By Larry Sacks

 

Almost hidden in Franklin Mall is a store front not quite like any other.  Amidst the restaurants, bar, boutique, dry cleaner, and watch repair shop sits a public display rarely seen anymore.  The home of KKUP, 91.5, a truly local FM radio station.  KKUP, for those that have never heard of it, is the true definition of “listener supported” radio. 

 

KKUP is and has been known as the "people's radio."   Don’t confuse that definition as anything dealing with late night college dorm room discussions, as KKUP’s purpose “…is to provide views, music, and cultural diversity not found in mainstream media.   We feature local musicians, activists, poets and story-tellers both on tape and live in-studio! You name it! If you can't hear it anywhere else, it's probably on KKUP.”

 

Being a “Community Minded” or more aptly, “Community Supported” Radio Station means the station can stay in business and keep doing what it does so well by hosting events where the listening audience can meet the voices behind the microphones.  The station does this through their marathons,  and with 14 marathons scheduled in 2008 alone, there’s ample opportunity to either tune-in for a good listen or to come down to Franklin Mall to see real-life and real live radio. 

 

One Marathon took place over the weekend of August 15-17.  It was KKUP’s 2nd Annual Oldies Marathon that ran from noontime on Friday, August 15 through midnight on August 17.  The weekend included Live Hawaiian music on Saturday with an oldies car show (any cars older than 1972 were allowed to enter) on Sunday, August 17. 

 

The weekend of August 15 – 17 is definitely car-show nirvana.  With no fewer than five different car oriented shows taking place, KKUP’s Oldies Car Show was up against some stiff competition.  Oldies and older cars were definitely the catch phrases of the weekend as the shows available included the Tour D’Elegance, Concorso Italiano, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Monterey Historic Races. 

 

The Monterey Historic Races includes cars whose value is best described in terms of millions (or multi millions) of dollars.  But instead of holding a static display of cars sitting in a racing paddock, the owners take their cars out for a good flogging around the track.  Even though the racing is good natured and no one wants to swap paint with any of the other cars, the drivers put forth an effort that is even more remarkable when the value of the cars is taken into account. 

 

 The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance includes cars that eclipse even the values of the cars in the Historic Races.  Tickets for admission to this rolling museum of automotive delight range from $150 (purchased in advance) to $175 (for tickets purchased the day of the event). 

 

 The Tour D’Elegance is open to all entrants in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and includes a lunch and ample parking along Carmel’s Ocean Street where the cars are on display for anyone that wants to look at a true horseless carriage, a Lancia Stratos or a Hispano-Suiza. 

 

Concorso Italiano, is centered around as many as 1,000 collectible Italian automobiles and is a feast for the eyes and ears.  But unlike the other shows already described, it’s a show the casual enthusiast can attend – with or without the Italian car. 

 

However, to have attended these shows and missed out on the opportunity to attend KKUP’s Oldies Car Show on Sunday, August 17 would be a foolish mistake.  Don’t take this as unwavering allegiance to a story line, as the show’s intimate setting allowed one time to sit and talk with the owners and hear their stories behind their 1962 Ford Falcon 2-Door Wagon, their 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, or their 1966 Dodge Coronet. 

 

With approximately 30 cars entered, KKUP’s Oldies Marathon Car Show was easily the smallest.  It was also – and will continue to be – a “Run What Ya’ Brung” Car Show as any car built before 1972 was allowed to be entered.  Paint?  Seats?  Those are minor considerations and the ideas behind the show are to allow listeners to meet the DJs and to have a good time.  The winners and attendees all agreed, the sunshine, music , cars and camaraderie made the show more than worth it and many promised to be back next year.  This show should be on anyone’s list of car shows to attend.  And while you’re attending the show, or driving around the South Bay Area, be sure to tune in 91.5 FM for a truly enjoyable listening experience.