KAPE DEBUTS `MORNING MEETING' TALK SHOW

Cape Girardeau's newest radio talk show host is a motorcycle-riding 30-year-old father of almost four with a taste for bone-breaking sports, conservative philosophers and rock 'n' roll.

Southeast Missourian News Editor Jay Eastlick, writer of a bare-knuckled weekly column called "Right of Center," will begin his new duties at 9 a.m. Monday on radio station KAPE. The news talk station is at 1550 on the AM dial.

The one-hour show will air weekdays. The 9 to 10 a.m. time slot previously was occupied by the first hour of the G. Gordon Liddy Show.

It's no coincidence that Cape Girardeau's newest talk radio show appears just as Carol Keeler Daniels has departed from KZIM's "Talk of Cape."

"The timing is good for us," says Troy Treasure, KAPE program director. "But it has a lot to do with the fact that we are putting on Jay Eastlick."

"Anyone who reads his stuff or knows him from running into him around town realizes this guy is very intelligent, articulate and opinionated," Treasure said.

Like his father, Eastlick is politically conservative, but describes his world view as basically Christian. C.S. Lewis, Kierkegaard and the 19th century French philosopher Frederick Bastiat are his philosophical gurus.

Treasure said Eastlick's conservatism was less a factor in his selection than his ability and willingness to speak his views.

"But I have a sneaking suspicion that a fair number of the calls he takes are going to be ones that do not agree with his opinion," Treasure said.

He said the FCC guidelines are the only restrictions that have been placed on the show, called "Morning Meeting with Jay Eastlick."

"We talked one day about some subjects, and they ranged from Outcome Based Education to the hypocrisy of college athletics to rock 'n' roll," Treasure said.

An active rugby player and inactive rock 'n' roll bassist, Eastlick brings a degree in radio and TV broadcasting to the show but relatively little on-air experience.

"I probably have just enough training in it to be dangerous," he says.

Eastlick thought the invitation to do the show was a joke at first.

"Then I thought, 'What's the harm in trying? If I fall flat on my face I've still got my night job,'" he said.

He refers to talk radio as "a phenomenon" and says its potential for examining local, state and national issues has been untapped in Cape Girardeau.

"For so long people have felt forces outside themselves have had too much control," Eastlick says. "Talk radio gives them a say -- if nothing else, a vent."

But he thinks the effect can be even greater.

"I hope it makes people think about how decisions in Washington affect them here in Cape Girardeau, and maybe they become more involved in doing their civic duty," he said.

Asserting that "I'm not afraid to say what I feel," he hopes those who disagree with him will respond as freely.

"The strength of the show will be in the dialogue," Eastlick says. "I don't want it to be me just expounding on some issues. I think I'm going to get my inspiration from other people talking."

Treasure likes the credibility Eastlick gives his station. And he thinks his opinionated style will draw listeners as KAPE challenges KZIM for a share of the local talk show market.

"He is going to ruffle feathers," Treasure says. "He is going to be controversial."