New Saturday Line-Up on All-News WNNZ Gives Storytellers Time on the Mic

[Wednesday, September 7, 2011, AMHERST, MA.] On Saturday, September 10, all-news WNNZ will begin airing Radiolab, from 2 - 3 p.m. in the Soundwaves time slot. Radiolab, produced by WNYC in New York, is public radio's cult sensation about science, wonder and discovery.  It fits nicely into the station's Saturday line up which already features several popular programs that give voice to the storytellers, raconteurs and chroniclers around the country and around the world. All-news WNNZ can be heard at AM 640, and 91.7 FM in Franklin County.

This new addition to the Saturday line up is part of a special initiative to bring several cutting edge public radio programs to western New England audiences during the next twelve months. The Moth Radio Hour and State of the Re:Union will rotate with Radiolab in the 2-3 p.m. Soundwaves time slot, giving listeners the chance to hear some of the best new programs on public radio every Saturday afternoon. They will join established programs like This American Life, locally produced Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon and WNYC's Studio 360, which all showcase the power of radio to tell stories.

"Saturdays on all-news WNNZ are a great time to capitalize on New England Public Radio's commitment to authentic storytelling on the airwaves," according to Executive Director for Programming, Helen Barrington. "There are so many wonderful public radio programs that speak to our desire to hear real, honest human voices exploring their world, whether it's the legendary Ira Glass hosting This American Life, or a program like Radiolab that finds a unique way to cover topics in science; the appeal of these programs is really the use of radio, as a medium, to communicate a deeper story to listeners."

Tune in to all-news WNNZ at AM 640 and 91.7 FM every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for this exclusive line up.

About Radiolab

An immersive, perspective-shaking experience, Radiolab is an expedition of the mind-where vivid storytelling, cutting-edge sound design, and a genre-bending spirit of inquiry pull listeners into a world of curiosity and discovery.

Radiolab's signature sound derives from an electric chemistry between hosts Jad Abumrad, an award-winning radio producer, and Robert Krulwich, a highly-acclaimed NPR science reporter. Together, they bring a sense of surprise, humor, and wonder to complex topics, and explore big ideas with an infectious enthusiasm for the mysteries of science, and the magic of real-life experiences.

Radiolab will air 9/10/11 - 10/8/2011, 12/24/2011 - 1/14/2012, and other dates TBA on AM 640 and 91.7 FM all-news WNNZ.

About State of the Re:Union

State of the Re:Union (SOTRU) is an award-winning public radio program that celebrates both the cohesiveness and diversity of America. Host, Al Letson, takes listeners on an incredible journey through the country one place at a time, capturing stories that share the essence and identity of each episode's unique location. By examining the challenges and triumphs residents face on a local level, SOTRU reveals similarities and themes that resonate with us all.

The first season featured on all-news WNNZ will feature the Bronx, New York; the Gulf Coast of Mississippi; Southern Wyoming; Cleveland, Ohio; and Sacramento, California.    

State of the Re:Union will air 10/15/2011 - 11/5/2011, 1/21/2011 - 2/11/2012 and other dates TBA on AM 640 and 91.7 FM all-news WNNZ. 

 
About The Moth Radio Hour  

The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. It is a celebration of both the raconteur and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it. At the center of each performance is, of course, the story - and The Moth's directors work with each storyteller to find, shape and present it. The Moth Radio Hour was created in 2009 to bring The Moth's live stage shows to public radio audiences around the country. Hosted by celebrated comic Mike Birbiglia, each episode features stories from one live Moth performance.  

Some highlights of stories coming this fall: An author cares for his aging mother, a hunting trip alters everything, a boy is forced to do unspeakable things in the name of war, and a speechwriter gets a gig writing for Al Gore. Note: The Moth Radio Hour contains adult themes and adult language.   

Season 5 of The Moth Radio Hour will air 11/19/2011 - 12/17/11and other dates TBA on AM 640 and 91.7 FM all-news WNNZ.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information, contact:
Vanessa Cerillo, Marketing and Communications Director
413.545.9717  vcerillo@nepr.net