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Adding New Folk and Jazz Shows to the Schedule - June 27, 2008
Notes from Program Director Michael Marsolek -
A number of program changes will begin July 1, 2008 on Montana Public Radio. The changes include streamlining the weekend schedules, as well as continuing to provide great national programs. Fostering creativity in the station’s on-air staff and maintaining our eclectic nature are also a priority.
After numerous conversations with listeners and staff, I have decided to drop Mountain Stage. I think the program has lost its edge, and they are now producing only 26 new shows a year. To freshen up our folk offerings, I’m excited to add American Routes from American Public Media. Hosted by Nick Spitzer, the show is produced in New Orleans and provides a two-hour weekly excursion into American music. The program spans eras and genres - roots, rock, soul, blues, country, jazz, gospel and beyond. Listen for American Routes on Saturday nights following A Prairie Home Companion.
The weekend changes were precipitated by the Metropolitan Opera (and consequently all the other opera networks) moving the start time of their broadcasts up to 11:00 a.m. each week. Homeground Radio, Thistle and Shamrock, Living on Earth and Bookworm have all moved to different times.
Two new weeknight programs have been added to the schedule. Monday nights at 8:30 p.m. will be a one-hour, weekly Music Special from a variety of producers. On Wednesday nights, I have added a new, locally-produced jazz show hosted by our own John Arvish called What I Like About Jazz. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about programming - michael.marsolek@umontana.edu or 243-4931.
One final note: our long-time Blues producer, Bob Presthus has had to leave us. Bob began hosting Blues on the Move in May of 1981. He not only provided us with great Blues programming every week, but was also responsible for obtaining an extensive collection of Blues music for our music library. The program continues, and we wish Bob all the best. We offer our sincere thanks for his more than a quarter century of work for Montana Public Radio.
Mondays
7:30pm
Thistle & Shamrock
Moves from Saturday night.
Replaces Mountain Stage.
8:30pm
Monday Special
A different music special or music documentary every week, from local and national producers.
Wednesdays
8:30pm
What I Like About Jazz
Hosted by Montana Public Radio’s John Arvish. This one-hour jazz freeforms, has an emphasis on small groups, ranging from the 1950’s to today.
9:30-11:30pm
Blues on the Move
Moves to a later time.
12:00-2:00am
John Myers Show
Replaces Film Tracks.
Saturday
11:00am
Opera
Begins earlier
2:00-4:30pm
Saturday Music Hall
Moves up half-an-hour.
4:30pm
Bookworm
A new time and day.
8:00-10:00pm
American Routes
Hosted by folklorist Nick Spitzer, this acclaimed series presents a broad range of American music.
10:00-11:00pm
Jonkunnu Express
Now an hour long.
Sundays
11:00am
Montana Evening Edition Encore Feature
Follows Weekend Edition
11:10am
The Write Question
At an earlier time.
11:20am
Homeground Radio
A new day and time.
11:50am
The Food Guys
At a new time.
12:00pm
Car Talk
Stays put at noon.
1:00pm
Jazz Archives
Moves up to head of the Jazz lineup.
1:30pm
Jazz At Lincoln Center
At an earlier time.
2:30-4:30pm
Dimensions in Jazz
An hour later
4:30pm
Front Row Center
At a new time
4:40pm
Living On Earth
In a later time slot.
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| Northwest Area Foundation Grant Funds News Reports on Poverty Issues |
Through 2008 the Montana Public Radio News Department will be presenting regular feature stories about issues of poverty in Montana. This project is made possible with a two-year, $78,500 grant from the Northwest Area Foundation. The funding will enable Montana Public Radio to add a half-time reporter to its staff for the duration of the project, as well as cover costs for field recording equipment and travel throughout western and central Montana. News Director Sally Mauk says, “I’m excited about the project and the opportunity to get our news staff out to many Montana communities to report on such an important and timely topic.”
The Northwest Area Foundation approached Montana Public Radio with this opportunity for funding coverage of poverty issues, after beginning successful projects with Minnesota Public Radio and Seattle’s KUOW. The Northwest Area Foundation’s mission is to help communities in an eight-state region (including Montana) reduce poverty. www.nwaf.org.
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