DON’T MISS AN INCREDIBLE RETROSPECTIVE OF VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO’S FIRST 40 YEARS

While doing research on a story I came across a wonderful retrospective of Vermont Public Radio (VPR) on the organization’s website [link] celebrating VPR’s 40^th anniversary.

Michelle Owens

The web page – 40 Moments That Defined VPR – was created by Michelle Owens, VPR’s Manager of Marketing and Communications. 

In 40 short paragraphs and some archive photos, Owens tells the true stories of an organization that began in 1975 and, at the time, was expected to fail because “experts” thought Vermont was “too rural” to support a listener-supported public radio station. 

Now, VPR is a widely admired success and an inspiration to public broadcasters across the nation. VPR today has two program streams, News and Classical, with thousands of listeners and members (see the latest ratings below). Recently VPR completed a $10 million capital campaign, is housed in a state-of-art headquarters and draws extraordinary talent.

Each of Owen’s 40 great moments are important steps in VPR’s growth. I will give you a couple of examples but please check out the full list here.

MOMENT #1 – The beginning days of VPR. Ray Dilley and Ray Phillips, two of VPR's founders, in 1976.

MOMENT #7 – In October 1980 VPR began broadcasting at WVPS 107.9 in Burlington. The sign at a Burlington Holiday Inn captures the advance in the state’s largest city.

You can join in the fun at VPR’s 40th Anniversary Block Party Saturday, September 9, 11am 3 pm at VPR’s studios in Colchester’s Fort Ethan Allen. 

The event is free. More information is available here.

Now lets look at the Nielsen Audio ratings for Burlington and Plattsburgh, New York from Spring 2017. Compared with Nielsen estimates for Spring 2016, VPR News continues to be the top noncom performer is the market.

_________________________________________________

And, now a word from our sponsor: me. One of my favorite consulting clients is American Routes, the gold standard American music radio program hosted by Nick Spitzer. American Routes is offering noncommercial stations a terrific free special. Here is the advertising blurb:

FREE SPECIAL “SAN ANTONIO SOUNDS” AVAILABLE FROM AMERICAN ROUTES

Hello Texas stations! This is your chance to air a special edition of American Routes – San Antonio Sounds.

Host Nick Spitzer has compiled interviews with legendary San Antonio Tex-Mex, rockabilly, country and Téjano musicians with original recordings dating from the 1940s to today.

The program contains interviews with Augie Meyers, from Doug Sahm’s Sir Douglas Quintet, famed traditional accordion player Flaco Jimenez, San Antonio’s “Brown-Eyed Soul" band Sunny and the Sunliners, and Max Baca, leader of Los Texmaniacs.

Flaco Jiménez, Doug Sahm and Freddie Fender

Listeners will hear gems from Sir Douglas, Freddy Fender, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and, of course Sam the Sham’s priceless hit Wooly Bully.

This may be the happiest two hours of music ever to appear on public radio. Stations may air the full two hours or one hour. The program is available exclusively from PRX. Spice up your Labor Day weekend with San Antonio Sounds.  Stations may air the program any day through September 30, 2017.

For complete information, contact PRX, or Ken Mills at publicradio@hotmail.com, or Betsy Shepard at betsy@amroutes.org.

Celebrate Texas music and the great river city of San Antonio with its tasty mix of Mexican, German, Anglo and African American cultures.

Just for SPARK! readers, here is a You Tube video of Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs performing Wooly Bully live on TV in 1965. You need a good laugh!