Pledge to WFMU as K-Rock Goes Top 40

If you haven't heard by now, WFMU (91.1 on the FM dial), New York's most loved listener-supported radio station, is on week two of their two week pledge drive. They only ask for handouts once a year, so drop some change in their jukebox. Currently they're $556,000 away from their goal and need help to "pick up the pace and make our goal by this Sunday." Tonight's a good time to tune in, from 8 to 11 p.m. musicians Ted Leo and Aimee Mann will play songs for pledges on Tom Scharpling's show, and they'll also be joined by comedians Paul F. Tompkins and John Hodgman. If you don't pledge, get ready for a future filled with even more soul-crushing, mind-numbing Top 40 tunes. Oh wait, that's already happening. Yesterday K-Rock announced it'll be dropping Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin for the likes of Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. What's more, the station will be re-branded 92.3 NOW FM, and a senior VP at CBS Radio notes that “It’s the first new mainstream music station to be launched in New York in nearly 30 years" and the change is meant to “diversify our radio portfolio in New York City.”

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on March 10, 2009 4:30 PM

Comments [rss]

robingee

SUPPORT WFMU!! FREE FORM STATION OF THE NATION!!!

atmanone

yeah, I listen to wfmu on the radio in my car. At work and home I use the computer and so do people from all over the world. podcasts, archives, streams. I repeat, BEST STATION EVER!

Jewbacchus

I consume most of my WFMU through their podcasts on itunes. It's worth the donation to keep my commute bearable.

JacqueMehoff

thanx, I'm listening now on my vintage tandberg.

I got their old style sticker and nightlight, I think I still have the canceled chk.

dr zippy

Here's the pledge page which lists the swag. $50 gets you a t-shirt. $75 gets you a t-shirt and a DJ premium.

JacqueMehoff

do they still give you cool tschotkes sp? when you donate?

yeah I donated a long long time ago. when they were on the campus of upsala college e. orange, nj.

greeen

y'all up there are clueless-- 91.1 fm is Radio Heaven (something for almost everyone almost all the time)(ok, admittedly there are a few obnoxious pockets, but it beats the HELL out of commercial and 'sponsored' radio stations. Tune in!! You will want to join the club by supporting the station financially. No commercials! Did you read that??? I'll say it again "NO COMMERCIALS OR SPONSORSHIP MESSAGES" fifty bucks a year is a small price to pay for that. Seriously folks, check it out if you havent yet. wfmu.org on the net.

JMH

It's a good thing we added RXP recently; we were briefly up to three decent music stations in the city but now we're back to two.

And yes, nobody listens to the radio anymore; I only find myself doing so when I'm in a car, mainly.

atmanone

Support WFMU!!! The Best Station in the WORLD!!!

Nick S

I will donate if Paul F Tompkins and John Hodgman pledge to shut the fuck up and go away.

Manitoba

WFMU is the finest radio station I've ever listened to. Sure, there are plenty of shows I don't love, but pound for pound, it's full of great shows. Plus, they archive everything online, so if you don't like what's playing, go on your computer and listen to a show from several hours, days, weeks, or years earlier. Plus, you can stream straight to a mobile device from iphone.wfmu.org

I have little money in general, but I've given mightily to WFMU over the years, usually around 300-500 bucks a year, but this year money is pretty tight, so I may have to cap it around 50-100. If you love this station and haven't donated in the past, now is your time to make up for it and pony up.

Freedom is Free Form!

drewo

I miss Alison Steele - the Nightbird.

tinybanquet

I never heard her show but a little while ago I stumbled across a pretty kooky photo of her posing under a tinfoil moon, scanned it, and put it on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinybanquet/2619151174/

drewo

Thanks Tiny, that pic about sums it up. (Iirc) she was one of the first woman dj's on FM radio, and I recall her 10pm slot in the early 70's on WNEW-FM. She would open her show by reading a cosmic poem, usually with some sort of space-rock behind her (think Tomita) which would often lead into a classic rock cut (before it was called classic rock), or even a whole album side. Many a night of my youth were spent listening, and then waking up at 2am to turn off the radio.