Posted by: David Maxon on November 13, 2007 03:14 PM | Comments (0)

It dawned on me, I think even before I wrote the “What I’ve Learned,” post that a list of ways to get involved in radio, while helpful and exciting, still does not explain all that can be gained from attending Third Coast or getting involved with Transom.

It's tough because Third Coast was overwhelming. If it was a week long and there were 3 of me, I still wouldn't have been able to do half of what I would have liked. I wouldn't have been able to meet half the people, have half the conversations or blog about half the things... But I did want to try to sort of sum up the feel of the conference, at least. After about 10 days, I think I have a little perspective that might have not been possible in the immediacy of reporting on my own experience reporting a new experience (so to speak). So here goes.

I have alluded in past posts to an inspirational aspect, a sort of intangible quality to Third Coast. It can be heard in the interview with Ira Glass who spoke about how fun it can be to be around people who like the same thing you do, or in Jay Allison’s philosophical session “A Few of My Favorite Things” which capped off the conference. Allison said that radio people like to “whisper in other people’s ears from a great distance – intimate and utterly detached.” Michele Norris referred to radio's intimacy, as well, in her conference session (addressing the outpouring of listener support for her subject – a Katrina survivor).

There is a great movie called “Love Liza” in which a distraught Phillip Seymour Hoffman is befriended by a dorky, socially inept character who is into ‘RC’ (remote control). The character is easy to look down on and to pity until one poignant scene where we witness him at a multi-day model boat race (read: conference). At that point, in his element, it becomes apparent that he is not just an isolated loser. He has a community of people who like the same thing that he does. He is happy. That, in a way, is what is going on a Third Coast.

See, while the ostensible reason for the gathering is compelling, it is the similarities underlying that community which can connect people in an almost uncanny way. At Third Coast, it could be Jay Allison and Michele Norris’s intimacy comments or Ira Glass’s interview claim that we are all voyeurs. Or it might be something as simple as the unanticipated number of non-practicing lawyers at the conference. I even met two unacquainted people who make artistic 8mm travel films. At some point, surrounded by people with a single similar interest, finding what might otherwise seem unrelated affinities, you might see yourself. Or at least, the purpose of the meeting seems to swell. In a previous post I made a comment about leaving Third Coast feeling like a radio person. I think that is a result, in part, of these underlying commonalities being reveled.

And that is perhaps where radio’s willingness to bring in new voices comes from – a love of these connections. It’s a normal human desire, certainly, but people in radio have a unique penchant for reaching out. The intense 2007 Third Coast Audio Luminary Peter Leonhard Braun, in receiving his award, did a pantomime of a hand reaching out through the speaker to grab the hand of the listener. Isn’t that exactly what Transom and Third Coast are doing? And might that help explain how this industry, with its unique opened door policy, manages to find such great people? It seems born of a trust in the sort of shared goals that just wanting to be in radio entails. In other words, if you want to do radio, if you really believe in its value, you are probably already a qualified radio person. Third Coast can either help you recognize that or remind you of that.

So, thanks, radio. It’s been a blast being involved in the conference, blogging for Transom and meeting so many great people. I would recommend Third Coast for newcomers and veterans alike. There is really nothing else like it. In the meantime, keep an eye on the Third Coast, PRX, and Transom websites – there is always new stuff coming down the pipe. Happy listening. I hope to hear you all next year at Third Coast.

P.S. I would strongly encourage everyone to check out Jay Allison’s session from the conference as soon as it becomes available (maybe on this website?!). Jay played phenomenal pieces from a young Scott Carrier, a young Ira Glass, a tape of the infamous Jim Jones's raving lunacy and many other great clips. His take on radio is expansive and incisive…and funny, too.

PLUS - Comment on the sessions! There were too many for me to get to so we need people to step up and speak out. If you like, contact me and I'll start you your own thread. Please? But take heed! There is a spam issue and some threads may have to be closed to comments soon. In any event, comments will all be closed in the next week or so. So the time is nigh! Speak now or forever hold your...whatever, just comment soon if you want to comment.

More from Third Coast Festival 2007 :
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