This month, we had a chance to interview Brendan Kerrigan, front-desk receptionist and volunteer extraordinaire, about his experience with KBOO and his love for community radio!
1. Please introduce yourself to the KBOO Community — who are you, and what are you passionate about?
I'm known as the dog man by friends and family. I've been working in dog care for 17 years and for the past 5 have lived in Damascus tending to chickens, ducks, and geese. I have a long distance music project going at all times known a W.O.O.O.O.O.L. (We Only Operate On Our Own Logic. It's a mix of harmonicas, guitars, banging, screaming, singing, and more.)
2. What brought you to KBOO?
When I moved here I had trouble finding somewhere to fit in. My friend told me to listen to 90.7 on Saturdays as I worked all day. I instantly fell in love and listened all the time. Coming in to volunteer I wanted to find my community and certainly did.
3. What have you done at KBOO?
You can see me at KBOO right when you walk in at the front desk or doing odd jobs around the building. I've also enjoyed tabling for KBOO at different events through out Portland. My favorite thing to do is talking with people that come in, call or walk up to the table at an event. I have so many favorite moments from KBOO like a few years ago I had an awesome late night jam session with SPO a former volunteer or the time i picked up a stray pomeranian and brought it to the membership drive and it ran across the phone answering table.
4. What have you learned?
I have learned so much from KBOO programing and also that I'm not very technical as I've taken the classes offered at the station.
5. Why is KBOO important?
KBOO is so important because it has a soul and a conscience in a world where other media does not. A few years ago my ex-husbands employer was being bullied by a larger corporation and ultimately evicted. I told the news director and like that they did a story on it bringing the community to light of what was going on. There wasn't any other stations reporting on it. KBOO is like a super hero always out there fighting for the underdog and that's why I'll always come in to help.