In an attempt to raise enough money to keep them on the air through 2017, the manager of WDIF-LP 97.5 FM is going to broadcast live downtown at Nathan’s Barbershop on the corner of Prospect and Center Street for 48 hours straight starting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 5:00pm. They are calling it “The 48 for 18 Radio-thon.”
WDIF-LP is a non-profit, low-power radio station that changed management and format in April to become Ohio’s only 24/7 blues music radio station. It also features Marion-made special interest programs.
The station says they need to raise $18,000 to ensure that it can continue to operate through 2017.
Explaining how the money will be spent, station manager Spencer Phelps said, “If we meet our goal, it will pay for the hardware expenses and will basically keep the lights on. None of the money will go to anyone’s salary. Heck, I haven’t even earned a single dollar since I took over, but that’s okay because I love this station and what we’re doing with it.”
Since becoming manager, Phelps has put in place three goals for WDIF-LP; to keep the magic of blues music alive in Ohio, to provide free musical instrument rentals to disadvantaged children who live in Marion County via their “Blues Crew” program, and to help revitalize the live music scene in Marion by providing free promotional services to artists. He hopes this live downtown 48-hour event will get people engaged in what the station is doing for Marion.
“I’m doing the ‘48 for 18 Radio-thon’ to demonstrate my commitment to this cause and to all the folks who have contacted me just to say how thrilled they were to find us,” said Phelps. “According to my data, we’ve become by far the most popular low-power station in Marion in only six months.”
WDIF-LP 97.5 FM is licensed by The US Open Drum & Bugle Corp.
To donate or to learn more about the “48 for 18 Radio-thon” event, a link to their GoFundMe project is available on their website: www.975wdif.com.
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