After a long history of short-lived campus radio stations, WSUM — Madison Student Radio will soon be celebrating one year of broadcasting.
To commemorate the station’s success, WSUM 91.7 FM will host a concert event at Luther’s Blues Saturday, Feb. 22 — exactly one year from the day it flipped the switch to the FM dial.
UW-Madison has been on a roller-coaster ride and has seen the rise and fall of five different radio stations between 1954 and 1993. Originally created as a lab activity for engineering students, the birth of student radio occurred in the basement of Gilman Hall, a dormitory in the Lakeshore area.
Referred to by the call letters WMHA, the station ran into illegal wiring problems with the FCC, and in 1959 moved to Elm Drive, which the station called home for nearly 35 years.
Its call letters were also changed to WLHA to reflect the name change of the governing body, Lakeshore Hall Association, and settled at 640 AM.
The success and increasing popularity led to the emergence of another student radio station in the Southeast dorms, WSSO. Shortly after, its call letters were changed to WSRM, but the station lacked student support and sufficient funds. After a few tweaks in the system, WSRM became increasingly admired and merged with WLHA.
These stations, as well as a few others, converged and transformed into WSUM, an Internet-based “netcast.” After many trials and tribulations, the station began broadcasting Feb. 22, 2002, at 2:22 p.m., marking the first time a licensed UW-Madison station had transmitted over the FM dial
WSUM certainly adheres to its slogan, with the intent to deliver “innovative music for independent minds.” According to promotions director Josh Ferguson, WSUM delivers a diverse line-up.
“91.7 FM’s programming spans the globe,” Ferguson said. The station offers a mix of local, underground and alternative music along with UW-Madison news, sports and talk. The eclectic programming allows the station to shine out from its competitors. In one short year, WSUM has traveled a long way.
WSUM has seen an unbelievable influx of interest and support. The station has been working with other university groups and programs to establish community recognition, and the past year has marked many highlights.
“We have held contests with Maxim and Comedy Central for promotion/contests that they were running. During last year’s hip-hop conference, Sway, a VJ on MTV, came through with his syndicated radio show ‘The Wake-Up Show,’ out of L.A.,” Ferguson said.
To celebrate all of its achievements, WSUM is hosting a birthday bash this weekend. According to Ferguson, “The concert itself is to serve as a celebration of all this achievement as well as to point into the ‘future,’ so to speak.”
The concert will embody the same musical diversity the station delivers to listeners every day. Headlining the show is All Natural & the Family Tree, a Chicago hip-hop group.
Accompanying the headliners is Black Elephant, a neo-soul group from Milwaukee. Formed last February, the group consists of rappers Dameon Ellzey, Element Everest and poet Derrick “Verbal High” Harriell. “They have a very fresh sound, incorporating live-band and live-singer elements into their sets,” Ferguson said.
Also in the mix is Que Flavor, a five-piece Afro-Cuban/worldbeat ensemble from Madison. The Intel Agents, an up-and-coming hip-hop group from Milwaukee known for their lyricism and live-show intensity, also bring their skills to the stage.
WSUM’s own Huge Family, run by station manager Tauri Robinson, aka DJ Fab U Lus, will be performing with Wax Machine, two brothers who also work at WSUM.
Interludes will be provided by WSUM’s own Beatconundrum. Established for two years and creating some buzz for itself, the group is comprised of promotions director Josh Ferguson (Joshua P), and co-host Arthur Dibbly. The local DJ talent will be doing their thing prior to the start of the show, between sets, and at the end of the event.
Doors open for the WSUM Birthday Bash this Saturday, Feb. 22, at 8:30 p.m. at Luther’s Blues, 1401 University Ave., with the show set to begin at 9:30 p.m. Each group will play a half-hour set with 15-minute DJ between acts. Black Elephant and the Family Tree will play for about 45 minutes a piece. Tickets are $10 and are available from all Luther’s Blues ticket outlets. Head to www.luthersblues.com for more details.
