Broadcast Dates Announced for WoodSongs Programs Recorded at Berea College


WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour LogoThe NPR radio broadcasts of the two WoodSongs performance shows recorded at Berea College in September will be aired locally in November.

The first show, highlighting the U.S. Navy Bluegrass Band “Country Current” and young Parker Hastings, will air on WEKU-FM on Saturday, November 11, at 8 p.m. The second performance, featuring the McLain Family Band’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, will air on WEKU-FM on Saturday, November 18, at 8 p.m. These shows will be broadcast on NPR affiliate WUKY (Lexington) at 10 p.m. on both dates. Dates and times for NPR affiliates in other regions will vary.

WoodSongs, a live audience radio and public television broadcast created and hosted by folksinger Michael Johnathon, recorded the two programs before a live audience in historic Phelps Stokes Chapel at Berea College.

“Berea College was pleased to host WoodSongs,” said Dr. Lyle D. Roelofs, Berea’s president. “The rich musical traditions of Appalachia featured by WoodSongs are an important part of Berea’s history and culture. We look forward to these upcoming broadcasts on NPR.”

WoodSongs airs on 514 radio stations across the country, including WEKU FM and WUKY FM, plus airs in 96 million homes nationwide on public television in partnership with KET. The outreach is even bigger than that as American Forces Radio Network airs the show twice each weekend in 173 nations, and on all military facilities and Naval ships worldwide.

WoodSongs broadcasts are completely staffed by volunteers. It is the only national, syndicated show available to teachers, colleges and home school families, complete with ready-to-use lesson plans.

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Tags: Dr. Lyle Roelofs, music, WoodSongs

Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, focuses on learning, labor and service. The College only admits academically promising students with limited financial resources—primarily from Kentucky and Appalachia—but welcomes students from 41 states and 76 countries. Every Berea student receives a Tuition Promise Scholarship, which means no Berea student pays for tuition. Berea is one of nine federally recognized Work Colleges, so students work 10 hours or more weekly to earn money for books, housing and meals. The College’s motto, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” speaks to its inclusive Christian character.