WHFR News
Olivia Van Goor and Henry Ford Big Band Show
The Henry Ford Big Band and Olivia Van Goor will be performing Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, at the Adray Auditorium on the Henry Ford College campus.
Olivia Van Goor is a Detroit-based jazz vocalist, band leader, arranger, and composer. She has built a reputation for not only being an excellent vocalist, but a creative force to be reckoned with. She received nominations for Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2021 by the Detroit Music Awards, Outstanding Vocalist in 2023, and recognition by many Michigan-based publications. Beyond recording, she has produced the show “Duets” with vocalist/bassist Reuben Stump exploring the history of vocal jazz duets and some of her own arrangements as well as an “Anita O’Day Tribute” in which she pays tribute to the legendary vocalist Anita O’Day. She has worked with musicians like Detroit pianist Scott Gwinnell, 2-time JUNO award winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy, prolific Ann Arbor bassist Paul Keller, Lansing guitar great Randy Napoleon, and many others. Olivia continues to collaborate with many Michigan leaders in jazz in addition to surrounding midwest musicians to spread musical joy.
The Henry Ford Big Band has performed at major jazz festivals throughout the world. The group, performing for over four decades, has appeared dozens of times at the Detroit Jazz Festival, twice at Carnegie Hall, and seven times at the prestigious Montreux International Jazz Festival in Switzerland. They have performed at Presidential Inaugural Celebrations and have also toured Hawaii, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and France. In addition, the Big Band performs numerous civic function and dance engagements throughout the year.
Tickets!:
Friday Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/olivia-van-goor-and-the-henry-ford-big-band-tickets-671510374607
Saturday Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/olivia-van-goor-and-the-henry-ford-big-band-tickets-673454218697
WHFR at Dearborn Homecoming August 4th, 5th, and 6th
WHFR will be broadcasting live during this weekend's Dearborn Homecoming which is taking place at Dearborn's Ford Field Park on August 4th, 5th, and 6th.
Come on down for the festivities and free fireworks at this fun, family-friendly event, and be sure to visit WHFR's tent (be on the lookout for our slick new blue and white banner) to chat with some of our DJs, pick up free WHFR swag (stickers, magnets, and new multi-colored pens), and maybe even buy some WHFR merch (such as our new "Cool Blue" shades).
We'll also have plenty of our famous purged CDs & LPs available for a $1 donation each!
You'll find us across from the carnival and midway area from noon-8pm all three days.
Meet your favorite DJs all weekend long, and enjoy Dearborn's biggest celebration of the year!
WHFR Journal LIVE From Dearborn's Homecoming Festival Aug. 4th at 1:00 p.m.
Join us for the "WHFR Journal" local news and views talk show August 4th at 1:00 p.m. as we broadcast live from the exciting Dearborn Homecoming Festival at Ford Field Park (Cherry Hill and Brady Streets ). Host Susan McGraw will chat with Dearborn City Council member Leslie Herrick, HFC's Athletic Director Rochelle Taylor, and new WHFR staff member and longtime Dearborn resident Pete Zeidas about what's happening in the community today. WHFR will broadcast all weekend from our tent space at Dearborn's Ford Field park, just south of the covered bridge and next to the carnival rides. Stop in to say hello to your favorite DJs and to browse our dollar donation CD and album bins to take home some gems. And check out the WHFR Journal live August 4th at 1pm from Homecoming 2023.
We Are Not Alone: Monday, August 7, 2023. 2 – 3 PM EST.
This episode of We Are Not Alone will feature Sam Maranto, who is a media consultant and Illinois State Director for MUFON, known for his work on the UAP Tinley Park Mass Sightings of 2004, Chicago O’Hare Gate C17 incident of 2006, and the Chicago Mothman flap.
All archived shows can be found at: https://whfr.fm/station/programs/malt-shop-we-are-not-alone-0
The latest show archives are at: https://whfr.fm/podcast/we-are-not-alone
WHFR's Latest Arrivals
As we expand our music library at WHFR we continue to share some of the albums we have been receiving and are adding to both our physical and digital library for your listening pleasure:
GHOST HOUNDS - First Last Time
Ghost Hounds are a rock 'n' blues band hailing from Pittsburgh, PA. The band's classic rock 'n' roll guitar tunes are the result of both Thomas Tull and Brooklyn native guitarist Johnny Baab, while the driving forces on bass and drums are Bennett Miller and Blaise Lanzetta, respectively. Fronted by lead singer Tré Nation, whose voice was simply made for rock, Ghost Hounds are a modern-day rock band that plays blues inspired rock in such a way that proves that the genre is not only alive, but thriving for the next generation of rock fans.
BAS JAN - “At The Counter”
Bas Jan released their fourth album Back To The Swamp on November 10th on Fire Records. Today sees the release of their first track from the album, new single and video ‘At The Counter’. The new single ‘At The Counter’ is filled with hope for the “best life” lived, from the bedroom to the pet shop. Directed by Rachel Horwood and filmed by Aurora Horwood, the flamboyant new music video superbly captures the quizzical narrative of the first single and the band.
NIGHT BEATS - Rajan
Album opener “Hot Ghee” not only sets the stage for where the album will head but establishes Rajan as a scalding-hot take on the intersection of psych-rock, jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, and more. It’s a wildly diverse and thrilling album yet remains remarkably cohesive in Blackwell’s hands. “Hot Ghee” is built around sultry guitar chords, layers of interacting vocals, swinging drums, a small army of tambourines, and subtle piano runs that gives the song a melodic edge.
For information on how to submit your music, please click on the “Artist Music Submission” button on the top left-hand side of the web page and you will be provided with all of the information needed to submit both your digital and physical copies today!
TOP TEN BLUES for July 2023
Please join Highway 61 for the best in new Blues releases and local area Artists' music every Friday, 2pm until 4pm, with host DJ~KittyLuv;) 'making~waves'.
Here is our latest Top Ten Blues new releases being aired at WHFR-FM 89.3:
1. THE NICK MOSS BAND FEATURING DENNIS GRUENLING: Get Your Back Into It! (Alligator Records)
2. MONSTER MIKE WELCH: Nothing But Time (Gulf Coast Records)
3. D.K. HARRELL: The Right Man (Little Village)
4. ERIC JOHANSON: The Deep And The Dirty (Ruf Records)
5. THE CHRISTOPHER DEAN BAND FEAT. "CHICAGO" CARL SNYDER: Need A Friend (Lost World Music)
6. SOULFUL FEMME: Attitude (Self)
7. FRANCK L. GOLDWASSER: Who Needs This Mess!!?? (CrossCut Records)
8. TIM WOODS: For You (Self)
9. MIKE BOURNE BAND FEATURING JOHNNY BURGIN: Cruisin' Kansas City (Blue Heart Records)
10. MIKE GULDIN AND ROLLIN' AND TUMBLIN': The Franklin Sessions (Blue Heart Records)
DJ~KittyLuv;)
WHFR Blues Music Director
Concert of Colors -- A Colorful Success!
Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated diversity at last weekend's Concert of Colors world music festival held both outside and inside at the DIA. WHFR was proud to be part of this important and im[pactful event and looks forward to keeping the wave of independent world music going on our airwaves. Thanks to the WHFR staff for their efforts to ensure a great experience for our listeners both at the festival and listening on 89.3FM.
WHFR at Concert of Colors July 22nd & 23rd
The Concert of Colors is metro Detroit’s free annual family-friendly diversity-themed music festival. Located indoors and outdoors at the Detroit Institute of Arts with performances at Metro Detroit’s cultural institutions, you can enjoy Global music at its finest at this colorful, festive, upbeat coveted summer event.
Be sure to stop by the WHFR tent, located near the Wolverine Stage, to say hello and pick up some free WHFR swag! We will be on-site:
Saturday
noon- 8:00pm
Sunday
noon-6:00pm
Can’t make it? Be sure to tune into 89.3FM, or stream us at whfr.fm, as we will be broadcasting performances live from the Wolverine Stage during these times:
Saturday
5:30-6:30 PM – MOLLYWOP! (FUNK)
7:00-8:00 PM – TAMBAO BRAVO (CUBAN JAZZ)
Sunday
1:00-2:00 PM – MICHAEL TURNER (DETROIT) (MOTOWN ROCK)
2:30-3:00 PM – ROOTS VIBRATION (CARRIBEAN) (REGGAE)
5:30-6:00 PM – RAFAEL LEAFAR (DETROIT) (EXPERIMENTAL JAZZ)
WHFR is Back On-Air! (Tuesday, July 4th)
The power is back up, as are both our over-the-air and streaming signals. Please enjoy our classical programming for the rest of the day. We'll be back to our regular programming tomorrow.
WHFR is Off-Air! (Monday, July 3rd)
Please be aware that HFC is currently experiencing a power disruption which has interrupted both our over-the-air and streaming signals. We hope to be up and running as soon as possible!
TOP TEN BLUES for June 2023
Please join Highway 61 for the best in new Blues releases and local area Artists' music every Friday, 2pm until 4pm, with host DJ~KittyLuv;) 'making~waves'.
Here is our latest Top Ten Blues new releases being aired at WHFR-FM 89.3:
1. MIKE BOURNE BAND FEATURING JOHNNY BURGIN: Cruisin' Kansas City (Blue Heart Records)
2. JOANNA CONNOR: Best of Me (Gulf Coast Records)
3. SELWYN BIRCHWOOD: Exorcist (Alligator Records)
4. BOB CORRITORE AND FRIENDS: Women In Blues Showcase (SWAMF / VizzTone Label Group)
5. JOE KROWN: Tribute (Sledgehammer Blues)
6. DOUG DEMING AND THE JEWEL TONES: Groovin' at Groove Now! (Endless Blues)
7. GAYE ADEGBALOLA: Satisfied- An Anthology (VizzTone Label Group)
8. LIL' JIMMY REED WITH BEN LEVIN: Back To Baton Rouge (Nola Blue Records)
9. ALLY VENABLE: Real Gone (Ruf)
10. MIKE GULDIN AND ROLLIN' AND TUMBLIN': The Franklin Sessions (Blue Heart Records)
DJ~KittyLuv;)
WHFR Blues Music Director
The Music of George M. Cohen and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" on "Big Band, Broadway, and Beyond" Fri, 06/30/2023
Join us this morning at 10:00 a.m. on a special 4th of July holiday edition of "Big Band, Broadway, and Beyond" as your host Joe Sullivan will feature music from the iconic film "Yankee Doodle Dandy" featuring James Cagney and the popular patriotic music of George M Cohen. Enjoy, and have a happy and safe holiday!
Peter Brotzmann, Free Jazz Legend Dies At 82
They called his playing "ferocious" and since his debut in 1967, Peter Brotzmann set a standard for free jazz that would influence countless saxophonists and delight listeners, not only in jazz but musics across many genres as well. Peter was uncompromising from the start to finish, playing a wide range of saxophones as well as clarinet and the Hungarian Taragato. He was a featured artist at many of the avant-garde jazz festivals across the world.
Juneteenth
In case you were wondering what Juneteenth was all about, here is a little info. Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Although it has a few names, Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a combination of the words June and Nineteenth which is the day that Major General Gordon Granger gave the order proclaiming the freedom of the enslaved peoples of Texas. For whatever way you celebrate, observe, or reflect on Juneteenth, WHFR would like to say happy Juneteenth to all of our loyal listeners.
Happy Father's Day
To all of the fathers on our WHFR staff and to our dads, uncles, grandpas, brothers, and father figures who are loyal listeners, we wish you a Happy Father's Day!
