Oxford’s Thacker Mountain Radio Hour Braces for Exciting Fall Season, Welcomes New Executive Director

Oxford Kicks Off Fall Radio Season with New Leadership

Oxford is buzzing with excitement as The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, a beloved music and literature program, prepares to launch its 27th year on the air. The season kicks off at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, at The Powerhouse Arts Center. Admission to the show is free, making it a perfect family-friendly event.

New Executive Director

This season marks a new chapter for the show with the appointment of Lucy Gaines as the new executive director. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Gaines recently earned her MFA in Documentary Expression from the University of Mississippi’s Southern Studies program in 2024. She has a strong background in the arts, having worked as an assistant director at the Oxford Film Festival and the Oxford Conference for the Book.

The Thacker Board President, Mary Margaret Andrews, expressed enthusiasm about Gaines joining the team. “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,” she said.

Gaines is ready for her new role and shared her excitement for the challenges it presents: “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,” she stated.

Season Premiere and Guests

For the premiere on September 5, the lineup is already looking impressive. The show will feature science fiction novelist Tobi Ogundiran, Memphis songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart, and blues musician Peggy “Lady Trucker” Hemphill Lesueur. Jim Dees will host the event, which will also showcase the talents of Paul Tate and the Yalobushwhacker Big Band including the Thacker Horns and guest vocalist Mary Frances Massey.

Doors to the Powerhouse open at 5:30 p.m., and refreshments will be available for purchase prior to the 6:00 p.m. showtime. Following the performance, there will be a brief champagne and cake reception to introduce Gaines to the community.

Upcoming Highlights

This fall season is packed with exciting events and notable guests. Among the highlights are:

• Charlie Musselwhite, Blues Hall of Famer – November 21
• Richard Grant, author of Dispatches From Pluto (presenting an all-new Dispatches from Arizona) – September 12
• Katherine Wood, thriller writer and Mississippi native – September 19
• Julie Williams, CMT Next Women of Country music/soul singer – October 10
• The A’Capella Choir from Rust College – October 17
• Eden Brent, Delta pianist/vocalist – October 24
• A special Halloween show on October 31

Additional special events include a fundraiser at the Wonderbird Gin Distillery in Taylor on October 19 and a membership party at Southside Art Gallery on the Oxford Square on December 6.

Broadcast Information

The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour will broadcast live every Thursday evening until Thanksgiving on WUMS 92.1 FM and online. In Mississippi, the show can also be enjoyed every Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Additionally, the program reaches audiences on public and community radio stations across Tennessee and Alabama, and recently gained an affiliate in Taos, New Mexico.

Listeners can access the show on popular platforms including Spotify, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Podcast. For more details on the upcoming guests and events, visit the official website of the program.

With an exhilarating lineup and new leadership, it looks like the fall season of The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour will be one to remember!