Supporting local music has always been a part of the WHFR (89.3FM, www.whfr.fm) mission. In fact, most WHFR DJs feature local music on their respective shows, but with so many great bands and singers in the Detroit area, some staff members wanted to do more.
Motor was conceived six years ago by two friends, Margaret Whit and Sasha Raiyn, when they took TCM 189 WHFR Staff Training- a comprehensive course required for on-air certification. Their idea was to produce a show featuring all local music. Originally hosted by DJ Sasha, the show focused on Detroit classics and new releases every Thursday from 4-6 p.m., but as Sasha's workload increased, Margaret filled in as on-air host, and in September 2006 suggested bringing in a band to play live music.
WHFR is one of the few radio stations in the area equipped for live music, and many shows have broadcasted in-studio performances over the years. Recruiting a team of volunteer staff members to help, White and Raiyn kicked of Motor Live Drive @ 5 on January 4, 2007, offering a full hour of live music and interviews.
When Sasha could no longer host the show, Margaret stepped in as the full-time on-air host and, in turn, created the Motor Calendar, a show that airs from 4-5 p.m.- just before Motor Live, and focuses on where local bands will be performing during the upcoming weekend while playing their music.
The final phase of Motor was instituted in December 2007 when WHFR started podcasting talk shows and the Motor Live Drive on the radio station's website. There are over 130 performances available, prompting listeners from around the world to check out HFCC's own "little campus station."
Producing a live band in the studio every week requires a team of dedicated staff members. Since the beginning, the core team has been Margaret White, host of Global Village Party every Thursday from 2-4 p.m., Alan Contino (a.k.a. The Gothabilly Man), host of The Wrekking Hours each Monday from 4-6 p.m., and Mr. White, host of Bluestime from 12-2 p.m. every Thursday. In addition, other WHFR DJs are encouraged to help with their favorite bands.
There are many aspects that go into a Motor Live Drive show, including scheduling the bands, researching the calendar, ongoing promotions, setting up microphones and equipment, informing the bands of station guidelines, running the sound board, on-air hosting, and packing up after the show.
"Scheduling is a juggling act," said Margaret, "trying to work out dates for a band to best help promote a local gig or CD release, and we're always checking Facebook, MySpace, and the clubs for the best new music."
Mr. White notes: "We Get the band and microphones set up, the Alan- who's a faculty member, film maker, and experienced sound engineer- plugs in the sound, sets the mixing board, and the music is love on the air waves.
"We're lucky to have Alan. The sound quality would not be possible without his expertise. The team has showcased over 180 liver performances with an incredible variety of Detroit music, including singer/songwriters, garage rock, Motown Doo Wop, indie pop, country, heavy metal, bluegrass, blues, even classical harp and bag pipes. With everything from solo performers to a 16-piece swing band, we're very proud of the shows we produce, but we're doing this for the love of the live music, created on the spot.
"Our reward," said Mr. White, "has been the acceptance and appreciation of the Detroit music community."
If you are interested in performing on the Live Drive or joining the Motor team, you can contact the station at (313) 845-9676 for more information.