On a cool fall Saturday afternoon at Drifter’s BBQ in East Nashville, a mix of music filled the air—hot rhythm & blues, power pop, vintage hillbilly, Japanese rock & roll, punk rock, hip hop, and more. I was one of several DJs manning the turntables, all of us part of a dream that had been in the works for more than four years: WXNA 101.5 FM, “Low Power, High Voltage Radio.”
As we played music unavailable on commercial radio stations in town, supporters milled about on the patio, proudly clutching T-shirts with the logo of Nashville’s newest but not-quite-here-yet source of music, cultural, and public affairs programming—a reward for their financial contributions. Serving on WXNA’s board of directors has been an exciting journey. I’m honored that The East Nashvillian* asked me to tell the story of a dream for great radio that’s only months away from becoming reality.
—Randy Fox
The origins of community-driven radio
Seven Nashville music fans navigated federal bureaucracy and grassroots fundraising to bring WXNA to life after Vanderbilt University’s former broadcast radio station, WRVU-FM, ceased operations. For over 40 years, WRVU broadcasts an eclectic mix of music and programming on 91.1 FM. While “91 Rock” began as a student-run operation, the station gradually welcomed non-Vanderbilt DJs. Nonstudent shows — D-Funk, Out the Other, Loud Love, The Kynd Veggie Show, Out of the Coffin, George the Bluegrass Show, Best of Bread, and my own Hipbilly Jamboree —added variety, provided continuity, and attracted loyal followings.
Despite evolving into a student and community programming hybrid, control remained with the Vanderbilt Student Communication board. In September 2009, the board removed most nonstudent DJs. A year later, they considered selling the station’s broadcast license. Protests erupted, leading to the Save WRVU campaign, but WRVU-FM went silent on June 7, 2011. Nashville Public Radio acquired the 91.1 FM frequency for its new classical music station, WFCL. WRVU continued as a web-only station.
WXNA takes shape
While protests and legal challenges continued, Heather Lose, former host of WRVU’s The Honky Tonk Jukebox, hatched a plan B: an independent, community freeform radio station free from academic or corporate control.
“I met Sharon Scott through the Save WRVU campaign,” Lose recalls. “She encouraged me to secure a Low Power FM license for Nashville. Once I knew it was possible, I called several ex-WRVU DJs. Some moved on, but everyone believed in the vision.”
That vision centered on an independent, freeform station reflecting Nashville’s musical and cultural diversity. DJs would program their shows without marketing or corporate restrictions. The model succeeded elsewhere — WFMU in New Jersey and KEXP in Seattle — but never in Music City, USA.
Lose had worked in commercial radio, including Lightning 100 WRLT, but also had firsthand experience with listener-supported freeform radio at WDBX in Carbondale, Ill.
“That’s where I learned how it’s done,” she says. “Pledge drives, events, building relationships — the community supports great radio.”
Broadcasting as a low-power FM station meant limiting the reach to Nashville’s urban core, but webcasting would extend WXNA’s audience worldwide. Some, like Pete Wilson, former host of Nashville Jumps, remained devoted to over-the-air radio.
“Radio has deep history and tradition,” he says. “It still works. Online radio lacks the joy of accidental discovery.”
Building a station
On March 20, 2012, WXNA’s board of directors held its first meeting at the Gerst Haus. Over 20 months, with ample sauerkraut, pretzels, and fishbowls of Gerst, a group including Lose, Wilson, Crownover, Roger Blanton, and I tackled nonprofit filings, engineering studies, and FCC applications.
The FCC application was filed on November 11, 2013, launching a lengthy waiting process. Amendments were required to remain in the running, and Blanton, determined to return to the airwaves, navigated every twist and turn.
On December 4, 2014, the FCC quietly posted WXNA’s construction permit, authorizing 101.5 FM with 100 watts of power. The group had 18 months to raise funds, build the station, and launch. WXNA had become official.
WXNA 101.5 FM, Low Power, High Voltage Radio, is a non-commercial radio station broadcasting in Nashville under an FCC-issued license. There’s also a streaming option available globally via its website. They are made possible through listener support. Consider sustaining independent media free from tech overlord control by visiting wxnafm.org to donate or become a member.
With the celebrations came an “Oh crap!” moment. The group scrambled to figure out the next steps. Naming the station came quickly. Everyone liked the idea of an “X” in the call letters to reflect their ex-WRVU status, making WXNA a perfect fit.
The hard work continued. More document filings, branding, tax issues, and fundraising loomed. They recruited Jonathan Grigsby, a former WRVU DJ and public accountant, to handle finances. Laura Powers, also ex-WRVU, joined with marketing savvy and punk rock grit.
A public presence for WXNA
WXNA’s first public event took place in February at Grimey’s Too. Expectations were low, but the turnout was encouraging. On Record Store Day, WXNA unveiled its explosive logo (designed by Blanton) and engaged hundreds of Nashville music fans at booths across town.
“I met people new to Nashville who missed independent stations from their old cities,” Powers says. “They were thrilled about WXNA.”
Though donations trickled in, serious money was needed to rent space, build studios, and buy equipment. The group launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $50,000. Local filmmaker Elvis Wilson created two promotional videos featuring music from Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau, Los Straitjackets, and Steelism.
On August 5, 2015, WXNA’s Kickstarter went live. Excitement and anxiety followed as the counter climbed toward the goal. DJ appearances at Tomato Art Fest and Yazoo Brewing spread the word. Kickstarter named WXNA “Project of the Day,” and WTVF NewsChannel5 covered the effort.
On September 9, WXNA surpassed its goal, raising $55,310. With funding secured, things moved quickly. Prime studio space became available atop Grimey’s and The Basement. The broadcast antenna installation began in Germantown. Volunteers, DJs, businesses, and nonprofits rallied in support. Barring unforeseen setbacks, WXNA-LPFM would be on the air well before its June 2016 deadline.
A gift to Nashville
“What we’re building is a gift to Nashville,” Lose says. “It will take everyone who loves great music to keep it alive. Call in requests, come to our events, post about us, tell your friends, apply to be a DJ, and contribute financially. This is your station. We’re building it, but everyone who loves great radio must be a part of it.”
*This story was originally published in the November | December 2015 print edition of The East Nashvillian under the title:
Rock & Roll radio, let’s go! WXNA wants the airwaves, and it wants them now