WAMU 88.5 History

A timeline of significant events

1961

Moving from AM to FM, WAMU 88.5 FM signs on from the campus of American University at 4 pm on October 23rd, using a 4,000-watt transmitter purchased from WGBH Boston. As the sixth member of the Educational Radio Network -- the predecessor to National Public Radio -- WAMU's founding vision sounds: "WAMU-FM will provide attractive, challenging programming that involves our listeners as completely as possible in the learning experience..."

1962

WAMU devotes four days to coverage of the Cuban Missile Crisis, supplying fast-breaking news to other ERN stations, and even to the BBC. Coverage proves so professional that the U.S. Army Information Service monitors WAMU exclusively, feeding network and local coverage into Army PXs throughout the Southeast.

In October, the station starts broadcasting seven days a week.

1963

WAMU hires its first paid employees -- among them, Susan Stamberg. Armed with equipment secured through donations and scavenges of military surplus stores, WAMU takes on coverage of some of the biggest events of the 1960s.

The station covers President John F. Kennedy's American University commencement address, in which he discusses the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Later in the year, the station signs on three hours early to cover the president's assassination for the nation's capital.

WAMU goes live with coverage of the March on Washington led by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., with Susan Stamberg and Nate Shaw as correspondents.

WAMU continues to broadcast Educational Radio Network's Kaleidoscope, one of the first of the new "radio magazine" programs, with George Geesey and Susan Stamberg hosting, and Stamberg producing. The Washington Post calls the show "a weeknightly gaze at the bummer called life...with a pastiche of views, opinions, commentary, conversations, absurd news, consumer information, books, and theater."

1964

WAMU serves as the Washington leg of the Ivy League network for the 1964 presidential election, feeding coverage to more than 50 other college stations.

Recollections, the predecessor to today's The Big Broadcast -- now WAMU's longest running program -- debuts in February, with John Hickman as host. The program features material from the Golden Age of Radio, including broadcasts of The Jack Benny Show, The Lone Ranger and Fibber McGee and Molly.

1965

One-third of respondents to a listener survey say they would be interested in courses for college credit over the air.

1967

President Johnson signs the Public Broadcasting Act into law, authorizing the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Act calls on CPB to encourage "the growth and development of noncommercial radio" and to develop "programming that will be responsive to the interests of the people."

WAMU introduces its first bluegrass show, the half-hour Bluegrass Unlimited, with Dick Spottswood as host and Gary Henderson as producer.

The station expands from 13,500 to 31,500 watts.

1968

WAMU covers local demonstrations in wake of the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

On-air language courses are offered in French, Italian, Dutch, German, and Swedish.

1969

WAMU begins operating in stereo.

1970

On February 24, National Public Radio is founded, with almost 100 public radio stations as charter members. It is the first permanent nationwide interconnection of non-commercial stations, producing as well as distributing programming to member stations.

The first celebration of Earth Day. WAMU is there with a special broadcast.

1971

The Home Show debuts with Irma Aandahl as host. The success of the show soon results in listener call-ins. "It was just so new," says Susan Harmon, then Station Manager. "People had never heard anything like that on the air."

Jerry Gray joins WAMU as host of The Jerry Gray Show. He will begin co-hosting Bluegrass Country a few years later, in 1978.

On May 3, WAMU broadcasts NPR's fledgling news magazine All Things Considered, hosted by station alumna, Susan Stamberg.

The first on-air fund-raiser nets $4,000.

1973

WAMU is the first public radio station to go to 24-hour-a-day broadcasting with Nightwatch, a classical music program hosted by Edward Merritt from 1–6 am.

Her first day on the job as a volunteer, Diane Rehm is asked to assist the station manager in the studio when Home Show host Irma Aandahl calls in sick. Ten months later, Aandahl hires Diane as an assistant producer.

Stained Glass Bluegrass, with host Gary Henderson, premieres on WAMU in June, its title coined by then Program Director Craig Oliver. Red Shipley will take over the show ten years later.

The station increases power to 50,000 watts. More than 86 percent of WAMU's programs are now being produced at the station.

1974

Bill Cavness reads Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace on the air in its entirety.

1975

A plane crashes into WAMU's radio tower. WAMU goes off the air for 15 minutes, but resumes broadcasting through an antenna farther down on the campus tower.

1977

WAMU listeners respond with their pocketbooks to "their" station's on-air fund-raisers: 40 percent of the budget comes from listeners this year.

In April, the station celebrates record ratings -- up 54 percent from the previous year (1976 over 1975) to 70,200 listeners a week – with a "Music Bonanza," a three-day bash of non-stop music. (*April 1977 program guide)

Bluegrass programming expands to 20.5 hours per week, and WAMU celebrates ten years of bluegrass on its airwaves with a Bluegrass Family Picnic at Wolftrap Farm Park in September.

Fred Fiske joins the station's evening line-up, bringing his popular call-in show from WWDC to WAMU.

1978

Jerry Gray becomes co-host of Bluegrass Country in September, sharing duties with Katy Daley.

1979

Diane Rehm is the winner in a nation-wide search for a new show host when Irma Aandahl announces her retirement from the station. With a debut in August, Rehm combines the newsmagazine/call-in format as full-time host/producer of Kaleidoscope, a day-time reincarnation of the 1960s evening program. Her first interview is with journalist Hobart Rowen.

WAMU holds its first Annual Bluegrass Concert, relying on the efforts of countless volunteers.

The station's fall on-air fundraising campaign surpasses the $100,000 mark for the first time.

1980

NPR's Morning Edition newsmagazine premieres with the new year, integrating NPR and WAMU-generated news reports from the station's existing morning program, Morningline.

Satellite programming comes to WAMU.

Jerry Gray becomes the station's first full-time bluegrass producer/host. Jerry will host Bluegrass Country, heard on WAMU weekday afternoons, produce bluegrass specials and features, and represent the station at festivals. He continues to host The Jerry Gray Show, featuring country music, songs of the Old West and Western Swing.

September sees the premiere of Hot Jazz Saturday Night, featuring vintage jzz from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, with Rob Bamberger as host.

1981

Diane Rehm hosts her first session of "open phones" when one of her guests fails to show up. Her question -- "Tell me what you do?" -- generates a tremendous response, and a new format is born.

Fred Fiske and his wife Ruth invite listeners and fans to accompany them on a 3-week trip to the Orient, an extensive tour including stops in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Beijing.

1982

Mark Plotkin first joins WAMU as a part-time commentator.

1983

Lee Michael Demsey joins WAMU to host the early afternoon show Capital Bluegrass, later to be renamed The Lee Michael Demsey Show.

1984

Kaleidoscope becomes The Diane Rehm Show.

Celtic music joins WAMU's Sunday line-up with the debut of The Thistle and Shamrock. Host Fiona Ritchie enlivens the hour-long program of spirited reels and jigs, haunting traditional ballads, and innovative combinations of ancient and modern instruments with interviews, performances, and enclusive festival recordings.

1985

Ray Davis joins WAMU as one of the hosts of Bluegrass Country. Ray also hosts the station's Annual Bluegrass Concert at Fairfax High School in Virginia and Pickin' in the Glen at Glen Echo Park in Maryland.

Bill Redlin joins the station as host of NPR's Morning Edition.

1986

WAMU is listed among the top 10 public radio stations in the country, with more than 200,000 listeners per week. 14,000 members and 300 volunteers support the station's activities.

WAMU picks up NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday with Scott Simon.

1987

F. Kim Hodgson joins WAMU as General Manager.

Fred Fiske celebrates 40 years in Washington radio and ten years on the air on WAMU with The Fred Fiske Show. A reception and banquet are held in his honor in December. He will go on to host Fred Fiske Saturday, and, from 1996, serve as senior commentator for Metro Connection.

Mike Cuthbert takes over for the retiring Fred Fiske as evening talk show host.

1988

WAMU celebrates its 25th anniversary; Mayor Marion Barry declares October 23rd "88.5 FM Public Radio Day" in Washington, DC.

Listener support measures 44 percent of total revenues.

WAMU inaugurates its annual "Heart to Heart" campaign to recruit volunteers for local service organizations.

1989

Diane Rehm celebrates 10 years as a talk show host on WAMU.

1990

Mark Plotkin becomes a full-time WAMU commentator with his coverage of the local mayoral race in D.C. Campaign '90, part of the his new "D.C. Politics and Government Hour," a special segment of The Mike Cuthbert Show. Campaign coverage establishes WAMU as a prime resource for in-depth news and information about local politics and earns it an Associated Press Chesapeake Broadcasters Award for public affairs coverage.

John Hickman retires as host of the Sunday night standard The Big Broadcast. Hosting responsibilities are picked up by Ed Walker, who has been entertaining listeners ever since.

WAMU fund-raisers net over $750,000.

Classic Country and Bluegrass debuts with program host Eddie Stubbs. Later in the year, the show moves to Sunday broadcast and is renamed The Eddie Stubbs Show.

WAMU co-sponsors the 14th annual Irish Folk Festival in Glen Echo Park, featuring live music, dancing, and craft exhibits.

1991

WAMU celebrates its thirtieth year as a public radio station. Susan Stamberg is presented with the WAMU-FM Founders Award at an anniversary dinner.

The station initiates a capital campaign to raise money for new facilities.

Derek McGinty joins WAMU in March as weeknight talk show host, replacing Mike Cuthbert.

WAMU's Community Advisory Board is reactivated and reorganized as the WAMU Community Council, whose mission is to act as the station's "eyes and ears" in the Washington, DC community.

1992

WAMU provides extensive presidential election year coverage. The station airs live interviews with members of the DC, Maryland and Virginia delegations at both the Democratic and Republican national conventions.

Political commentator Mark Plotkin joins the Clinton-Gore bus tour, sending back reports from the campaign in Texas and North Carolina.

The Derek McGinty Show moves into the noon to 2 p.m. slot. Mark Plotkin's show, renamed The D.C. Politics Hour, occupies the noon hour every Friday.

Talk of the Nation, a new program developed by NPR, debuts on WAMU weekdays at 2pm.

1993

WAMU produces a series of special talk shows on one of the year's hottest issues: health care reform.

Construction begins on state-of-the-art facilities at 4000 Brandywine Street, NW. WAMU Development and Business offices move to new facilities in November.

1994

WAMU's new facilities are completed. In September, the station begins broadcasting from its new studios in the Brandywine Building.

The WAMU Community Council sponsors a series of student forums at area high schools on the subject of violence in our schools. The forums are taped and edited for broadcast.

WAMU ventures into the community: in March, The Derek McGinty Show broadcasts live to a national audience from the National Information Infrastructure Summit, featuring an interview with Vice President Al Gore about the so-called information superhighway. A computer link to the Internet allows listeners to participate electronically.

WAMU's coverage of the D.C. City Council Chairman's race includes a live report of a candidates' forum at Shiloh Baptist church in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood. These efforts lay the groundwork for WAMU's mid-year election coverage later in the year, setting the standard for a new style of "public journalism" built around citizen participation via community forums.

1995

A campaign is launched to bring The Diane Rehm Show to a national audience. The program is transmitted by satellite to a number of public radio shows across the nation.

WAMU's Community Council forms an ascertainment committee to provide the station's programming and news staff with information on issues of concern to the community. The committee launches the project with a focus on issues affecting youth.

WAMU launches Metro Connection -- a one-hour weekly newsmagazine about people, issues and events in the Washington metropolitan area -- more than doubling the amount of air time allotted to local news reports and commentary. The show airs in the 1 pm Friday slot of The Derek McGinty Show.

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton joins Diane Rehm on her June 28 program for a discussion on issues ranging from welfare and health care to the role of first ladies.

WAMU is a sponsor of the American Routes 4th of July Celebration on the Mall. In honor of traditional American roots music reflecting our nation's cultural diversity, the station broadcasts the afternoon concert, emceed by Hot Jazz Saturday Night host Rob Bamberger, as well as the NPR-distributed evening event with Fiona Ritchie of Thistle and Shamrock fame.

1996

WAMU continues to broadcast its popular Sunday morning mainstay Stained Glass Bluegrass, as Red Shipley, the show's host for 13 years, moves back to his hometown of Orange, Virginia. WAMU installs special equipment at WJMA -- the local commercial station in Orange, where Shipley's radio career started years ago -- so that the program can be sent to WAMU for broadcast.

Eddie Stubbs of The Eddie Stubbs Show moves from Washington to Nashville, where he joins the Kitty Wells band and takes up announcing at the Grand Ole Opry and WSM radio. Stubbs doesn't forget his loyal WAMU listeners: his Nashville show is still broadcast in Washington on Sunday afternoons.

National Public Radio begins national distribution of The Diane Rehm Show as well as
the second hour of The Derek McGinty Show.

Metro Connection moves to Saturday morning and Kathy Merritt, WAMU's News Director, becomes host of the program.

Fred Fiske is named WAMU's senior commentator.

WAMU's Community Council hosts a workshop on meeting the needs of children and youth in the Washington area.

Both The Diane Rehm Show and The Derek McGinty Show broadcast live from the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

1997

WAMU launches wamu.org.

1998

Kojo Nnamdi joins WAMU in August, taking over as host of The Derek McGinty Show, which becomes Public Interest with Kojo Nnamdi.

Diane Rehm is named Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine.

WAMU airs dialogues on DC leadership in May and September, during the DC mayoral election cycle. The station's coverage wins an award for excellence in Journalism from The Society of Professional Journalists and a Best News Series Award at the Annual Achievement in Radio Awards luncheon.

1999

In its fall fund-raiser, WAMU cracks the $1 million mark for the first time ever.

The Society of Professional Journalists awards Mark Plotkin with the Sigma Delta Chi Award and Bronze Medallion in the radio editorial category for The Man Who Would Be Mayor, which aired during Morning Edition.

Public Interest receives a Gracie Allen Award in the national talk show category from American Women in Radio and Television for its programming on women's issues.

WAMU begins streaming all of its programs online.

The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton submits a "Tribute to the People of WAMU" to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for inclusion in the Congressional Record, emphasizing the contribution of the regional public affairs program Metro Connection.

David Furst becomes host and producer of Metro Connection.

2000

A WAMU-initiated dialogue on the Chesapeake Bay largely concerns public policy issues related to the use of the Bay, and the impact of human use on the Bay's ecosystem. WAMU news staff flies over the Bay region and is introduced to numerous contacts who live in, study, love, celebrate, or make their living from the Bay (or in the Bay region). The resulting series wins the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-TV News Directors Association.

On May 10, Diane Rehm interviews President Clinton in the Oval Office. The President discusses trade with China, the upcoming presidential campaign, and his personal reflections on his time in the nation's highest office.

On May 24, Vice President Al Gore joins Diane and a gathering of Washington metropolitan area residents to talk about Social Security and other major campaign issues. One month later, Diane talks with Madeleine Albright about serving as U.S. Secretary of State.

In October 2000, the Society of Professional Journalists names Diane Rehm a fellow -- the highest honor the Society bestows upon a journalist -- awarded for extraordinary contributions to the profession. Diane also receives the International Matrix Award from the Association for Women in Communication.

The Lynn Morris Band, together with Cliff Waldron and the New Shades of Grass, entertains at WAMU 88.5 FM's 15th annual Pickin' in the Glen bluegrass concert. WAMU's Ray Davis emcees the concert.

Susan Clampitt comes aboard as General Manager, with Kathy Merritt as Station Manager.

WAMU celebrates the 20th anniversary of Rob Bambergers' Hot Jazz Saturday Night.

2001

The Diane Rehm Show begins live remote broadcasts every Friday from the Newseum in Rosslyn, Virginia.

The D.C. Politics Hour also hits the road, broadcasting every other month from a different D.C. ward in a segment called WAMU in Your Ward.

WAMU's 22nd Annual Bluegrass Concert is held in Fairfax, Virginia at the Fairfax High School, featuring The Lynn Morris Band, The James King Band, and Bob Paisley & the Southern Grass, with a special appearance by The Basement Band.

With support from the National Endowment for the Arts, WAMU 88.5 launches BluegrassCountry.org, a 24-hour, high-quality, all-bluegrass radio station on the web.

WAMU changes its programming schedule to include three hours of news and information programming each weekday afternoon. As a part of this change, weekday bluegrass host Ray Davis begins a new weekend show and becomes a regular contributor to on the new 24-hour bluegrass stream BluegrassCountry.org.

On October 23rd, WAMU celebrates its 40th anniversary, having become the leading public radio station in the greater Washington area, with close to half a million weekly listeners.

2002

WAMU 88.5 expands its news coverage to incorporate newscasts every half hour in the mornings and evenings, and hourly broadcasts during the rest of the day.

In July, Metro Connection host and producer David Furst goes to Japan to cover the Washington National Opera's first international tour in 15 years.

WAMU 88.5 helps lead the first-ever Public Radio Collaboration to produce an extraordinary week of programming on the anniversary of September 11. One of the programs is a live global call-in show, co-produced with the BBC, which had an estimated 50 million listeners from around the world, one of the largest audiences in radio history.

WAMU 88.5 establishes an arts unit, led by Peabody Award-winning journalist and Public Radio International Fellow Jacquie Gales-Webb, to produce stories that bring out the richness and variety in the arts and culture of Washington, D.C.

WAMU 88.5 receives a grant to begin its Youth Voices project which brings fresh voices to the air through regular workshops held at local schools, youth centers, and the WAMU 88.5 studios.

Public Interest with Kojo Nnamdi becomes The Kojo Nnamdi Show, providing two hours of in-depth talk on local affairs each weekday.

WAMU 88.5 wins the 2002 D.C. Mayor's Arts Award for Excellence in Service to the Arts.

WAMU 88.5 begins regular Community Minute broadcasts during weekdays to highlight local volunteer opportunities.

WAMU 88.5 and BluegrassCountry.org host Eddie Stubbs is named Broadcaster of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Music Awards.

Metro Connection receives three Achievement in Radio awards and two Associated Press Broadcasters' Association Awards for various segments on local affairs.

2003

WAMU 88.5 receives an award from Volunteer Fairfax for its long-term commitment to volunteer recruitment through its annual Heart 2 Heart on-air campaign to encourage listeners to volunteer in their communities.

BluegrassCountry.org receives the Fast 50 award from Fast Company magazine.

WAMU 88.5 is honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for specials on the Washington National Opera's visit to Japan and a call-in program commemorating 9/11 co-produced with the BBC.

In March, The Diane Rehm Show begins broadcasting live from The National Geographic's Newseum Broadcast Studio every Friday morning.

In July, Kojo Nnamdi begins a series entitled "Kojo in Your Community" to discuss local issues, featuring monthly broadcasts from neighborhoods in Maryland, Virginia, and the District.

2004

WAMU 88.5 receives the largest gift in its history – a $250,000 bequest.

Lisa Nurnburger is recognized by the National Federation of Community Broadcasters with a Silver Reel Award in the Local News and News Features category for her story, FBI Iraqi-American Interviews.

In June, WAMU 88.5 formally debuts its HD Radio signal, WAMU2, with Kojo Nnamdi switching on the signal at a ceremony attended by Congressional representatives of the WAMU 88.5 listening area, FCC Commissioners, representatives of NPR, and the press.

In July, former president Bill Clinton talks about his life before, in, and after the White House and fields questions from callers around the world on The Diane Rehm Show.

The Kojo Nnamdi Show broadcasts live from both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, covering Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia delegates and giving perspective on national issues in the election season.

On September 21, Diane Rehm's birthday, WAMU 88.5 celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Diane Rehm Show with distinguished guests from the media, government, business, and the arts and raises approximately $150,000 in support of The Diane Rehm Fund for Public Dialogue.

Stained Glass Bluegrass celebrates 30 years on WAMU 88.5 with an "Open House" at the National Cathedral September 25 with longtime host Red Shipley serving as Master of Ceremonies.

WAMU 88.5 is ranked as having the third-largest public radio weekly audience in the nation.

Caryn Mathes is named as WAMU 88.5 General Manager on December 20.

2005

WAMU 88.5 adds a new on-air weather service through a partnership with NBC 4.

The Youth Voices project receives a national Media Citation Award from the Journalism Education Association.

In May, WAMU 88.5 participates in the annual Public Radio Collaboration by working with America Abroad to tape a live forum at the Ronald Reagan Building to discuss the theme of globalization. The event is co-moderated by Kojo Nnamdi and aired on public radio stations across the country.

Metro Connection, WAMU 88.5's local newsmagazine, celebrates its tenth anniversary July 8.

The Dick Spottswood Show celebrates 20 years on WAMU 88.5.

In November, Hot Jazz Saturday Night and its host, Rob Bamberger, celebrate 25 years on WAMU 88.5.

Kojo Nnamdi is named a "Washingtonian of the Year" by Washingtonian magazine.

2006

In January, Virginia Governor Mark Warner appears on The Kojo Nnamdi Show.

Diane Rehm is the inaugural recipient of the Urbino Press Award in Urbino, Italy, which recognizes outstanding work by American journalists.

WAMU 88.5 debuts a new partnership with traffic service, Traffic.com, to provide listeners real-time traffic reports, a dedicated traffic reporter, and a listener call-in tipline.

On April 3, The Diane Rehm Show begins broadcasting on the new NPR Berlin channel in Germany.

In June, recently retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor appears on The Diane Rehm Show.

BluegrassCountry.org celebrates its fifth anniversary.

In August, The Kojo Nnamdi Show features the incoming and outgoing presidents of Gallaudet University, and provides real-time captioning for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to participate in the discussion.

Red Shipley, host of Stained Glass Bluegrass on WAMU 88.5 and BluegrassCountry.org, is named Broadcaster of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association.