Michigan’s popular Celtic/world music outfit was the most-played local act on WYCE last month. See what other bands made the list and browse a roundup of WYCE’s unique, weekly specialty music programs.
Chart-Toppers: An Dro, featuring Jim Spalink and Michele Venegas (pictured here) and percussionist Carolyn Koebel, were No. 1 in April. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Quinn Mathews
EDITOR’S NOTE: This monthly Local Spins column is contributed by Grand Rapids community radio station WYCE (88.1 FM), which showcases regional music. Every month, these essays also include a listing of new regional albums added to the station’s playlist, as well as the “Hot Top 5” local artists played on WYCE the previous month based on total spins of their music – the Local Spins version of a Billboard chart. Today, station manager Quinn Mathews gives us a peek into the radio station’s specialty programs that focus on different elements of the music scene weekly. And tune into 88.1 FM at 11 a.m. Friday for Local Spins on WYCE, when a Kalamazoo artist with a new album, Brian Koenigsknecht, will be the in-studio guest.
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West Michigan's music scene
As part of our “World of Music,” WYCE listeners get to hear folk, blues, jazz, rock, world music and everything in between, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But we also feature several specialty shows throughout the week — some new, some more than 25 years old and still running.
An Dro enters at No. 1, with Organissimo and Jim Shaneberger remaining in the Top 5 for the second month in a row.
EL MUNDO MUSICAL
5-7 a.m., Monday-Friday
6-8 a.m., Saturday-Sunday
The longest running show on WYCE 88.1 FM. Started by Oscar Zuniga over 25 years ago when employed by Wyoming Public Schools, Oscar was one of the driving forces behind the school’s application for a radio frequency. He developed “El Mundo Musical,” which was the only Mexican music show of its kind at the time and is still running.
CATALYST RADIO
Noon-12:30 p.m. Friday
One of our only talk radio programs, this popular 30-minute show is the weekly public affairs radio program of Community Media Center. “Catalyst Radio” includes interviews with organizations and people working on social change and community support and examines media and free speech issues.
GR LIVE
Noon-1 p.m. Thursday
This is WYCE’s satellite location show from downtown Grand Rapids, live and open to the public every week. It starts at noon Thursday and is broadcast from H.O.M.E. (House of Music and Entertainment) on the first floor of The B.O.B., 20 Monroe NW. There’s no admission charge and the show features live music from regional and touring acts, as well as interviews with people involved in our regional music community.
Carolyn Koebel of An Dro (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
LOCAL SPINS ON WYCE
11 a.m.-noon Friday
Veteran journalist, LocalSpins.com publisher and show host John Sinkevics keeps the spotlight on talented West Michigan bands and the burgeoning regional concert scene. Local Spins focuses attention on a host of important and eclectic Grand Rapids area bands and solo artists, through interviews, live in-studio performances, and spins of some of the best new local recordings, often heard for the first time anywhere on the radio.
NEW STANDARDS
6-8 p.m. Sunday
The freshest new music. Discover new songs, sounds and artists with your hosts Troy Reimink and Tricia Boot. Talented writers, Troy and Tricia also are regular contributors to Local Spins. 
BRITISH INFUSION
8-10 p.m. Sunday
Take a listen to the best of British blues and rock going back to the likes of John Mayall, Alexis Korner and rare tracks that you will not hear anywhere else. Tune in to hear longtime WYCE programmer Mike Scot play all the great bands from the United Kingdom who often get overlooked by mainstream radio.
GRAND RAPIDS SOUL CLUB
10-11 p.m. Sunday
The ever popular dance party, “Grand Rapids Soul Club,” takes over the airwaves every Sunday night with its vinyl collection of ’60s and ’70s soul, funk and R&B.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Other specialty programs include “The Guest List” (11 p.m. Sunday) “Local Feed” (8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Saturday) “Traditions!” (8 a.m. Sunday) Ralston Bowles’ “re:Imagine” (10 a.m. Sunday) “Electric Poetry” (10:15 p.m. Tuesday) and the syndicated “Acoustic Cafe” (9 a.m. Friday). For more information about WYCE’s specialty shows, go to wyce.org.
NEW LOCAL MUSIC ADDITIONS TO WYCE: APRIL 2017
Hollywood Makeout (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Hollywood Makeout, “Speedo Spider”
Maggie May, “Maggie May”
Puzzlecuts, “No Max Amount”
Lazy Genius, “Holographic”
Justin Avdek & The Underground Circus, “Don’t Forget To Plug In The Sun”
Weezil Malone Band, “Hell Train”
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, “Pluto”
Brian Koenigsknecht, “From The Shallows To The Deep”
Kevin B Klein, “Good Day to Be Alive”
Ghost Bunnies, “The Color Purple”
Jill Jack & The American Songbook Band, “Pure Imagination”
Robert McCarther, “Stranger In Town”
Folias, “Dreaming to Live”
Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC
