Out DJ and radio personality Ricky Paul (aka DJ K-Tell) has launched Sylver Alert, a new LGBT-themed radio show on WPPM FM that promises to “queer” the radio dial every Tuesday.
“It’s nostalgic,” Paul said. “It’s a show with music from the 1960s through the 1990s, with a focus on 1975-85. It features the pioneers in gay movement and the icons: everything from Madonna and Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand to Bronski Beat and Erasure, even Joan Jett and people who came out later like George Michael, Elton John and Kylie Minogue. It’s great party music. It’s an upbeat show.”
Paul said the show will also feature some of his own personal commentary sprinkled in among the tunes.
“It’s going to feature oral histories by myself,” he said. “I’m 51 years old so I’ve been out in the clubs since the mid-1980s and I was a gay kid in the 1970s. I’m going to feature my own personal anecdotes and stories that are full of nuggets of wisdom reflecting on all of the things that we have seen: the great gay era of disco and sexual revolution and coming of age in the age of AIDS. We saw a lot and went through a lot so there is a lot to talk about. It’s going to be mostly a music show but then there will be little stories here and there.”
Paul said the show and WPPM’s mission are to make content for radio that is more personal and down to earth.
“What interested me the most is the idea of re-humanizing radio, which is something that I feel is lacking in today’s commercial radio,” he said. “The DJs aren’t allowed to speak about anything. They’re not allowed to give any kind of reflection. They’re on and off the radio so quickly. It’s lacking something.”
He added that his show will feature the iconic gay hits alongside some deeper cuts harkening back to the club days.
“I’m going to do a mix of everything,” he said. “I don’t know if you’re familiar with K-Tell Records but I used to get those compilations that would have a rock song next to a Barry Manilow song next to a disco song. That’s the kind of mix I want to go with. I’ve DJed for 20 years so I definitely have some knowledge and got the input of a lot of DJs and drag performers in our community to get an idea of why a song like ‘Turn the Beat Around,’ instead of ‘Night Fever’ by the Bee Gees, is more of an LGBT song. It’s interesting to hear what people have to say.”
Sylver Alert hits the airwaves 4-6 p.m. every Tuesday on WPPM 106.5 FM. For more information, visit www.rickypaul.com or phillycam.org/radio/listen.