Posts Categorized: News

Begathon kicks off on Thursday, March 26th. Our goal is $55,000. Donate online here The past six months at WMPG have been marked by growth, collaboration, and meaningful storytelling. We completed our annual program reshuffle, vital to the station’s long-term health, sparking new energy and welcoming fresh voices to the airwaves. Volunteers revitalized our music library, expanded live performances, and powered projects like Local Motives Vol I supporting the USM Food Pantry, alongside community favorites like Mardi Gras…

WMPG’s Jazz At The Movies present movie night on March 21st.  This month’s movie is Low Down Low Down is a drama based on Amy-Jo Albany’s memoir about growing up with her troubled but brilliant father, bebop pianist Joe Albany. Set in mid-1970s Hollywood, the film follows young Amy (Elle Fanning) as she comes of age in a rundown hotel while her father (John Hawkes) struggles with addiction, unstable work, and life on the margins…

On April 1, WMPG’s local music show Local Motives takes over the Portland Media Center for a high-energy, one-night-only celebration: Fool’s Last Beg – the grand finale of Begathon. Hosted at the Portland Media Center on Congress Street, the event brings together live radio, music, and a bit of April Fool’s mischief to mark the final push of WMPG’s week-long listener-powered fundraising drive. The evening will be emceed by Erin Ames of Radio Ya-Ya’s and feature a special live…

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the creativity, leadership, and resilience of women who have shaped our communities, our culture, and the stories we tell. At WMPG, women have always been central to the station’s voice – on the management team, advisory board, on the air, behind the scenes, and throughout the community we serve. From volunteer DJs spinning music that might not be heard anywhere else, to hosts leading thoughtful conversations…

We want to hear from you! WMPG is conducting a short listener survey, and your input will help shape the future of the station. Tell us what you love, what you’d like to hear more of, and where we can improve. Your feedback helps us better serve our community and keep WMPG strong, local, and listener-powered. Thanks for taking a moment to share your voice with us! Link to Survey Thank you!  

Update: Congrats to winners: 1st place: Ruski’s Best Traditional Dish: the Bayou Kitchen WMPG Judges Pick: Portland Country Club Special Mention – The Cann Family Bakery WMPG’s Annual Cajun Cookin’ Challenge Returns for a Flavorful Fat Tuesday Feast Details for 2026 Fat Tuesday, February 17th from 11 am to 2 pm McGoldrick Student Success Center on the Portland Campus of the University of Southern Maine. Parking – parking at USM parking lot now requires payment. Read more >>…

A rotating cast of WMPG DJ’s broadcast live from venues around Portland  and  the  surrounding  areas. The live event and broadcast from 5:00-7pm. WMPG’s Freaky Fridaze rolls on with a brand-new lineup of live broadcasts from some of our favorite local spots. This happy hour series takes your favorite community DJs out of the studio and into the wild, spinning records and soaking up the vibes with listeners and music lovers March at Belleflower Brewing,…

Our WMPG friend is putting together a special two-night benefit concert, S.L.O.B.fest (Support Local Original Bands)—a celebration of local music across all genres. Proceeds from the shows will benefit WMPG and help kick off our Spring Begathon fund. Come out, discover new sounds, and support community radio. Friday February 6th from 7pm and Saturday from 5pm. Skips Lounge, Buxton, ME Artists playing at SLOBfest include: Thousand Mile Fall Cradle II Grave Paradise is Cancelled Enigma…

An Extraordinary Place – See It Soon! Tom Bell’s award-nominated documentary An Extraordinary Place continues to hit screens near and far this season, and we’d love for you to join us. In a world of algorithm-driven playlists, music is everywhere, yet can feel disconnected. An Extraordinary Place reminds us what happens when people share music not for clicks, but for love, connection, and community. The film celebrates the beating heart of WMPG – the volunteers, DJs, and music…

We have released a wide-ranging compilation of local music to raise emergency funding and help secure food for the USM’s Oakhurst Campus Food Pantry . The release, Local Motives #1 , includes tracks from no fewer than 27 local musicians, including Grammy winner Dave Gutter and indie rock favorites Weakened Friends, as well as a roster of local heavyweights such as Little Oso, One Hundred Thorns, Snake Lips, Brit Martin, Juniper Ginger, Ella Hue, TheWorst, Whitney Walker, Red Eft, Space Fog, Plague Dad,…

    WMPG is seeking to “contract ” a Radio Audio Engineer for 10 hours a week. The qualified person will have a couple years experience repairing broadcast equipment and comfortable with computer networks. We need someone to make our radio signal sound great! If interested email stationmanager@wmpg.org or phone (207) 780-4424 for more details. Will stay posted until filled. This is a “contract” position and not a USM position. This person will be responsible for…

A Journey to WMPG – Jeff Kerschner We didn’t listen to much music growing up. My father was opposed to music in the house. My Mom would play a handful of records during his work day. Johnny Cash, John Denver, and Harry Belafonte played over and over. A high school friend introduced me to the Beatles – whoa… At age 17, I joined the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus. I was on the concessions crew….

On Friday, November 14th, Bella’s Bartok had a special live performance on Signal Boost from 1-2pm. This was a mere teaser ahead of their show at Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine!

We were sad to hear about the passing of Karmo Sanders recently. Karmo joined the USM Department of Theatre in 2017, bringing an indefatigable passion for theatre, comedy, playwriting, and teaching. A consummate theatre artist, Karmo taught Playwriting, The Art of Dialogue, Public Speaking and Acting for Non-Majors, a class in which she delighted in spotting talented students and encouraging them to become Theatre majors. Every day, she brought an easy laugh, a well-crafted joke,…

Bluegrass Spectacular returns at OLS – a benefit night for WMPG Buy Tickets online  or call One Longfellow Square box office 207-761-1757 (box office hours : Friday 12PM to 3 PM) It’s back! For the 20th Anniversary of the WMPG Bluegrass Spectacular, we’ve got some old favorites and a group of young pickers making a name for themselves across New England, for yet another installment of your favorite night of the year. As always, your hosts are the World…

We did it!  Thank you! donate online We live in a time when so much of what we hear is driven by algorithms and automation but WMPG is proudly human. Every show on our airwaves is created by volunteers who share their own voices, stories, and music choices, not for faceless crowds, but for real people who listen and care. That connection builds trust and belonging, both on and off the air. You can hear it in…

Dave Gutter Live from the Drive – Wednesday, October 30th (weather permitting) 7.30-8.30pm Join us as we close our Fundraising week with Grammy award winning Dave Gutter performing Live from our driveway!

Join us during Begathon for our Driveway Record Sale on Sunday, October 26th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dig through crates of vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and gear, enjoy good company, and grab a bite from The Fried Rice King food truck while you’re here!  

Declutter Your Space and Support WMPG! Are those old vinyl LPs and CDs collecting dust and taking up space in your home? WMPG has a solution that helps you and your favorite community radio station at the same time! We’re gearing up for our highly anticipated Fall WMPG Record Sale and are currently accepting donations. Whether you’re a longtime music lover ready to part with your collection, or just looking to tidy up, your donations…

McGoldROCKS 2025: This Thursday Night!  McGoldROCKS is back! On Thursday, October 9th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM, the Salons at the McGoldrick Center on the USM Portland Campus will come alive with a brilliant night of music, community, and pure energy. This year’s lineup features four powerhouse acts: Covered in Bees Little Oso Neal Ray …bringing an explosive mix of sound that guarantees there’s something for everyone.  Jack, host of No Longer Dangerous will emcee!…