Liz Felix, one of the last voices heard on WNKU-FM, will return to playing Triple A music as evening host on
Felix was WNKU-FM's assistant program director and program director from early 2015 through September 2017, when
She will host Evening Mix 6-10 p.m. weeknights starting Monday, April 1, on Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting鈥檚 adult album alternative (Triple A) station.
"I am excited to be back in Triple A radio, and to be on-air at such a wonderful station. Pittsburgh is close to my husband's family and our friends in Ohio -- an added bonus," Felix tells me from Seattle.
After WNKU, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to be communications director of which produces a two-minute radio show that "combines rich sound with engaging stories to illustrate the amazing lives of birds" and "inspires people to care about the future of the natural world."
The Chicago area native and University of Illinois graduate started at the campus station, WPGU-FM. Before coming to WNKU, she worked seven years at Akron's WAPS-FM, "The Summit" noncommercial station.
"My husband is from that area, so it's sort of like a second home to me," Felix says.
In the WYEP announcement, Felix said: "I believe that public radio is an invaluable resource for the communities we serve. I love introducing audiences to great music, and I know from experience that public radio is the most powerful way to reach music fans and connect a strong community of listeners. I am truly looking forward to joining the team at WYEP."
At WNKU, she was a huge force behind promoting local music. Shortly after she arrived, WNKU started playing a local band every hour.
"When I came here 2-1/2 years ago," she told me in August 2017, as the station was preparing to sign off, "I was just blown away by the amount of talent in this market. The music scene here is incredible 鈥� We were already playing local music, but it wasn't structured ... We play 16 songs an hour, and we have one spot an hour for a local band. One an hour for local bands is unheard of in this business."
Mike Sauter, WYEP director of content and programming, said Felix's "depth of experience in public radio and her passion for music 鈥� will not only [make her] a great host, but she鈥檒l be able to help us serve our community with fresh and creative programming ideas."
