Musicians celebrate Public Radio Music Month in April

Dozens of artists – including classic vocalist Tony Bennett, rocker Jack White, R&B singer Raphael Saadiq, contemporary chamber group Kronos Quartet, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison of Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds, hip-hop stars The Roots, Czech singer Markéta Irglová, and Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam – released a “love letter” to local public radio stations across the country today in honor of April’s Public Radio Music Month celebration.



The letter salutes public radio stations for playing music that typically goes unheard at other outlets on the radio dial – styles, songs and artists that have contributed significantly to our nation’s musical life.



The full note, released on the Public Radio Music Month Tumblr page (http://publicradiomusicmonth.org ), reads:



Dear public radio,



Thank you for taking chances. Thank you for playing our music even when – especially when – it doesn't sound like everything else on the radio dial. Thank you for inviting us into your studios and asking us intelligent questions. Thank you for introducing us to some of the most important music in our lives, music that made us who we are.



Thanks, public radio, for being who you are. Happy Public Radio Music Month.



Signers include Bob Mould, Brandi Carlile, Death Cab for Cutie, DJ Spooky, Imani Winds, Iron and Wine, Jakob Dylan, John Mayer, MGMT, M. Ward, My Morning Jacket, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass), THEESatisfaction and dozens of others. To see the complete list, visit Public Radio Music Month online at http://publicaradiomusicmonth.org



Public Radio Music Month celebrates the essential role that hundreds of public radio stations play in championing and preserving a diverse array of musicians and music styles for millions of listeners. Audiences look to public radio stations every day for interviews and performances, introductions to new artists, and a trusted ear and knowledge about genres such as blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass and indie rock. In this nationwide initiative, local public radio stations, musicians and fans spotlight the importance of this work and how federal funding helps make it possible.



Stations stretching from WFUV in New York City, to WFPK in Louisville, Ky., to KING in Seattle – and dozens more in scores of towns and cities in between – are highlighting special performances, interviews and musical discoveries throughout April.



Performances and events from stations all across the country will be posted at http://publicradiomusicmonth.org . Music fans can also follow @pubradiomusic on Twitter. Throughout the month, artists and stations are tweeting their support using the hashtag #PRMM.