Throughout April 2012, public radio stations and their supporters in the music community are celebrating Public Radio Music Month to highlight the partnership between public radio and music. While our own listeners know first-hand the critical role that WUMB has played in our local music culture and industry -- unfortunately, this role is often overlooked.

We've dug through our vault. Below, are examples in sound, story, video and pictures of how WUMB has been a pioneer in providing a unique platform for new talent and serves as a staging ground for musical discovery and preservation. We're very pleased that Public Radio Music Month has given us the opportunity to showcase some of the work that stations like ours does everyday in preserving America’s music traditions and fostering music’s development and evolution.

Over the past 30 years, WUMB has aired several thousand interviews and has produced hundreds of live events with local, national and international performers. These are are a small example of some of our fondest memories.

Looking Back Over the Years

Tracy Chapman

Since WUMB-FM's launch in 1982, many artists have performed live in our studios. Among the gems we found in our archives, is the first live radio interview Tracy Chapman ever did - in November 1985 while a student at Tufts University! We will be presenting this interview in celebration of Public Radio Music Month's celebration as a trilogy: You can hear Part One here, You can hear Part Two here, and you can hear Part Three here. Our deepest gratitude to Tracy Chapman for allowing us to share the beginnings of her stellar career.

Robert Lockwood Jr.

In September, 2006, only weeks before he passed away, 91-year-old Delta Blues legend Robert Lockwood, Jr. performed at a special concert for WUMB. View a video of two of the songs Robert performed that night -- Steady Rolling Man and This is Sweet in Windows Media Player format here. View a video of the same two of the songs in Real Player format here.

Nanci Griffith

In September, 2002, after just coming off a cruise to Alaska, Nanci Griffith (along with the Blue Moon Orchestra) performed at WUMB's Boston Folk Festival under sunny skies and alongside wonderful songwriting and singing by other folks such as Richard Thompson, Cheryl Wheeler and Utah Phillips. Listen

Darrell Scott and Tim O'Brien

It felt strange as the sun rose on Saturday, September 22, 2001, only a week after the September 11th tragedies; we were concerned if anyone would be in the mood for a Festival. But as the "curtain rose" on the weekend, performers like Darrell Scott and Tim O'Brien were committed to a great shared experience for all. Listen

Suzanne Vega

In September, 2005, at WUMB's 8th Annual Boston Folk Festival, 250 volunteers and staff nervously watched the weather reports hoping that the Festival wouldn't receive any of the residual effects of Hurricane Rita. Their wishes came true as Suzanne Vega performed under sunny skies. Listen

Vance Gilbert

September, 2007 - the tenth anniversary of WUMB's Boston Folk Festival started as so many of our Festivals had done - coming off a rainy couple of days! But the rains parted just before the festivities began and a bright blue sky was the back-drop to a fall crispness that featured a celebration of local artists such Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Mark Erelli...and, of course - Vance Gilbert. Listen

Tish Hinojosa

September, 2006 - spirits were higher than the few white wisps of clouds that floated high above the main stage for the ninth annual WUMB Boston Folk Festival. Besides notables such as Richie Havens, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul and Bruce Cockburn, attendees got to hear some incredible music in English and in Spanish by Texas Singer-Songwriter Tish Hinojosa. Listen

Rani Arbo and Daisey Mayhem

On March 30, 2012,Dave Palmater had a great time chatting with Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem and got an earful about what they thought about Public Radio's positive benefits to the music community. View the video of part of their interview and performance here.

Kate Campbell

On April 17, 2012, Nashville Singer-Songwriter Kate Campbell came in to the WUMB studios for live conversation and music. Her songwriting, clearly influenced by her southern roots is evident in her performance of "Crazy in Albama" which she performs here.

Catie Curtis

Talk about brand new music!! On April 13, 2012, Singer-Songwriter Catie Curtis performs a song she had just written the day before her appearance for this interview. You can listen to "It's Alright If I'm Wrong," performed in public for the very first time... here.

Photo Gallery (double click a photo to enlarge)

The 2003 WUMB Music Festival had one of the largest crowds ever with nearly 9,000 people, thanks to performers such as Emmylou Harris and Tom Rush.

Sam Bush, Natalie MacMaster and David Bromberg at WUMB's 2004 Boston Folk Festival.

A visit from the Indigo Girls in 1989 just before they 'hit the big time'. Announcer Ellen Guileo in back.

While in Boston in 2011, Harry Belafonte stopped by for an interview with Barbara Lewis.

Judy Collins at the WUMB Gala in August 2011. She never forgets to stop by the studios when she comes to Boston.

WUMB Announcer (and musician) Chuck Hall interviews John Prine back stage at the 1994 Newport Folk Fest.

Richard Thompson at WUMB's 2002 Boston Folk Festival.

Legendary Folk singer Ramblin' Jack Elliot in 2011 with Dave Palmater.

Guy Clark at WUMB's 2002 Boston Folk Festival.

Legendary Folkie Richie Havens chats with a WUMB donor after performing at a WUMB event on Nantucket in 2010.

Kate Taylor talks with Dick Pleasants at the 40-year Tribute Concert for Dick in January 2011.

Jonathan Edwards (right) after chatting on air with Jay Moberg.

Founding member of the Irish Tenors, Anthony Kearns (right) was interviewed by Dave Palmater in March, 2012.

Paul Brady chats with WUMB donors after performing at a WUMB fundraising concert.

Regular visitors to WUMB for 25+ years - the late Bill Morrissey and Patty Larkin.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops, an old-time string band from Durham, NC perform in WUMB studios in March, 2012.

Cliff Eberhardt (right), one of the founding members of the Fast Folk Singing Collaborative in NYC came in to chat with Dave Palmater.

Traditional Poetic Decima performers, José Yeray Rodríguez and Omar Santiago (center) stopped by in March, 2012 to with World Music host Dana Westover (far right).

From Tokyo to Rome and venues across the US, Ed Gerhard's music has touched audiences all over the world. He stopped by the WUMB studios in December, 2011.

Eliza Gilkyson stopped by the WUMB studios in November 2011. She's performed at several WUMB Music Festivals.

Central MA Singer-Songwriter Deb Cowan stopped by WUMB to chat with Dave Palmater.

Bluesman Guy Davis drove in from New York to entertain our audience live on air.

Folk singer-poet-storyteller Utah Phillips in 1989 during one of his many visits to WUMB.

Marcia Ball came through Boston in 2011 and chats live on air with Jay Moberg.

Folk rocker Trina Hamlin teaches students from a WUMB-UMass Boston partner school to play the harmonica.

Amy Black, Vance Gilbert and Kate Taylor hang out after their performance at WUMB's 14th Annual Music Festival in 2011.

Winterbloom (Anne Heaton, Antje Duvekot, Meg Hutchinson and Natalia Zuckerman after a WUMB Member Concert in 2010.

Local soulful singer-songwriter, Carolyn Waters, belted out a song at the WUMB Gala event in August 2010.

Red Molly performs at a WUMB Member Concert in April 2010.

In January, 2011 Patty Larkin, Jonatha Brooke, David Buskin at the Dick Pleasants tribute concert.

Backstage at the Dick Pleasants Tribute Concert, January 2011.

Oen Kennedy, after winning the Adult Division, WUMB Songwriting Competition, 2008.

The late Jack Hardy (right) with Bob Franke after judging the 2007 WUMB Songwriting Competition.

Ellis Paul at the 2011 Dick Pleasants Tribute Concert.

Brother Sun's debut performance - at the Dick Pleasants Tribute Concert, January 2011.

Various perormers at the "Shades of Blue" workshop at WUMB's 2004 Boston Folk Festival.