I have no official affiliation with WGDR but I have appreciated what it contributes to central VT for decades. Just Sunday I was driving on rt2 and it was hard to keep my eyes on the road because of the stunningly beautiful foliage. The road was literally littered with leaf-peepers parked on shoulderless stretches of curviness. And on the radio, a great set of Afropop from Mali. Had it not been for GDR, I may have had to choose between the station playing the Bad Company song and the one playing Steve Miller. Yeah I know hands down it would have been Steve Miller, but the point is WGDR brings a world of musical genres to a state where a commercial radio station can claim “true music diveristy” if they play both Paul Simon AND Beck.  

I also learned on that drive that it is WGDR’s pledge drive week. Contribute here or call (802) 454-7762.  

WGDR doesnt just enrich central Vermont’s musical life with local music and global sounds. It also delivers the progressive  politics throughout the week. Check out this schedule: Democracy Now!, BBC, TUC radio, WINGS, Alternative Radio, Unwelcome Guests, Free Speech Radio News, and a host of opportunities for local discussion.  When you think about how Vermont has changed politically in the last 35 years, consider the role a cultural and political oasis like WGDR has in nurturing that change.

The parallel between the progressive blogosphere and community radio is clear. Both provide local culture on the cheap with a commitment to increasing the number of voices heard. In conversations with both kestrel9000 and Bill Simmon, blogosphere/radio connections arose. If you aren’t convinced yet, here’s Skeeter Sanders: