(L-R) Neda Ulaby, Olivia Van Goor, Fred Jacobs and Michael Jewett served as panelists for WEMU's 2025 Public Radio Music Day luncheon. Photo credit: Ana Longoria, WEMU.

Stations in Michigan helps celebrate the sixth annual Public Radio Music Day this past Wednesday (10/30).  WEMU and WKAR held local community events to support what organizers say is the most important one yet, in the wake of massive funding cuts to public media. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has secured music rights for public media until December of 2027. The clock is ticking down till then for stations to find ways to maintain their music content and attract new audiences.  The theme for this year was "It’s Live! It’s Local! It’s Essential! It’s Public Radio Music Day!"

Eastern Michigan University's WEMU-FM (Ypsilanti) held on panel discussion on campus with music and broadcasting experts to discuss the future of public broadcasting.  Fred Jacobs, President of Michigan-based Jacobs Media, said public radio music provides a unique bond with listeners since hosts express themselves through their musical expertise and choices.  Jacobs says figuring out new ways to create more connections between audiences and stations is the key to protecting public radio music.

Jacobs shared the panel with NPR's Neda Ulaby,  jazz vocalist, composer, and educator Olivia Van Goor and WEMU's Operations Manager & Host Michael Jewett.

Michigan State University's WKAR-FM (East Lansing) celebrated Public Radio Music Day with an event at Urban Beat in Lansing's Old Town.  From 4:30 to 7 p.m. listeners could meet WKAR classical hosts and pick up limited edition WKAR giveaways.  This was followed by an open mic broadcast live from 6 - 7 p.m. on WKAR-FM and streamed on the station's website.

Other public radio stations tied in the day to support their fundraising efforts.  WGVU-FM (Grand Rapids) thanked listeners for their support of jazz and blues programming they've provided for over 40 years.