To suggest that TSPR Music Director emeritus Jeff Holtz was the voice of public radio in this neck of the woods wouldn’t be much of a stretch: at various times since his arrival at WIUM-FM in 1987, Jeff hosted the daily classical show Ovation; its afternoon precursor Classical 91; showtune and great American songbook program Encore; folk, roots, blues and Americana sampler Folk Weekend; and, of course, Saturday night jazz stalwart After Hours… as well as co-hosting Jazz Worth Remembering with local jazz history buff Dick Abbot, Dale Hopper’s Big Band Jazz with WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra founder Dale Hopper, and producing the nationally-syndicated Rural Route 3, hosted by Chris Vallillo.
Following Jeff’s unexpected departure, each of his legacy programs paid tribute in their own way: After Hours with a retrospective of Jeff’s favorite artists and new music he’d planned to feature; Ovation with a program Jeff himself chose on his retirement day in 2008; and Folk Weekend with a retrospective and insights from longtime friend and partner-in-art Chris Vallillo. We’ve rounded up those three programs and set them aside right here for all to listen (for a limited run engagement--- 2 weeks only), starting Monday, October 4th.