Dave Pizazz Radio Jones was Rio Bisbee.Band’s original drummer in 1980. Before playing that drum role, he was previously radio disc jockey in his then hometown Chicopee, Massachusetts. Relocated in Maine closer to other Bisbees, Dave became involved with the new radio station WERU Community Radio 89.9 FM in nearby Blue Hill. Naturally Bisbees were excited to have an inside man at the local radio station - our Radio Jones. Dave was careful not to abuse the privilege, yet he found ways to help Rio Bisbee.Band gain access to public airwaves via WERU Community Radio. Among earliest WERU volunteers at the Hen House in Blue Hill, Rio Bisbee.Band played live over the air for Fun-a-Thon, performed publicly at WERU fund-raising events, recorded and donated Hand On The Radio as a promo for on-air fundraising. Band members volunteered for grounds maintenance, offered goodies for other volunteers. It was an example of people sharing skills and resources with each other – that is community. Wierdoes and freaks, we were glad, grateful, and proud to be part of the coolest radio channel around.

On Giving Tuesday, progressive organizations toot their own horn, and for two minutes bask in the limelight of on-air recognition as accredited Giving institutions. Of course, support must be tangible, not just cheerleading and flag waving. Support means funding charitable non-profit corporations. Like celebrities, 501 c 3 corporations are each other’s biggest fans. In fact, public recognition on Giving Tuesday is restricted to non-profit corporations only in a fungible cycle of fiscal reciprocity. All others, however active, noble, or generous, are excluded.

Because Rio Bisbee.Band is not a non-profit corporation, WERU corporate manager/general repugned Rio Bisbee.Band as “just a band”. He banned Rio Bisbee.Band from recognition on Giving Tuesday, despite many years of supporting Maine groups in a tangible way by donating musical services for various Movement happenings. Though failure to incorporate is the tactical excuse for exclusion, strategically the corporate bored fear endorsing an example of Giving outside the sphere of “non-profit” corporate finance.

Rio Bisbee.Band is profit-free, does not exploit community events for monetary gain. Volunteering Rio Bisbee music renders gain unto others. Sure, on-air mention is publicity for the band. It is also recognition for assiduous support of fellow travelers on the Freedom Trail. What’s wrong with that??

As in real life, protest brings punishment. Petitioning the bored for redress was deemed a hostile act. At the behest of the manager/general, WERU corporate decided it was worthwhile to bring criminal charges with the State against Rio Bisbee.Band’s Minister of Propaganda for attempting to share the sordid story of censorship with the WERU radio community. That legalistic assault was false, frivolous, and fraudulent. The district court judge dismissed the case with prejudice when the manager/general refused to testify in his own behalf as plaintiff. Heedless of the court’s ruling, the WERU bored pronounced Rio Bisbee.Band “ineligible” as WERU members.

5 years later the obnoxious manager/general retired from his lengthy tenure as Supreme Leader of WERU-FM. In 2025 it seemed a new day was dawning when Bisbee-Ites on the staff at WERU offered to help Rio Bisbee.Band return to the airwaves. Op-hoy! There’s our Radio Jones! However, despite renewed application, vindictive bored members denied Rio Bisbee.Band paid support slots on WERU Community Radio, citing “history”, and station policy - No wierdoes or freaks allowed. The bored failed to mention their perennial ad hominem venom and ingrained intolerance for democracy and free speech. Little people feel a surge of power when denying equality to others. It is shameful that corporate slugs lie between Rio Bisbee.Band and our friends in the WERU radio community, which we helped to build. Because community radio is where it’s at!

Unfazed, albeit decidedly disappointed with WERU corporate, we turned instead to Star 97.7 FM locally owned and operated smooth rock radio in nearby Ellsworth. With no membership fees or volunteer hours required, they gladly accept money in exchange for broadcast airtime. They don’t claim to support democracy and free speech - they just do. DJ Paul invited Bisbees into the studio to record our spiel, and added Rio Bisbee tunes for background music – that’s not allowed at WERU. With approximately the same area served, Star 97.7 fifteen-second ads cost $8 each compared to $11 at WERU. Why hassel with uptight, unco-operative non-profit radio whereas commercial community radio offers more better service for less money? Plus they welcome wierdoes and freaks!



We got a Radio Jones!

Yobassman