Posts Categorized: News

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 >>…

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…

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,…

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,…

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!…

Summer in Maine is short but oh-so-sweet, and WMPG is soaking up every note of it. . Coming up: SEPT 3rd – Two Minutes Out – Live from the Drive – 92 Bedford St, Portland. FREE!! 10th – Ella Hue Live from the Drive – 92 Bedford St, Portland. FREE!! 17th – Sigrid Sibley Time: 7.30pm – 8.30pm Come celebrate great local music, right where the magic happens here on 90.9FM

August 2nd 2025 Connor Ratliff The Worm spoke to actor/comedian Connor Ratliff. Listen here Dr Shah on Let’s Connect Greater Portland Listen to “In Conversation with Dr. Nirav Shah” on Spreaker. July Annella chats with actor Dave Register Listen to “Annella chats with actor Dave Register” on Spreaker.

Bobby Shaddox joined WMPG as a volunteer in 2014 after relocating from San Diego, CA to Portland. During his time at the station, he has hosted the weekly show Left of the Dial and served on WMPG’s Board of Directors. Bobby was prominently featured in the recent documentary An Extraordinary Place, where he delivered his signature karaoke weather report. As the new coordinator of Blunt Youth Radio, Bobby aims to boost youth participation at WMPG…

This June, WMPG is turning up the volume on love, identity, and community. Join us for a month-long celebration featuring queer-themed music, powerful storytelling, and special programming that honors LGBTQ+ voices past and present. From thought-provoking podcasts to live shows spotlighting queer artists and activists, we’re proud to stand with the community and share stories that inspire, uplift, and unite. Tune in and celebrate Pride with WMPG all month long! Programs featuring Pride segments include:…

Percussionist and composer Shamou lived in Portland from the early 2000’s to 2016 and had a profound impact on the local music scene. He settled in Maine after getting involved with the Bates Dance Festival in Lewiston, ME, where he was a musician in residence from 1998-2017. He passed away in September 2024. This single episode program, created and hosted by longtime WMPG DJ Barb Truex, is a remembrance of his musical life from his…

This past Tuesday night was electric at WMPG’s annual Battle of the Bands, where 11 incredibly talented acts lit up the stage in an unforgettable evening of music, community, and pure passion. Taking home first place was none other than Graham Ganter, who wowed the crowd (and judges!) with his soulful voice, masterful guitar work, he was accompanied by an impressive fiddle player. Graham’s talent earned him a full-day recording session at Monaco Studios — a state-of-the-art,…

Tune in to WMPG every other Friday morning from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM for Both Sides Now, the radio program hosted by Merrill, who takes listeners on a deep dive into the lives and music of legendary bands and musicians. Whether you’re a die-hard music enthusiast or just looking to expand your musical horizons, this show is for you. Check out the recent episodes below to get a glimpse of the fascinating artists and bands that Merrill has…

WMPG celebrated the New Bill Dufris Memorial Voiceover Studio at USM  Hello Bill-tastic Friends and Family, It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since we lost our beloved Bill Dufris – an effervescently energetic, inspiring, multi-talented individual with a heart of gold. While we’re sure Bill would find today’s world puzzling, there’s no doubt he’d be incredibly proud of the creative work that continues to radiate from the people whose lives he touched….

For over a decade, International Jazz Day has been celebrated every April 30th to identify jazz as a universal language. This Wednesday, WMPG joins this celebration with Herbie Hancock, UNESCO, and the global community with JUKE JIVE N’ JAZE, a program featuring jazz musicians from around the world including from Japan, Brazil, France, So, Africa, Canada, India, Panama, Sweden, Argentina, Hungary, England, Holland, Italy & many more!