WRIR Spring 2025 Program Guide





WHO IS WRIR?

WRIR airs underrepresented music, news, and views in order to provide a platform for Richmond's diverse culture. In other words, we play what other stations won’t. We are a true community radio station, meaning we are locally owned and, by charter, can never be bought out by any non-local entity. HOW DID WE GET HERE? “If you don’t like it then why don’t you start your own radio station?” In 1992, Richmonders sick of their airwaves being owned by non-local, commercial entities set out to do just that. But starting a radio station required millions of dollars and a frequency on the FM dial that was not readily available. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 lifted antitrust restrictions on radio ownership and led to rapid homogenization of programming by corporate giants. This meant stations across the country played the same songs from the same playlists of the same genres, regardless of their location. This extended, perhaps more harmfully, even to news, with coverage of only national headlines. In response, pirate radio stations, operating without a license, boomed, broadcasting everything local the consolidated chain stations would not. Hundreds of these stations pressured and protested the FCC until in 2000, they officially designated a new class of radio: Low Power FM. Richmond media activists, like WRIR founder Christopher Maxwell, were part of this fight, testifying before congress and petitioning legislators. Significantly, Richmond City Council drafted a nationally influential resolution supporting the LPFM movement because of their advocacy. A few years later, after securing funding and finding its new home in the basement of The Camel, WRIR-LP 97.3 FM got its license, and broadcast its first song on January 1, 2005: “Around the Dial” by The Kinks.

WHO IS WRIR?

WHAT'S COMING? - Capital Campaign

In 2022, while the world was just beginning to deal with our new pandemic-era reality, WRIR decided that to be a truly free and independent media source, we needed to own our own home. That home is 1806 E Main Street in the heart of the historically and culturally significant Shockoe Bottom. What do we need to get there? 2 MILLION DOLLARS! That money will be used for: · Gutting and building out our new location to include an elevator, security upgrades, parking, 2 fully accessible bathrooms, live video capability, outside speakers to broadcast to the public, a community space, a live performance room for local bands, an acoustically sound talk studio, and so much more! · Replacement of aging and non-repairable equipment with field recorders, CDJs, and digital broadcast desks. · Launching our shiny new website! · New programming and educational initiatives aimed at training folks from all walks of life in the art and science of radio. · Strengthening community partnerships through collaborative events and special projects showcasing local talent. · Moving sensitive essential electronics, safely and professionally. · That's just scratching the surface. Visit wrircampaign.org/thenew-wrir for a full summary of the campaign. HOW DO WE GET TO OUR FUTURE HOME? With your help! The easiest way to help is by donating any amount, which you can do on our website wrircampaign.org. Don’t have $2,000,000, or $2, lying around? Maybe someone you know does! Spreading the word will help us get to our goal faster. Lastly, consider becoming a volunteer! It takes more than DJs to keep the station running. We need your skills. See the last page for more info!

WHAT


Weather by local meteorologist Sean Sublette at the top

of the hour every M-F 9am-12pm. 5th weeks of biweekly shows are hosted by rotating DJs. Shows and schedule subject to change.

Weather by local meteorologist Sean Sublette at the top

SUNDAY

1AM - 3AM Weekly: HIP HOP FOR THE REST OF US hosted by Black Liq (Hip-Hop) What do you get when you take exclusive records, live freestyle sessions, interviews, and invite artists and producers to actually come to the studio and be part of the show? Hip-Hop For The Rest Of Us! 3AM - 6AM Weekly: ENCORE TALK AND MUSIC PROGRAMMING 6AM - 9AM Weekly: THE JAGAR MORNING SHOW hosted by Jagar (Funk, Hip Hop, Soul, more) Welcome to The Jagar Morning Show, playing the best in R&B, Hip Hop, and Gospel. Our platform is dedicated to showcasing both mainstream and underground artists, giving them the opportunity to be heard. 9AM - 11AM Weekly: THE SUNDAY MORNING JAZZ SHOW hosted by rotating DJs (Jazz) Hosted by the Jazz Posse - a diverse group of longtime WRIR volunteers that rotate on a weekly basis giving a varied insight into America’s Original Performance Art Form... Jazz. The show runs the gamut from early forms to Big Band, Bebop and Modern sounds. 11AM - 1PM Weekly: BEBOP AND BEYOND WITH MR. JAZZ hosted by rotating DJs (Jazz) My first exposure to America’s Classical Music came as a child in the city of my birth... New Orleans. I want everyone to hear this great idiom that originated right here in America and is revered worldwide. Join me on Sundays to experience Jazz in all its colors and forms. 1PM - 3PM Weekly: GLOBAL A GO-GO hosted by Bill Lupoletti (World) Global A Go-Go is “music from around the world in the universal language of groove” - a world music program that emphasizes the danceable over the folkloric. This show is all about decolonizing your ears - expanding your listening horizon to include more music from outside your home country, language, culture and comfort zone. 3PM - 5PM 1st and 3rd Weeks: THE OTHER BLACK MUSIC hosted by DJ Graybeard (The Many Sounds of Black Music) Hear the unrepresented sound in Black Music. I like Hip-Hop, top 40 oldies and smooth jazz but there is a LOT more. Blues, new and old Funk/Soul, Zydeco, Black Country, Afro-pop, Latin, Caribbean, Rock and much more. Tune in and turn up the volume.

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

3PM - 5PM 2nd and 4th Weeks: AMBIANCE CONGO hosted by DJ Daudi (World) Ambiance Congo features the best of Congolese popular music. From the 1950s to the present day, Congolese music is the most widely distributed music throughout the African continent and is appreciated worldwide. 5PM - 7PM Weekly: THE MOTHERLAND INFLUENCE hosted by DJ Graybeard (African, Latin and Caribbean music) Starting in 1998 The Motherland Influence continues to bring you African, Latin & Caribbean music from wherever we can find it. Nigeria to Colombia to Haiti to Europe to USA. Soukous, Calypso, Rai, Reggae, Afrobeat, Salsa, Cumbia, Chaabi, the list goes on. We do it because it needs to be heard and we love it. We think you will too. 7PM - 9PM Weekly: IF MUSIC COULD TALK hosted by DJ Carl (World) IMCT aims to inspire curiosity about the world around us. Since living in Brooklyn NY for a few years in the late ‘90s and hearing music of every kind blending with the sounds of the city, Carl has been learning about the diverse cultures of the world through music. The show explores a variety of older recording formats and sounds of the past, while also looking to modern artists creating new styles and genres. 9PM - 11PM Weekly: CLUB UNITY hosted by Tommy 2600 (Dance, DJ Mixes) Multigenre dance music show featuring live DJ mixes with guests. 11PM - 1AM 1st and 3rd Weeks: JUST CAUSE hosted by DJ FiveOhSeven (Local, Dance, Trap) Just Cause - n. a morally good reason for taking a particular action. Just Cause - phrase, why not take a particular action. Focusing on music and local guests centered on BIPOC and queer creatives, building a larger platform for a larger audience. 11PM - 1AM 2nd and 4th Weeks: HOUSE OF SWÉ hosted by TAA TUU SWÉ (Deep House, Soulful House) House of SWÉ is your sonic passport to the heart of the global underground, where the pulse of house music fuses with an eclectic, soulful vibe. Curated by the ever-enigmatic TAA TUU SWÉ, this show is a journey through rhythm and melody that transcends borders.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

1AM - 6AM Weekly: ENCORE TALK AND MUSIC PROGRAMMING 6AM - 8AM Weekly: WOMEN ART REVOLUTION hosted by DJ Freyja (Freeform) DJ Freyja starts your week off with WAR: Women Art Revolution... bringing you women making music from all genres and all countries. 8AM - 9AM Daily: DEMOCRACY NOW! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez (National, News) Independent news reporting breaking daily headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. Hear from international journalists, ordinary people worldwide who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots activists, artists, academics, and analysts. 9AM - 10AM 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Weeks: BIG PICTURE SCIENCE hosted by Seth Shostak and Molly Bentley (National, Science) Big Picture Science radio engages the public with modern science research through lively and intelligent storytelling. The show takes on big questions by interviewing leading researchers and weaving together their stories of discovery in a clever narrative style. 10AM - 11AM Weekly: RADIO ECOSHOCK hosted by Alex Smith (National, Science, Ecology) From a troubled planet: environment and energy interviews, speeches and analysis from scientists, authors and artists. Disturbing entertainment for unique times. 11AM - 11:30AM Weekly: FOOD SLEUTH hosted by Melinda Hemmelgarn (National, Food, Health, Agriculture) Dietitian Melinda Hemmelgarn helps listeners “think beyond their plates,” connect the dots between food, health and agriculture, and find food truth. 11:30AM - 12PM Weekly: RAGING SKILLET hosted by Chef Rossi (National, Food, Stories) Advice on living large and making easy, fabulous food. 12PM - 1PM Weekly: BRAIN BOX hosted by Annie Miller (Local, Science) Brain Box is a collaboration between the Science Museum of Virginia and WRIR where we unpack what’s going on in the world of science today with local experts. This show is produced by Melissa Vaughn and content provided by Jennifer Guild and the experts at the Science Museum of Virginia. 1PM - 3PM Weekly: BANJI KAICHO hosted by Fredy J (Eclectic) Japanese/Asian music radio every Monday afternoon! Featuring J-pop, Ambient, Jazz, Folk, Rock, Rare Groove, Experimental, Soundtracks and more.

MONDAY

MONDAY

3PM - 5PM Weekly: ENCORE MUSIC PROGRAMMING 5PM - 7PM 1st and 3rd Weeks: FLYING START hosted by Shea Butter (Funk) Flying Start explores how funk’s rhythms flow through soul, jazz, and boogie, classic and party breaks, as well as a variety of house, Afrobeat, hip-hop, reggae, Latin, and Brazilian music. Each episode highlights the funkier side of these styles, blending classics with fresh discoveries to showcase funk’s transformative reach. 5PM - 7PM 2nd and 4th Weeks: FRENCH KISS hosted by Flairoline (French Freeform) French Kiss is a shimmery mix of French touch, nu disco, indie rock, dance pop, funky electronica, and whatever groovy Franglais bops I can get my hands on. It's the feeling of daydreaming, people-watching, and sipping wine on the banks of the Seine while a summer sunset unfurls. Bisous! 7PM - 9PM Alternating Weeks: EDGE OF AMERICANA hosted by DJ Josh Bearman (American Traditional) Edge of Americana focuses on American traditional music recorded in the last 100-ish years, with an emphasis on live and field recordings. Bluegrass, old time, blues, ragtime, classic country, and more! 7PM - 9PM Alternating Weeks: TIME AGAIN RADIO hosted by Zak Vincent (American Traditional) A show for the fellas and ladies who are looking to get their folk, old time, country blues, jug band, ragtime and jazz fixes. 9PM - 11PM Alternating Weeks: THE MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT hosted by The Haberdasher (Freeform) The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit show is a genre-bending mix of musical goodies. While the show is often theme-based, it always reflects The Haberdasher’s current personal musical tastes. Typically the show’s playlist is a result of research, reading, hours of listening, live shows recently attended, and rabbit holes your host has spent hours exploring. 9PM - 11PM Alternating Weeks: NIGHTTIME MANEUVERS hosted by Hip Hop Henry (Hip-Hop) Hip-Hop's finest discuss current events and culture, with a musical road map ranging from boom bap to crate digging. 11PM - 1AM Weekly: RICHMOND CRYPTOIDS hosted by Goad Gatsby (Synthwave, Hyperpop, Stories) Synthwave, hyperpop and tales about the cryptids in Richmond.

MONDAY



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