WHFR News

Dear Wonderful WHFR Listeners,
In 1985, WHFR-FM signed on with a mission: to be a voice for the unheard, a space for creativity, and a classroom for future broadcasters. Forty years later, that mission is still alive – and it’s all because of your belief in what independent radio can do.

Tomorrow, Sunday, April 6, marks the start of Radiothon 2025, and I want to speak to you not just as WHFR’s General Manager, but as someone who has seen firsthand what your support makes possible.

This year is especially meaningful – WHFR is turning 40! Since 1985, we’ve been a home for eclectic, independent radio – from underground musicians to passionate student broadcasters, to community members with something real to say. And now, we’re kicking off our 40th birthday celebration the best way we know how: with Radiothon, the heartbeat of our station and the fuel that keeps us going.

Unlike commercial stations, we don’t have ad revenue. We don’t receive government funding. Over 60% of our budget comes directly from listener donations. That means your contribution isn’t extra – it’s essential. Radiothon is how we stay on the air, support student learning, and bring bold, diverse programming to our community.

So if WHFR has ever made your day a little better – if you’ve discovered a new favorite artist, learned something unexpected, or just appreciated a station that’s not like the others – I’m asking you to give what you can.

Radiothon 2025 runs April 6 through 12. Call in your pledge while our live DJs make their pitches throughout the week at (313) 845-9676. Or donate securely anytime right here.

We’re also offering some special 40th Anniversary thank-you incentives to show our appreciation – but more than anything, know that your support keeps WHFR alive.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to 40 years of independent radio – and to all the voices you’ll help us share in the years to come.

With gratitude,
Susan McGraw
General Manager, WHFR-FM
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Three Easy Ways to Make Your Tax-Deductible Donation to WHFR Radiothon

1. Online: You can donate securely online right here.
2. Phone: The on-air portion of Radiothon 2025 is April 6-12 when our live DJs will be asking you to call in at (313) 845-9676 to make your tax-deductible donation via credit card or to request that a self-addressed envelope (SASE) be sent to you.
3. Mail: Download, fill out, and mail in the pledge form from the WHFR-FM website with your contribution at any time.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Episode 39 of This Just In, WHFR's pre-recorded new music showcase airing Mondays from 8-9p, airs March 31st, 2025.

This week's playlist:

Rivers of Nihil - House of Light [Metal]
Tara Chugh - Rising [Indie Rock]
ODESZA - Elevator Down (ODESZA Severance Remix) [Chillwave / Soundtrack]
ODESZA - Entering Lumon (ODESZA Severance Remix) [Chillwave / Soundtrack]

Annmarie Jo - Excuse Me [Indie Pop / Local]
Brother Thunder ft. Madeline Magnon - I Ain't Running Away [Soul / R&B]
The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Las Olas [Soul / Afrobeat]
Adrian Quesada w/ Cuco - Ojos Secos [Latin Soul]

Midnight Generation - Energy [Dance / Funk]
Baths - Eden [Indie Pop]
ECHO BEACH Lifefidelity - Good Boy [World / Electronic]
Deep Sea Diver ft. Madison Cunningham - Let Me Go [Indie Rock]

Gigi Perez - Chemistry [Indie Rock / Pop]
Florence Sinclair - bandz [Alternative Hip Hop]

Tune in to This Just In each week as we feature a unique playlist of music recently received at the station, in a variety of musical formats.
To submit your music for airplay consideration, please visit the Contact Us tab on our website: https://whfr.fm.

Tune in on Sunday, March 30, from 3:00-7:00pm EDT, as WHFR PRESENTS will feature the music of pianist MARILYN CRISPELL on this the date of her birth. From her earliest recording "Spirit Music" in 1983, through her brilliant work with the Anthony Braxton Quartet in the ‘90s, her co-operative trio with Barry Guy and Paul Lytton in the 2000s, countless solo works and continuing to the present day, Ms. Crispell has treated us all to her visionary work coming from the mind, heart and soul of a unique artist.

Born in Philadelphia, Marilyn came up through the New England Conservatory of Music in classical music, but upon hearing John Coltrane's “A Love Supreme” turned her focus to jazz and improvised music. Upon hearing her at the piano for the first time, the legendary avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor proclaimed, “This woman can play!” Despite comparisons to Taylor with her often percussive approach to piano, Marilyn has developed her own personal style of playing. After attending the Woodstock Creative Music Studios and meeting artists such as Anthony Braxton, Marilyn settled in Woodstock, New York, and continues to perform and record worldwide.

WHFR PRESENTS will feature Marilyn's music spanning her career as a leader and collaborator with a 4-hour birthday tribute program. WHFR PRESENTS airs weekly on Sundays with a rotating cast of radio hosts presenting specialty shows each week.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WHFR PRESENTS airs every Sunday beginning (usually) at 4:00 pm with a rotating cast of WHFR DJs, taking in-depth looks into the many genres of music that WHFR has to offer. Tune in at 89.3 on the FM dial in Dearborn/Detroit and surrounding communities, or listen anywhere via our online streamer.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Episode 38 of This Just In, WHFR's pre-recorded new music showcase airing Mondays from 8-9p, airs March 24th, 2025.

This week's playlist:

Monique Chao Jazz Orchestra - Hyperbolic Time Chamber [Jazz]
Keyon Harrold - Pictures (Instrumental) [Jazz]

Grey DeLisle - Didn't We Try [Folk]
Cliff Hillis - Let's Get In Some Trouble [Power Pop]
Chris Berardo & The DesBerardos - Underachiever [Roots Rock]
Tomar and The FC's - Ain't Worth It [Funk / Soul]

Message To Bears - Half Light [Ambient / Chill]
more eaze & claire rousay - hopfields [Electro-Folk / Ambient]

Freak Slug - Liquorice [Indie Rock]
Bunnies - Homunculus [Art Rock]
Daisy the Great - Ballerina [Indie Rock / Pop]

Scheffler Electronics & Holger Abel - Arroz Zambito [Electronic]

Tune in to This Just In each week as we feature a unique playlist of music recently received at the station, in a variety of musical formats.
To submit your music for airplay consideration, please visit the Contact Us tab on our website: https://whfr.fm.

As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, Robbwith2bees will spotlight the works of female film/television/video game composers on this week's "WHFR PRESENTS". Expect to hear selections by Laura Karpman, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Shirley Walker, Laura Shigihara, Lolita Ritmanis, Yoko Kanno, and MORE!

Tune in Sunday, March 23rd from 4:00 - 7:00 pm for this special 3-hour spotlight.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WHFR PRESENTS airs every Sunday beginning at 4:00 pm with a rotating cast of WHFR DJs, taking in-depth looks into the many genres of music that WHFR has to offer. Tune in at 89.3 on the FM dial in Dearborn/Detroit and surrounding communities, or listen anywhere via our online streamer.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The sacred and profane have been part of popular music since the early days of Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. WHFR host, Bill Keith, was recently listening to an Elvis Costello song and realized that the chorus was basically a prayer. He soon thought of so many other songs that combined prayers with music. 

Listen Sunday, March 16, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. as he explores this influence of the divine with songs that are pious, and others that are filled with doubt and maybe some unbelief.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WHFR PRESENTS airs every Sunday beginning at 4:00 pm with a rotating cast of WHFR DJs, taking in-depth looks into the many genres of music that WHFR has to offer. Tune in at 89.3 on the FM dial in Dearborn/Detroit and surrounding communities, or listen anywhere via our online streamer.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––