WFPL Makes Some Changes

By Paul Moffett

Louisville's largest public radio station, WFPL FM 89,. has undergone some programming changes to go along with its fortieth anniversary.

The station has gone to a full twenty-four hour format, for starters. The late-night programming will be primarily jazz and new age, with Echoes and Jazz After Hours, hosted by Jim Wilke, filling in the post-midnight hours.

Another noticeable change involves the slogan of the station, which has now become "Your First Choice for News." Previously, it was "WFPL, Your Jazz and Information Station." An additional, matching slogan is "WFPL, Your Best Choice for Music."

In line with this new slogan has come the addition of a noon newscast. The afternoon news junkie's habit will be fed with the addition of Terry Gross' Fresh Air program at 4, just prior to All Things Considered. The show also will be broadcast in is entire hour-long format.

In order to accommodate Fresh Air, Phil Bailey's Jazz Today show has been shortened by a half-hour and moved back to 1:30 p.m. '

Two locally produced, live-music programs have found their airtime increased. Louisville Homefront Performances' radio Show, Homefront, is now on every Sunday from l:00p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The Lonesome Pine Specials, which bring in some of the most innovative performers in the country, will be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays and again at 11:00 p.m. Sunday nights.

Other new programming includes Bluestage, with Ruth Brown hosting, and What'Ya Know, which is described as Groucho Marx meets Prairie Home Companion.

Berk Bryant's Sunday Bluegrass has expanded to two hours; Joe Vincenza has a new program, Audioasis, where he can play all the stuff he really likes; and, for jazz aficionados, American Jazz Radio Festival is now on at 1:00 a.m. Sundays, following Four Queens Jazz Night.