Interview with Richard M. "Rich" Kirby, October 15, 2015

Interview Summary

Rich Kirby describes his career at Appalshop, reflects on his recording career at June Appal Records, and describes how he became increasingly interested and involved with the radio station WMMT. He draws connections between his work in Appalachia and some cultural work he observed firsthand in South Africa, and also discusses the differences between these places and is careful to qualify his perspective on African politics. Kirby discusses the democratic potential for and challenges of community radio in Appalachia, and he articulates those through the example of how the politics of coal influenced WMMT's programming and history.

Interview Keyword

Coal miners--Appalachian Region. Coal Community radio Cultural politics June Appal Recordings June Appal Records Letcher County (Ky.) Music Political activism Radio production South African music WMMT radio station

Interview LC Subject

Appalshop, Inc. Political activists Radio South Africa WMMT-FM (Radio station : Whitesburg, Ky.)

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.