Akron Public Schools AAA “The Summit” 91.3 WAPS Akron/90.7 WKTL Struthers/Youngstown OH will launch local music channel “The 330” on Friday, April 22.
The new channel will be heard online and on WAPS-HD2 and focus completely on artists from Northeast Ohio which is served by Area Code 330. The announcement comes on 3/30 at a local artist show presented by the station. The 330 will replace the 1980s based Summit Flashback 80s in WAPS’s HD and streaming portfolio, which also includes KidJam! and Rock & Recovery Radio.
The Summit WAPS-FM is pleased to announce the April launch of its
newest streaming audio channel, “The 330” The newest of the station’s community”centered brands, The 330 will devote an entire platform to “homegrown” music – the past, present and future sounds of individual artists and bands with roots in the station’s primary service areas, including Akron, Canton, Youngstown and Cleveland.The 330 was conceived in response to many positive comments received by the station in recent years, regarding its regular rotation of local music. The channel will showcase and help chronicle the rich musical history of Northeastern Ohio, drawing from a wide variety of styles and genres. The 330 highlights artists from the past and celebrates local legends, such as Pere Ubu, Devo, Tin Huey, The Bizzaros, Chrissie Hynde and The Black Keys, as well as rising artists like Jessica Lea Mayfield, the Speedbumps, The Vindys, Jeff Klemm, Hey Monea and many more. According to Program Director Brad Savage, “the platform was already in place and our music library is extensive, so we’re taking local focus to a new level in our coverage zone.”
The Summit’s mission focuses intently on two priorities: unique, modern music and support for community. The station uses its platform to spotlight the vibrant arts and culture scenes in its service areas, specifically supporting local musicians by including them in playlists and sponsoring area appearances. For Savage, this made development of The 330 “A natural extension of The Summit, and continues to demonstrate our full commitment to the communities and artists we serve.”
Tommy Bruno, General Manager of The Summit highlights that “The 330 is a perfect complement to The Summit’s current award”winning music service programs and streaming audio channels, Rock and RecoveryTM and KIDJAM! RadioTM. It offers another modern format that is in”demand by our musically adventurous listeners, and sets us even farther apart from other regional public radio stations.”
From the artists’ perspective, Youngstown’s JD Eicher (JD Eicher and The Goodnights) says “The 330 is such a refreshing and encouraging prospect for Northeast Ohio music.” Eicher sees today’s radio world as one “more and more dominated by Top 40 and big money players,” which can make it
challenging for artists breaking into the scene. Eicher is proud to call Northeast Ohio home, and notes that “it’s no surprise that The Summit is behind a concept like The 330. They’re among the few stations still championing artists and their local community.”A kick-off event and formal announcement took place at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron on March 30 (3/30) which has been officially proclaimed by the cities of Akron and Youngstown as “330 Day.” “The event at Jilly’s featured an all”star local music lineup, and was the perfect way to celebrate this new brand,” said Bruno, also noting that The Summit will hold similar celebrations of local music on 330 Day each year.
To continue celebrating The 330, The Summit has compiled a 21″track “330” sampler CD featuring Northeast Ohio artists heard on the Summit. Produced by Summit Regional Music Liaison Ryan Humbert, the disc features tracks from By Light We Loom, Don Dixon, Cities & Coasts, Zach, Hey Mavis, Red Sun Rising and more. The 330 Sampler will be available starting April 18.
Accessible 24/7 through its own streaming channel (www.the330.net) and on The Summit’s mobile app, The 330 goes live on April 22, the final day of the station’s spring 2016 membership drive. For more information, visit www.thesummit.fm.
To submit local music for consideration, go to http://913thesummit.com/local_music.htm.