The success that WMLU is going to have is unprecedented. As we have all been hearing, our school’s radio station is becoming bigger and more popular. Two big contributors of this are the new radio station equipment that they got this fall semester and the hard work and perseverance of the WMLU members. But what is the real reason WMLU is gaining power? Let’s take a minute and dig deeper.
The new station in French Hall, the new boards and the Mac computers they were given this semester sure helped WMLU to become a more professional radio organization, but their success has been there for years now, taking place in that shabby little station in the basement of Hiner with the old equipment and broken sofas inside that we all secretly miss. Crossing that option out, we can take a look at the WMLU staff members’ work.
We have seen the work and success of WMLU by listening to the radio, 91.3 FM, and by attending the events that every student awaits eagerly for, Oktoberfest and Spring Weekend. Sure, we have all seen the WMLU staff setting up the night before the events, hosting the events and playing the continuous music that we listen to on those great weekends we all remember, or don’t, sometimes. However, this we have seen for years now. What makes this year so different and exciting from the past years?
The radio shows. The content and creativity that WMLU has been developing year after year. Each year, the staff members focus on the things that they want to improve on to make their radio station a better one. With this year’s main focus, “quality over quantity,” we can expect better and more creative shows to come.
Along with shows that everyone loves, like indie music, to today’s top hit songs from iTunes and Billboard charts, to sports talk shows, WMLU has additional fun and interesting shows that people enjoy because of their creativity.
The Love Lockdown is a show that has gained popularity around campus due to their attentive requests and dedication from the students and community of Farmville. The show, conducted by seniors Jordan McWilliams and Sam Garris, features only romantic songs. Therefore, it allows students to dedicate songs to one another, making it fun, because who doesn’t like to be called out on the radio?
Another distinct show that is brand new this semester is Distant Resonance conducted by DJ Distant Dee (senior Dee Bryant) who brings the latest in the local RVA hip-hop scene. His show has had great success this semester because it targets mostly an audience of college students with the new hip-hop music it plays. Bryant describes his show with the quote “music for the soul is the very goal, foreign to the ear, made for you to hear.”
Micro focus shows that these are not common these days, which takes WMLU radio to another level, bringing the word “original” into the whole picture. The main focus of the staff members is to improve and make every hour of shows on the radio worthwhile to listen to. There are shows that target each and every different type of audience, making sure to reach out to every student and also to the community of Farmville. That is the reason why our school’s shows are becoming more interactive, and creative, while keeping them professional.
WMLU has been changing enormously this semester, seeking only to become a better station. Not only has the new station and settings helped the station gain power, but more importantly the shows and content itself, which is ultimately what really matters to us, the audience. Exciting years await for our school radio. Oh, and don’t forget to tune into WMLU 91.3 FM, the music of Longwood University and Farmville, Virginia, tonight.
