KDGE in Dallas completely loses its sense of “Adventure”
I just learned from my friend and colleague at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Preston Jones, that KDGE-FM in Dallas gave Josh Venable, host of the long-running alt-music show “The Adventure Club,” his walking papers on Friday.
This is sad news for anyone in Oklahoma City who used to schedule their Sunday return to Soonerland after a weekend in DFW to coincide with getting maximum time on the road with Josh. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of music and the taste to match, and “The Adventure Club” was always prime territory to hear both cool bands from Dallas and the latest imports from Britain.
But, this is how it’s going in radio now, and while it’s a bit of a cliche at this point to say it, I no longer have any reason to listen to what was once the best alt-rock station in the region. It is now indistinguishable from most of the “active rock” stations that are currently flogging twice-removed grunge to undemanding listeners.
Josh is special because he brings a sense of humor to his broadcasts that fits perfectly with the music he plays. He loves entertaining cover versions, left-field freak bomb songs that few people remember (he might be the only person in North America who dared to play Was (Not Was)’s “Hello Dad, I’m in Jail” on corporate radio), and introducing imports long before they receive an airing (if they ever do) on U.S. shores.
My fervent hope is that Josh lands either at satellite, where people pay for the pleasure of hearing great music, at DFW NPR affiliate KERA, and/or in podcasting. I’d pay to hear this guy play great music for a few hours a week.
My best wishes are with you, Josh.
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