Regional musicians and listeners will lose a broadcast home for original music when public radio station WVIA ends two long-running shows Jan. 2.
“All That Jazz” and “Mixed Bag” will end with the retirement of host and engineer George Graham. He flipped the switch to put the station on the air in 1973 and is credited with nurturing countless careers.
WVIA lost $1.2 million, or 20 percent of its budget, when the federal government cut funding for public media several months ago.
“Obviously, that has something to do with the decision,” said Ben Payavis, the chief content officer. “And to be honest, I don’t know if we would be able to find someone to replace George. He’s one of a kind.”
The 8 p.m. slot on weekdays will be filled with jazz programming that is produced by WFMT in Chicago and airs nationally. “Mixed Bag,” at 9 p.m. weeknights, is being replaced by “World Cafe,” a National Public Radio program with a similar focus on eclectic music.
The new programs begin Jan. 5, following Graham’s final broadcast Jan. 2.
Graham is staying on as a volunteer and plans to create a digital archive that will eventually be available online, Payavis said.