As the Grand Rapids radio station kicks off its Fall Fund Drive, Local Spins focuses its attention on the critical role that WYCE plays in supporting local and regional artists. (Story, podcast)
WYCE’s Support for Artists Unique: So says Marc Kanitz of The Hacky Turtles. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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On Thursday, the theme of the day at the Michigan Municipal League convention in Muskegon was “Strengthening Communities Through Music,” with Local Spins urging more than 400 city officials from across the state to create policies and conditions that foster vibrant music scenes.
On Friday, Grand Rapids community radio station WYCE (88.1 FM) launched its fall fund drive touting the same sort of mission — bolstering the West Michigan community with inclusive and eclectic programming that gives local and regional artists a singular platform for their art.
Musicians such as Marc Kanitz, frontman for Grand Rapids funky rock band The Hacky Turtles, maintained that WYCE’s focus on showcasing new music by Michigan artists has been integral to the development and growth of the band, not to mention many others in the region.
Advocating for ‘Music Cities’: Local Spins at the MML convention. (Photo/Todd Ernst)
“WYCE has been the center of that in a lot of ways. It’s just super important to us,” he said during a taped segment on today’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE.
“I can’t really say enough about what they’ve been able to offer to local artists, just making you feel comfortable to making that leap in sharing your art. It’s pretty unique. I’ve not heard of many other stations doing that type of quality in terms of support for artists in the area.”
That sentiment was echoed by country singer Kari Lynch, who first built a fan base in West Michigan before moving to Nashville.
“As an independent artist, radio stations like WYCE are the stations that keep you afloat, truly,” she insisted. “It’s priceless to have a platform that supports independent music and independent musicians, and gives people a place to have a voice.”
As the listener-supported, volunteer-driven station puts it, WYCE serves as a “place for discovery” of new music and artists, many of them with Michigan ties — something that’s the centerpiece of the Local Spins on WYCE specialty show which spotlights music by Michigan artists every Friday at 11 a.m. on 88.1 FM and online at wyce.org.
To help keep that program and many others on the air — as well as covering equipment costs and operating expenses — WYCE encourages listeners to donate during the fund drive, which runs from today through Oct. 28. Call 616-742-9923 or contribute online at wyce.org.
As an example of the station’s support of Michigan-bred music, today’s episode of Local Spins on WYCE debuted diverse new tracks by J.Cam.G, The Concussions, Jordan Moore, Nathan Walton & The Remedy, Jordan Hamilton, Conklin Ceili Band, Mercury Salad and Pretoria, as well as songs from Pink Sky, Serita’s Black Rose, Brother Elsey, The Accidentals and Ralston Bowles.
Listen to the full radio show podcast below and read a transcript of Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics’ remarks to the Michigan Municipal League convention here: Strengthening Communities Through Music and Building Vibrant ‘Music Cities.’
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (10/21/22)
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