1. How do I find out about a song I heard on WEVL?
2. Will you sell me a CD or tape of a program, or of some of the music you play? I'd be glad to pay you for it or make a donation to the station.
3. Why isn't my favorite show on the air anymore? Why did you take my favorite show off?
4. Why don't you post all the shows' playlists on the Web site?
5. How do I listen to WEVL on the Web or on my iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android-based device?
6. Why won't the DJ answer the phone? I thought they had to take requests.
7. How do I get a show on WEVL? Is WEVL an "open access" station? How much do I have to pay to do a show?
8. I don't want to do a show, but want to help out in other ways. Are there any volunteer opportunities for me?
9. How can I get airplay for my CD?
10. I hear the DJ's announcing live music gigs. How do I get my band's gigs announced?
11. How can I or my band play live on the air? How do I get an interview?
12. How can I get my organization's public service announcement aired?
13. Can I buy advertising on WEVL? Can I underwrite a show?
14. Will you take a donation of my old record collection so I can get a tax deduction?
15. Where is my pledge gift?
16. What is WEVL's Memphis area broadcast range?

 

1. How do I find out about a song I heard on WEVL?

Check the programmer playlists. You can also e-mail the volunteer who was on air when you heard the song. Over 90% of our shows are produced by local volunteers, and many play music from their own private collections along with music from the station library. Most volunteers broadcast once a week on the same day at the same time, so you can also try calling them at 901-528-1990.

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2. Will you sell me a CD or tape of a program, or of some of the music you play? I'd be glad to pay you for it or make a donation to the station.

Our license agreements with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC allow us to broadcast music, not sell copies of it. Making copies of our programs would violate the composers' and artists' copyrights. We're sorry if some of what we play is out of print and no longer available for purchase, but it is still copyrighted. Even if these legalities did not exist, WEVL doesn't have the staff and facilities to make CDs or tapes for listeners. We hope you will purchase the music you enjoy and help support the artists who make it.

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3. Why isn't my favorite show on the air anymore? Why did you take my favorite show off?

There are many reasons why shows may disappear, but usually it's because the volunteer host simply cannot do the show anymore. This happens because of a new job, lifestyle change, move, lack of time, or just plain old burnout.

Hosting a show every week--52 weeks a year--is a big volunteer commitment. There are many other reasons your favorite show may have gone away, and sometimes the volunteer's reason for resigning is personal. Syndicated shows often disappear because the show is simply no longer produced. Lack of funding for the show is often the reason here.

For a more detailed explanation of why a certain show is not on the air, e-mail program director Brian Craig.

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4. Why don't you post all the shows' playlists on the web site?

With over 40 different volunteers on the air in a typical week, a playlist section would be impossible for our small paid staff to maintain. Also, some of the volunteers either do not keep playlists or do so erratically. However, links to quite a few playlists can be seen at http://wevl.org/playlist.php.

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5. How do I listen to WEVL on the Web or on my iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android-based device?

Click here and follow the instructions to listen live on the Web. Try the TuneIn app to listen on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android-based device.

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6. Why won't the DJs answer the phone? I thought they had to take requests.

There are lots of reasons why the volunteer on air may not be able to answer the phone. They are usually related to the many tasks that are involved in producing a program. Since each person engineers her own show without any help, this can often leave little time for the phone. Some programs are pre-recorded. Occasionally a volunteer may receive harassing phone calls, which makes him or her reluctant to answer. Not all shows take requests, either; this is left to each volunteer's discretion.

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7. How do I get a show on WEVL? Is WEVL an "open access" station? How much do I have to pay to do a show?

WEVL is always looking for creative volunteers, and we want to hear your ideas for a radio show you'd like to host. You can download a Program Application now or mail a stamped, self-addressed envelope to us at PO Box 40952, Memphis 38174 and we'll send you one.

Along with your application, please send a demo CD of typical music you'd play if given a program. The CD should be at least one hour long. Mail the CD and the application to: Attn: Brian Craig, WEVL 89.9, PO Box 40952, Memphis 38174.

Please note that WEVL's mission is to present diverse music; therefore, we do not accept applications for talk/spoken word programs. All program applications with music formats compatible with WEVL's programming and mission will be considered.

Before submitting your program application, you are strongly encouraged to listen to WEVL and familiarize yourself with our programming and determine how your proposed program might fit in.

Current open slots are: Monday 2-4 pm; Tuesday 6-8 pm and 10-midnight; Tuesday and Thursday 4-6 pm; Saturday 11 pm-midnight; and Sunday 2-4 pm.

Hosting a radio show every week is a big commitment. We always need substitute programmers to fill in occasionally rather than do a weekly show. Consider applying for a sub position if you can't commit to hosting a weekly show.

After we receive your application, you'll get an acknowledgment by phone or e-mail. Our paid staff is really small, so it may be several months before you hear from us again after that. Your patience is appreciated!

Every programmer must be a current WEVL member. Membership requires a $40 minimum yearly contribution that's tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

WEVL is not "open access" and has the right to refuse any application. WEVL does not sell broadcast time, and no one at the station pays to do a show.

Read more about WEVL here.

Questions? E-mail program director Brian Craig.

Note: The Program Application requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free from Adobe Systems, Inc.

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8. I don't want to do a show, but want to help out in other ways. Are there any volunteer opportunities for me?

WEVL wouldn't exist without the help of our valuable off-air volunteers. They do everything from answering the phone during pledge drive, soliciting donations, working at events like Blues on the Bluff®, clerical work, and designing and maintaining this Web site.

Please come to the next off-air volunteer orientation meeting at the station, e-mail the station manager for more info, or download an Off-air Volunteer Application now.

Note: The Off-air Volunteer Application requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free from Adobe Systems, Inc.

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9. How can I get airplay for my CD?

CDs should be submitted Attn: Brian Craig to WEVL, PO Box 40952, Memphis, TN 38174. Before you submit, listen to the station or take a look at our program schedule to determine if your music would fit in with our programming.

All CDs are reviewed by volunteers or Staff for acceptance in the WEVL music library. Most song selections on WEVL are made by the volunteer programmers, so there is no guarantee of airplay. All CDs sent for airplay consideration become the property of WEVL and cannot be returned.

We don't accept cassettes, and CD-Rs are only accepted from Memphis area bands and musicians. Don't send MP3s as e-mail attachments or ask us to go to your web site and download or listen to MP3s because we simply don't have the time.

WEVL will not play music with obscenities or indecent content. All submitted material must be edited for obscenities or the offending tracks clearly marked on the CD. If we have to review your material for obscenities, this will prevent or delay airplay.

Please do not send press kits with your CD; a concise, well-written onesheet is preferable. We receive hundreds of CDs every month and can't possibly read all the material that comes with many of them. Most of this extra paper is discarded.

If you're really concerned about security, send your CD via insured mail, UPS, FedEx, etc.

Record company, artist promotion, and music tracking calls are taken from 2-4 pm central time on Tuesdays only at 901-528-0560 by program director/music director Brian Craig. Do not call the air room to follow up on a CD submission.

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10. How do I get a concert or a band gig announced?

Please download our Concert Submission Guidelines.

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11. How can I or my band play live on the air? How can I get an interview?

All live performances and interviews on WEVL are booked through program director Brian Craig. You can e-mail him for more information. Please contact him as far in advance as possible, preferably at least two weeks in advance.

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12. How can I get my organization's public service announcement aired?

Please download our Public Service Announcement Submission Guidelines. Also see #13. below.

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13. Can I buy advertising on WEVL? Can I underwrite a show?

WEVL is licensed by the FCC as a non-commercial, educational station and can't sell spot ads like you hear on commercial radio. We can, however, air brief underwriting announcements which include basic, non-promotional information. Underwriting is an affordable way to extend your marketing dollars and reach an audience of extremely loyal listeners who have a keen interest in music. Click here for more information.

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14. Will you take a donation of my old record collection so I can get a tax deduction?

Lack of space and other considerations prevent us from taking donations of vinyl records. We suggest you contact local used record stores if you have records you need to dispose of.

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15. Where is my pledge gift?

Please allow up to 12 weeks from the date your pledge was paid to receive your gift. We try our best to fulfill all gifts within 12 weeks, but with only three paid employees (one is part-time), we are sometimes slower than we'd like. For answers to other questions about your pledge or thank-you gifts, please e-mail station manager Judy Dorsey.

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16. What is WEVL's Memphis area broadcast range?

WEVL broadcasts to a radius of approximately 50 miles, covering the Greater Memphis area, and is heard in three states. Please view the station's predicted coverage map to see WEVL's broadcast range.

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