Tampa Calling

For the past 21 years, Jeff Stewart has been delighting WMNF listeners with his impeccable taste and knowledge of classic rhythm and blues music. His Rhythm Vault program has played a significant role in many listeners’ lives and last year Creative Loafing honored Stewart with a Best of the Bay Award:

Critics’ Pick
BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR DITCHING WORK EARLY ON FRIDAY: The Rhythm Vault on WMNF (88.5), 2-4 p.m. Fridays

WMNF host Jeff Stewart’s long-running Friday program (it used to be on Wednesdays) features hefty helpings of classic R&B and soul ranging from the obvious to those obscure gems that force listeners to scour iTunes searching the stuff out. Stewart also gooses his broadcasts with the occasional blues or reggae side and a tune like “Love is a Losing Game,” by Amy Winehouse, that rare contemporary hitmaker who can hold her own alongside the titans of yesteryear. Stewart’s enthusiasm, exquisite taste and vast knowledge make The Rhythm Vault as good a reason as any to head home early and curl up next to the radio or download the broadcast online.

Here’s the Sept. 4 email sent out by WMNF Program Director Randy Wynne, which includes info for those interested in filling Stewart’s time spot:

Jeff Stewart, for 21 years the host of an Afternoon Show on WMNF, has stepped down with new job and school responsibilities.  Jeff has been one of the very best WMNF programmers.  He came to the station fresh out of college in 1987 with an encyclopedic knowledge of classic R&B (much of which was released before he was born) and was an immediate great programmer who had apparently been preparing his whole life to do a show on WMNF.  He won the Best programmer award at the Volunteer Banquet the first time he was eligible.  He has a witty and creative announcing style and his show are always special, with themes, tributes and history. His last show, an interview with Solomon Burke a couple of weeks ago, exemplifies his superior programming.   We hope we have not heard the last of Jeff Stewart as a WMNF programmer.

Now the big shoes to fill.  We have an immediate opening for the Friday Afternoon Show.  We do NOT seek a Jeff sound-alike but any proposal should be blues and/or R&B centric.   The deadline for applications is next Wednesday, September 10, 4pm.   The new programmer will be expected to pitch the marathon show on October 3 with a goal of $5000 or so, so fundraising experience is a plus. The appointment is only definitely through the end of the program period in early 2009.

Let me know why you should get the show, what you would play and what your plans would be to keep Friday afternoons special on WMNF.

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