I love this radio station. As soon as I'm within an hour or so of the Pittsburgh area, I tune in and catch every second of amazing programming that I can. Imagine a public radio station in this day and age. One that plays music from all decades (but mainly focuses on relatively recent releases) and not just classical music and the news. There are NPR news updates every hour on the hour and some special talk radio programs here and there (including my very favorite radio show, the brilliant _This American Life_), but for the most part you get music, music, music.
The entire staff is really knowledgeable about what gets played. Every CD gets listened to with care before the music director and his staff decide whether it'll get put into rotation. No record companies or big businesses breathing down the deejays' backs here, for a change. The songs you here are of the highest caliber. That doesn't necessarily mean I dig 'em all--sometimes I have to just sit back and take it in, thinking of WYEP 91.3 ("where the music matters!") as this amazing mix tape made by a friend. Not every song is going to hit me just right the first time, but I have to realize that each and every tune was chosen with care and for many reasons. That thought encourages me to stop my obnoxious habit of flipping the dial as soon as I don't feel a love relationship blossoming between me and the song that's just started.
If you don't live in Pittsburgh, worry not--you can listen to streaming audio at wyep.org! I have done this many a time, I tell you.
If you do live in Pittsburgh, the perks get even better. Volunteer and you get to see the studio and their amazing collection of CDs. Volunteer at a festival and see some of your favorite singers up close and personal for free! There are volunteer appreciation shows, member appreciation shows, and of course plain old shows for the regular public (some free, some not). There's always something going on, so be sure to check out the website. I'm rarely in town for the summer concert series, but a few years back I stood in the front row of a Wilco concert for free!
Thanks, public radio and all of you out there who donate time and money. Wish I still lived near a station as great as this. read more