This article first published in WNC Woman magazine, 2009.
Women On Air can be heard on Wednesday, 3:00 pm and Friday, 6:00 pm EST on WEHC 90.7 fm and online at www.ehc.edu/wehc.
When it comes to music – the beat of culture – there’s such dynamic content and variety we can hardly deny it or escape it. Being the instigator of this issue’s focus on music gives me a particularly great thrill, since I hear music as not only a universal language, but an essential one. It is no secret that as human beings we are conditioned to natural rhythms and sounds in the womb, and continue to grow and learn from its influences. The elements of music – rhythm, tempo, dynamics, pitch, etc. – continually define our whereabouts. There’s a personal, interior world as well as the external world of rhythm, sound and motion that informs and guides a lifetime. That strange little high pitched whine in my auto engine is as critical to my well being as is the sound of my child’s voice on the phone, my Mother’s singing, my own breath. I rely on this information. Hosting and producing a weekly music broadcast is one of one of many ways I tune in.
HERstory first.
It was an ear for diversity that inspired Women On Air on NPR member station, WETS fm, back in 1987. Since inheriting the format from its founder, Louise Vahle, back in 1992, I am proud to say the show continues to reach audiences via regional airwaves and the world wide web with her hallmark playlist of women’s voices. It’s special interest programming for everyone, folks, featuring women in music, arts, education and community. It’s also a move toward more equal representation, another definite cause for celebration. Though there has been some protest and more than a few tacky jokes over the years, WOA’s intention remains the same as it was at its inception: to play women’s music, not just music by women
The WOA story begins back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, as women gathered voice. Many a female singer/songwriter emerged, and the topics were often about social change – social change meaning anything and everything from equality to war protest to independence. Integral to mix was also the emergence of women taking control in the music making industry: writing, performing, recording, engineering, producing and distributing. The other radical sound of the times was this: women singing about loving women. It was a grand chorus of independent thinkers and doers that brought about the women’s music movement: Holly Near, Redwood Records, Margie Adam, Ladyslipper, Sisterfire!, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Cris Williamson to name but a very few. These founding voices remain a regular part of the playlist every week, and their influence on other women singer/songwriters and music culture continues to enhance the diversity. Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Melissa Ferrick, Catie Curtis, K.D. Lang, Toshi Reagon, Annie Lennox, Ani DiFranco, Julie Wolf and many more mavericks stand on the shoulders of the foremothers of the women’s’ music movement. That’s a good thing.
Notes about the present.
These days, the cadence continues with classic artists and well as emerging ones, independents as well as label artists; and voices that are part of local, regional, national and international scenes. The goal in programming is to keep the mix going with a sound palette of known and unknown, favorite and dissonant, story, talk and song. On any Sunday, tune in 9:00 pm till 11:00 pm, and you will hear a broad (sometimes baffling) range of styles. It isn’t unusual to hear something Linda Ronstadt in the same set with something Billie Holiday and a little Erin McKeown. Keen listeners will pick up some subtle accents now then when a song set refers to some current event
(e.g. the ‘presidential set’ beginning with Ballad of the Broken Word). Other aspects of the show include interview with authors past and present ( Madeline L’Engle, Barbara Kingsolver, Nikki Giovanni, Lee Smith), singer/songwriters, (EmmyLou Harris, Judy Collins, Amy Ray, Dar Williams), entrepreneurs ( Smart Women Company, Boom Thinking, Pondering Pool) and mavericks (Susan Stamberg, Lily Tomlin, Odetta). It’s not all about the big names either; Women On Air regularly hosts student works, character interviews from regional theater productions, discussions about social concerns . . .and whatever else catches my ear. I love a good jazz set! I love good Afrikaner set! I love an oldies set! I just love doing the show. The main thing is: women’s’ voices for Women On Air.
Point, counterpoint.
Women on Air now in her 22nd year of broadcast on WETS fm as a feature show and independent production. Nothing has longevity without good health, dedicated effort and continuing support. Its great to be part of the choir celebrating women’s strength, power, creativity, wisdom….you name it, we got it!