Top 10 with a bullet

WTMD gaining listener, industry ears

There's a select group of U.S. radio stations known for their savvy audiences, varied playlists and knack for introducing new and interesting music. Listener-supported WTMD-89.7 is now one of them.

Stephen Yasko, WTMD's general manager, says the station officially became a Radio and Records reporting station last week, joining public Triple A powerhouses such as WXPN in Philadelphia, WYEP in Pittsburgh and WDET in Detroit, not to mention nationally regarded commercial stations like KFOG in San Francisco.

“Radio and Records is the music industry's most important trade publication,” explains Yasko, who assumed his post in 2002. “It computes the number of “spins” a new song gets and compiles the charts used to determine whether or not it's a hit.

The publication is looking for much more than great programming, he adds. “They want stations with a highly sophisticated listener base—stations that break new artists and influence taste.”

And since relatively few stations are asked to report, Yasko says WTMD's impact on the recording industry will be disproportionately larger than that of some comparable stations with more listeners.

“We're doing what matters to us—and when Radio and Records comes knocking, that's just more confirmation that we're on to something special,” he adds.

WTMD projects include co-sponsoring First Thursdays concerts in Baltimore's Mount Vernon Square with The Downtown Partnership, City Paper, Agora Publishing and the Mount Vernon Business Association.  Among those booked to perform are national recording artists Steve Forbert and Mike Errico, plus up-and-comers BR549.

Yasko says the station also maintains “a great relationship” with the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, which is planning to open a 1,000-seat venue at powerplant live.  

Despite its successes, WTMD remains dependent on the generosity of others to maintain its near-legendary quality and stay on the air, says Yasko, who notes that 75 percent of its operating budget comes from underwriter and listener support.

“We've had a great response from the listeners, and the area business community has been incredibly supportive,” he adds. “We've had a mutually rewarding partnership with Antwerpen Volkswagen, and we're looking for other business underwriters with whom we can work in the future.

“Ultimately, our goal isn't to have the biggest listening audience, but the audience that spends the most time listening, ” he says. “We want WTMD to be the station that's with you when you're dealing with Beltway gridlock—the one that's so good, you don't mind the wait.”

WTMD-89.7's next on-air fund drive is May 15-21. To join or renew your membership online, go to www.wtmd.org

Story by Jan Lucas/Photo by Kanji Takeno

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