News Summary
WYXR 91.7 FM, Memphis’s community radio station, is celebrating its fourth anniversary with special events and programming. The station plans to hold a Pledge Drive from April 15th to 22nd, encouraging local contributions. Highlights include DJ Brandon Eaves’s all-vinyl program and the upcoming Record Swap. With a 50% audience growth, WYXR focuses on community engagement and plans to expand its podcast network, reflecting Memphis’s rich musical culture while addressing the challenges facing public media.
Memphis โ WYXR 91.7 FM, Memphis’s community radio station, is celebrating its fourth anniversary with a lineup of special events and expanded programming designed to strengthen its outreach and engagement. The station, known for its dedication to the region’s rich musical legacy, plans to hold a Pledge Drive from April 15th to 22nd, encouraging local contributions to support its continued growth and connection with the community.
One of the lineup highlights includes DJ Brandon Eaves, who hosts the โCan You Feel Itโ all-vinyl program each Tuesday. Eaves will also feature his vinyl collection at the upcoming Record Swap and Memphis Zine Fest 8 on September 3, 2023, at Crosstown Concourse. This event aims to celebrate the intersection of vinyl culture and local creativity.
Robby Grant, the executive director of WYXR, emphasizes that the station’s mission is rooted in fostering community engagement rather than promoting panic or blame. WYXR is dedicated to diversifying its programming, featuring a wide array of musical genres, including blues, rock, soul, jazz, hip-hop, and house music. This commitment has led the station to expand its roster of DJs while also inviting community leaders to share their voices on the air.
WYXR recently hosted its second annual Raised by Sound Fest on December 2, which paid tribute to Memphis power pop icons Big Star. Cat Power headlined the event, performing a recreation of Bob Dylanโs famous 1966 concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The festival took place at Crosstown Concourse, a once Sear’s distribution center that has since been transformed into a vibrant hub for food, music, and residential life. This venue has become a pivotal part of Memphisโs cultural scene, aligning perfectly with WYXR’s mission.
The station has reported a remarkable 50% audience growth from 2021 to 2022. This success is indicative of its ability to connect with both dedicated listeners and a broader audience. WYXR aims to expand its listener base beyond traditional radio audiences by becoming more interactive and accessible through plans to broaden its podcast network and archive shows. This strategy is designed to adapt to the changing preferences of today’s media consumers, ensuring the station remains relevant and appealing.
WYXR operates as a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of its community. It maintains relationships with approximately a thousand annual donors and a couple of hundred monthly contributors. This support reflects the deep connection residents feel toward the station and its initiatives, which celebrate Memphis’s cultural identity through music.
In addition to local events, WYXR is engaging in broader conversations, particularly regarding the impact of federal legislation on public media. The recent passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill by the U.S. House of Representatives included significant funding cuts, amounting to $9 billion, to public television and U.S. Agency for International Development programs. Tennessee’s senators opposed several amendments proposed by Democrats prior to the billโs approval, marking a contentious political backdrop for community-oriented stations like WYXR.
As it moves into its next year of operation, WYXR will continue to prioritize building relationships within the Memphis community. By focusing on musical programming that resonates with the cityโs identity, the station fosters a greater sense of ownership and connection among its residents. Through events, fundraising efforts, and dialogue, WYXR aims to create an inclusive platform that celebrates the diverse musical tapestry of Memphis.
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HERE Resources
Over 30 Entertaining Events Scheduled to Take Place in Memphis this May
Additional Resources
- Daily Memphian: 2024 Raised by Sound Fest Lineup
- Memphis Flyer: WYXR 91.7 FM Goes Live Today
- We Are Memphis: The Women of WYXR
- Billboard: WYXR Radio Memphis Station
- Choose 901: WYXR Pledge Drive
- Wikipedia: WYXR
- Google Search: Memphis music radio
- Google Scholar: community radio Memphis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public radio
- Google News: WYXR Memphis
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
