''Public Radio Music Day'' to be Celebrated on April 16

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 13, 2020

Public Radio Music Day

The noncomMUSIC Alliance has announced that the inaugural Public Radio Music Day will take place on April 16, with a nationwide celebration uniting public radio music stations, fans and performers to spread the word about the role public radio plays in the music world locally and nationally. A bipartisan group of Members of Congress introduced Resolutions in both the Senate and the House of Representatives officially designating April 16, 2020 as Public Radio Music Day.

These Congressional Resolutions express appreciation for local public radio music stations and their service to listeners, musicians and hundreds of communities across the U.S. They recognize local, non-commercial, non-profit, public radio stations provide a platform for boosting artists and music discovery, and educating and enriching communities. More than 20 million listeners tune in to hundreds of local non-commercial music stations weekly to discover, learn about and enjoy an eclectic mix of music selections, artists, and genres that are, in many cases, available only on public radio.

On April 16, local stations will celebrate Public Radio Music Day with a range of special activities, including: live local events and performances, dedicated studio sessions, special programming and hand-curated playlists, and fan and artist stories. Live events are being planned in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Lexington KY, Oklahoma City, Rochester NY and more communities nationwide.

The Senate Resolution, S.Res. 496, is sponsored by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Christopher A. Coons (D-DE).

"More than twenty million Americans tune in to local public radio music stations every week," said Senator Blunt. "These stations provide a unique listening experience by spotlighting local artists, playing a wide variety of music, and engaging with audiences in the communities they serve. I'm proud to support this bipartisan resolution marking Public Radio Music Day and celebrating public radio's contributions to the arts, education, and culture."

"I am pleased to join my colleagues in this bicameral, bipartisan recognition of public radio music stations," added Senator Coons. "Every day, hundreds of local public radio stations enrich the lives of the millions of Americans who tune in to discover emerging artists, connect with local culture, enjoy unique musical curations, and experience innovative programming. Public Radio Music Day celebrates the performers, fans, and stations who form these amazing communities around the universal language of music."

In the House of Representatives, a bipartisan companion Resolution, H.Res. 848, was introduced by U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) and Steve Chabot (R-OH). Additional co-sponsors include Representatives Mark E. Amodei (R-NV), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ken Buck (R-CO), Tom Cole (R-OK), Susan A. Davis (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Fred Upton (R-MI), Don Young (R-AK).