WXPN celebrates 50 years on the airwaves

WXPN is airing a 50-day series entitled,WXPN is airing a 50-day series entitled,'The 50 Most Influential Artists of the WXPN era.' Since it was founded by World War II veterans in 1945, WXPN 88.5 FM has always been an unconventional radio station with a bit of an attitude, overnight disc jockey Christopher Hughes said. So the University-owned public radio station, located behind High Rise South, plans to celebrate its 50th birthday party in a characteristically off-beat style. In addition to numerous on- and off-air events, WXPN is inviting its listeners to write a birthday song for them. Five of the top composers will get the opportunity to perform their songs on the air, Hughes said. The grand prize? A funk guitar, Hughes said. College senior Andrew Monfried, one of the voices behind the radio broadcasts of Quaker basketball games, has worked with WXPN since his freshman year. "WXPN has helped me a lot," Monfried said. "It has been a fantastic experience working here and I am glad I can be a part of their 50th birthday celebration." Hughes said WXPN has spent the last half century blazing trails in broadcasting -- though its efforts went seemingly unrecognized until this year when the Corporation of Public Broadcasting presented the station with two prestigious awards for fund raising and promotions. WXPN, which has recently began emitting a stronger signal, can now be heard within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia in areas including Baltimore, central New Jersey and Harrisburg. The radio station is also known as WXPH 88.1 FM in Lehigh Valley. The celebration officially started Monday. WXPN has introduced a 50-day program series entitled "The 50 Most Influential Artists of the WXPN Era," Hughes said. The program will highlight a different artist from the progressive radio era each day. David Dye, the host of "World Cafe", will take WXPN members and volunteers on the "Magical History Tour" Friday, Hughes said. The tour focuses on historical radio sites in the city, including the original WMMR building and WDAS studios and ends with a free concert featuring Johnatha Brooke, Francis Dunnery and June Rich at the Tin Angel. WXPN will hold its official birthday party at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia November 18th.