East Tennessee's Own...

Has it really been ten years?

Not that long ago, WDVX was broadcasting from a tiny camper at the Fox Inn Campground in Clinton, TN, the signal available to but a few thousand lucky listeners. Since then, the camper has become the stuff of legend, and WDVX now broadcasts Americana and bluegrass music on four different FM signals and world-wide on the internet, direct form its decked-out new studios on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.

The Oxford American has proclaimed that WDVX is "probably the best radio station in the world." Donations to keep the listener-supported radio station on the air reflect its international audience.

If you've not yet had the chance to listen to WDVX, do your ears a favor and do so now. You will find perhaps the finest playlist you've ever heard on FM radio: New and classic bluegrass, the best in Americana, classic country, western swing, gospel, celtic, folk and other great roots music. At noon EST every week day, you'll also find perhaps the coolest feature on the radio anywhere, The Blue Plate Special, a live, one-hour concert direct from the WDVX in-studio performance stage. Consider some of the artists that have played the Blue Plate in not two years of existence: the everybodyfields, Joe Ely, Bela Fleck, R.B. Morris, Scott Miller, RobinElla, Cowboy Jack Clement, BR549, Marty Stuart, Tommy Emmanuel, Charlie Acuff, and many more.

Everyday at noon. Live. Free.

Of course, WDVX needs listener's financial support to keep things going. The station has an annual budget around $300,000. That ain't cheap and it makes it so that it's never guaranteed that this great piece of Appalachia will be here from one year to the next. That's where you come in.

I'd like to issue a challenge to all Hillbilly Savants readers. I will be manning the phones in the studio and taking pledges twice this week: On Wednesday from 5-9 pm, and on Thursday from 4-8 pm. Call me up during my shift and let me know you're a fellow Hillbilly Savant. There are some great premium items available, beginning with a $52 pledge. That's a buck a week! All you have to do is call the station and make a pledge: 1-800-946-9389 or locally at (865) 544-1029.

If you can't pledge while I'm working, no sweat! Call anytime, or make a donation online. All of your donation will go directly to keeping the great music flowing.

Finally, if you're looking for another fun way to support the station, consider buying a ticket to this Thursday's WDVX Ten Year Birthday Celebration at the Bijou Theatre in Downtown Knoxville. Jim Lauderdale with host the festivities, with performances by The Red Stick Ramblers, the everybodyfields, Robinella, Brett Thompson and the Hackensaw Boys. And get this: Tickets are a whopping $10!

You're out of excuses. Support WDVX now!