nonprofit fe ature
running, being a ‘mother hen’ to the signal, either correcting any technical issues or getting the proper person to come to the station if it’s something over my head, training volunteers to use the broadcast equipment, and continually monitoring the programming to ensure we are fulfilling our mission.” W PV M’s mission is “to foster community through programming that cultivates dialogue to inform and entertain.” Dedicated to bringing Asheville’s culture and music to the world, the station provides the medium for artists, businesses, community leaders, and nonprofits to share their voice on live radio. Johnson—known to most as “Dr. Herb”—says the most challenging part of his job is to keep his eye on the prize of the
“Be honest, be consistent, and don’t ever let your fear stop you from trying new challenges.” photo by Evan Anderson
Davyne Dial & Dr. Herb Johnson President & Treasurer, Friends of WPVM, Inc.
W
HEN THE HUSBAND-WIFE TEAM OF DAVYNE Dial and Dr. Herb Johnson heard the license for noncommercial Asheville radio station WPVM-FM 103.7 was on the verge of being returned to the FCC, they met with the board of the Mountain Information Area Network (MAIN) and asked to be considered to have the license transferred instead of returning it to the FCC. The station had been officially silent from 2011 to late 2014. The MAIN board voted to approve transfer proceedings— but then the transfer of ownership had to be approved by the FCC. And this would require the establishment of a nonprofit organization. “Thus began a huge learning curve on how to best run a community radio station,” says Dial. “I learn something new about this every day. I am [also] the general manager and my duties include managing the technical equipment that keeps the station 70
| November 2019
mission they want to accomplish, which is to create the best radio station in Asheville, and not get sidelined by unimportant details or distractions. Dial says the most rewarding is seeing the benefit to the community of informative and entertaining programming. “We are able to give local musicians an art/culture airtime and video to social media to raise awareness of their show, fundraising event, CD release, or concert. We also broadcast regular shows that inform veterans of services and organizations to support them in the difficult transition back to civilian life from a war zone. We also air a monthly show for Goodwill that informs the community of the many programs that organization does for the community.” Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, Dial attended the University of Maryland European Branch and Loyola, New Orleans, as a literature major. She decided in 1981 to make a living out of her own artistic ability and began designing art-to-wear accessories. “I opened a shop in the French Quarter in New Orleans and sold my work and the work of other New Orleans artisans. In 1989 I moved to Asheville to buy a house and knew I could wholesale my designs and live in a beautiful area of the world. I marketed my work at wearable art shows and wholesaled my designs to specialty bridal shops, boutiques, and mail-order catalogs. I obtained new clients by exhibiting at the Atlanta and NYC wholesale markets. I retired in 2008, but continue the website for students looking for couture level millinery instruction and embellishments.” Johnson, meanwhile, was born in Chicago. Both his showbiz and artistic appreciation genes came from his father—a former