SUNY Adirondack's WGFR joins national Vinylthon

Students, alumni join forces to play records for 24-hour celebration

QUEENSBURY, New York (April 18, 2022) — SUNY Adirondack’s college radio station, WGFR, spins into action April 23 in celebration of a national Vinylthon event. 

Student deejays and SUNY Adirondack Broadcasting alumni will participate in the 24-hour event that celebrates Record Store Day, recognizing independent music stores. 

“Vinylthon connects us to memories we’ve created with music,” said Kevin Ankeny, professor of Broadcasting at SUNY Adirondack and WGFR advisor. “The nostalgia of listening to music on vinyl is a multisensory experience; Digital music and downloaded tracks are more of a consumer transaction. There’s a cultural shift to authenticity and listening to vinyl playing on analog FM radio is a like a time machine.” 

Vinylthon was created by the College Radio Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit organization that celebrates student radio, and supports their activities and operation. The CRF raises funds through sponsorship of events such as College Radio Day, then offers grants to college stations and scholarships to students. 

WGFR has participated in the annual event since 2018. In 2021, the station received a $2,000 grant to help offset the cost of emergency alert system equipment. 

This year, WGFR’s Vinylthon participation is sponsored by Sweet Side Records, a vintage record store on Curran Lane in Glens Falls. 

Stations that meet the 24-hour Vinylthon challenge receive The Golden Slipmat award. Last year, COVID restrictions limited WGFR’s participation to 12 hours, but this year, the student and alumni deejays plan to bring home the mat, a thin foam piece placed on a turntable under a record to reduce friction, allowing manipulation (or scratching) the record.  

“This event is a unique opportunity to connect the radio station’s past with its present,” Ankeny said. “Alumni — some from more than a decade ago — will interact with current students. It’s a great way to share in WGFR’s 45-year legacy.” 

Tune in to WGFR at 92.7FM on April 23 to support Vinylthon and check out its regular programming anytime. Learn more at www.wgfr.org or www.sunyacc.edu.