Beginning Sept. 1 listeners to WPR Music stations on Sunday evening will hear an expanded “Simply Folk.” The popular program of traditional and contemporary folk and Americana music hosted by Sile Shigley will now air four hours, from 5 to 9 p.m. each week.
“‘Simply Folk’ has been a Sunday night staple for listeners for decades. The mix of music Sile and guest hosts Jeff Durkee and Steve Gotcher play is always engaging and unique. We’re excited to offer an additional hour of this great show each week,” WPR Music Program Director Peter Bryant said.
The schedule change comes after Big Top Chautauqua announced that it had decided to end production of “Tent Show Radio.” The one-hour program, previously heard on Sunday evenings at 8 p.m. on WPR Music stations, was independently produced and featured live music recorded at the famed Bayfield venue hosted by Wisconsin author and musician Michael Perry.
In a public statement announcing the end of the program, Ashwabay Alliance Executive Director Garry Schalla thanked the staff and listeners of the show for “38 incredible years.” Perry added his appreciation, saying that “it has been a heartwarming privilege to share the magic of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua via ‘Tent Show Radio.’”
WPR is dedicated to Wisconsin-based content and proudly broadcast “Tent Show Radio” for much of its history. Learn more about Big Top Chautauqua online at bigtop.org. Find complete schedules for WPR Music and WPR News stations online at wpr.org/find-your-station.
