It’s a new year here at Lewis and it’s a new year for WLRA as well. Our slogan in the past has been “Digital Radio, Press Start,” but this year, it could very well be “Digital Radio, Press Re-start.”
In the three months between the end of the Spring semester and the beginning of the Fall, much has changed for WLRA.
Before I get ahead of myself, let us introduce ourselves. Hello, we’re WLRA, 88.1 FM, “The Start,” the radio station here at Lewis University. Some of you may know us, some may not. Some may know of our existence, but don’t tune in. I’m here to ask you to give us another chance. A lot has changed and hopefully your opinion of us will too.
First and foremost, the music we play has been completely re-programmed from the bottom up. We’re still primarily a rock/alternative station, but now all of the music is up to date.
In addition to our usual rock/alternative programming, we offer other musical formats such as rap, hip-hop and R&B from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. Also, there will be an hour of classic rock music starting at 11 a.m. during the week.
The island format is back on Saturdays, starting at midnight and running until 3 a.m. on Sunday. From there, our new country format will take over until 6 p.m. ‘80s music will run from the end of the “News at Noon” until 1 p.m. WLRA is broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week and always has something different on.
With eight different music formats presented all in one place, there is something for everyone.
Music isn’t the only thing we offer. Returning for its second year is the “News at Noon.” Just like its title indicates, this show will run during the week and give you the news at noon.
The segments will cover international, national and local events, in addition to sports and entertainment. The show will also feature news from around campus, covering everything from construction projects to upcoming arts and ideas events and other activities.
Two new and exciting shows coming to WLRA this fall are “The Starting Line” and “Friday Night Lights.” “The Starting Line,” which airs Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., will feature up-and-coming local band in the studio each week. Be prepared for interviews, album cuts and songs performed live on-air.
“Friday Night Lights” will bring football to Lewis every Friday starting at 7 p.m., where Brett Lyons and Kieran Costello will bring you a local high school match up.
From week one until the championship game, Brett and Kieran have your football fix covered. For the full game schedule, check out the Facebook group “WLRA’s Friday Night Lights.”
Listening to WLRA has never been easier. For years, the only way to hear the station was on an analog radio. Two years ago, WLRA went worldwide with an online stream at lewisu.edu/wlra, and last year saw the station become available on iTunes.
We are happy to announce that we are adding yet another way to listen to us: on your iPhone or iTouch! Simply head to the app store and download the free WLRA application and listen to us from anywhere with the touch of a finger.
With the advent of this new technology comes a new Web site, wlraradio.com. On the site, you will find all the ways to listen to WLRA, the broadcast schedule for the station, an overview of each show, information about the on-air personalitiesz and much more.
In short, welcome to a new year at Lewis and a new WLRA. Give us a try at 88.1 FM and wlraradio.com. Come on, we’re free and we’ve got that new radio smell.
2nd Annual Island Party
WLRA is having a party and everyone is invited. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, WLRA will host its 2nd Annual Island Party on the campus green. If the weather is bad, it will be moved into the Field House. The party will run from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and feature two live bands, as well as games, contests, and a dinner of cheeseburgers in paradise.
2-4 p.m.: Games & contests
4-6 p.m.: Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band
5-7 p.m.: Dinner
8-10 p.m.: Mr. Meyers
Mark Serratore
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