WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2021) – Today, the noncomMUSIC Alliance hosts the second annual Public Radio Music Day, an all-day celebration uniting public radio music stations, artists, and fans to honor the unique role public radio represents in the local and national music community. This year’s theme focuses on “Keeping Communities Connected” and highlights the many contributions of public radio music stations during the COVID-19 pandemic. From knowledgeable local hosts to educational programs and community initiatives, local public radio music stations play a pivotal role in boosting artists and music discovery while enriching the lives of their listeners — even through difficult times.
Last week, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Chris Coons (D-DE), along with U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) and Don Young (R-AK), introduced a bicameral, bipartisan resolution to designate November 10, 2021, as Public Radio Music Day. The Senate resolution was passed by unanimous consent, with the House version continuing to gain bipartisan support. The resolution recognizes the service public radio music stations offer to listeners, musicians, and communities across the United States. Over 25 million listeners tune in weekly to hear a broad collection of music styles, including jazz, blues, classical, Americana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass, and other regional genres.
To commemorate the occasion, nearly 70 public radio stations nationwide from Alaska to Kansas to Florida will host special broadcast and digital programming, such as virtual concerts, studio sessions, curated playlists, and artist testimonials on the importance of public radio music. Participating public radio music stations can be found on the Alliance’s virtual map, which includes a listing of activities taking place on Public Radio Music Day. Fans and listeners can also follow along live online here.
Support for Public Radio Music Day
“Public radio music stations like Classical KING FM make classical music accessible to everyone and build new audiences for the arts in the communities we serve,” said Brenda Barnes, CEO of Classical KING FM 98.1 in Seattle, Washington and member of the noncomMUSIC Alliance Advisory Council. “We are honored that Congress has recognized November 10 as Public Radio Music Day, and we will be celebrating by offering performances by our amazing local musicians all day.”
“During the past year and half, we’ve been physically separated but have continued to stay connected through the power of public radio,” said Kirsten Furlong Scofield, interim station manager of WTMD in Baltimore, MD. “Hundreds of stations across this country provide a home for music discovery and a place for artists and music to shine. Public Radio Music Day is a celebration of the importance of the work we’re doing in our own backyards and beyond.”
“It’s safe to say my job would be ten times harder without noncommercial radio supporting Rough Trade artists and sharing their music with the world,” said Melanie Sheehan, U.S. label manager of Rough Trade Records. “We’ve never had a successful album campaign that didn’t include these indispensable dynamic stations and the passionate people behind them.”
“I turn to public radio for new musical discovery, to expand my mind, and to inspire me to make music of my own,” said Sean Yeaton of Parquet Courts.
About the noncomMUSIC Alliance
The noncomMUSIC Alliance celebrates nonprofit, local public radio’s role in connecting artists with the communities who enjoy and support their music. Established in 2018, the Alliance represents over 150 partner public radio music stations, all locally owned and operated, yet united by their shared values of music discovery, curation, preservation, performance, and community. To learn more about the noncomMUSIC Alliance, please visit noncomMUSIC.org.
More information about Public Radio Music Day and local events across the country is available at: PublicRadioMusicDay.org.
facebook.com/noncommusicalliance
twitter.com/noncommusic
instagram.com/noncommusic
Contact:
Shana Armstrong, [email protected], 202-853-6220
Communications, Government & External Affairs, NPR