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After President Trump eliminated federal funding for public media, beloved SoCal radio station KCRW-FM (89.9) has laid off 10% of its staff, including several popular DJs. <\/p>\n
The staff cuts included well-known hosts Jeremy Sole, Jason Kramer and Jos\u00e9 Galv\u00e1n, whose deep and rangy tastes broke countless local and global artists to wider acclaim. <\/p>\n
\u201cLike so many other public media organizations, KCRW is restructuring parts of the organization in response to our new budget reality,\u201d KCRW\u2019s president, Jennifer Ferro, wrote in a memo announcing the cuts. \u201cThe result of this restructuring is a 10% reduction in our staff. These decisions were made after careful consideration of how best to position us against the twin challenges of needing to adapt to how people consume media today as well as the loss of federal dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n
The memo did not name Sole, Kramer and Galv\u00e1n, but each confirmed their departures in mournful and, at times, critical notes on social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the past 14 years, I have contributed my musical taste and unique perspective to KCRW,\u201d Galv\u00e1n wrote. \u201cGrowing up in LA, it was a dream come true to be a part of the elite DJs of KCRW. Sadly as of this morning, I am no longer living that dream. I was let go, along with some other staples of the station. Throughout my time at KCRW, it was never lost on me that it was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to share music and artists with the world week after week. Radio is my passion, and there will be other opportunities for me to share my taste at better run institutions…Stick a fork in me, I\u2019m done at 89.9 FM.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sole said that \u201cIt\u2019s with a heavy heart that I say this, but for the past 18 and a half years I\u2019ve been most honored and grateful to share time and music with you every week on KCRW. Unfortunately that time has come to an end, as of today. It\u2019s been the highest honor of my life (so far!) to serenade you and hopefully to provide some semblance of soulful depth and some appreciation for the music of every culture on the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kramer, a 27-year veteran of the station, said that \u201cI have unfortunately been let go from KCRW. Along with some other of the best DJs in the world. The station will always have a place in my heart, and every artist that I play I will still be there in another way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cuts are the latest contraction for the music-heavy station in a difficult public media environment. Last year, KCRW faced a $3-million budget deficit and offered voluntary buyouts. \u201cMorning Becomes Eclectic\u201d co-host Anthony Valadez and \u201cAll Things Considered\u201d host Janaya Williams left the station. The program \u201cGreater LA\u201d was also canceled. In 2020, the station laid off nearly a quarter of its staff amid the fiscal challenges of the pandemic. <\/p>\n