Testimonials
WUOT is my source for educational energy that I need.
WUOT is such a large part of my day, week, life I cannot imagine how uninformed I would be without it. My husband and I are big current news people. I am the radio person; he is more magazine and TV. Most often, a TV show will leave out the fine details of a story, so I am able to share them with my husband as we watch the sound bites of television broadcasting. So he appreciates WUOT vicariously. Three days a week, first thing of the day, I do Nordic Track and other exercises for about 45 minutes. Morning Edition is the stimulus to keep going on days when I just want to quit! It is my source of educational energy that my mind needs ... thanks to all those who help us pay for public.
Dixie Damm, Lenoir City
WUOT is my source for news, music and entertainment for my horses and me!
WUOT plays on the radio in my horse barn 24/7. Every morning at 8 a.m., Flash and Strawberry come in from spending the night munching down on grass to stand in their stalls munching hay during the hot day. Their ceiling fans keep them cool, but WUOT's Morning Edition, Morning Concert, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Afternoon Concert, and All Things Considered keep them relaxed and entertained. Bonus: After Flash and Strawberry return to their pasture at 6 p.m., stall cleaning goes a lot faster while I listen to All Things Considered and Improvisations!
Celia Simon, Kingston
WUOT is my source for OPERA, OPERA, OPERA.
WUOT is my source for Saturday afternoon broadcasts of opera from the Metropolitan Opera in New York and from other opera companies throughout the U.S. And for Dan Berry's entertaining and informative historical programs on Golden Age singers.
Jerry Braunstein, Clinton
WUOT is my source for classical music.
WUOT is a tremendous source for classical literature, not found anywhere else. So very grateful you are there. With Heart and Voice is a strong favorite, that rare time that I do no nothing else but listen to the choral and organ selections.
John C. Burgin, Sr., Jefferson City
WUOT is my source for everything! The radio in every room of our house is set to 91.9 and is always playing – even our 13-year-old daughter plays her personal playstation while listening to Saturday morning programming!
WUOT and NPR are the background of my life. There is little I like better than waking up on Saturday morning, sitting in my courtyard and drinking my coffee while listening to Car Talk, Wait, Wait … Don't Tell Me!, This American Life, and Says You! There is no crunchy food aloud during Ira Glass, so all cereal MUST be finished. Oatmeal is allowed. However, Saturday morning only touches the mere surface of what WUOT gives me: Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Radio Lab, Chrissy and Ann, Todd Steed, Zorba Pastor, Last Set at Birdland, Sound and Spirit, From the Top, The Splendid Table, On the Media … and on and on and on … maybe I'm addicted?
Alissa (Ali) Reeves, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for surviving – even enjoying – the commute!
To me WUOT means staying in touch with the world, but also with myself, because it is an essential combination of entertainment and information. My favorite things on WUOT are the news and talk programs. NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered are my primary, essential sources of news, and I am happy to shut out my daughter's love of classic rock 'n' roll in the mornings so that I can keep up. The unique blend of breaking news, political coverage (this year, especially) and human interest features is unbeatable by any other broadcast medium and most print media. I also dearly love Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac, a true gem.
While I rarely have the chance to listen to the radio on Saturdays, I try to catch up with my absolute favorite program, Wait, Wait … Don't Tell Me!, on the computer – it is always relevant and funny. I am a huge fan of Ellen Kushner's Sound and Spirit as well; her insightful commentary and the blend of music and discussion is just wonderful. I also enjoy (Zorba Pastor) On Your Health and The Splendid Table. I am constantly amazed at how the quality of the local reporting complements these nationally produced shows.
What does WUOT mean to me? I guess it means that I am challenged and informed, as well as entertained. It also means that I don't talk on my cell phone much in the car, which is no doubt a public safety bonus!
Jennifer Spirko, Alcoa
WUOT is my source for opera, music and news.
I can't remember when we were able to pick up WUOT but since then our radios were tuned to it only. We have lived in the area over 50 years and I do remember we had to have quite an antenna at the beginning, so it has been a long time. Having a great classical music station in the area was the frosting on the cake as far as we were concerned. Thanks for being such an important part of our life.
John Moore, Clinton
WUOT is my source for international news, weather, time, Dan's morning music, food entertainment on Sunday, weekend lively entertainment, calendar, classical music before 4 p.m., time for volunteering to be with comrades, Saturday Opera, 6:30 p.m. jazz, news from 4-6:30 p.m.
Every city needs a source of NPR.
Elizabeth Mei Wong, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for unbiased and professional reporting of national and world news, and classical music.
WUOT is a voice of news professionalism in a media market driven too much by political agendas; and a source of tasteful entertainment without the high decibel commercials. I am glad to participate as an annual contributing member.
Dan Rhea, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for the latest news when I wake up, on my bedside radio, or classical music, then classical music throughout the morning, then the noon news and occasional classical music during the afternoon. On weekends I try not to miss Wait, Wait, On the Media, and From the Top. In the evenings, Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz is always enjoyable, and on occasion Improvisations presents traditional jazz that I love to hear (but not often enough to suit me).
WUOT means good radio listening without commercials.
James Winchester, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for an occasional break in the SILENCE which I enjoy when driving. That showcase of young people's musical talent, the gourmet consultant on Sunday afternoons with the wonderful voice and laugh, occasional classical music, Garrison Keillor's midday celebration of literary birthdays, some of the surprising discoveries about our world and people….
As rarely as I listen to radio, WUOT is the station I prefer.
Kathy DeWine, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for the only good music on radio in the Knoxville area.
It is almost the only radio station I ever turn on.
Katherine Crews, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for everything ... knowledge, culture, laughs and music.
I cannot imagine what level my brain would function at, if I didn't have public radio in my life. For me, it is a continuing tradition handed down from my father, who still supports and hosts for the community radio station in St. Louis, Mo. WUOT has given me a scattering of friends I might never meet, but I will always think of – all the reporters, Garrison Keillor, Lynne Rosetto Kasper, Ira Glass and Peter Sagal to name a few. Who could really not want to sit in a studio and just listen to Marion McPartland and all her friends?
As a resident of Knoxville, WUOT is a gateway to everything I want to experience in life. Thanks for all you do.
Maggie Barta, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for classical, jazz, news, love the talk shows, opera....
Imagine the excitement of a pre-teen who loved classical music and came across WUOT by sheer accident! I was thrilled! At the time, I could barely get it, but over the years it has updated (and I am no longer using a portable transistor radio) and now I have it on my computer, both my car radios and the house radio. My children learned about classical music from your broadcasts, fell asleep to your music and fell in love with opera and the Met because of you. That has carried over into love of the local musical and theatrical offerings, and two of them even had the opportunity to help backstage for short stints at Knoxville Opera Company. Many thanks for over thirty years of delight. May you play for a thousand years!
Jan Cardin, Maryville
WUOT is my source for the best in classical music, especially the rebroadcasts of the Knoxville Symphony and Knoxville Choral Society.
WUOT provides me and my family with an intelligent and varied alternative to commercial radio. From Morning Edition to Echoes of a Golden Age, my day would not be complete without it. I am especially fond of Improvisations with Paul Parris. I also am grateful for Allen Ellstrom and Around Knoxville, where local talent can be showcased. Thanks WUOT for being there!
Frances Butler, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for winding down on a Sunday evening. After the lively pace of a full weekend and before the work week begins, Hearts of Space on Sunday evenings is the perfect way to bridge the two. When it comes on, I stretch out on my sofa and my cat stretches out on me. We space fans are immersed in the moment as we listen to the universal and calming sounds of “slow music for fast times.”
WUOT also is my source for exploring the world and human experience through Radio Lab eyes. Radio Lab is like Bill Nye the Science Guy for adults. It's curiosity, quirkiness and plain fun compressed into a one-hour show during which you keep thinking, “Wow! I'd always wondered about that.” However, one serious word of caution: If you are going to listen, plan on doing nothing else for that hour because you won't want to miss a word!
Lisa Beckman, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for a calm interlude while driving anywhere.
When I am alone in my car, I can almost always turn on the radio, on WUOT, and there is either something neat to hear, as in the news, ATC, or Fresh Air ... or music. I can escape at times with WUOT.
Elaine Vickers, Knoxville
WUOT/public broadcasting is my source for intelligent, unbiased news, local and worldwide. The depth, quality, and style of presentation are above other news media.
I think of Fresh Air with host Terry Gross. WUOT/public broadcasting is my fresh air. No, wait. It is my air. Oxygen. The absence of ATC, NPR, and so many programs I enjoy on WUOT would be a disastrous, heart-wrenching, and painful experience. I would not want to go there: a dark, empty place with a sickening odor and little oxygen. “Hell” comes to mind.
I can’t imagine not tuning in to WUOT during an election. I can’t imagine not getting a Click and Clack belly laugh to start my Saturday morning. I can’t imagine how Terry Gross could make a discussion more interesting. And I can’t imagine an excuse not to support WUOT and public radio. So, excuse me while I tune in and get some fresh air. Thank you!
Kevin Pack, Knoxville
I always enjoyed WUOT's programming from news to music, and local programming to international commentary. In 2006, I left the country for Peace Corps service in Ukraine, and missed nothing as much as WUOT. How wonderful it has been to rediscover WUOT. I regard it now as one would a carefully cultivated collection of old friends who gently orient your day among priorities of awareness, serenity, humor, and humility. What you provide to this community is unique and invaluable. Thank you.
Andy Oakes, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for intelligent entertainment, whether it be lighthearted like Wait, Wait…Don't Tell Me!, thought provoking like This American Life and Fresh Air, or hobby related like Splendid Table.
WUOT is without peers in our local broadcast media. Its high quality local productions are a source I rely upon for objective information. WUOT is also a gateway to fantastic syndicated programming that I have grown to love and appreciate.
Jennifer Holder, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for news, Car Talk, All Things Considered, This American Life, and Fresh Air.
WUOT means fair, unbiased news. I recently returned to college at 46 to obtain my degree in media technology with a focus in photography. I listen in the morning to the news while driving to the campus and on my way home in the afternoon. My Saturday is not complete if I don't listen to Car Talk, even though I could download it to my mp3 player. It’s a Saturday ritual and makes my day a good one because Tom and Ray always make me laugh. I also enjoy This American Life and Fresh Air. Even though I'm 46 and still am a kid at heart, I know I've grown up because my radio station went from 103.5 Classic Rock to 91.9 WUOT and I love it.
Judith Taylor, Loudon
WUOT is my source for learning about and enjoying great music for 50 years.
When I came to UT as a student in 1958, I knew that I loved classical music, but I knew little about it. Then, as now, the programming was superb and highly engaging. The wealth of knowledge of music and the arts that I have gained from WUOT is among the greatest joys of my life. And, guess what? I'm a scientist! My appreciation for the uniquely great standards of WUOT and its staff is boundless! Don't change anything!
John Rather, Oak Ridge
WUOT is my source for entertaining stories from Garrison Keillor and company.
I first discovered the show on a cold, snowy night when I was driving home from work at ORNL. I was kind of flipping through the stations, looking for something interesting, and I found this dude telling a funny story about the elephant(s) at the circus and driving home with his children. I was really fascinated. Ever since then, I've tuned in “religiously” almost every Saturday evening.
Kathy Jones, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for classical music and other music.
I listen to WUOT in my home and in the car for the music programs only. I don't understand why you have news period, especially at 5 a.m.! And all that junk on Sat. a.m. and weekday noon program.
Rog Hollingsworth, Knoxville
WUOT is my source for: I value this station for sure because I grew up surrounded by symphonic music. I am one of nine children. Raised in Mobile, Ala., you cannot get away from the arts and the symphony. I play the clarinet and have four sisters who also played. My four brothers played either the piano or trumpet. We are a musical family. I try my best to always have this station on while my three kids are in the van driving down the road. Kids today are not exposed enough to opera, symphonic music, classical music, jazz, etc.
I cannot tell you enough that this station is very valuable to the future generation. If we taught this kind of music to the kids from elementary through high school, I think that they would appreciate it more. Thank you so much for being there. Being raised in Mobile was a joy, but now being in the Knoxville area is even greater. You play more jazz and more classical, and that's what it’s all about!!!!
Susan Adele Willcox Beaty, Morristown
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