Since 1982, the American Library Association has sponsored Banned Books Week the third week of September to provide schools, colleges, universities, and public libraries resources “to bring together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read.” In fact, a Pittsburgh Librarian and First Amendment activist named Judith Krug came up with the idea!

We recently hosted CMU Associate Professor of English Kathy Newman on Forbes Avenue for a conversation about censorship, free speech, cancel culture, and her English Department course about Banned Books (76210). A fascinating conversation about a timely subject! (For more information: CMU’s Banned Books Project)

Listen to the Interview: Prof. Kathy Newman

Credits:
Riona Duncan, host, audio editor, audio engineer, researcher
Recorded August 26, 2024; WRCT debut September 24, 2024

Shortly after 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, rockabilly legend, Big Sandy, joins your Rockin’ Attorney, Eric Jackson Lurie, on WRCT’s Court’s In Session to talk about his upcoming Pittsburgh show, sharing the stage with the Reverend Horton Heat.

Big Sandy and His FlyRite boys are always a hoot! Coming to Jergels, Wednesday, October 2, Big Sandy has a new release in conjunction with Disney and the return of their classic attraction: The Country Bear Musical Jamboree. As Romeo McGrowl, Big Sandy has lent his voice to a new version of a Disney attraction that has entertained audiences for generations. 

Tune in Thursday September 26 to meet Big Sandy — he’s a fascinating musician and voice actor! Just after 8:00 p.m. on 88.3 FM, WRCT Pittsburgh, or streaming from this very website.

On WRCT’s Forbes Avenue this week, long-time community radio hosts Steve Auterman and Richard Gordon stopped by to talk about the importance of independent stations like WRCT to a community.

Steve, host of WRCT’s The Deep Blues Hour, and Richard, host of WRCT’s Whiskey Before Breakfast & The Black Diamond Show, talked about their decades of experience at community radio stations, the importance of independent stations and programming to listeners and musicians, and how independent stations help build community. They also talked about trends in commercial and government-sponsored broadcasting, (e.g., NPR) and about an FCC initiative to grant low-power broadcast licenses to community groups.

Listen to the interview: Steve Auterman and Richard Gordon

Credits:
Riona Duncan, host, audio editor, audio engineer, researcher
Recorded May 4, 2024; WRCT debut September 17, 2024