Top College Radio Stations in Wilkes-Barre

Lurking in the historic buildings of downtown Wilkes-Barre are two cozy little studios where there is more noise coming from these rooms at opposite ends of town than most biker bar juke boxes. Up and down Interstate 81 are several more rooms like this—as one’s motto says—playing the music no one else dares to.

What separates college radio stations from the mainstream is a looser format with more variety and no commercials. College radio is a place where bands that no one else seems to give a chance get played. College radio is a place where formats that aren’t fit for the local mainstream get spun. And, perhaps college radio is a place where bands occasionally belt into stardom, ala’ REM and the B-52s.

King’s College has been operating a student-run radio station since 1968. To be a DJ on WRKC (at 88.5 FM), one must be a student or alumni. And, although he graduated in 1996 and holds down a full-time technical writing gig, 33-year-old Bob Decker still holds an airshift each Saturday from noon until 3:00. For those three hours, he trades in his computer for a mic, headphones and a slew of metal CDs.

“(I do it) for my love of hardcore and metal. A lot of commercial stations and MTV won’t give these bands a chance… I find stuff I want to share with the listeners and fans,” said Decker. He added that it’s hard for him to choose a favorite band he spins because he says there are hundreds and hundreds of songs he likes to play—hundreds and hundreds of songs that no one else is.

Decker explains that hosting his show the past 11 years allows him to remain creative and close to the music.

“I was a communications major in college, but the music industry doesn’t pay that well. So, I have a half-decent day job and on the side I get to do the music,” he said.

College radio stations’ formats seems to change with each semester, but according the WRKC’s website formats heard include alternative, alt. country, bluegrass, punk, hardcore, metal, reggae, gospel and more.