-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Years ago, on late evening car trips, Dad would turn the dial to WLS or KOMA or WOAI - radio stations based in Chicago, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The radio’s light illuminated my parents’ 1961 Ford Galaxie and later, the 1974 Ford Gran Torino. Turn the dial, watch the red peg move across the screen, landing on 890 or 1490 or 1200 and listen to the family singalong, even though static may have served as a scratchy filter.

Once home, I’d move the dial until one of the stations - usually KOMA - came in on my Emerson dual AM/FM radio and cassette player (a Christmas gift from my Larson grandparents) and turn the volume low enough so I could listen while falling asleep as DJ Charlie Tuna spun the hits. When the alarm rang in the morning, those out-of-state stations faded into fuzzy static, or the strains of a not-tuned-in AM station located nearby set the tone for the day.

I couldn’t wait until the sun set and we could tune in once more.

I’m certain my first kiss was to the strains of “Best of My Love” by The Eagles, playing on KOMA, as a young man named Jim leaned in for a kiss while we stood next to his ‘68 Chevelle, parked in my parents’ driveway.

Ah, memories. I remember the music. The kiss, not so much.

Now, my Kia Sportage features a touch screen, XM radio, two FM bands and AM. Red digital lights brighten the screen. Hit the seek button - no red peg to indicate the channel - and I’m far more likely to listen to XM Hits 1 or ‘90s on 9 or The Highway on XM or 102.9 or 98.8 FM.

I’m guessing if I ever purchase another new car, the AM band won’t be included. According to a “Washington Post” article, major automakers plan to “eliminate AM radios from new vehicles, despite protests from station owners, listeners, first-responders and politicians from both major parties.”

Seems that some automakers are ditching AM radios in electric vehicles since the electric engine can interfere with sounds from an AM station.

Ford Motor Company is removing AM radios from all vehicles, revealing that less than 5% of in-car listening involves AM stations.

Currently, 4,185 AM stations keep listeners tuned in for news, music, weather alerts, sports and political opinions. Plenty of ethnic-oriented AM stations provide programming across the U.S. The National Association of Broadcasters estimates 82 million Americans still rely on AM radio each month.

Here, in the heart of America, if I want agriculture updates, I tune in to a local AM station. Local news, local information, a lot like a small community newspaper. All supported by local businesses, looking for a connection with new and returning customers.

I’m not sure if the sans AM craze will catch on with all automakers. Sure, sleek radio - FM and streaming - are flashy and offer multiple options, luring listeners with looped music so you can hear the top 40 at any given moment while providing pristine audio.

But there’s an allure to the crackle of an AM station, the dissonance of an impending storm fighting for bandwidth. AM radio is a bit of nostalgia that reminds me of simpler times ... and better music. May it forever be introduced to a world of young listeners, whose life is lived along the highways and back roads.