Indie 103.1 drops Sunday's Watusi Radio

Los Angeles radio just lost one of its most ardent supports of roots and Americana music, as Chris Morris informs via his MySpace page that his Indie 103.1 show "Watusi Rodeo" is officially "no mo."

Morris, a friend of Pop & Hiss, and a former colleague of this reporter, has been programming 20 or so songs that you don't hear often enough -- if at all -- on commercial radio every Sunday morning since 2005. Since its inception, Watusi radio has been swinging with country, blues, roots and local legends. Browse the old playlists on Morris' blog, and you'll see a show that put bluesman Guitar Shorty side by side with psychedelic rockers the 13th Floor Elevators.

Morris gets pretty detailed on his blog post, saying he was just informed of his show cancellation this week -- a "sneak attack." The post, which is linked off the Indie website, speculates that Indie 103.1 is becoming "KROQ Jr." Writes Morris:

The specialty shows are what made Indie special -- that's why I went after "Watusi Rodeo" after Michael "Doc Holiday" Whited, the original host, moved to Tennessee in 2005. Indie's original PD Michael Steele had enough faith in me to let me take a weekly shift after 30 years off the pro airwaves. It was a pleasure to experience the kind of programming freedom I had in free-form FM radio during the '70s, and I had a hell of a lot of fun for 148 broadcasts and almost three years.

Harsher words can be found on the post, where he notes he may be resurfacing on the Web via Scion Radio. In the meantime, here's a song to take you out, Morris:

-- Todd Martens

Screenshot: Indie 103.1

Comments

[KG]

C-Mo, I'm so bummed. I've always been a fan and, of course, a friend. I know something better is on the horizon!
~KG

[Kim]

Chris Morris has given so much to the roots/americana community and this is a sad thing...for us, yes, but mostly for Indie 103.1, because this is not thought-out and they have no idea what they're going to be losing. Chris Morris will go on spinning and we'll follow him whereever he chooses to go. His musical knowledge is vast, his committment to educating the masses, unstoppable. While Indie 103.1 continues to spin the same shoe-gazy indistinguishable drivel, Watusi Rodeo fans will be listening to Faron Young, Waylon Jennings, The Flying Burrito Brothers...anything we can get our hands on until Mr. Morris takes over the airwaves again.

[rommel del crypt]

it's moments like these, when shows like watusi rodeo get cancelled that make you want to subcribe to sattelite radio, and listen to a broader range of music genres and the people behind it. that will eventually be the demise of fm radio.good.

[LeslieS]

This is a loss for Los Angeles. The trend in commercial radio leaves me searching for my radio's soul.

[Deb n Al]

Well, the last of the "old school" type radio stations is being removed from our dial. No reason to even hit "FM" anymore (since traffic is on AM anyway).
I've been resisting Satellite radio, but as Chris says "NO MO". Anyone who has ever spoken with Chris can only be amazed at his knowledge of all things musical, regarless of genre. Indie has lost not only a great show, but a wonderful wealth of knowledge housed in the mind of wonderful , gracious person. To know Chris is to love him and what he has done for the LA Music scene. Christ , I can't even understand what the hell Jonesy says...........

[Deborah]

Chris and his knowledge of all things within the LA Music scene and it's history will be sorely missed. Now I have no reason to get up on Sunday mornings before noon. Surely I'm not making the effort to listen to the crap that Indie replaced this show with.
Cal State Northridge radio is the only local station that with any chops at all. Chris will resurface, No doubt he is right now perfecting the process of making Lemonade out of lemons, and I am sure it will be even sweeter than before.

[Jeff]

Damn It... For the past two Sundays I kept hitting my 103.1 buttons thinking what gives... where is my fave (best) radio show.... WATUSI ? This s*cks and is a huge loss as roots is where it all comes from.... no play list educated listeners like W 'Rodeo's.......

[Sad man]

HEY! I HEARD THE STATION WAS DYING TODAY!! I HEARD THAT IF THE STATION IS STILL ON PAST 2P, IT WILL BE A MIRACLE! CALL IN, WRITE IN, DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SAVE INDIE!!

[SteveR]

I'm crushed. No Watusi Rodeo makes LA a bleaker place to live. I hope Chris finds a new place to do his excellent show.