Statements

Mission

WXNA is a free form, listener-supported radio station created by and for the community to provide diverse and innovative programming that reflects the music, culture, concerns and interests of Nashville and the surrounding area.

Background

The story of how a group of seven Nashville music fans navigated federal bureaucracy and by-their-bootstraps' fundraising to bring WXNA to life began with the death of Vanderbilt University's former terrestrial radio station, WRVU-FM. For over 40 years, WRVU-FM broadcast an eclectic mix of programming on 91.1 FM, serving listeners on campus and in the greater Nashville community. On June 7, 2011, WRVU-FM went silent, and the frequency was transferred to Nashville Public Radio's new classical music station, WFCL. WRVU continued as a primarily internet operation aimed at an on-campus audience, but leaving a hole in Nashville's music and cultural scene. While protests against the sale continued into 2012, a group of former WRVU community volunteer DJs began planning a community freeform radio station, unfettered by academic ties or corporate control. The first meeting of what would become WXNA's Board of Directors occurred on March 20, 2012, at the Gerst Haus. Over the next 20 months, a group including Heather Lose, Pete Wilson, Ashley Crownover, Roger Blanton, and Randy Fox began untangling the mysteries of establishing a nonprofit, deciphering the application process, securing engineering studies, and working on the required FCC application. On Nov. 11, 2013, we filed our application, crossed our fingers, and settled in. Over the next year, various amendments were required, and we continued to bulldog the process through bureaucratic hurdles. Finally, on Dec. 4, 2014, the FCC posted a construction permit on its website for Nashville's newest radio station, broadcasting on 101.5 FM with 100 watts of power. After waiting for more than a year, the announcement took us by surprise. The dream had gone legit! Soon two more ex-WRVU DJs came onboard. Jonathan Grigsby and Laura Powers completed our "Magnificent Seven," and we got to work again?document filings, brand creation, tax issues, fundraising, and more. In February, WXNA's first public event was held at Grimey's Too. Two months later, WXNA made its "official" debut on Record Store Day, with booths across town. On Aug. 5, 2015, our Kickstarter campaign launched, followed by a month of highs and lows, excitement and anxiety as the counter climbed toward our goal. DJ appearances at Tomato Art Fest, AMA Fest showcases and Yazoo Taproom helped spread the word. When the campaign ended, $55,310 had been raised, 110% of our goal. Since then we've rented studio space on 8th Avenue South, constructed our studio, and volunteers, potential DJs, and local businesses and nonprofits have all offered support. As exciting as the journey has been, the history of Nashville's next great radio station has just begun. WXNA launched on 6/4/16, to an enthusiastic reception. And we've been loving being a real live radio station ever since.

Impact

We went live on 6/4/16! Since then, we've been producing unusual and eclectic cultural programming that reflects Nashville's rich history and cultural diversity. As an outlet for a wide variety of community voices and viewpoints, we provide specialized, community-interest programming. This year, we aim to expand our training program and the hours that we have a live deejay in the studio. We hope to continue to learn, grow, and provide a wealth of cultural and educational delights for the community of Nashville.

Needs

Ongoing operating expenses (rent, utilities, website, etc)Equipment backups and replacement costsPromotion/advertising of WXNA including live eventsMusic licensing costs

CEO Statement

WXNA was created to be people powered- for the listeners and the Nashville community. The station is 100% operated by volunteers and we rely 100% on donations from our community to power everything we do. The station was built for our listeners from scratch by seven Nashvillians who love music and good radio.

Board Chair Statement

WXNA is our gift to Nashville. It takes everyone who loves great music to keep it alive and keep it interesting?call in requests, come to our events, post about us on social media, tell your friends you love us, apply to become a DJ, and contribute financially. This is your station. Seven community members built it, but everyone who loves the idea of great radio has to be a part of it. Radio's highest purpose is to serve a community, and that's what we do every day at WXNA. Our all-volunteer programming fills in the wide gaps in the music presented on commercial, highly-formatted stations in Music City. Our talk shows highlight current events, activism opportunities, health, food, and unsung heroes in our community. We appreciate the opportunity to entertain, educate, and provide a crossroads for community conversations and unheard voices in the city we love so much.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Radio
Secondary Category:	Public & Societal Benefit  - Citizen Participation
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

Broadcasting at 101.5 MHz FM with an effective power of 100 watts, WXNA's signal reaches many ears in urban core of Nashville. 425,000 listeners are within our strong signal coverage areas and 215,000 additional listeners are in our broad coverage area for a possible total of 640,000 listeners.

TN - Davidson