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Local Specials

Much Ado About Nothing
From Cincinnati Shakespeare Company: When their war of wits comes to a head, their friends decide there's only one thing to be done: trick the hapless couple into falling hopelessly love.

Julius Ceasar
Join WVXU and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for an hour-long radio adaptation of The Bard's epic tale of conspiracy, power, and political idolatry that feels hauntingly familiar to today's world.

Romeo & Juliet
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents one of the most beloved romantic tragedies in Shakespeare’s canon, Romeo and Juliet, the tale of Bard’s star-crossed lovers.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What happens when feuding faeries meddle in the love lives of human couples? Comical adventures, mistaken identities, and a silly play-within-a-play! Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Jeremy Dubin adapted and directs this special radio production.

War of the Worlds: An Audio Drama
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents a 1-hour radio version of The War of the Worlds in partnership with WVXU.

A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play
Bruce Cromer, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge in the Playhouse’s annual production, creates an intimate tour-de-force as he performs all the roles in this one-man version.

Rookwood Pottery: A Cincinnati Treasure
As Rookwood Pottery celebrates its 140th anniversary this year, Lee Hay explores its history, innovative designers and artisans, the role of women in its success, and its current revival.

O'Toole From Moscow
This what happens when a couple of low-level Russian embassy workers flee New York, wind up in Cincinnati, and one becomes a member of professional baseball’s oldest franchise.  

Joe Santangelo: Six Decades of Rock, R&B And All That Jazz
Promoter Joe Santangelo tells his favorite stories about many music superstars, while explaining how the Cincinnati Music Festival (July 27-29) evolved from the old Ohio Valley Jazz Festival at Crosley Field, Riverfront Stadium and Carthage Fairgrounds.

Inside the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire: 40 Years Later
Sunday, May 28, 2017 marks the anniversary of the devastating fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club. John Kiesewetter hosts a look at the tragic event and its aftermath through conversations with people who were there, including former waiter Wayne Dammert.  

50th Anniversary of The Beatles at Crosley Field
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ appearance at Crosley Field, Lee Hay and John Kiesewetter look back at the Beatles phenomena with local music experts and some fans who were there. Along with the remembrances you’ll enjoy the music heard at the concert – as well as at The Beatles’ previous performance at Cincinnati Gardens.  

A Celebration of Larry Goshorn
Saturday, July 30th at 8:00pm:
WVXU celebrates the life and music of Larry Goshorn with a lively roundtable discussion and a selection of his recordings.  

A Celebration of Bonnie Lou
Bonnie Lou passed away on December 8th here in Cincinnati.  Her passing was marked with newspaper obituaries across the country including the New York Times.  She was a legend and a wonderful entertainer.

The Blues Special: Janis Joplin
Included in this Janis special are memories of Janis by Stuart Holman, Bob Nave, and Jeff Siereveld and Bob Nave.

Mary Ellen Tanner: Girl Singer
Here in the Cincinnati area, musicians and fans alike are mourning the May passing of singer Mary Ellen Tanner who played in clubs throughout the area, taught at CCM, and performed on the Bob Braun Show. This two-hour tribute, hosted by Lee Hay is to the late local vocalist who loved to sing standards.

King Records: Cincinnati Legacy
This award-winning series, hosted by Lee Hay, is being rebroadcast to honor the label’s impact on Cincinnati and music. The series includes interviews with former King musicians, music historians, and music fans.

Rosemary Clooney: Big Band Singer
This two-hour special, in honor of her 85th birthday on May 23rd, will focus on the big band career of local favorite Rosemary Clooney.  Beginning with her performances with the Tony Pastor Band, the special will highlight other big bands she worked with including Duke Ellington, Nelson Riddle, Woody Herman, and Count Basie.  You’ll enjoy songs from Rosemary Clooney’s 1956 show, plus, interviews with some of her family and friends, including jazz vocalist Amy London, drummer Jeff Hamilton, and Cincinnati Pops violinist Stacy Woolley.  Hosted by Bill Cartwright and produced by Lee Hay.  

Cincinnati Reds: Baseball Wives
This one-hour special shares memories of the women whose husbands were affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds during the 1950’s.  These wives include Jo McMillan, Eleanor Kluszewski, Joyce Bell-Dolle, Priscilla Stowe, and Betty Hoyt.  Jo McMillan talks about driving with her kids around the country to watch her husband Roy McMillan play ball.  You’ll also hear memories of Crosley Field and what life was like for baseball families outside the ballpark. Hosted by Howard Wilkinson and produced by Lee Hay.  (The Moth will return the following Sunday at 8:00 PM.)

We Were Here
A rebroadcast of the first hour of the award-winning special “We Were Here.”  This special was produced by Lee Hay in 2003 as an outgrowth of her blues show and the discordant atmosphere between the races in Cincinnati. 

Ring III: A Cincinnati Keyboard Christmas
A celebration of Christmas songs by local pianists. This one-hour special will feature Christmas selections recorded for this limited edition cd. Some of the musicians include Steve Schmidt, Kim Taylor, Michael Chertock, Pat Kelly and Ricky Nye.

Cincinnati Baseball: Ted Kluszewski
The World Series is near, so Lee Hay has assembled a 2-hour baseball extravaganza saluting one of the greatest Reds ever, 1B Ted Kluszewski. He was a bigger than life athlete and during this program, listeners will hear from his wife, Eleanor; clubhouse legend Bernie Stowe and his wife, Priscilla; Ken Griffey; Steve Wolter from Sports Investments; Big Klu in the Reds Hall of Fame and more. Also learn about this year’s Reds Fest, and the Baseball on the West Side exhibition at the Price Hill Historical Society.

Cincinnati Baseball: Crosley Field
100 years ago this month, a Cincinnati sports icon was opened. First called Redland Field and later renamed Crosley Field, this legendary ballpark stirs many a fond memory for Reds fans. In honor of the anniversary we will rebroadcast the award-winning documentary, “Cincinnati Baseball: Crosley Field” by Lee Hay and Mark Heyne.

Around Cincinnati: Cincinnati Jazz
This one-hour special features a profile of Ron Enyard and a performance by the popular jazz group, the Faux Frenchmen. The profile of jazz drummer Ron Enyard, who’s played with many legendary jazz musicians includes stories of his jazz career and the jazz scene in Cincinnati. Songs from his many recordings will also be featured. The performance by the Faux Frenchmen was recorded by WVXU at Christ Church Cathedral on November 29, and features many of their Django Reinhardt-influenced songs.

Cincinnati Reds: Broadcaster Waite Hoyt
This one-hour special will air on WVXU/WMUB on Sunday, April 1st at 8pm. The special will highlight the broadcasting career of Waite Hoyt who called play-by-play for the Cincinnati Reds from 1942-1965. This special will include interviews with his widow Betty Hoyt; Greg Rhodes, Reds Team Historian; Joyce Graeter, Reds Hall of Fame volunteer; Phil Nuxhall, son of Reds player/broadcaster Joe Nuxhall; and Chris Eckes, Reds Hall of Fame Operations Manager & Chief Curator.

Larry Kirwan: Rock & Read
A solo performance by author, playwright and punk pioneer Larry Kirwan from the Irish rock band Black 47. He tells some tales and performs some of his memorable tunes in a one-man show recorded by WVXU on February 4th at the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati.

Around Cincinnati: St. Patrick’s Day Special
This special features interviews with folks from the Irish Heritage Center about their St. Patrick’s Day events, as well as an expert on Irish foods, and the Irish American Theater Company will perform a scene from “A Couple of Blaguards” which will be entered in an international competition in Dublin, Ireland. Irish artwork, music by Silver Arm, and a discussion of the Riley School of Irish Music will be included. A performance of Kyle Meadows and Tisa McGraw recorded by WVXU at Christ Church Cathedral on November 22 will also be featured.

Over the Rhine with Love
Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist of Over the Rhine will be performing a special Valentine's Day concert for broadcast on WVXU. Linford and Karin recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary and have been touring, writing and recording together for over 20 years. For this broadcast Karin & Linford will perform songs from Over the Rhine's entire catalogue and will share with interviewer Brian O'Donnell some stories and reflections on their relationship and their adventurous life together.

Mama Jazz Revisited
A special hour of jazz from the incomparable Mama Jazz. This is one of her programs from 2002, originally broadcast on 88.5 WMUB, Oxford.

Ring II: A Cincinnati Guitar Christmas
A celebration of Christmas songs by local guitarists. The one-hour special includes music from a number of musicians who are new to the Ring project this year including Greg Schaber, Cat City, and The Bears.

Frank Foster: Cincinnati Jazz Icon
Don't miss this one-hour tribute to Frank Foster who was born in Cincinnati in 1928 and was a noted jazz musician and composer. Well-known for his work with the Count Basie orchestra, Frank Foster will be honored by his friends and jazz colleagues. Music from his long jazz career will also be featured on this special produced and hosted by Lee Hay.

Steve Gebhardt: Filmmaker
The founder of the UC Film Society in 1961, Steve Gebhardt has made a number of films about musicians including "Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones" and "Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music." During this one-hour special, David Delegator talks with Steve Gebhardt about two of his movies, "John Sinclair: Twenty to Life" and "Carla Bley: Escalator Over the Hill."

Cincinnati Baseball: Crosley Field
This one-hour special features studio interviews along with music of the period and audio highlights from Red Barber, Joe Nuxhall, and Johnny Vander Meer.

Cincinnati Civil War History
On the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, this two-hour special explores Cincinnati’s role and includes an interview with noted historian James A. Ramage, as well as looks at Harriet Beecher Stowe House, local Civil War walking tours, Civil War-era recipes, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Lonnie Mack Special
From Indiana and a well-known guitarist in clubs around the area for many years, Lonnie Mack will be celebrating his 70th birthday on Monday, July 18th. He now resides in Nashville and rarely makes personal appearances these days.

The Train Kept A-Rollin'
Lee Hay’s “Blues” show on Saturday, July 23 presents a special tribute to the classic song The Train Kept A-Rollin' on the 60th anniversary of Tiny Bradshaw’s recording at Cincinnati’s King Records.

Cincinnati Baseball: The Red Stockings & Beyond
This one-hour special features the history of the Reds, beginning with the team in 1869.

Cincinnati: 10 Years Later
Ten years ago, violence broke out in the streets of Cincinnati after a police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man. WVXU speaks with some of the key players during those events.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Journey From Within
The Journey From Within is a one-hour tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The special begins with a song by Sweet Honey in the Rock and then continues with the words of Dr. Maya Angelou. Listeners will also hear from Reverend Adam Clayton Powell and philosopher Cornel West. There are important historical moments from Marian Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 Civil Rights speech, and the voice of Dr. King.

His Holiness: The Dalai Lama
This special edition of “Around Cincinnati” highlights the Dalai Lama’s visit to Cincinnati and Miami University in October. There will be an interview about the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's International Freedom Conductor Award (IFCA) which he will receive on Wednesday, October 20th. A number of interviews will also focus on activities at Miami University including a look at the history of Tibet and China’s relationship, the mystical arts of Tibet, sand mandalas, and an overview of the events relating to the Dalai Lama’s public address on October 21st.

Voices From Above and Below: A Halloween Special
This 2-hour special is the perfect soundtrack for Halloween parties and trick-or-treat fans! There will be spooky music from musicians like Dr. John, Tom Waits, and Mike Oldfield mixed with scary readings of Edgar Allan Poe and ghost stories, and of course, lots of spine-tingling sound effects.

Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar are forever linked much in the same way that Hal Holbrook and Mark Twain have been. Dr. Martin, who was a poet-in residence and English professor at the University of Dayton for over 30 years, travels the country dressed in late 19th century clothing portraying Mr. Dunbar, the first African American poet to capture the nation’s attention in the late 1800’s.

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
Stevie Ray Vaughan passed away twenty years ago on August 27th, 1990, in a helicopter crash on his way to Chicago at the age of 35. This special highlights the masterful work of this guitar great, the formation of Double Trouble and its quick rise to fame.

D-Day + 50 Years
WVXU's Peabody award-winning documentary is featured on the 66th anniversary of D-Day. Historical audio includes radio reports from the around the world, as well as Cincinnati; addresses by President Roosevelt; and special musical performances.

The Who Concert: 30 Years Later
December 3, 1979 became an infamous night in Cincinnati history as the deaths of eleven concertgoers forever changed crowd control and emergency preparedness. This one hour special, produced by Lee Hay and hosted by Brian O’Donnell, will air on Sunday, November 29 at 8:00 p.m., immediately following “Around Cincinnati.”

Remembering Herzog Studios
Tune in for a one-hour special featuring the work of musicians who recorded at Herzog Studio between 1945-1955 on the 2nd floor of 811 Race Street in downtown Cincinnati.

Ludlow Garage 40th Anniversary
Cincinnati’s Ludlow Garage will be celebrating its 40th anniversary during this year’s Cincy Blues Fest, but first 91.7 WVXU brings together some of the key players in the Garage’s glory years and some of the music that made it famous.

A Celebration of John Von Ohlen
Musicians came into the studio that day to honor the legendary drummer John Von Ohlen who has played with many jazz greats including Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Cal Collins, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, and Perry Como.

King Records: Cincinnati Legacy
This special series, hosted by Lee Hay, is produced to honor the label’s impact on Cincinnati and music. The series includes interviews with former King musicians, music historians, and music fans.

Baseball: A Little Known Chapter
Negro League Baseball was organized in February 1920 in Kansas City and included teams mostly in the Midwest like the Dayton Marcos and Cincinnati Cuban Stars.

Katie Reider: A Celebration
91.7 WVXU pays a heartfelt tribute to the talent and spirit that was Katie Reider.

A Tribute to Kenny Poole
Cincinnati jazz guitarist Kenny Poole played with a number of jazz greats including Mark Murphy, Jack McDuff, Herb Ellis, and Joe Pass. To honor Poole on the anniversary of his passing, friends and fellow musicians join Lee Hay for a special two hour jazz special to celebrate his music.

Remembering Oscar Treadwell
Oscar Treadwell, fondly known as OT, died in early April at the age of 79. He had come out of retirement to host Jazz with OT on the new WVXU. His long radio career had taken him from Reading, PA to Philadelphia, a brief stop in New York, and then to Cincinnati with stints at WNOP, WGUC, WVXU, WAVE, and then back to WVXU in August of 2005.