Behind the scenes of WUMR 92 FM- The Jazz Lover

By Crystal Howard
WUMR 92 FM nicknamed The Jazz Lover is where students receive experience while also
working under the master of the station, Malvin Massey.
WUMR radio station, or The Jazz Lover, was founded in 1979 at Rhodes College, but it moved
to the University of Memphis in 1979 as it has been one of the major broadcasting outlets with the
University thus far. The station has been a jazz only format from the start.
The current master mind behind the scenes of the radio station is Malvin Massey, WUMR
general manager. Massey has worked at the station since the late 1980s and took the place of Dr. Bob
McDowell in March 2008.
We get most of our news personnel from the journalism department, whom are mostly
students, Massey said.
WUMR is a way for students to receive experience and it is also a resume builder for students in
the journalism department who will graduate and plan to look for jobs in the media field. Students have
a chance to volunteer as well as work as an employee of The Jazz Lover.
Along with Massey being the general manager of the station, he also enjoys interacting with the
station and the team that helps him keep the 25,000 airwaves of wattage flowing. In the past 20 years of
his service, he has spent most of his time dedicated to the stations genre of jazz music.
WUMR is a year round radio station and they are always playing the best of jazz music and
updating listeners on sports while also having independent shows run by broadcasters.
Massey also produces his own two shows every week including Spotlight 92, which airs
Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. and Focus on the Arts, which airs on Fridays at 11:45 a.m. According to
WUMR, Massey hosts Images of Jazz where one hour is dedicated to Latin jazz music and he takes
listeners aboard The Latin Cruise.
Many may also be unaware that since the station is a part of the university, WUMR does focus
on professionalism and there are students who also help produce shows and broadcast what listeners
hear every day.
John Hardin, member of the U92 sports desk, also broadcasts jazz but for the majority of his
time at the station he keeps up with sports along with students who work alongside him while updating
listeners all year round.
We are seven days a week and we are never off. We are live 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hardin said.
While working under such professionals and the station being as open as possible for the
benefits of broadcasting students, individuals also have the opportunity to learn more about the
equipment, broadcasting and producing.
Listeners can tune in to the station at 91.7 as well as stream the music live online. WUMR is
always broadcasting the best in jazz tunes as well as broadcasting sports. Students are also welcome to
volunteer or receive more experience with their particular branch of radio.