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Long Distance Dedication: DJ Housequake

WXNA FM

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ HOUSEQUAKE and The Housequake Vinyl Hour (Fridays from 6 – 7 p.m.) from DJ George LaBour of Hi Stax of Motown (Fridays from 7 – 9 p.m.)

To me, The Housequake Vinyl Hour captures what a great radio show should be.

When I tune in, I always know what kind of music I’m going to hear; yet, DJ Housequake always meets my expectations while keeping the sound fresh and inventive. He puts together a playlist that stays within the genre of dance music without the sound ever getting stale. The show emanates an atmosphere, a rhythmic pulse that’s simply irresistible and utterly intoxicating.

On top of this, DJ Housequake shows his love for the music not just through spoken praise during the talk breaks but also through the clear depth of his vinyl collection. The personality of the host shines through every minute of The Housequake Vinyl Hour, and that’s one of the things I love most about the show.

Best of all, it’s just plain fun!

Meet Your Wizards: DJ Mello-D

WXNA FM

A peek behind the curtain … Meet DJ Mello-D, host of Groovy Potential, airing Tuesdays from 5 – 7 p.m.

Born: Oxford, Mississippi

Home: Nashville for life! I currently live in Donelson — East-er Nashville!

Drafted into WXNA: From the get-go, having also been a DJ at WRVU with most of the founding board members.

Spins: Anything with a groove, from classic and indie rock and soul to jazz, country, global grooves and beyond.

How did you discover independent radio? My family moved to Nashville in 1981 while I was in high school. I found Vandy’s WRVU 91 Rock on the left side of the FM dial almost immediately, discovering R.E.M. and The Replacements at the beginning of their careers, along with so many great local artists and tons of bands I’d never heard before.

Most played song: Minnie Riperton’s “Baby, This Love I Have”

Vinyl, CD or mp3? Vinyl primarily, but also CD. I only play physical media on Groovy Potential.

Fave WXNA shows: Eargasm, Untune the Sky, Hipbilly Jamboree, Runout Numbers, Nashville Jumps, Hazy Ways, Gilded Splinters… there are so many! I love most of the programming on the X.

Pinch-me moment: Being asked to compile two volumes of Craft Recordings’ Jazz Dispensary series, based on my old radio show D-Funk. If you look in the liner notes for either volume of The Dank D-Funk Blend LPs, you’ll see a nice blurb promoting WXNA!

When I die: Roll me up and smoke me!

About Me: I’m a music lifer. I’ve been obsessed with music as far back as I can remember. I asked for records for Christmas when I was a kid. When I realized I didn’t have a natural gift for playing music as a young adult, I started working in record stores, finally graduating to co-owning one when I bought half of Grimey’s in 2003! I love that I can share my passion and my record collection with the listeners of WXNA.

Long Distance Dedication: Tom Priesmeyer

WXNA FM

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ Tom Priesmeyer of Swing Shift (11am – 1pm on Fridays) by the popGeezer of This is Pop (noon – 2pm Saturdays)

During the first phase of the Covid outbreak, and while I was briefly allowed to work from home, I streamed WXNA on the “big stereo system” quite often. One Thursday mid-morning, I first heard Tom Priesmeyer’s “Swing Shift.”

The big band orchestra Jazz and Swing that is the heart of Tom’s show is one of my favorite genres of musical sounds, so I was immediately drawn to the show. Beyond the music itself, Tom’s deep annotation of his weekly playlist selections – his audible liner notes – makes the listening experience richer and truly educational.

If you need a detailed history of the bands that Iowa’s favorite musical son Bix Beiderbecke played for, or the inaccuracies of his fictionalized 1950 biopic “Young Man with A Horn” – and who doesn’t? – then this is the show for you.

Tom’s voice is warm and gently professorial, which makes the facts and stats go down with the proverbial spoonful of sugar. The playlist covers big band Jazz’s wide musical spectrum, which, for me, is a pure shot of Dopamine.

And if you need the maximum daily requirement of acoustic bass, you need Swing Shift in your life.

Meet Your Wizards: DJ Michael Buhl

Rick Pecoraro

A peak behind the curtain! Meet Michael Buhl, host of The Squirelly Compass Mondays at 6am and The Scattershot on Wednesdays at 10am.

Born: Into a world with interesting aural gems scattered hither and yon.

Home: The Music City

Drafted into WXNA: 2016

Spins: Punk rock, post-punk, garage rock, psychedelic cumbia, Turkish psychedelic rock, Khmer rock, huasteca, Tuareg desert rock, rockabilly, R&B, and some other stuff.

How did you discover independent radio? When I was in middle school someone told me that Vanderbilt University had a radio station, and sometimes they played punk rock. My first regular independent radio gig was when I was in college in Tucson.

Most played song: Records indicate Rhoda Dakar’s version of “The Man Who Sold the World” is my most played song of 2023. Personally, I feel like I’ve played “Natalie Wood” by Veuve Scarron, “Muérete de Envidia” by Sgt. Papers, “I Can’t Feel” by Crocodelia, “Black Vanilla” by Julia, and “Old Town” by Say Sue Me quite a few times (and will play them again).

Vinyl, CD or mp3? Personally: vinyl || For the radio: mp3

Fave WXNA shows: Web of Sound, The Inconsiderate Mixtape, Randy’s Record Shop, Nashville Jumps, Loud Love Show

Pinch-me moment: Personally: backpacking in northwest China || For the radio: being contacted by Duncan Reid (formerly of The Boys), as well as members of bands from places as far away as France, Azerbaijan, Uganda, and Argentina and being thanked for airplay.

When I die: Because Gilbert Gottfried is not available, I want Emo Philips to deliver my eulogy.

About Me: Music is my drug of choice, and I’m constantly looking for a new musical thrill.

Long Distance Dedication: DJ Ed

WXNA FM

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ Ed, Eighties Schmeighties (10am-noon on Fridays) and Physchobabble (noon-1pm on Fridays), by DJ Jubilee:

My Long-Distance Dedication goes out to DJ Ed and his long running show Eighties Schmeighties (10am-Noon).

I became a fan of DJ Ed one night when I was listening to a show I used to tune into regularly but — on this night – it was like every song was being played specifically for me. Song after song, I was hearing my favorite artists and my favorite songs – and an interesting mix of music too. At the next talk break, I found out it was not Paul Burch but DJ Ed who hosted a show called Eighties Schmeighties.

Since that night, I have made a point to listen to Eighties Schmeighties whenever I am able. Jumping off from our mutual admiration of bands like Minutemen and The Clash, Ed has introduced me to bands I missed out on the first time around and made me aware of new releases by members of some of the best bands of the 1980s.

In my mind, Eighties Schmeighties and DJ Ed represents WXNA at its best: Elevating underappreciated music and artists. And for me, it provides the comfort of hearing some of my favorite music with the tension of hearing music for the first time and maybe discovering a new favorite artist or band.

Thanks DJ Ed – for keeping the flame alive.

Meet Your Wizard: DJ Anne McCue

WXNA FM

A peek behind the curtain…
Meet Anne McCue, local Nashville musician and host of Songs on the Wire, airing Tuesdays from 9am-10am CT!

Born: Sydney. Hint: I heard “A Hard Day’s Night” at the cinema but I wasn’t born yet.

Home: East!

Drafted into WXNA: About 6 years ago!

Spins: I have no rules and am not interested in time or fashion. I am constantly looking for music I haven’t heard before, but it doesn’t matter when it was recorded or where. So I end up playing music from all over the world, cinema soundtrack, string quartet, English, Icelandic, Chinese, African folk, psychedelic, jazz, soul, pop, you-name-it… 🙂

How did you discover independent radio? When I was a wee kid in Sydney a new radio station started called Double Jay. They played anything and everything including lots of imports from England, the States and Europe. Our minds were expanded. Then when I moved to Melbourne, I heard two amazing community stations – RRR and PBS. In Nashville, I always tuned in to WRVU first and now WXNA is my number one on the dial! It was what Nashville airwaves needed, so I am eternally grateful to all the folks who started XNA!

Most played song: This past year: I Talk To The Wind (King Crimson), Udhero Na (Anoushka Shankar & Aroob Aftab), I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun (Rotary Connection), Ping Pong (Stereolab), Long and Lonesome Road (Shocking Blue), I Put A Spell on You (Nina Simone) etc…

Vinyl, CD or mp3? If I’m doing the show live, I’ll play vinyl and CDs.

Fave WXNA shows: This is hard because there are so many great shows, so I’m just going to name some of the shows I happen to hear the most regularly – Reggae University, Scattershot, Indie Hangover, X-posure, Friday Afternoon Club, Nashville Jumps, Dear Jelly, Peter Rodman Goes Off, Ear To The Ground, Groovy Potential, Earthly Delights, Nashville Mixtapes… There are more!

Pinch-me moment: When I was given a show on WXNA – it was always my dream to have my own radio show.

When I die: I’d like one of those organic burials under a tree in Tennessee.

About Me: I am so honoured to be a part of the station and the Nashville community. I’m about to release my 8th album and I’m just thrilled that I’m still kickin’! Music is everything.

Hear music from Anne McCue & the Cubists music here!

Our Favorite Records of 2023

WXNA FM

Twenty-three is a pretty significant number. It was Michael Jordan’s number on the Bulls. Benjamin Harrison, one of the most remembered US presidents, was the 23rd to hold that office. And who can forget “The Number 23,” a 2007 film staring Jim Carrey that definitely exists. With such focus on 23 and all of its numerical glory it’s amazing any of us had time in 2023 to think about anything else. Luckily, your fearless WXNA DJs have come to the rescue once again with an amazing assortment of musical recommendations from the past year.

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Long Distance Dedication: DJ Susan

WXNA FM

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ Susan of DJ Susan of Inconsiderate Mixtape (5-7 pm on Wednesdays), by Eric (DJ Big Chief Chaz, Gilded Splinters, Tuesdays from 8-10 p):

If you check wxnafm.org for DJ Susan’s show description of his two-hour “Inconsiderate Mixtape,” you’ll see he name checks Aretha, Haggard, Coltrane, and Zappa. (His on-air show card also includes Howlin’ Wolf, I think…) But if you’ve tuned in and not heard any of those artists, there’s actually a really good reason why: DJ Susan spins what is likely the most wide-ranging palette of freeform programming of anyone at WXNA — which is saying a lot.

Somewhere back in the early days I heard him announce, “Well, that makes it 2,000 artists I’ve played on this show without ever repeating one…” What?!? Was that even possible…?? Of course it was, and is — for the simple reason that DJ Susan’s playlists are all-inclusive, all-genre, all-era… and all-world great. He’ll declare that he picked up some obscure, lost-to-history release simply because he thought the cover was cool, then flow it into the mix and make it feel like it was part of our collective consciousness this whole time. Did he make actual mixtapes that were this cool for his friends back in school? Who cares…. Right now, he’s making another great one for all of us, and you need only tune in next Thursday at 9 a.m. (or check the archive!) for your own copy.

Meet Your Wizards: DJ Karl

WXNA FM

Wherein we pull back the curtain for a personal visit with one of the wonderful wizards of the X. In this case, the DJ we are featuring is Kari “Bunny” Ames aka DJ Karl!

Listen to Dizzy Spell, Saturdays from 11a-Noon

Born: Planet Claire in the Fortean System

Home: Bluebottom Garden, Nashville

Drafted into WXNA: April 25, 2017

Spins: Experimental / ethereal / existential

Fades: Disingenuousness

How did you discover independent radio? WRVU and Coast To Coast AM

Most played song: “Be Free” by B.F. Trike – recorded at RCA studios in Nashville in 1971

Vinyl, CD or mp3? All of ‘em and cassettes to boot

Fave WXNA shows: Tapeworms / The Scatter Shot / Body to Body

Pinch-me moment: Getting married 🙂

When I die: Bury me in my garden and plant a tree in my chest cavity

Long Distance Dedication: Michael Roark

WXNA FM

Lond Distance Dedication: Michael RoarkCheck out our long distance dedication to DJ Michael Roark (Hazy Ways, Tuesdays noon-3) by DJ Leanne of X-Posure (Wed, 2-4 p.m.)

I met Michael Roark at our very first DJ Mixer before WXNA went on the air in the Spring of 2016. I remember our first conversation was focused on our excitement of having a new freeform radio station in town and all of the music that we wanted to play. That very same excitement about making radio is still alive and well. Michael is a multi-talented DJ. He makes great radio that fits every mood and makes it seem effortless. I love his creativity, appreciate his candor, and his great taste in music.

Each week he takes his foggy notions and musings, and then knits them all together with an excellent blend of eclectic tunes to create the colorful and expansive soundtrack of Hazy Ways (Tues, noon-3 p.m.). He keeps it modern with interesting new sounds on The Friday Afternoon Club (Fri, 1-3 p.m.). Michael is also one heck of a thespian. Remember the Soap Radio Hour? His radio endeavors also include many jobs for the station behind the scenes. I even call upon him when I need a substitute or a concert buddy.

Thank you, Michael. You’re a great friend and a kindred spirit. You rock my world!