It's been almost five years since Vanderbilt University sold its terrestrial broadcast rights, effectively pulling the plug on the community institution that was radio station WRVU. Since late 2014, fans have been eagerly watching the progress and development of low-power community station WXNA-FM, an effort spearheaded by former WRVU community DJs and brought to fruition with loads of volunteer hours and dollars. While there were lots of hints about what we might here on the new station when it begins broadcasting at 101.5 FM from its new studio above Grimey's, it's been a bit of a mystery — until now.
Today, the station announced its complete debut schedule, which you can see after the jump. It couldn't get much better than this, a dazzling splash of old and new music across pretty much every genre, plus news, talk and more.
There are lots of old favorite shows that harken back to WRVU days — some even appearing in their old time slots. Pete Wilson's Nashville Jumps will be back during your Friday morning commute, Randy Fox (WXNA's programming director and a longtime Scene contributor) and Kels Koch are back in the Tuesday evening drive-time saddle with Hipbilly Jamboree!, Janet Timmons' Out the Other returns to Monday nights, and Doyle Davis' D-Funk can once again soundtrack your Friday night cruise.
There's a ton of exciting new programming lined up as well, some of which features musicians and fixtures from the local music scene. Another Monday feature is Tommy Womack's Happiness Hour. Tuesday includes David Olney's Freefall, Asher Horton's Hot Fudge Tuesday and Kathryn Edwards' From the Basement, followed by This Is Pulp Radio! hosted by Jack White sideman Fats Kaplin and Kristi Rose. Paul Burch's River City Red Hot & Blue has the eight o'clock hour on Thursdays, and Richie Owens and Howard Yearwood fill Sunday afternoons with bluegrass on Wagon Wheel.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Other highlights include Ashley Crownover's community news show Nashville Haps, Chad Riden's comedy feature Nashville Stand-Up Sits Down and Dawn and Gene Kote's food-centric Yum Yum Eat Um Up!
There's no word on exactly when the transmitter will get fired up, except for "Soon, very soon!" per an email from Fox to the Scene.
