Posts Categorized: News

We are sad to report that long-time WMPG Blues DJ Myron Samuels passed away suddenly and unexpectedly this past Friday. Myron has been with WMPG for more than 25 years and he anchored the Wednesday night Evenin’ Sun Blues program. Myron not only was one of the original Evenin’ Sun Blues DJ and an expert on the Blues but was a formidable harmonica player and could sing out the Blues anytime anywhere. Many a time he would break out the harp…

Local designers of wearable art for women, men and children will show their most creative fashions on the WMPG runway on Sunday April 10th, 7pm doors, 8 pm show at Port City Music Hall. Artistic Director Cindy Flanders reports that this year’s show includes works from new and returning designers. Styles run the spectrum from formal to street. Statement Jewelry pieces, repurposed, up-cycled and embellished clothing as well as vintage inspired garments. WMPG’s Fashion Show…

With WMPG’s recently concluded semi-annual Begathon drive, one way the Java Jive DJs want to thank and say “We love you!” for all your support is to wind up March’s Women’s History Month featuring 5 mornings—(6:30am – 8:30am) — of feminine sound from some of the brightest stars in the Constellation Musica. We’ll kick off the week in sonic style catching Betty Carter & Ella Fitzgerald breezily scatting their way through Kathy G’s ‘Fascinating Rhythms’ on Monday….

  WMPG DJ Jackie Nice was recently interviewed and had a video profile done on her by Randy Visser and Standing Oak Media . It is a wonderful feature that shows Jackie at home talking about her life and how she ended up at WMPG bringing us her weekly Eastern Sands program heard every Sunday from 3:30-5pm. Thanks Randy and great job! Profile Video Link  

Wow – what a day!  The turnout was huge this year for our 21st annual WMPG Cajun Cookin’ Challenge. More than 500 people attended the event and when all the votes were counted we had a winner! Congrats to  Gritty McDuff’s as they took the honors and bragging rights this year. They served up a wonderful Catfish and Sausage Gumbo that impressed the voters. Coming in second was 2015 Cajun Cookin’ Champs Bayside American Café , with a Andouille Sausage and Chicken…

The 18th Annual Homelessness Marathon,   http://news.homelessnessmarathon.org/ — will originate from Washington, DC, starting at 7:00 p.m., EST on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 and ending at 9:00 a.m. the following morning. That’s fourteen hours of discussion about poverty and homelessness in America. Our hosts on the air will be Pacifica radio WPFW.  Our hosts on the groundwill be the Church Of the Epiphany, which reaches out to DC’s homeless a part of its ministry, and also Street…

WMPG’s production studio is really impressive to people who collects vintage audio gear. They are amazed at the equipment that we use. They usually also ask when we will be moving into the next century. Now is the time! After 25 years it is now the time to ask for your support to help us upgrade and modernize our production studio. This upgrade will significantly improve our ability to offer access to broadcast quality equipment…

Got an opinion? Remember the Power Up campaign of 2010 and 2011? We significantly improved the quality and reach of our 90.9 frequency! Now we have a question as to whether there is still need for the 104.1FM repeater frequency. Please take our short survey and help us get the info we need to make a smart decision about our secondary frequency and whether it needs to stay in place or if we can let…

On “FAT” Tuesday WMPG will again be hosting our renowned Fat Tuesday party. This will be the 21st year that we celebrate Mardi Gras with our volunteers, listeners, USM and the greater Portland Community. It all happens from noon to 3pm in the USM Woodbury Campus  Center in Portland. WMPG will be broadcasting New Orleans music from the site of the celebration. There will be plenty of WMPG on-air personalities to spin tunes, and Rob Sylvain might even show…

The 17th Annual Homelessness Marathon will originate from Sarasota, Florida, and will be carried by over 100 community radio stations across the country. It will air on WMPG from 7pm Tuesday, February 17 and continue until 9am the next morning.

Congrats to 2015 Cajun Cookin’ Challenge Champs, Bintliff’s American Cafe. Bintliff’s, soon to be renamed Bayside American Cafe, served a Gumbo with Chicken and Andouille Sausage with Mini Corn Cakes. Tasty!

Want to read our “End Of Year” newsletter? Catch up on the latest WMPG news including features on WMPG winning 3 Maine Association of Broadcaster Awards, WMPG’s Kate Manahan and her program New Mainers Speak, our new mission statement, our new web page and much more!

In October, WMPG began airing daily morning news Monday through Friday. Volunteer news anchors now present news breaks at 7 and 8am each day within existing morning music programs. State and local headlines are written and read by the volunteer anchors, and original reports created by WMPG volunteer reporters.

Many people think that planned giving is a difficult process and only something that wealthy people can do. In reality, planned giving is easy to do and a great opportunity to leave a legacy for future generations. Planned giving, or gift planning, enables individuals to make larger gifts to nonprofits and charities than they normally could make from their income. Depending on the type of gift chosen, an individual may enjoy tax benefits, secure a lifetime income stream and provide additional income for heirs. These gifts, while planned now, help ensure that the voice of WMPG Community Radio will be alive and well for years to come.

19th Annual WMPG CD/Record Sale happens on Saturday, November 8th at the USM Portland Sullivan Gym. Runs from 10am to 3pm.

We are still accepting CD/Records/Turntables/Amplifiers & Speakers as donations for the sale! Call (207) 780-4424 or e-mail the

On Monday, October 20, WMPG Community Radio presented the 12th Annual Bluegrass Spectacular at One Longfellowsquare . Local Bluegrass legends, Tumbling Bones, The Grassholes, the Jerks of Grass performed. WMPG’s Ceci Gilson, host of Thursday’s “Kitchen Party” program was MC the evening. Doors opened at 6 PM and the place quickly filled to near capacity! Thanks to everyone who came to the show and especially the bands who were stupendous! All proceeds from the Bluegrass Spectacular benefited…

WMPG volunteers have won three awards from the Maine Association of Broadcasters. Each year the MAB recognizes and honors the best work of Maine-based broadcasters through their annual News and Creative Awards. Entries come from both commercial and and non- commercial broadcasters, including Maine Public Broadcasting.

First a huge thanks to everyone who donated to the Fall Begathon. Without all the help from all you wonderful listeners, area businesses, volunteers on the phones and of course the fantastic programmers we wouldn’t have had a Fall Begathon! To date 831 donors have pledged $41,049! Wow – we do love begathons and this one was very exciting with all the happenings going on around USM!

On Friday morning, 9/12, USM Interim President David Flanagan visited the WMPG studios and spoke with long-time volunteer host Steve Hirshon about the challenges USM faces this year. The interview will air on WMPG this Monday morning, 9/15, from 8 to 8:30am, and is also available for download here.

Twenty-five years ago then WMPG Program Director Ed Noyes loved blues music. He loved it so much he created the WMPG Evenin’ Sun program, MPG’s flaghip blues show still heard six nights a week from 5-7pm. He also took his love of blues to another level, helping create the Southern Maine Blues Society. To make this love complete he opened his own nightclub called Morganfields which brought the best national blues acts to Portland. The…