Stations across the country used music to connect and create community

Music has a way of seeping into all parts of our lives. It’s something we look for in times of need and happiness, it’s the way many express themselves when other forms aren’t enough, and it’s an essential component of noncommercial radio across the entire country.

Public media plays a critical role in the American music ecosystem: Public radio music stations are in part made by the artistic communities of musicians they support. Those same musicians and the music industry around them care deeply about the success of public radio music. Their listeners and members make up some of the most passionate music lovers, from the comments sections to adulation and official proclamations from the halls of Congress.

As we look to a new year, it’s also time to reflect on a year of rich storytelling and vibrant contributions. 2024 brought forward inspiring narratives that celebrated the creativity, resilience, and diversity within the public radio community. From exploring emerging formats to celebrating milestone anniversaries, these stories showcased the unique ways public radio stations bring music, culture, and connection to their listeners.

The Stories of 2024:

The Rise of Urban Alternative Highlights the Best of Noncommercial Radio

The Urban Alternative format’s birth and growth is one that really could have only happened in public radio, drawing on the dynamic energy and inclusive programming that continue to redefine what noncommercial radio can achieve. From stations to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to promoters and artists, it’s a format built on what public media does best. Read the full story.

A Day in the Life of a Public Radio Intern: WCLK

Launching the “A Day in the Life” series was a guest essay from university student Alanna Hadley, who worked at Atlanta’s jazz station, WCLK. This story shines a light on the next generation of public radio talent, showcasing the valuable experiences and challenges faced by someone getting their start in the world of noncommercial radio. Read about Hadley’s experience.

Looking for an Extra Violin? Need a Video of Your Performance? Classical KING Has Got You Covered

Classical radio to many means long stretches without DJs or any kind of voice on-air, letting the compositions fill the broadcast. Classical KING’s approach puts the people making and playing the music first, making sure new talent gets heard, especially across social media. This collaborative spirit also supports local artists and enriches the community, proving that public radio is as much about service as it is about sound. Read about their program.

NON-COMMvention 2024 Brought Together a Resilient, Evolving Triple A Format

Run by Philadelphia’s WXPN since 2001, the NON-COMMvention invites stations, the music industry, and even listeners to share ideas and inspiration. From panels to all-night concerts, the event continued to highlight the adaptability and strength of the Triple A format in a changing media landscape. Read about the 2024 convention. 

Mountain Stage Celebrates Live Public Radio Music Coast to Coast

With no experience but a lot of passion for live music, a team in 1983 created Mountain Stage, a small show broadcast from West Virginia. Now, the show broadcasts to over 270 stations nationwide and continues to be a beacon for live music lovers, showcasing artists from all over the world from the humble state. Read all about Mountain Stage.

A Day in the Life of a Public Radio Program Director: Radio Milwaukee

Program Director Jordan Lee gave an almost hour-by-hour rundown of a typical day, showing what it takes to balance curation, creativity, and community at one of Milwaukee’s most beloved public media groups. Read about Lee’s perspective.

WJAB Keeps the Tradition of Southern Jazz Alive in Ways Only Noncommercial Radio Can

WJAB’s place in a growing town in Alabama and connections to the HBCU it broadcasts from helps drive a dedication to Southern jazz. Drawing on the personal relationships WJAB staff has with music, the station aims to preserve a rich cultural heritage, ensuring that this uniquely American art form thrives for generations to come. Check out WJAB’s efforts to preserve Southern jazz.

A Day in the Life of a Public Radio General Manager: KERA

KERA’s public media organization has long reflected the needs of North Texas through KERA and KXT, but it expanded even further with classical station WRR and local paper Denton Record-Chronicle. Helming this growth has been Nico Leone, their President and CEO, who balances the challenges of leadership with a passion for delivering meaningful programming to the area. Learn more about Leone’s role at KERA.

KTOO at 50 Celebrates Community and Culture

Shared in partnership with the Alliance of Rural Public Media to highlight the unique experience of rural area arts and culture, Juneau’s KTOO marked its 50th anniversary by reflecting on its legacy of serving all Alaskans, especially their Native Alaskan friends and family, through a love of music and culture that extends beyond its 50 years on air. Relive KTOO’s celebration.

Interlochen Public Radio Finds Freedom In A Rural Community Overflowing With Artistic Talent

Nestled in a vacation community with a rich history of arts education, Interlochen Public Radio took the freedom of noncommercial radio and the community-building it requires to celebrate the passion between a vibrant classical scene and the freedom of rural life. Read about Interlochen Public Radio’s efforts.

WTMD’s Coast-to-Coast Journey Returns Home With National Broadcast of Bartees Strange Performance

Public Radio Music Day celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2024, and WTMD went above and beyond by embracing the 2024 motto of “Bringing People Together: From Coast to Coast.” The station followed music across the country and culminated their celebration in a hometown-based national broadcast of musician Bartees Strange. Experience WTMD’s Public Radio Music Day celebrations.

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As we close the book on 2024, we celebrate a year of innovation, connection, and storytelling that underscores the transformative power of public radio. With the launch of the new series, “A Day in the Life,” there was a chance to look behind the scenes into the essential roles that keep stations thriving. Each piece underscores the enduring impact of public radio as a vital force for community and cultural expression and how each station is made up of teams doing that hard work. Events like our yearly Public Radio Music Day celebration celebrate the work behind public radio music, and allow the country to celebrate the work alongside these stations.

In 2025, we’ll continue to shine a light and uplift the good work of the people in public radio and noncommercial music.