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Opelousas Barn Raising by Kai Aiyetoro January, 2003 The Prometheus Radio Project’s third barn raising event and conference in Opelousas, LA drew attendees from near and far. Over fifty low power radio enthusiasts from all over the country came to Zydeco country to assist with the construction of KOCZ-LP and learn more about developing LPFM stations in their own locations. The Southern Development Foundation (SDF), KOCZ’s licensing entity, hosted the event. In 1999, the SDF Board of Directors was seeking community projects in order to encourage and increase Opelousas community involvement. Many community residents commute to Lafayette, Alexandria, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles to work and shop, leaving relatively little activity in town outside of church and school functions. A consultant was hired right at the beginning of the LPFM application period to research broadcast possibilities. Local commercial radio stations did not focus on Zydeco music while broadcasting in a community that hosts the largest Zydeco festival in the entire country. Neither did the commercial stations speak Creole, the language of the people. Economic development, voter registration and rights, and other civil and human rights are just a few of the issues that SDF felt needed extensive discussion in the community. Opelousas is very poor, but the community possesses a set of strong Catholic beliefs and Creole traditions. With the help of Father McKnight, a 75 year old Holy Ghost priest, SDF rallied the community around the idea of working with Prometheus Radio to build a 100-watt station. SDF Chief Operations Officer John Freeman purchased all of the equipment with the Foundation’s $30,000 start-up budget. SDF receives much of its funding through special fundraising activities such as golf tournaments, 4k-runs, and direct mail solicitation. The station’s underwriting program is still in the early development stage, but it has already attracted interest from local businesses that wish to support the project. Building began long before the Prometheus group arrived, for SDF had solicited help from a local carpenter and tower climbers, as well as the Holy Ghost Church. When many of us arrived on November 15th, the tower and antenna had been erected, the studio framework was complete, and lots of Creole cooking awaited the presenters, attendees and workers. Prometheus developed a schedule of events and workshops designed to include everyone’s interests and talents in bringing the station to life. Those interested in the actual construction (e.g. connection of all the mixing board components) met in the studio. Attendees interested in the automation system actually entered all of the great Zydeco music into the system. The dilemma caused by connecting a 107.3 FM programmed transmitter to a 103.7 FM antenna was pondered over and finally resolved by a group in the transmitter room. The day of completion was a joyous one! The SDF Board wants prominent involvement with the local youth community. Young people were allowed to be first behind the mike, and engineered the official opening broadcast from KOCZ-LP, 103.7 FM, Opelousas, while local media, politicians, musicians, and more attended the ribbon cutting. Kai Aiyetoro
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