Book Review: Border Radio

Before you go any farther, I know what you are thinking...A book review? I thought this blog was about radio. Well I found a book that is not only about radio but about border radio.

While doing research for my Border Blasters story, I stumbled upon an interesting book that peaked my interest. I did not buy it (because I am a poor college student) but I have done some research into it.

The book is called Border Radio: Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics, and Other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves.

Border Radio was able to focus on the period from 1930-1960 in radio history. In this time it was very common for American radio personalities to cross the border into Mexico and broadcast their show from there. They did this so that they did not have to follow the regulations of American radio. With the signal being blasted so that American listeners could hear the show, they were free to do as they pleased on their show.

Many of these shows pushed the limit on what was appropriate and did things they would have been unable to do under American regulations. These shows have helped push many shock jocks like Howard Stern to become as successful and popular as they have become.

The radio stations were disapproved of by American radio regulators but there was nothing that they could do to stop them. Many radio stations in America suffered because they could not compete with unregulated, unfiltered radio where anything went.

This was until the US and Mexico signed an agreement concerning frequency modulation broadcasting in the 87.5 to 108 MHz band. This agreement said that FM stations' power levels and frequency would be set at a certain limit for both countries. Since there has been a drop in listenership to AM radio, the regulations set for AM stations are largely ignored by both countries, mainly Mexico.

These stations became known by two names. Outlaw X stations and Border Blasters. They were called Outlaw X stations because the Mexican radio stations call signs typically start with an X. While the Outlaw X name has disappeared, the mere mention of the name Border Blasters still sends a shiver up anyone in AM radio's spine.

The book was written by Gene Fowler and Bill Crawford and published by the university of Texas Press in 1988. Fowler is a writer and performer who went deep into the past to figure out the history of border blasters and renegade dj's. Crawford is also a musician who helps write the music for bands with a Hispanic sound.

You can read more about Border Blasters in my story on Border Beat.

Until next time, Namaste.