The Virgin Islands doesn't have a National Public Radio station, but it does have a public one – WIUJ-FM, licensed to V.I. Youth Development Radio Inc.
The station, found at 102.9 on the FM dial, is perhaps best known for is live V.I. Senate coverage. But on Sundays, for nine straight hours, it's a whole different lineup – of one musical "special" after another, with formats for just about all audio tastes. Here's what there to hear:
1 to 2 p.m. – "The Sunday Classics with Charlene." Host Charlene Dick intersperses classical music albums with background on the composers and performing artists. She typically previews classics concerts scheduled in the territory, featuring the music of the artists booked to perform.
2 to 3 p.m. – "The Doug Lewis Show." This program features an eclectic mix of adult album alternative music, encompassing classic rock, folk, blues, r&b, Celtic and Cajun music, with lots of trivia and a historical context.
3 to 6 p.m. – "The Latin Show." Pete Martinez hosts three hours of Hispanic music and talk, sharing information pertinent to the Hispanic community.
6 to 7 p.m. – "Putumayo World Music Hour." The best of world music.
7 to 8 p.m. – "Me and Jimmy." Host Heinrich Lockhart serves up an hour of the music of that son of a son of a sailor who made cheeseburgers essential eating in paradise, Jimmy Buffett.
8 to 10 p.m. – "Blues in Paradise." Host Mark Hillsman presents two hours of the best in both modern and classic blues.
On WIUJ, as a public radio forum, "we offer an alternative to the commercial stations," says Lewis, known off-air as Assistant Attorney General Douglas Dick (and husband of Charlene, yes). Broadcasting at 3,000 watts from studios on Mountaintop, WIUJ "reaches all of the USVI and BVI and eastern Puerto Rico," he says, and "on a good day, as far as Anguilla and St. Martin."
Under the direction of general manager Leo Moron, with funding from the V.I. government, WIUJ has been on the air for years, outliving many a commercial station. Even so, it has never attracted the following of the commercial ones, in part for lack of familiarity among the listening public. With their mixed bag of offerings, the Sunday hosts are hoping to get the ear of more local music appreciators. The hosts are all volunteers, Doug Dick says, "but we have underwriters for the shows."
Throughout the rest of the week, the station's programing typically includes V.I. Legislature sessions, along with pop, Caribbean and jazz music. Historically, it has also carried educational programs and has provided training opportunities for students interested in radio work.
The Sunday programs are all live and local "except for the syndicated Putumayo World Music," Dick says. The deejay format started "in September of 1999 with me and Char. Last April, our programs took a hiatus until this past September while the station developed the overall Sunday format. Hillsman, the last show added, started about a month ago."
Both of the Dicks and Hillsman are alumni of WIVI-FM, where they hosted similar shows.
To learn more about the station or get involved as a volunteer, telephone 777-9485 or 776-1029, or e-mail to [email protected]