89.1, WEMU, Eastern Michigan University's public radio
station, is the first public radio station in Michigan
to launch a second channel — WEMU2 — on
High Definition radio. Since April 1, those
who have HD radios are able to tune to a second
channel on WEMU's frequency of 89.1.
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Timko |
"The era of digital for your local radio station brings
the promise of higher quality sound, new and increased
programming, and richer data services," said WEMU General
Manager Art Timko. "WEMU is certainly proud
to be not only the first public radio station in Michigan
to transmit digitally, but also the first to multicast,
i.e., provide a second completely different program service
on the same frequency."
Currently unhosted, WEMU2 is all music and plays a mix
of Adult Album Alternative (AAA), roots (fundamental blues),
folk, Americana, and blues from local, national and regional
artists. The current playlist includes Patty Griffin, Willy
Mason, Martin Sexton, Neko Case, Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams,
Loudon Wainwright, John Prine, Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal, Willie
Nelson and Bonnie Raitt, along with local favorites The
Great Lakes Myth Society, Joel Mabus, The Chenille Sisters
and the RFD Boys.
"We are thrilled with the possibilities inherent in multiple
HD radio channels," said WEMU Music Director Linda Yohn.
"This gives us a chance to super-serve WEMU listeners with
music we know they really enjoy. WEMU2 is a melodic,
highly musical and rhythmic mix, and I encourage artists
in this genre to send their CDs to WEMU for airplay consideration. I'm
having a great time reviewing new music for a whole new
group of WEMU listeners."
WEMU is a listener-supported, NPR/PRI affiliate with an
HD1 format of jazz, local news and blues in addition to
network news, information and cultural programming. The
station broadcasts to an eight-county area that includes
all or part of Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Jackson,
Lenawee and Lucas (Ohio), and Webcasts live, 24 hours a
day at wemu.org.
