WYXR, a non-profit radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, is gaining recognition in the music industry. Now in its third year, the station aims to honor Memphis' rich musical history, which includes Stax Records, Sun Records, and artists like Al Green, Elvis Presley, and Three 6 Mafia. WYXR operates at 91.7 FM and values the city's musical past, present, and community feedback.
Jared 'Jay B.' Boyd, the station's program manager, highlights the role of community engagement in their programming. This approach has led to a 50% audience growth from 2021 to 2022. WYXR also held its second annual Raised by Sound Fest on December 2, 2022, featuring a tribute to Memphis power pop band Big Star, led by founding member Jody Stephens.
The 2022 Raised by Sound Fest was headlined by Cat Power, who performed a recreation of Bob Dylan's 1966 Royal Albert Hall concert. The festival took place at Crosstown Concourse, a former Sears distribution center now housing food, music, and residential spaces. The venue also includes the Southern Grooves studio and the Memphis Listening Lab.
WYXR was launched in late 2020, following a 2019 initiative by the University of Memphis to revamp a university-affiliated jazz station at 91.7 FM. Robby Grant, a member of the Memphis rock band Big Ass Truck, joined as a consultant and later became a founding partner and executive director.
Boyd joined WYXR around the same time as Grant. After returning to Memphis from a news reporter job in Mobile, Alabama, Boyd wrote for The Daily Memphian and created a Memphis-related playlist for Crosstown Concourse. This led to a permanent role at the station, where he uses his DJ connections and knowledge of local music history to bring in hosts. WYXR's success reflects its dedication to Memphis' musical heritage and community engagement.
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