It’s appropriate that WNXP’s birthday falls just after Thanksgiving because overwhelming gratitude is what we’re feeling. Gratitude for Nashville Public Radio believing this city deserved a genre-free station that honors history while elevating the future to make sure Music City really lives up to its name. Gratitude to the thousands of Nashvillians who work in the music industry for embracing and endorsing this idea early on. Gratitude to the musical artists who understood that a station like this is more than just a playlist. That it could be a home for them and a launching pad for the next generation. Gratitude to the WNXP staff and DJs, many of whom came on board during the most uncertain time in our recent history. They have believed in it enough to stick through difficult ups and downs, always giving more than was asked with sincere dedication to the mission. Gratitude to the community of businesses and organizations from music venues to fellow nonprofits who have encouraged and kept us going during the highs and lows. And, above all, gratitude to the members of this station.
When Nashville Public Radio’s CEO Holly Kernan first arrived in August, she asked how we measure success at WNXP. She was really referring to data, but we shared that the ultimate sign of success for a public station like ours is love. And we’ve seen, heard and felt that from our members. From the early days of encouragement to showing up huge after the federal funding cuts, you’ve told us that what we’ve been building matters, and you want to make sure it keeps going. Sure, financial support is crucial, but it’s your reason for giving that’s so uplifting. It inspires us every day. It can feel isolated when we talk into microphones, staring at a blank wall or pouring over plans for an event that takes countless hours of emails and meetings. We hang those encouraging comments you leave when you donate on the wall to keep us connected to the reason why we do what we do. Here’s to another five years of serving this amazing community.
Sincerely,
Jason Moon Wilkins
Program Director, WNXP
