Oxford’s Thacker Mountain Radio Hour Kicks Off New Season with Fresh Leadership and Exciting Guest Lineup

Oxford’s Thacker Mountain Radio Hour Launches New Season with Exciting Changes

Oxford, Mississippi – The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, a beloved music and literature show, is ready to kick off its 27th season this fall with a new executive director and a lineup of exciting guests. The season premiere is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 5th, at the Powerhouse Arts Center, and the best part? Admission is free!

At the helm of the radio hour now is Lucy Gaines, a talented professional from Oxford who has recently taken on the role of executive director. Originally from Jackson, Gaines completed her MFA in Documentary Expression from the University of Mississippi’s Southern Studies program in 2024. She brings a wealth of experience, having worked in assistant directorship roles at the Oxford Film Festival and the Oxford Conference for the Book.

The board president, Mary Margaret Andrews, expressed excitement about bringing Gaines on board. “We feel fortunate to have Lucy Gaines as our new executive director,” Andrews said. “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.”

Gaines herself is looking forward to the challenge. “I have extensive experience facilitating community engagement with the arts,” she stated. “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.”

Upcoming Premiere and Special Guests

The inaugural show of the season will feature guests like Tobi Ogundiran, a science fiction novelist, along with Memphis songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart and blues musician Peggy “Lady Trucker” Hemphill Lesueur. The show will be hosted by Jim Dees, with musical support from Paul Tate and the Yalobushwhacker Big Band, including the Thacker Horns and guest vocalist, Mary Frances Massey.

Doors for the show will open at 5:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be available for purchase. As always, the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour promises a blend of live music, storytelling, and engaging discussions that encapsulate the spirit of the local arts community.

A Look Ahead at the Fall Season

This fall season is packed with highlights. The audience can look forward to appearances by:

• Charlie Musselwhite, a Blues Hall of Famer on Nov. 21
• Richard Grant, author of “Dispatches From Pluto,” on Sept. 12
• Katherine Wood, a thriller writer and Mississippi native, on Sept. 19
• Julie Williams, a CMT Next Women of Country music artist, on Oct. 10
• The A’Capella Choir from Rust College on Oct. 17
• Eden Brent, a Delta pianist/vocalist on Oct. 24
• A special Halloween show on Oct. 31

Additionally, two special events related to the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour are scheduled: a fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Wonderbird Gin Distillery in Taylor and a membership party at the Southside Art Gallery on the Oxford Square on Friday, Dec. 6.

Where to Listen

The show will be recorded live at the Powerhouse Arts Center throughout the fall season, except for the performances on Oct. 10 at Off Square Books and Oct. 17 at The Lyric Theatre. You can catch the show live on WUMS, 92.1 FM every Thursday until Thanksgiving. For those outside Oxford, the show also airs every Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) and can be found on public and community radio stations in cities spanning from Memphis to Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as Alabama Public Radio.

For listeners looking to stream the show, it is available on multiple platforms including Spotify, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Podcast.

For more information about the guests and other dates this fall, visit the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour’s website at https://thackermountain.org/.