Oxford Kicks Off Fall Season of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour
OXFORD, MS – The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, a staple of Oxford’s arts scene, is set to begin its 27th season with exciting new changes and an enthusiastic new leader. The show will make its debut on Thursday, September 5, at 6 p.m. at the Powerhouse Arts Center. Admission is free for all attendees.
New Executive Director Takes the Helm
Lucy Gaines, a resident of Oxford and a recent graduate with an MFA in Documentary Expression from the University of Mississippi, has been appointed as the new executive director of the show. With a background that includes assistant director roles at both the Oxford Film Festival and the Oxford Conference for the Book, Gaines brings valuable experience to her new position.
In a statement, Mary Margaret Andrews, the president of the Thacker Board, expressed her confidence in Gaines’ abilities. “We feel fortunate to have Lucy Gaines as our new executive director. Lucy’s experience and energy are a perfect fit with our existing staff and crew. We look forward to growing the show artistically and financially,” Andrews stated.
Gaines shared her excitement about her new role, stating, “I have extensive experience facilitating community engagement with the arts. I’m a people person and I look forward to wearing many hats for Thacker. Our immediate goal is to expand the audience and donor base.”
Season Premiere and Exciting Guests
The season opening on September 5 will feature a lineup of guest artists, including science fiction novelist Tobi Ogundiran alongside Memphis songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart and blues musician Peggy “Lady Trucker” Hemphill Lesueur. Host Jim Dees will guide the audience through the evening filled with music and literary insights.
The show will also feature the Yalobushwhacker Big Band along with guest vocalist Mary Frances Massey. Doors open for the event at 5:30 p.m. where refreshments will be available for purchase. The show will kick off promptly at 6 p.m.
Fall Season Highlights
This fall season promises a range of talented guests, with notable appearances including Blues Hall of Famer Charlie Musselwhite on November 21, and acclaimed author Richard Grant on September 12, who will discuss his new book “Dispatches from Arizona.” Additionally, thriller writer and Mississippi native Katherine Wood will be featured on September 19.
Other highlights this season include CMT Next Women of Country music star Julie Williams on October 10, the A’Capella Choir from Rust College on October 17, and Delta pianist/vocalist Eden Brent on October 24. A special Halloween show is also scheduled for October 31, promising a fun twist for fans of the holiday.
Upcoming Events and Broadcast Information
The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour will host two special events: a fundraiser on October 19 at the Wonderbird Gin Distillery in Taylor and a membership party at the Southside Art Gallery on the Oxford Square on December 6.
Throughout this fall season, all 12 shows will be held at the Powerhouse Arts Center, located at 413 S. 14th St in Oxford. However, the presentations on October 10 and October 17 will take place at Off Square Books and The Lyric Theatre, respectively.
The show will air live every Thursday in Oxford until Thanksgiving on WUMS, 92.1 FM, and can also be found online. Additionally, listeners across Mississippi can tune in every Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. The show is accessible on public and community stations as far as Tennessee and Alabama, as well as the new affiliate KNCE (93.5 FM) in Taos, New Mexico. It is also available on popular streaming platforms like Spotify, Soundcloud, and Google Podcasts.
For more details about the guests and the full fall schedule, you can visit the show’s website at https://thackermountain.org/.
