR shows you love but can’t get on KUNM. Also legendary for showcasing New Mexican music.
KBNM (The Eagle)
The last non-NPR community radio in Albuquerque, grandfathered with a prior-generation FCC broadcasting license. Though they call them Oldies, think pre-’92: classic rock, oldies, funk/soul, and R&B.
KKOB
The premier Talk Radio in NM, as well as the Home of the Lobos and Jim Villanucci, one of the sweetest and open-to-debate conservative talk show hosts around. They syndicate most of that national programming you’ve been jonzing for.
KRKE
Like listening to someone’s iPod on oldies shuffle. But with an all-Elvis hour. And syndicated national lefty talk.
KUNM
Truly community-focused radio, from the ads they run to the tunes they jam. Don’t like what you’re hearing? Take a DJ training class and propose something better. Our home for NPR and Pacifica.
KZRR (94 Rock)
Yes, it’s ClearChannel, AND the DJs remind us of the hornballs who signed us a condom when we were 14, but, for the moment, anyway, they control their programming. From Two For Tuesday (B2B tracks from the same artist, all day!) to the 4:20 Floyd Fix to Get the Led Out, these guys still command some of the best rock radio in the country.
The Weekly Alibi
Among our free newspapers since the late ’80s, with alt news, local reviews on food to theater to movies, very much about where and when your favorite bands are playing tonight, a venerable weekly calendar, and an awesome outlet for letters. It doesn’t get more local, and thanks to their new online dating service, it’s easy to find that special local (the Local Special’s up to you).