Friends, Kossacks, Countryman... lend me your ears...
Hello everyone - want to take a break from politics?
Would you like to visit a place where music still matters? How about a place so progressive that the DJs are all volunteers, there are no commercials. A place where the music flows freely, without censorship or corporate programming day and night. A place without the constraints of a broadcast network or college/university affiliation.
A place where the DJs set the format, and that format changes on schedule every couple of hours
Yes a place like that exist, and it's a real radio station, with a powerful FM transmitter as well as digital real-time streaming.
And it's from the birthplace of Rock and Roll. The home of the Blues.
More below the Kos-a-wiggle....
The station is WEVL, FM 89.9. It's in Memphis, Tennessee and plays the widest, most eclectic and amazing music you'll find anywhere.
Really. No kidding. Honestly.
Variety? Well how's this for a sample. Here's today's (Saturday's) Schedule...
Bluff City Barn Dance
Program Genre: Country/Bluegrass
Description: Bluegrass and old-time from way back then to here and now. With the Ol’ Ridge Runner, a 30-year WEVL bluegrass host.
Day & Time: Saturday, 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Strands of the Celtic Knot
Program Genre: World Music
Description: Folk music and culture of Scotland, Ireland, Britain, and Wales, hosted by Robert Campbell. 20+ year WEVL program.
Day & Time: Saturday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Through The Cracks (This is one of my favorite shows)
Program Genre: Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Description: Contemporary folk, alternative country, adult rock and everything in between. Presented by Ed. 20 year WEVL program.
Check out my playlists here.
This program repeats Thursday 2-4 PM.
E-Town (a rare syndicated show that they re-broadcast - VERY WORTHY)
Program Genre: Eclectic
Description: Music from the historic Boulder Theatre in Boulder, Colorado along with interviews and information about our environment. This program repeats Thursday 10-11 AM.
Day & Time: Saturday, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Program Host: Nick & Helen Forster
Pajama Party
Program Genre: Eclectic
Description: Eclectic selections of listening confections. From the Velvet Underground to the Velvet Fog to Golden Smog, etc. Hosted by Rebecca.
A partial playlist for this program can often be found at yes.com.
Day & Time: Saturday, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Soul Stew
Program Genre: Blues/R&B/Soul
Description: Blues, rock, rhythm and soul with Brett Fleming. 14 year WEVL program.
Day & Time: Saturday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Against The Grain
Program Genre: Rock
Description: Independent punk and hardcore from the late ’70s & early ’80s, with Uncle Roy.
Day & Time: Saturday, 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
all that in just one day... Want more blues? It's there. Like progressive rock? there too. Woman's music ? LOTs (and really good stuff too!) How about a half-hour dedicated to Hawian slat-key guitar music? It's there too - (hint - Thursdays).
The full schedule, as well as the link for streaming can be found here...
WEVL Website for schedule, streaming, donations
I hope you find the station as refreshing and entertaining as we do. I've been a member since we moved here in the 90s and support it every year with donations.... and you can too! Twice a year the station runs a pledge drive to fund it - there are only a handful of paid employees, everything else goes into the operation of the station. You can listen on line and if you feel the urge, donate too!
Even if you don't donate, give it a listen. You'll hear real people, with a real passion for music and diversity. Continually voted by readers of the Memphis Flyer as the best FM station in the city, I maintain it is the best FM station...
... in the world!
Enjoy!
(fixed the typo on Celtic Knot)