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WRTI Announces Debut Of NPR Music Live Sessions
Nov 10, 2019
“Public radio music stations connect and document their local artists in a way that nobody else is capable of...” Roger LaMay: WXPN General Manager
On October 24, 2019, Washington, D.C.- NPR announced the launch of a new microsite, Live Sessions From NPR Music. In efforts to continue to leverage the public radio network and amplify their collective video content, VuHaus.com - a website curated by a group of public radio music stations deeply rooted in their local music communities - transitioned into a new microsite, Live Sessions From NPR Music, as a section on NPRMusic.org.
Live Sessions features a mix of music videos curated by public radio music stations. The Live Sessions network includes public radio stations WFUV in New York City, KCRW in Los Angeles, KXT in Dallas/Ft. Worth, WXPN in Philadelphia, KEXP in Seattle, KDHX in St. Louis, opbmusic in Portland, KUTX in Austin, KTBG The Bridge in Kansas City, Mountain Stage in West Virginia, WGBH in Boston, Houston Public Media, WMOT in Nashville, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Vocalo Radio in Chicago, NV89 in Reno, WMNF in Tampa, WYEP in Pittsburgh, WRTI in Philadelphia, Indie 102.3 in Denver, and WUNC in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. Content includes in-studio performances, playlists, video interviews, and live webcasts. This initiative delivers daily content the public radio network is perfectly suited to deliver and bolsters public radio’s role as necessary storytellers of music, art and culture.
On Monday, Novemeber 11th, 2019, Philadelphia-based radio network, WRTI will launch their NPR Music Live Sessions offerings. The platform showcases original music and performances by Jazz artists with global, national and regional footholds. To date, WRTI is the only Jazz radio station participating on the platform.
CHECK OUT NPR MUSIC LIVE SESSIONS HERE:
The executive producer of WRTI's Jazz video content on NPR Music Live Sessions is radio host, concert producer, curator and all around Jazz advocate, J. Michael Harrison. He came to WRTI in 1994 as a production volunteer and started his own show, The Bridge, which continues to this day. The program won Philadelphia Magazine’s "Best Radio Program "award and Philadelphia City Paper called it the “Best On-Air Reminder That Jazz Didn’t Die in 1965.” PJP spoke with J. Michael Harrison about NPR Music Live Sessions.
PJP: What is NPR Music Live Sessions?
J. Michael Harrison: Folks are familiar with NPR's ever popular, Tiny Desk Concerts, which is centered in Washington DC and produced out of NPR's DC offices. Although Live Sessions lives on NPR's website, it features exclusive video content developed by 21 radio stations around the country. Stations like WGBH, KCRW, KUTX, WXPN and WRTI. In fact, Philadelphia actually has two stations participating; WXPN and WRTI.... and WRTI is the only jazz station participating in this effort, right now.
This network of 21 public radio stations is uniquely positioned to deliver exclusive video content to engage the growing interests and demands of the global audience. Here locally at WRTI, we will present performances of local, national and international talent created at WRTI studios, as well as at local venues like South Jazz Kitchen, Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Perfoforming Arts, Temple Performing Arts Center (TPAC) and South Philly Barbacoa.
At the end of the day, this is about providing original content and exclusive opportunities. NPR Music Live Sessions brings the concert hall, the night club, or any unique performance space into your living room, your automobile, or your headphones.
PJP: Why is video important to radio?
J. Michael Harrison: Video is an important component to radio experience now. This isn’t your mother and father’s radio platform anymore. Folks, get their music through their telephones, tablets, laptops or their desktop computers. They get it on streaming services, or Instagram, Facebook, Youtube or any of the many other digital opportunities available to us. So, our listeners are now also viewers, and can SEE as well as HEAR, the radio at their leisure. Having the NPR brand as central to the effort helps to expand the reach of the initiative and provides an easily recognizable common space for public radio stations to present exclusive video content.
PJP: What can we look forward to locally?
J. Michael Harrison: You can look forward to seeing video content featuring artists from Philadelphia and the surrounding region; including performances, interviews, features and profiles. I really see that Live Sessions can accentuate the opportunity to tell the stories of regional artists with words, images and sound, and we can share all of this across each of WRTI’s diverse platforms: Broadcast Radio, Our Website, Video Channels and Social Media.
CHECK OUT NPR MUSIC LIVE SESSIONS HERE:
About NPR Music:
For more than a decade, NPR Music's robust music journalism and award-winning original video programming has delighted millions of music fans from all genres. NPR Music collaborates with NPR's news magazines, public radio Member stations and the passionate listener community to celebrate exceptional music and discover emerging artists. Visit NPRMusic.org to find the complete Tiny Desk concert series, music feature stories, extensive archives of performances, interviews and music reviews. Connect with NPR Music on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About VuHaus:
VuHaus Corp. is a non-profit, non-commercial organization, whose mission is to create transformative partnerships, connecting public radio’s music discovery stations with artists and audiences across the country. It was founded by KCRW, KEXP, The Bridge/KTBG, WFUV, WXPN, and Public Media Company, and received initial funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with additional support from Wyncote Foundation and FJC Foundation. The VuHaus network is supported by seed funding and ongoing grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and includes 21 public radio stations acorss the country.
CHECK OUT NPR MUSIC LIVE SESSIONS HERE:
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Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation.
