Programming Notes

It is a strange time in the country as the coronavirus pandemic slows everyday life to a halt. But not all is bad. As we take to social media for interaction and entertainment, we’re seeing a new wave of positivity and selflessness. Restaurants are providing free meals and people from all nations are joining in on the couch choir craze. As we lean on each other for support, many are hoping this will be a cultural change to last.

President Trump gave his state of the union address, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl (for the first time in 50 years) and fears of the coronavirus have not yet subsided. February gave us a lot to reflect on, but we are ready to march into the next month. Let’s see what WAMC has prepared for us. 

Forest fires, earthquakes and the impeachment of the president have made for a high-stakes start to 2020 — reminding us all the importance of working together toward the greater good. This month, we’ll continue hearing the impeachment trial of President Trump and look forward to our Fund Drive Feb. 10. We’ll also celebrate Black History Month and Presidents Day.

We can see clearly now that 2020 has arrived. We've set clear goals and are holding fast to them (at least in January), but will need some motivation to help us along. Let's see what WAMC has to inspire us as we peer into the new year. 

With the impeachment hearings, family gatherings, holiday shopping and preparing for the start of a new year, we finally approach the end of 2019. As we pause to reflect on all we’ve accomplished over the last 12 months, time marches on. Let’s see what’s in store for us this month.

November means food, friends and family. Thanks to your support, we ended the October Fund Drive (in just over a day!) and are devoted to bringing you the best news, political coverage and entertainment programming we can. We kick off the month with regular programming and shake things up a bit toward the end. We’re also gearing up for Metropolitan Opera season, which begins Dec. 7.

It’s officially light jacket weather. We’ve greeted some cool days with a few final hot ones holding on; but as the coffee shops, storefronts and trees have announced, fall with all its colors and flavors has arrived (and so has our October Fund Drive!).

In September they say summer’s over, but don’t fall for it! We usually still have a few days of bright sunshine left. However, as we say our goodbyes to the warmest days, we calmly greet the crisp air, colorful leaves and yes, school.  With jackets on and chai teas in hand, we have plenty of shows to leave you feeling educated.

America celebrates its independence, the cool summer night wind blows and the live evening sounds from Tanglewood are heard throughout the region. The relaxing season we all look forward to has graced us once again. With peace in mind, WAMC is ready to keep you engaged, poolside.

As summer approaches, WAMC gears up for another season of coverage and commitment to its listeners. Covering topics that range from our Fund Drive to environmental issues, eco-friendly efforts and the primaries, WAMC’s beach bag is packed and ready to go.

The saying “April showers bring May flowers” means this month is a time of change.   As we wait for the flowers to bloom, let’s take a look at what is burrowing up from under the soil at WAMC. 

Starting April 1st, WAMC’s National Productions will be using a new program clock.  What this means for our listeners is the shows will fill a full half-hour, instead of being 25 minutes long.  Please tune in at 3 p.m. each day of the week for the start of your favorite WAMC shows. 

Spring ahead with public radio this season. Snow melts, temperatures begin to rise….well, maybe not just yet, but at least we can get into the mood. March is the perfect time of the year for renewal, growth and new experiences.

As we warm ourselves by the radio and fireplace, waiting on Groundhog Day to ease our winter woes, WAMC presents special programming, a Fund Drive, an award announcement, and a temporary replacement for a much-loved program.

This year at WAMC, like many years before, we start off the New Year on January 1st with a list of special programming. Starting at midnight, it’s Toast of the Nation. An NPR tradition every New Year's Eve since the 1970s, a festive jazz party, all night long. Spirited, improvised, and swinging, each segment stops in a Blue Note venue throughout the country and the world! We’ll hear sets from Buika, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Joshua Redman and Brad Meldau, pianist Fred Hersch, Ron Carter, and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

One of the most rewarding things about my job as news director at WAMC is getting to work on special events at our performing arts studio, The Linda. Over the years, we have produced well-attended political debates, forums on controversial topics in the news like fracking, immigration and the environment, and even an exclusive interview with Preet Bharara, who was then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The 2017/2018 Metropolitan Opera season is winding down and April will be the last full month of opera broadcasts. After the final Met opera of the season on May 5th, we will return to our normal programming and Radio Deluxe will move back to the Saturday 2PM-4PM airtime.

A major function of being a public radio station is to take the time to listen to the programming needs of community members in our listening area. You can help us do this by taking the 2018 WAMC Ascertainment Survey by going to kwiksurveys.com/s/2mUlG5sJ. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and it is an excellent way to let us know how we can better serve the radio programming needs of your community and region.

Join us Monday, February 19th as we celebrate President’s Day and Black History Month with special programming:

The Metropolitan Opera 2017/2018 Saturday Matinee broadcasts continue on WAMC. The operas will air every Saturday at 1PM until May 5th, 2018.

The Metropolitan Opera 2017/2018 Saturday Matinee broadcasts return to WAMC starting December 2nd at 1PM. The operas will air every Saturday at 1PM until May 5th, 2018.

Coming up this month, we have a cornucopia of special programming for Thanksgiving (11/23/17):

As many of you may know, the producers of Car Talk have been winding down production of the popular program for a while now. The past few years, they have been digging deep into the vault of archived recordings to bring listeners classic editions of the show. Sadly, production of Car Talk officially came to a close on September 30th. Fret not as there will still be a “less produced” FREE podcast version of the show available at: www.cartalk.com/podcast.