Ring in 2020 with specials on radio

• Fred Vigeant
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Fred Vigeant is WITF's Director of Programming and Promotions for TV and Radio. Fred manages the schedules for our radio and television platforms. He also analyzes audience research and manages the public affairs program Smart Talk. Previously, Fred was at WRVO in Oswego, NY for 12 years serving in various roles including Program Director and before that Operations Manager. Fred graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego with a B.A. in Mass Communications and Broadcasting.

 iStock

A champagne toast

As we draw 2019 to a close and usher in 2020, WITF provides programs of reflection, celebration and even some humor.

The Political Junkie Remembrances of 2019 – Tuesday December 31 at 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM – As 2019 draws to a close, Political Junkie Ken Rudin remembers the lawmakers and newsmakers from the world of politics who passed away this year. Ken interviews their colleagues, friends and the journalists who covered them, to reflect on their passions and chronicle their accomplishments.  We recount these individuals’ contributions to political history, and honor their commitments to public service.

NPR’s Toast of the Nation – Tuesday December 31 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM – An NPR tradition every New Year’s Eve since the 1970s, It’s festive jazz you can party to, all night long. This year we are featuring some of the best jazz collectives playing today. We’ll hear the Baltimore Collective recorded live at The Keystone Korner, The Michael Leonhart Orchestra at The Jazz Standard, The SFJAZZ Collective in San Francisco and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra in New York City.

Best of the Best of The Third Coast Festival – Wednesday January 1 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM –  The four hour special features the winners of the 2019 Third Coast / Richard H. Driehaus Foundation competition. In this four-part special, host Gwen Macsai presents the top audio stories of the year — and dives deep with some of the producers for a behind-the-scenes look at making beautiful stories in sound.

The Capitol Steps – Wednesday January 1 at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM – Take a moment to at 2019. This year’s special of Politics Takes a Holiday features songs from their latest album, The Lyin’ Kings.  What better time to laugh at politics than now, with election season gearing up? After all, the Capitol Steps won’t tell you any actual useful information, but they will tell you what rhymes with Pete Buttigieg.

The Keepers –  Wednesday January 1 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM – From The Kitchen Sisters with host, Academy Award-winning actress, Frances McDormand. Stories of activist archivists, rogue librarians, curators, collectors and historians. Keepers of the culture and the culture and collections they keep. Striking and surprising stories of preservation and civic life.

A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.

Learn More