Programming changes at WUTC-FM mean more music

On Thursday, Aug. 1, a few programming changes begin on WUTC-FM 88.1.

Current shows such as “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered,” “Fresh Air” and “Marketplace” will still air daily in their current timeslots on the NPR affiliate located on the UTC campus. Music, though, will play a larger role in the programming.

Among the musical alterations, longtime local favorite Richard Winham will be live on air twice a day, first from 10 a.m.-noon and again from 7-8 p.m.

More music is being reintroduced to the lineup of WUTC, which serves Chattanooga, Southeastern Tennessee and North Georgia, after listeners said they were getting a bit overwhelmed by the all-talk format during the day. Several new shows that focus on music will debut, including a different music-oriented show every weekday at 2 p.m. Those shows are:

• Monday: Tent’s Mondo Musical Theme Park focuses on pop music.
• Tuesday: Juke in the Back plays R&B 78s from the 1940s and ’50s.
• Wednesday: The Vic Famous Show plays the most critically acclaimed songs in each year from 1955 to now.
• Thursday: Mountain Grass is a locally hosted bluegrass program.
• Greatest Hits You’ve Never Heard is locally hosted and plays singles released between the 1970s until now but never made a dent on the charts.
• 88 Minutes and One Second of Nothing But New Music will air from 8-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The show is exactly what the name implies, all music, no live host.

Starting Sept. 6, Alien Daze, broadcast live and hosted by Haley Solomon, will run from 7-10 p.m. on Fridays. The show features songs across a wide spectrum of styles — alternative, synth-rock, hip-hop and electronica.

Music will continue to air on the station from 7 p.m.-6 a.m. seven days a week.