WHFR News
Winter Season Celebration
All of us here at WHFR wish you the very best during this holiday season. Many of your favorite WHFR personalities will once again gather around the studio this season to record special Winter Season Celebration programming, celebrating a variety of holidays that fall into these cold months, including Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Christmas, New Year, and other winter holidays. There will be lots of wonderful independent music that you may have never heard before, plus alternative versions of your favorite traditional holiday songs.
Christmas Eve's on-air holiday festivities will begin on December 24th with a special Christmas-themed edition of Radio Vault and continue with our Winter Season Celebration Recordings starting at 1:00. The Winter Season Celebration shows will run through the night of 25th, with regular programming resuming on Thursday, December 26th, at 10:00am.
So light up the Christmas tree, throw an extra log into the fireplace, prepare your hot chocolate, and enjoy the holiday spirit while listening to our Winter Season Celebration programming on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 2024, right here on WHFR.
This Just In: Episode 28
Episode 28 of This Just In, WHFR's pre-recorded new music showcase airing Mondays from 8-9p, airs December 23rd, 2024.
This week's playlist:
Steve Davis - We See [Jazz]
Gary Williamson Trio - Windows [Jazz]
The Bad Plus - French Horns [Jazz]
Sam Amidon - Friends and Neighbors [Alternative Folk]
Jonathan Roy - Waiting For A Call [Indie / Alternative]
David Kushner - Empty Bench [Alternative Pop]
The Letter E - Goodbye [Indie Rock / Instrumental]
Julien Baker & TORRES - Sugar in the Tank [Country]
Two Shell - Magic Powers [Electronic]
Francis Michaud - Charnel [Pop / World]
Arturo Sandoval - My Funny Valentine [Jazz / World]
Farazi - Yanlış [Hip Hop Instrumental / World]
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.
Holiday Specialty Shows: Sunday, December 22nd
Hotwax Radio
The White Rabbit and Hotwax Radio invites you to enjoy an exclusive Christmas celebration show on Sunday, December 22nd, starting at 7:00pm.
Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole and let the White Rabbit awaken your festive spirit.
Chase away all that humbug with songs, sounds, and good rollicking fun!
Don’t be late!
WHFR PRESENTS: SPIRITS REJOICE HOLIDAY SPECIAL
WHFR's SPIRITS REJOICE Radio Program will not air in its regular time slot on Christmas Eve, but will present its annual holiday show on Sunday, December 22, from 4:00-7:00pm EST, on the WHFR PRESENTS Radio Program.
Feel and hear the sounds of spirit, peace and love via the jazz and improvised music idiom with artists such as Pharoah Sanders (pictured above), John Coltrane, Bill Evans and many others as they help create a special aura for the holidays.
Happy Holidays to all and remember to smile upon your brothers and sisters of the world.
New (Old) Phillip Marlowe Holiday Show on WHFR Sunday Night Mysteries
This classic 1947 detective episode DIDN'T EXIST before our friends at Project Audion recreated it from the script! Their production came to life just this past week.
That, plus during our first hour, a little heard Suspense episode (from much later in 1961) will be heard...but we're just getting started:
In addition we'll feature the Orson Welles Campbell Playhouse production of "A Christmas Carol" starring Lionel Barrymore (Drew's great uncle) as Scrooge (from his original film role).
We'll also feature "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" from legendary radio writer Norman Corwin, narrated by Orson Welles.
This all happens during our 12/22 WHFR Sunday Night Mysteries show...9PM ET until 12 Midnight, broadcasting at 89.3 on the FM dial in Dearborn/Detroit, and streaming everywhere via whfr.fm.
Holiday Specialty Show: Light From The Underground
If you're in the mood for unique holiday sounds, be sure to tune in to your favorite WHFR programs the week leading up to Christmas!
Light From The Underground (Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) will feature a mix of Christmas, Holiday and Winter Themed music on Saturday, December 21. Bill Keith will play a variety of musical genres, from folk to indie rock, throughout the show. Kick off your weekend with a musical celebration of the season.
Be sure to check back right here for more announcements about additional "Holiday Specialty Shows," our always-popular "Winter Season Celebration" programming, and our "Best Of 2024" week, all coming up soon right here on WHFR... our presents to you this holiday season!
The Art of Gifting (and regifting) on Today's "Journal" at 1pm
For anyone with gift anxiety, or for anyone who feels like you can’t win for losing, this is the conversation for you. Full of reminders and insights as we gear up for the season, This PRX program will offer some tips (or at least some moral support) on the topic. Airing today at 1:00 p.m. on WHFR. Enjoy and happy holidays!
Holiday Specialty Show: The Jump Button
If you're in the mood for unique holiday sounds, be sure to tune in to your favorite WHFR programs the week leading up to Christmas!
The Jump Button's "Super Dorky Holiday" show, airing December 19th from 8:00-11:00pm, will have special programming featuring three hours of "nerdy" holiday music.
Be sure to check back right here for more announcements about additional "Holiday Specialty Shows," our always-popular "Winter Season Celebration" programming, and our "Best Of 2024" week, all coming up soon right here on WHFR... our presents to you this holiday season!
WHFR... Sounding Better Than Ever!
“Is it my imagination or has WHFR become stronger and clearer in the last few years -- both on the FM dial and the stream?”
It is NOT your imagination, and it is just in time to celebrate our 40th year of being a radio station at Henry Ford College: An extensive amount of behind-the-scenes technical work has been underway.
From the microphones to the antenna to the streaming equipment – everything is being reviewed, re-wired repaired and in many cases replaced. We began by replacing our transmitter, antenna and everything connected to it. We are at the same power, yet we have extended our listenable FM range by several miles due to improved efficiency and equipment. We are also showing up on the display of your car radio sending you greetings!
Our streaming equipment and all equipment connected to our broadcast audio chain are also all new. The streaming equipment uses the same processor technology used for FM broadcast.
In addition, thanks to the generosity of one of our loyal supporters, we also have new state-of-the-art remote equipment. Whether it is live music or one of our DJs, it will have pristine and reliable qualities we have never had before, in full stereo no less. We expect to unveil that during our upcoming events in 2025.
Our main studios have many behind-the-scenes improvements ranging from re-wiring to computer upgrades, all of which are on-going, and we are just getting started. Your continued support is what makes these improvements possible.
Leading this renovation is our Production Manager & Chief Engineer Bob Burnham (shown working on satellite and other equipment in our main processing rack).
Photo by Assistant Engineer Jennifer St. James.
This Just In: Episode 27
Episode 27 of This Just In, WHFR's pre-recorded new music showcase airing Mondays from 8-9p, airs December 16th, 2024.
This week's playlist:
Lauren Auder + Wendy & Lisa - I Would Die 4 U [Rock / Pop]
Heavy Moss - Jump [Indie Rock]
Jazzmeia Horn - Voicemail Blues [Vocal Jazz]
The Verdict - Mr. Wizzard [Electro / Soul]
Don Martin Three - Transistor [Indie Rock]
Cars Get Crushed - Hero City [Alternative]
Fox And Company - Set My Sails [Rock / Adult Contemporary]
Gastón Reggio ft. Rob Dixon & Clay Wulbrecht - Not yet [Jazz]
BAYNK - Grin [Electronic / R&B]
Jordan Power - 23 [Indie Rock / Pop]
DJ Limbo Latino ft. Abisag, Dyago, Eydan Valdes, Rodriandre & Mambo Sour - Aleluya (Bachata Version) [World / Dance]
Scroggins & Rose - Space Samba [Bluegrass / Instrumental]
Hazy Day Parade - Hand In Pocket [Indie Rock]
Rone - Tasty City [Electronic / Downtempo]
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.
"WHFR Presents": Bob Setlik Tribute
Bob Setlik, most well known to many as the owner of Car City Records in the Detroit area, has left us at the age of 82. Mr. Setlik graced the airwaves at WHFR for many years as the host of the avant-garde music program Delusions and Furies (in tribute to the great Harry Partch recording Delusion of the Fury).
Recently residing in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bob enriched the lives of thousands of music lovers with his diligent efforts in the record business, the sharing of new sounds, and his work in radio. He could easily meld the sounds of avant-garde classical and jazz music with traditional gospel, old country folk along with Iggy and the Stooges for good measure. Bob was a good friend to many of us and we honor his memory.
Tune in to WHFR Radio for a special tribute to Mr. Setlik on Sunday, December 15, from 4-7pm EST, on the WHFR Presents Radio Program. WHFR can be heard in the Dearborn/Detroit area at 89.3fm and worldwide via the internet at whfr.fm.
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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.
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This Just In: Episode 26
Episode 26 of This Just In, WHFR's pre-recorded new music showcase airing Mondays from 8-9p, airs December 9th, 2024.
This week's playlist:
Super Monster Party - Altered Beast [Rock]
Becky and the Birds - To trust you [Dream-Pop / Electronic]
Dub Spencer and Trance Hill - Bluster (Gaudi Remix) [Dub Style / Electronic]
Primal Code - Totem [Metal]
Super Monster Party ft. Ty Christian - One Winged Angel [Rock]
Kill Birds - Behind [Alternative / Indie Rock]
Philipp Greter - Greter than Dub [Dub Style / Electronic]
Anatrix - Quantum Singularity (Automata Remix) [Industrial / Electronic]
Sheryl Lee Ralph - Blood Sweat & Tears [Soundtrack]
Super Monster Party - Castlevania [Rock]
MUNYA and Kainalu - Don't Go Away [Indie Rock]
Rustage ft. Connor Quest! - Prime (Optimus Prime) [Nerdcore Hip Hop / Electro-Pop]
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.
WHFR Journal Friday at 1pm - Chocolate, Libraries, and Bright Lights
Tune in to the WHFR Journal this Friday, December 6 at 1pm as we share info about the upcoming Downriver Actor's Guild production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". We'll also talk with our favorite resident librarian at the Dearborn Public Library about the many winter programs they're offering for the community. We'll wrap up the hour with a new segment from the Series: Living Planet: Environment Matters ~ from DW. We see the bright lights and big, LED cities as more and more cities are switching to LEDs to save money and, ultimately, the planet.
Thursday Show Time Changes
Thursday late mornings and early afternoons will sound slightly different as the winter months come upon us. Join Missy J and her House That Jack Swing Built program running from 10am until 1pm, beginning Thursday December 5. You will hear the same mix of swing, hip hop, soul, jazz, gospel, funk and R&B, along with information on community events weekly.
Earl Jones and his Jazz Horizons program will gain an extra hour beginning on December 12, as he explores the best in the history of jazz music, particularly new and local music that is on "the horizon." Tune in to Earl weekly on Thursdays from 1pm until 4pm.
All right here on the station making waves, locally over-the-air on your radio dial at 89.3FM and anywhere in the world whfr.fm.
December 3rd Is "Giving Tuesday"
Join the millions of people across the world coming together to celebrate generosity. If you're looking to spend that last bit of money set aside for charitable contributions, consider a tax-deductive donation to your favorite non-commercial internet and broadcast station, WHFR.
Giving feels great and is easy... Please visit https://foundation.hfcc.edu/whfr to make your secure online donation today, perhaps in honor of a loved one as a special holiday gift, or because you believe in the mission of local, independent radio. Please be sure to scroll down and select "WHFR."
Thank you in advance for your support, and don't forget to tag @GivingTuesday and use #GivingTuesday on social media to share your generosity in action throughout the day!
TOP TEN BLUES for November 2024
Please join Highway 61 for the best in new Blues releases and local area Artists' music every Friday, 2:00 – 4:00pm, with host DJ~KittyLuv;) 'making~waves'. Here is our latest Top Ten Blues new releases being aired at WHFR-FM 89.3:
1. MISSISSIPPI MACDONALD: I Got What You Need (APM Records)
2. OLLEE OWENS: Nowhere to Hide (Self)
3. KAT RIGGINS AND HER BLUES REVIVAL: Revival (House Of Berry)
4. DENNIS HERRERA: Four (Deep Groove Records)
5. RONNIE BAKER BROOKS: Blues In My DNA (Alligator Records)
6. JOVIN WEBB: Drifter (Blind Pig Records)
7. SHEMEKIA COPELAND: Blame It On Eve (Alligator Records)
8. BENNY TURNER: BT (Nola Blue Records)
9. VANESSA COLLIER: Do It My Own Way (Phenix Fire Records)
10. JAKE SHMABUKURO AND MICK FLEETWOOD: Blues Experience (Forty Below)
DJ~KittyLuv;)
WHFR Blues Music Director