Western Carolina University’s radio station, 95.3 WWCU, celebrated mountain heritage by producing a live remote show during the Mountain Heritage Day Festival on Sept. 27.
The remote show allowed people that couldn’t make it to the festival to tune in and stay connected. It also provided important safety and parking information, along with interviews with local law enforcement, attendees and chancellor of Western Carolina. Halle Stanley, general manager of 95.3 WWCU, and Julian Vanderhoef, digital media assistant for Western’s communication department, conducted the interviews live and were assisted by a team of student volunteers.
Live remote shows are a type of broadcast that are done outside of the radio station. Using a tieline, the station is able to broadcast from anywhere with a producer at the station cueing the radio team in. They are a regular part of the radio station’s operations, and often occur during university games and special events.
“The remotes are really important for us as a radio station because it increases our visibility physically and allows us to have guest speakers on the show from the events that we go to. They are important for WCU as well in the sense that it increases the schools visibility on radio as a broadcast platform,” said Stanley.
The Mountain Heritage Day festival is an annual tradition in Cullowhee held at the end of a weeklong celebration honoring Appalachian culture. Throughout the week, Western hosts demonstrations, lectures and events to highlight the region’s heritage. During the festival, the university hosts local vendors, family-friendly activities, live entertainment and cultural showcases for the community.
95.3 WWCU produces live remote shows frequently throughout the semester. A remote is currently planned for Western’s open house on Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. as well as during the Stray Cats sports show on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. Be sure to check out the 95.3 WWCU tent to see them in action.