A long-time bluegrass music host is saying goodbye. After nearly 16 years, Michelle Wallace will be retiring from hosting Bluegrass Sunday on Morehead State Public Radio (WMKY at 90.3FM).
“I want my listeners to know how much I’ve appreciated their support over the years,” said Wallace. “It has seemed like a small family reunion each and every Sunday.”
Michelle Wallace started her WMKY radio career in the Fall of 2007 hosting Pickin’ Parlor, replacing the original host Jesse Wells. Before long, Wallace had her own program of contemporary and traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and traditional Appalachian music on Bluegrass Sunday.
In addition to hosting a radio program, Wallace is a veteran bluegrass musician and multi-instrumentalist performing with the Hazel Holler Band. She’s also a lecturer, instructor, songwriter, and emcee on stage at regional festivals including the Olive Hill Carter County Shrine Club Music Festival (KY), and the Barboursville Fly-In Festival (WV).
“I’ll still be around at the festivals,” said Wallace. “I’ve developed such a strong family-type bond with the fans through the radio program. I know their faces and their favorite artists. Our bluegrass community is very special to me.”
“Michelle has always been a strong advocate and ambassador of bluegrass music,” said Paul Hitchcock, MSPR general manager. “Her vast knowledge and love for the music is why listeners tuned-in every Sunday.”
In 2013, Wallace was nominated as Bluegrass DJ of the Year by the Society for Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America at the 39th Annual Bluegrass Music Awards.
Wallace points out that bluegrass music hasn’t changed a whole lot in the past 15 years, except for female musicians who have stepped-up and taken center stage. She is especially pleased with the women in bluegrass music who are headlining festivals and winning awards.
“I’m so proud of the students studying through the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University,” said Wallace. “Many of them have moved on to bigger things and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Wallace spends her free time enjoying the music she loves the most. She still plays bluegrass music, mostly at home with family or friends, or at local jam sessions, and festival parking lots.
“I’ll miss my radio listeners the most,” said Wallace. “I appreciate their support so much and I’ll see you at the festivals.”
Michelle Wallace’s final broadcast of Bluegrass Sunday on WMKY will be Sunday, April 2 from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
WMKY serves more than twenty counties throughout eastern Kentucky from the campus of Morehead State University. Listeners can enjoy WMKY at 90.3FM online (www.wmky.org), by phone app, or smart speaker (“Play WMKY”).