After retiring from National Public Radio last year, Bob Boilen has taken on a new challenge — program director for WOWD-LP in Takoma Park, Md.
Boilen spent 35 years at NPR where he created the broadcaster’s well-received “Tiny Desk Concerts” and “All Songs Considered” programs. He also directed “All Things Considered” for 18 years.
In October 2023, speaking on “Morning Edition” after his retirement was announced, Boilen told host Mary Louise Kelly that what he wanted to do was to make music. “I’ll have time for that. I make sort of ambient music of my own, and I make albums with my band Danger Painters, which is really fun.”
He also mentioned that he was DJing “on this little low-power FM station.”
Starting June 1, 2024, Boilen will become PD for the station, WOWD-LP Takoma Radio. Since August 2021, he has hosted “My Tiny Morning Show” Wednesday mornings on the Takoma Park, Md.-based low-power station.
“After 35 years at NPR, it’s a thrill to be a part of community radio with a spirit of commitment and imagination that this station and its volunteers offer,” Boilen stated. On X (formerly Twitter), he added “I’m thrilled to work with old and new friends, including DJs from the WGTB [Georgetown University] days and local high school hosts on this fabulous eclectic community radio station.”
Boilen succeeds Steve Hoffman, who has served as the LPFM’s program director since 2018.
“Being WOWD’s Program Director these past six-and-a-half years has been an honor,” stated Hoffman. “This job was the culmination of my lifelong love affair with radio and my five decades DJing on community radio.”
Hoffman continues to host the weekly program “Tuesday Morning Mix.”
