All-Milwaukee Music to Be Featured 24/7 on “414Music.fm,” Radio Milwaukee’s New HD2 Radio Channel and Stream Launching June 20

Milwaukee (April 14, 2017) – All-Milwaukee music will be broadcast and streamed around the clock on “414Music.fm,” a new HD2 radio channel and stream that 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (WYMS 88.9-FM) will launch June 20, the station announced Friday.

414Music.fm will be simulcast on 88Nine’s HD2 frequency, online at www.414Music.fm and on the station’s app.

The station is inviting Milwaukee musicians to submit their music, recently recorded or from past years, to Radio Milwaukee for possible inclusion on 414Music.fm.

The station and stream will be the first in the city to play only Milwaukee music, bolstering 88Nine’s commitment since its founding 10 years ago to playing and supporting Milwaukee bands, Program Director Jordan Lee said. The station plays at least one Milwaukee artist every hour and supports Milwaukee bands via its weekly on-air “414 Live” interview and performance show and its annual Milwaukee Music Awards.

“We’re launching something that the city has never had before – a 100% Milwaukee music service that will connect Milwaukee music to listeners anywhere and everywhere,” Lee said.  “We want Milwaukee musicians, past and present, to submit their music now. This is your city, your scene, and we need your help.”

Milwaukee musicians are encouraged to visit the station’s new website, www.414Music.fm, to upload their music for consideration.

414Music.fm will play a mix of current and older Milwaukee music as well as live sets recorded on 414 Live. Listeners can hear the station via HD2 home receivers and car radios and online via www.414Music.fm and the station’s app.

The unveiling of the station was announced at 4:14 p.m. April 14. April 14 has become known as Milwaukee Day because the numerical version of the date, 4/14, is the same as Milwaukee’s area code, 414.

The creation of 414Music.fm is part of Radio Milwaukee’s celebration of 10 years on-air, online and in the community. The non-profit station launched on Feb. 26, 2007. It has become recognized for its unique mix of new and Milwaukee music, its Community Stories features and for fostering community engagement and positive change.

As part of the station’s birthday celebration, it has also:

• Launched a new narrative audio and video series, “In The Wings: Bringing Our Community to Center Stage,” that each month this year will highlight the positive work of Milwaukee individuals in a variety of categories.
• Began a weeknight show, “88Nine After 9,” hosted by DJ Tarik Moody. It features a pioneering new format, combining contemporary urban and Triple A sounds, from 9 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday.
• Started a new weekly 9 p.m. Friday show, “Listener Approved,” featuring Music Director Justin Barney unveiling a top-ten countdown of the station’s best songs as selected by listeners.
• Announced a benefit dinner June 22 honoring station donors and founders, including co-founder, philanthropist and musician Peter Buffett, and a free block party in front of the station’s Walker’s Point studios on June 24 with three national and three Milwaukee bands.

Since it began broadcasting 10 years ago, Radio Milwaukee:

• Has introduced Milwaukee to an array of national and international artists through the diverse recorded music it plays and the more than 120 “Studio Milwaukee” live, on-air sessions with these musicians in front of audiences. The station is credited with helping break several artists nationally, including Alabama Shakes, Valerie June, Michael Kiwanuka, James Vincent McMorrow and PHOX.
• Has championed Milwaukee musicians through its annual Milwaukee Music Awards; weekly “414 Live” sessions featuring Milwaukee bands broadcast with a studio audience; playing at least one song on air by a Milwaukee artist every hour; and by promoting Milwaukee’s live music scene on air, its website and its social media outlets.
• Broadcasts more than 200 original short-form Community Stories a year throughout its weekday on-air schedule and online, including video. The stories feature non-profit organizations and individuals making a difference in Milwaukee.
• Renovated and outfitted a vacant former foundry in the Walker’s Point neighborhood into its $2.8 million state-of-the-art studios and offices. The complex includes a 99-seat performance space for live broadcasts and sustainable green roof. The station moved to its new home in September 2013. More than 1,700 donors contributed to the project.
• Has been widely recognized for its on-air music, community affairs features, digital media and new studio complex, winning awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Milwaukee Press Club, Wisconsin Area Music Industry, Shepherd Express newspaper, American Institute of Architects Wisconsin, Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the International Competition for Marketing and Communication Professionals.
• Created its “Cultural Commons” initiative, which involves more than 20 organizations in an effort designed to break down barriers and bring people together. The station’s mission, its young and diverse staff and new home are enabling it to spearhead an effort by local organizations to create events welcoming all Milwaukeeans.
• Airs an average of 400 free public service announcements a year for up to 45 organizations; helps collect donations of needed supplies and goods for the community through campaigns with groups such as Milwaukee Public Schools, Hunger Task Force and Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee; and invites the non-profit community to use its new home for events.
• Receives the great majority of its financial support from its 4,900 contributing members, more than 200 underwriters and 25 foundations.

The station traces its history to the founding in 2003 of the non-profit Radio Milwaukee organization. The group was formed to reach “a new generation of radio listeners on air, on line and in the community with a compelling selection of music and public affairs programming. The organization’s founders said it “celebrates Milwaukee music, arts, heritage, and culture by supporting and contributing to a community that encourages multi­ethnic collaboration and conversation and by promoting a positive global identity for the city of Milwaukee.”

The non-profit Radio Milwaukee organization operates WYMS through an operating agreement with the Milwaukee Public Schools, which owns the frequency.

Information on the station’s history and birthday-year plans is posted at www.radiomilwaukee.org/10 and will be updated periodically.

ABOUT 88NINE RADIO MILWAUKEE:

A non-profit, community-funded radio station, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (WYMS-FM 88.9) has been a part of Milwaukee since 2007. Learn more about 88Nine and stream the station at http://www.radiomilwaukee.org or via the 88Nine mobile app.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.