I think radio is one of the ways to read the “tea leaves” of an area.
Earlier this year I was delighted to find a Hopi NPR affiliate station in Arizona (KUYI) that had the best mix of music genres I think I have ever heard.
In Southern Oregon, I remember being struck by the breadth of stations – everything from NPR and old hippie 70’s music community radio to conservative talk radio and a Spanish language Christian music station.
In western South Dakota, there was classic rock, country, Christian contemporary music, and R&B/Rap – but no Christian *preaching* stations. I guessed that the area ears might belong to more libertarians and Harley riders (Sturgis!) and fewer evangelicals.
In Canada, I have spent a lot of time listening to province-specific CBC stations – learning about local and Canadian issues, and getting crystal clear how much they follow American politics.
In Toronto, I listened to both Pakistani- and Indo-Canadian radio stations.
And when I was in Cape Breton, I was mesmerized listening to this French/Acadian station play Celtic, bluegrass, country, folk and zydeco music IN FRENCH. Feel free to take a listen.
There’s so much to experience out here in the wide world.
