Vinyl lovers, here’s a needle drop for you: This Saturday, April 17, is Vinylthon.
The celebration of “the magic and warmth of vinyl” is put on by the College Radio Foundation, which says the event is open “to all radio stations, commercial and noncommercial.”
“Vinylthon is the radio industry’s response to the remarkable vinyl renaissance that continues around the world,” the organizers say in their announcement. Approximately 100 stations in 12 countries plan to recognize the day; for example WMSC(FM) at Montclair State University in New Jersey will celebrate its 54th anniversary with 54 hours of playing vinyl records.
The sixth annual event benefits efforts of the foundation to help keep college stations on the air. Participation is free for noncom stations. “There is a small registration fee for commercial radio stations to benefit the foundation.”
Founder Rob Quicke is general manager of WPSC(FM) at William Paterson University of New Jersey. “Playing vinyl on the air is an amazing, hands-on experience for many of today’s radio broadcasters, and a trip down memory lane for the listeners,” he said in the announcement.
Numerous artists including Andrew Farriss of INXS, Ritchie Kotzen of Poison and Gordy Marshall of The Moody Blues are supportive.
