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I just discovered WHUR

J

Jay F

I listen to a wide variety of music, formats, and stations from all over the country and world. I noticed that WHUR has been doing very well in the PPMs and was curious what they are doing. I knew the station is operated by Howard University but assumed it still sounded like any typical Urban AC (which is a format I like). Was I ever surprised at what a unique sounding station WHUR is.

I was listening on overnights...2AM and 3 AM hours. I'm not sure if the music mix is different in this daypart than the rest of the day...but I very much enjoyed it. I normally know just about every song on every station but this was not the case with WHUR. I discovered a whole new world of music both old and new that I didn't even know existed..Some of my favorites were..

Donald Byrd-Dominoes
Jean Carne-Don't Let It Go To Your Head
Sy Smith-Fly Away With Me
KJ Rose-A Better Way
Maysa-Simpatico (wow is this good!)
Normon Conners (featuring Jean Carne)-Valentine Love...I didn't even know who Jean Carne was until now...what a talent.

Even the songs I was familiar with were outstanding such as Chrisette Michele-Blame It On Me. They played a John Legend song "Everybody Knows" that almost had an alternative sound. WHUR actually sounded like an Urban adult alternative station to me more than a standard Urban AC.

I was in awe of this music...So much talent. A lot of the songs had a hint of Jazz. I wouldn't say I have elite tastes, but this was the most sophisticated, adult sounding mix of music I ever heard on a commercial radio station..and everything flowed together perfectly.

Does anybody know if Phil Nelson is live or voicetracked? I expect everything to be tracked during those hours..but he's either live or does a great job sounding like he is.

I noticed they run a sweeper that says "WHUR sounds like Washington". I can not agree more because there is no other station anywhere that sounds like this.
 
Reading your post, it made me think about the typical complaint people have about OTA Radio: They all over-play the same tired songs. You pointed out an easy solution to that problem: Change radio formats. If you get tired of all the Whitney and Beyonce on one station, change formats, and you'll hear a whole bunch of songs and artists I bet you've never heard before. That list you printed was a great case in point. Other than Donald Byrd, who I used to play when I was a DJ, the list is all unfamiliar. And if they program Sunday afternoons the way a lot of "old skool" stations do, there was probably a lot of music that would suit fans of smooth jazz and rhythmic AC. Every tie I get bored with one radio station, I simply scan the dial, and I always come up with something that makes me stop and say "hmmm."
 
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