Eclectic, Local Radio
Adventurous. Unexpected. Fun. They're words not usually associated with AM radio. That's all changed on WOUB-AM, thanks to some music-obsessed community volunteers.
Since debuting in June 2002, Radio Free Athens has been offering an alternative to the usual Saturday AM lineup of talk shows, Top 40 countdowns and the like.
On any given Saturday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., listeners will hear a great mix of rock and roll from the 60s to the present, with other genres such as soul, rockabilly, folk and old-time acoustic sprinkled in along the way.
Radio Free Athens was the creation of WOUB-AM program manager Bryan Gibson, who also occassionally hosts the show. The other hosts include Ryan Janson, Jim Phillips, Dave Baer, Michael Tedesco and Doug "Rat" Brooks.
Over the past two years, Ryan Janson, a junior at Ohio University, produced a segment called "Who's Who in Athens," in which he interviewed members of the Athens community. The series featured local bands and musicians, as well as area notables who share some of their favorite tunes.
Recent "Who's Who" broadcasts (audio links) include:
- Kim Richey (Jan. 9)
- The Spikedrivers (Jan. 16)
- Bruce Mitchell (Jan. 23)
- Liz Pahl (Jan. 30)
- Art Tripp (Feb. 6)
- Bo Koster (Feb. 13)
- Adam Torres (Feb. 20)
- Best of the Quarter (Mar. 13)
- Amethystone (Apr. 3)
- Duke Jr. & the Smoky Boots (Apr. 10)
- John Schwab (Apr. 17)
- Fly Away Saturn (Apr. 24)
- Michael Tedesco (May 1)
- Dustin Bates (May 8)
- Justin Gordon (May 22)
- Adam Remnant (May 29)
- Spring Quarter in Review (June 5)
Jim Phillips has been the senior writer and reporter at The Athens News for over 20 years. Local music buffs also know him as a talented singer-songwriter who has been featured on such albums as the Passion Works "Get Up and Fly" compilation. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., join Jim as shares his extensive collection of vinyl during a fun and eclectic show.
Dave Baer has been a fixture on the local music scene for years, playing guitar and bass for bands like Gravyland and Stella. Join Dave for a mix of classic and modern rock, soul, blues and Americana.
Doug "Rat" Brooks, an avid lover and collector of all sorts of music, has been part of the Athens music scene for many years. His bands include Gravyland and the "performance art/musical act" known as Larry and the Lima Beans. Armed with hundreds of pieces of vinyl and CDs, listeners can expect to hear anything from ABBA to Zappa.
Over the summer, you'll also hear shows from Bryan Gibson, Michael Tedesco, Joan Butcher and special guests.
To find out what we've been playing, check out our archive of recent playlists.
