ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Title
WUSB 90.1 FM: Abbie Kearse Collection

Collection Number
SC 456

OCLC Number
In-process

Creator
Abbie Kearse

Provenance 
The collection was donated by Abbie Kearse in October 2013.

Extent,Scope, and Content Note 
In 1981, at the age of sixteen, Kearse joined the staff of WUSB 90.1 FM, Long Island's largest, non-commercial, radio station. Before becoming an official WUSB on-air staffer, she interned for the radio station earlier that year. The collection includes three reel-to-reel audio recordings produced in 1982 and a WUSB program guide from July-August1981. The recordings are a  blend of music and the interviews Kearse conducted with musicians Billy Idol, David Johansen, and Eric Bloom of Blue Öyster Cult.  

Arrangement and Processing Note
The collection was processed by Kristen J. Nyitray in August 2014. The audio recordings were converted to MP3 files by the Preservation Department. Finding aid updated in Junel 2019.

Language
English   

Restrictions on Access
The collection is open to researchers without restriction.

Rights and Permissions 
Stony Brook University Libraries' consent to access as the physical owner of the collection does not address copyright issues that may affect publication rights. It is the sole responsibility of the user of Special Collections and University Archives materials to investigate the copyright status of any given work and to seek and obtain permission where needed prior to publication.

Citation
[Item], WUSB 90.1 FM: Abbie Kearse Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Stony Brook University Libraries.

Historical Note  
Abbie Kearse is a Peabody Award winning television producer and writer who worked for MTV News, a division of Viacom, from 1990 to 1998. The Peabody was won in 1992 for work as a writer on MTV's Presidential Election coverage the "Choose or Lose" campaign. Ms. Kearse created and produced a wide range of documentaries on music, politics and youth culture, including the award winning 1994 MTV News Special Report on Gangsta Rap, Tupac Shakur "In His Own Words" and the Choose or Lose '96 special "Race and The Race," which examined race relations and the 1996 presidential election. She also worked for the MTV Radio Network hosting the channel's daily nationally syndicated newscast heard in 25 major markets. Her film credits include one of the principal interviewer of slain rapper/actor Tupac Shakur prominently featured in the Academy Award nominated documentary "Tupac Resurrection" which critics Ebert & Roeper gave "Two Thumbs Up!." Prior to joining MTV, Ms. Kearse was a music correspondent for NBC Radio Networks, hosting the daily nationally syndicated music news program The Rock Report. In addition, a verified music junkie, she has written reviews and features for many notable publications including the Village Voice, VIBE, Essence, Billboard and Circus magazine. In 1985, Ms. Kearse got her first break in broadcasting working as radio disc jockey at the constant Arbitron winning Long Island rock station WBAB-FM. Ms. Kearse was born in New York City and raised on Long Island where she currently resides. (Source: IMDb)

Subjects
Music trade.
Rock music -- 1971-1980.
Rock music -- 1981-1990.
Rock music.
Idol, Billy.
Johansen, David.
Blue Öyster Cult (Musical group)

INVENTORY
Note: the recordings have been reformatted. MP3 files have been uploaded to DSpace.
Access and listen to them here.

Item 1
Program title: "Backstage with David Johansen"
Date: May 16, 1982  
Description: Interview with David Johansen and music
Format: audio reel
Total time: 28:58

Item 2
Program title: "Decade"
Date: February 21, 1982
Description: Interview with Eric Bloom (Blue Öyster Cult) and music
Format: audio reel
Total time: 53:15

Item 3
Program title: "Conversation with Billy Idol"
Date: October 11, 1982
Description: interview with Billy Idol 
Format: audio reel
Total time: 30:53

Item 4
Program guide: WUSB 90.1 FM Stereo, July-August 1981