This year, WFDU-FM, the global radio voice of Fairleigh Dickinson University, sponsored events and broadcasts that covered different music genres — from folk and doo-wop to R&B.

On November 26, WFDU-FM aired an exclusive broadcast of a tribute to folk musician Woody Guthrie. The broadcast featured an all-star cast of contemporary folk artists led by Grammy-award winner Tom Chapin, who recreated an historic 1965 musical revue honoring Guthrie. Co-sponsored by WFDU-FM in cooperation with the Woody Guthrie Foundation, the program was produced and directed by Ron Olesko, host of WFDU-FM’s long-running folk show “Traditions.”

Before Chapin top-billed the Guthrie tribute, he performed in a concert held at the Wilson Auditorium in Dickinson Hall, Metropolitan Campus, on October 13. Chapin was joined by Michael Mark, bassist and Grammy-nominated musician, and Jon Colbert, an accomplished performing artist who has recorded with Dion, John Denver and John Lennon. The concert also featured musicians like Ted Clancy, HBO special lead guitarist; Scott Petitio, NAV Folk Album of the Year winner; and John Dull, NJ Magazine winner for performance and production. The event was co-sponsored by WFDU-FM and John Dull Music.

Another WFDU-FM music event held this year was a “Doo-Wop Night,” on September 30 in Wilson Auditorium in Dickinson Hall, Metropolitan Campus. R&B and doo-wop enthusiasts were entertained to performances by Lenny Coco & The Chimes; The Chantels, featuring Amy Ortiz; The Belairs; and Four Man Trio. The event was supported by the United in Group Harmony Association, which is dedicated to the preservation, exposure and history of R&B/doo-wop vocal group harmony.

WFDU-FM’s regular listeners were also treated to special programming events. On November 29, the station’s “Sounds of Blue” program played a one-hour salute to Wardell Quezergue, known as the “Creole Beethoven,” who produced recordings from NOLA, BB King, Aaron Neville, Dr. John and Gatemouth Brown, among others. Quezergue called in from New Orleans, La., while author/historian John Broven dropped by the station bringing with him many of the classic tunes Quezergue had arranged. On December 3, folksinger/songwriter Kate Campbell was a guest on “Traditions,” where she discussed her new recordings and the evolution of her music. On December 10, it was folksinger Debra Cowan’s turn to visit the station.

To cap the year, WFDU-FM will air two special programs: the Annual Christmas Party from 3–6 p.m. on Sunday, December 24, which will feature holiday music by folk artists; and a musical trip down memory lane with Ron Olesko and Bill Hahn, hosts of “Traditions,” from 3–6 p.m. on Sunday, December 31.

WFDU-FM can be found on 89.1 FM and is also available on the Web. For information on how to listen to WFDU on the Web, and to find out about station programming and upcoming events go to http://wfdu.fm .

Since 1971, WFDU-FM has provided distinctive entertainment shows and prize-winning public affairs programming for the tri-state metro area from studios on the Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

With a staff of more than 40 University students and alumni as well as seasoned community volunteers, the station broadcasts from the historic Armstrong Tower in Alpine, N.J. WFDU-FM is professionally managed by Carl Kraus, director of telecommunications and general manager, WFDU-FM (Metro), and Barry Sheffield, BS’74 (Metro), assistant director of telecommunications, program director/operations manager, WFDU-FM (Metro).

December 2006 / January 2007

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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