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Celebrating Music On Public Radio

On March 18, 2015, WEMU sponsored the legendary blues guitarist and singer, Buddy Guy, at the Michigan Theater.  He put on his usual spectacular show, which always includes engaging with the audience.

At one point he looked out at us and said "This music ought to be more popular.  But do you know why it isn't?  Because they don't play it on the radio."

About six rows behind me came a shout, "They do at WEMU!"

It was one of my proudest moments at WEMU.

Yes, we do play the blues at WEMU, along with jazz, roots, and Latin.  WEMU devotes 120 hours to music every week and 43 of those are live and local, hosted by talented announcers who handpick music for our community, that also resonates with listeners around the world.

Today we celebrate music on public radio with a one-day fundraiser that highlights the music we play every week.  You'll hear from #teamwemu as well as key players and stakeholders in the music industry and, along the way, we want to raise $43,000; a thousand dollars for each hour of live music programming each week.  Thanks to some early bird donors, we have just under $35,000 to go by 7:00 tonight.

Live music programming is becoming increasingly rare across the public radio spectrum, particularly on weekends.   WEMU is able to sustain our music programming, because of YOU.  

You make it possible to present live hosted jazz and blues every weekday.  You make it possible to have live hosted music every weekend.  Your support makes it happen.   

So I encourage you to listen along today.  Hear what these key industry figures have to say about music on public radio.  Think about what it means to you.  And make your gift of support at WEMU.org

Because the future of music on WEMU is in your hands.

Thank you,

Molly Motherwell
General Manager

Mary Motherwell, known as Molly, joined the WEMU staff in November of 1991 as Marketing and Development Director after stints in public relations at Domino’s Pizza International, and as an account executive first at the old Ypsilanti Press and then the former WIQB-FM. In December 2010, upon his retirement, she succeeded Arthur Timko as General Manager, only the third GM in WEMU’s 57 year history.