Blues has been heard on the Highway 61 program Friday broadcast since its first airing in 1995, with host Jo Ann Korczynska in the 2pm until 6pm time-slot, on WHFR-FM. DJ~KittyLuv is the current host spinning Blues from local Artists' independent labels, along with the best in new releases, on the 89.3FM broadcast "Making~Waves".

Jo Ann K. did an award-winning presentation showcasing Detroit Blues Artists and new music, as the original host of the weekly Friday Blues program, from 1995 until 2015. She was very passionate about "Keeping the Blues Alive" and she played a big part in helping "...lesser known musicians to get their music on the air..." and "... produced three Uncut Detroit compilation Blues CDs, and was awarded a Detroit Blues Society lifetime achievement award."

DJ ~KittyLuv now hosts the Highway 61 program each week and continues to spin the best in new Blues releases and local music on one of the longest running programs airing on 89.3 WHFR-FM. She became a member of the WHFR Staff in 1999 and began producing the The Circle Within, which aired Midnight until 2am (2000~2013), bringing many independent labels and local Artists with a heavy rockin' Bluesrock rotation to the late-night Tuesday radio station airwaves and internet broadcast.

She presently holds the voluntary WHFR-FM position of Blues Music Director by reviewing new music, charting monthly reports of "Top Ten Blues" to"Living Blues Magazine" and "The Detroit Blues Society" newsletter. She also maintains the WHFR-FM Facebook Social Media accounts.

You can hear the Highway 61 broadcast airing each Friday, at 2pm until 6pm, with the best in new releases and local Blues music "Making~Waves" on WHFR-FM 89.3, along with a weekly list of Blues Artists events and performances, "Keeping the Blues Alive" in Michigan.

As always, Thank You for listening and for your support!
https://www.facebook.com/whfrradio
~DJ~KittyLuv;)
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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.

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In 2018, Bob Burnham, WHFR’s Production Manager and Chief Engineer brought Radio Vault to WHFR. He also saw a lot of things behind the scenes that needed technical improvement. He began assisting Allen Mazurek, our former teacher and Technical Advisor at the time, before Bob officially became part of the management staff. Since that time, WHFR has made drastic improvements in all areas of our facility.

Those improvements include a new FM antenna, transmitter, audio processor and related equipment. A completely new rack was built for this equipment. This equipment added as much as 10 miles to our FM listening range in all directions and a sound that is comparable to and in some cases exceeds any Detroit area station. Those messages we send you now on your car radio are also but a tiny part of those renovations. We also upgraded our Streaming equipment and just about every piece of equipment the audio travels through from our studios to your ear. Major upgrades to studio computer equipment were also completed as well as new microphones, and studio re-wiring, all of which is on-going.

The costs to accomplish these things have been and continue to be enormous and we’re not done yet! These renovations so far would not have been possible at all without you, our Loyal Listener, and we thank you for your past support. There are, however, even more improvements on the horizon! Your support will help us to continue to grow, Making Even Bigger Waves while enhancing our programming and providing our DJs with the best tools to do so.
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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.

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Radiothon is always special on Theme Attic, a quirky weekly Wednesday show hosted by DJ Phil Maq! This week it will start earlier and run 11AM-4PM EDT!!! The show features music based on subjects as well as countdowns and interviews.

Songwriter/Singers are often on display, and this year for Radiothon is no exception! Last year, local musicians Judy Banker and Roger Ponder played songs and discussed their music careers with Phil. In an effort to one up himself, Singer/Songwriter, Gary Browe, has been added to Theme Attic along with Judy and Roger! That's a true three-fer! Or something like that!

Join all four on Wednesday, April 9th, from 11AM-4PM as they all prove their support to the station and humbly ask for listener support in return!
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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.

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In a special RADIOTHON edition of WHFR PRESENTS, a midweek feature on the greatest saxophonist to ever grace our planet, JOHN COLTRANE. He revolutionized the tenor and soprano saxophone and brought a spirit to the music that has never been matched.

Tune in to this special program as WHFR RADIO continues its annual fundraiser on TUESDAY, APRIL 8, from 1:00-4:00 pm EDT on 89.3fm locally (Dearborn) and whfr.fm streaming worldwide.
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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.
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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.

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WHFR is turning 40 - and we’re celebrating in style. To honor four decades of independent broadcasting, we’re releasing special edition WHFR 40th birthday posters and t-shirts unlike anything we’ve done before.

We dug deep into our archives to find every t-shirt design we’ve ever made - yes, every single one! These designs will come together in a bold, creative collage that captures the spirit and evolution of WHFR through the years.

From our early days of “Saving Detroit’s Airwaves” to today’s continued mission of “Making Waves,” this is a must-have collector’s item for every fan and supporter.

Both the t-shirts and the frameable posters will be limited edition pledge incentives available during our Radiothon pledge drive. They’ll officially debut later this year - but you can secure yours early by pledging this week!
Support the station you love and own a piece of WHFR history.

Make your pledge now - and help us keep making waves for 40 more years!

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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.

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As WHFR Radio continues into its 40th year of broadcasting, we take a moment to reflect upon the many moments of creative programming, the changes and additions in format and the numerous technological advancements that have kept the station relevant in today's world. It's been a long and fulfilling journey from the beginnings in 1985 to the present day.

The WHFR Radiothon, an annual fundraiser for the station, begins on Sunday, April 6, at 10:00 am with Terence Tyson's always eclectic jazz show, Play it By Ear. Later in the day, at 4:00pm, the weekly feature WHFR PRESENTS will follow with a mix of some of the recorded moments in our history with the voices of deejays from our past 40 years coupled with an array of great jazz recordings from the year 1985. From the sounds of bebop to the futuristic sounds of the avant-garde, 1985 was a great year for jazz music.

WHFR PRESENTS is a weekly feature program hosted by a rotating cast of deejays presenting a unique theme to the airwaves each week from 4:00-7:00pm. Please join us this Sunday and consider making a donation to our annual Radiothon pledge drive.
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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.
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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.

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Support the station you love – and score some exclusive thank-you gifts.

As we celebrate 40 incredible years of independent broadcasting, Radiothon 2025 is your chance to power the next chapter of WHFR and get something special in return! We've put together a set of birthday-themed pledge incentives to thank you for keeping us on the air.
Whether you're a longtime listener or a brand-new fan, there's a perfect level for you:

$365 - A Year of WHFR
Keep WHFR strong for another full year!
Receive an Engraved Brass Leaf on the WHFR Family Tree, plus pre-orders of both our Limited Edition 40th Anniversary T-Shirt and Poster.

$258 - Countdown to 40
There are 258 days from Radiothon to our birthday on December 20!
Receive an Engraved Brass Leaf on our WHFR Family Tree.

$125 - The Collectors Combo
Celebrate in style.
Get both the 40th Anniversary Poster and T-Shirt.

$85 - Born in 1985
Weve been on the air since 85 - rep it proudly!
Receive our Limited Edition 40th Anniversary T-Shirt.

$40 - 40 Years Strong
One dollar for each year of WHFR!
Pre-order our beautiful 40th Anniversary Poster.

New pledgers will also receive a surprise WHFR logo item just our way of saying welcome!

Radiothon 2025 runs April 612

Call (313) 845-9676 to donate during any live show
Or skip the form and give securely online anytime right here.

Every pledge no matter the amount makes a real impact. Your support ensures WHFR remains commercial-free, student-driven, and community-focused for the next 40 years and beyond.

Thank you for being part of our WHFR family.
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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.

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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
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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.

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On tomorrow's WHFR Journal, we wrap up the Counselor Connection series in a conversation with HFC Counselor Gwendolyn Pringle as we discuss National Counseling Month and services available for our HFC community. We then share info about Family STEM Day coming up later this month with Chemistry instructor Chuck Irish. We wrap the show with a new piece from PRX called Turning Surplus Food Into Millions of Meals . When you see the perfect displays of produce in grocery stores, do you ever wonder whether it’s all sold before it spoils? It isn’t, and stores often pay to send unpurchased produce to landfills. Evan Ehlers, the founder of Sharing Excess, shares how his organization is working to solve what he calls “the world’s dumbest problem.” Join us on the WHFR Journal Friday, April 4 at 1pm only on WHFR-FM.