Free Concerts To Benefit Indie and Public Radio!

Photo by Johnny Misheff

May 21 kicks off a series of concerts created and sponsored by Toyota and Urban Outfitters, designed to benefit participating independent radio stations nationally.

Musician White Williams plays Boston, hosted by the city’s WERS May 21.

Bands scheduled for other dates include Mudhoney, !!! and No Age.

In addition to other planned promotional events, the Free Yr Radio campaign, which is in its second year, will provide these independent radio stations with resources for greater visibility and increased listener support. Other stations scheduled to host concerts include Seattle’s KEXP and Ohio.FM in Columbus.
This year's concert series will consist of 10 shows, from May through October.

Details and added shows can be found at www.FreeYrRadio.com. Although each show is free, concert-goers must present an invite upon entry, which are available at the site, as well.

There will be additions, but confirmed 2008 Free Yr Radio partner independent radio stations include:
KEXP/Seattle, WA
KRCL/Salt Lake City, UT
KUSF/San Francisco, CA
OHIO.FM/Columbus, OH
WERS/Boston, MA
WPRB/Princeton, NJ
WVUM/Miami, FL
The Current/Twin Cities, MN

Q&A with Free Yr Radio Participating Station WERS

Photo by Pieter Van Hattem

knottwire.com interviewed WERS' Maureen Giles to get a perspective on this project and why independent stations are FM-radio’s only hope for inclusive programming:

knottwire: What are the benefits for listeners who prefer independent radio stations?

WERS: Independent, public radio stations are able to provide listeners with just the music, news, and information that they want without all the noise that commercial stations play getting in the way. Public radio stations also offer the option for listeners to become members of the station, putting their financial support behind the music that they love.

knottwire: Has the influx of Clear Channel-controlled media force independent stations to redefine its value-system?

WERS: In my opinion, public radio stations have always been mission-driven and valued listeners’ input, financial support, and loyalty. Consolidation and companies like Clear Channel have only increased the need for public media and independent thinkers. They have not changed the core values of public radio stations.

knottwire: Do you think the listeners appreciate expanded, independent formats as much as they should?

WERS: Unfortunately, I don’t think that the general public realizes the variety of offerings that public radio has. Most people think public radio is only news, when in fact, there are many Triple A, jazz, and classical public radio stations across the country producing great local and national programming.

knottwire: Please describe how Toyota's and Urban Outfitters' sponsorship helps this cause.

WERS: Toyota's and Urban Outfitters’ sponsorship of public radio offers us the chance to show a younger demographic what we have to offer and the variety of music that we play. The opportunity to put WERS with the Toyota and Urban Outfitters brands is a great opportunity for WERS, and we are very excited to be back for second year with them.