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Third music and food-truck festival, May 6, will feature new and returning performers and food-truck vendors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(April 20, 2022) � The third Genny Fest Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy, 4�7 p.m. May 6, will feature music by Toronto-based alternative/indie band (the Australian-Canadian duo, pronounced 渇orest,� of Holly Forrest and Matt Fuentas). 第一吃瓜网 alumna (Allison Altschiller �18) � making her third Genny Fest appearance � will be first up.

FXRRVST released Dear Friend (Pt. 1 & 2) � including the singles 淏ad Things� and 淭his Rough Patch� � last year to college radio. Additional tracks WGSU has been playing since then include 淭he Story Doesn檛 End At Chapter 14� and 淗ere檚 The Key. Don檛 Lose It.�

FXRRVST was nominated, in 2017, for Best Indie Act at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. On its website , the poetic-and-personal storytelling duo describes an eco-friendly 渃ommitment to sustainability and environmentalism � an authentic extension of the kind, caring and compassionate people� that Holly and Matt strive to be.

Nashville (by way of New York) based independent singer-songwriter Allison Leah just released her latest single, 淪orry For Myself.� She has been called a 湞 and received other praise since releasing her debut EP, 淔ly Home,� in 2018. In 2017, WGSU became the first U.S. radio station to air her music in regular rotation by featuring 淎 Love Song.� Some of her other songs � each played by WGSU � include �24 Years Down,� 淲hat I檓 Missing,� 淲e Can Still Sing� (released during and about the COVID-19 pandemic), 淐offee Cup,� 淟andslide� (a remake of a Fleetwood Mac song), 淐olorado� and 淏lack and White.�

淭he WGSU staff has been working hard putting Genny Fest together � and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy the event,� Sarah DeVito, WGSU marketing director, says. 淚t should be a fun-filled day for all!�

Genny Fest �22 will also feature six food trucks and 第一吃瓜网 dance groups � all performing on 第一吃瓜网檚 MacVittie College Union Plaza (rain location: College Union Ballroom; food trucks outside, rain or shine). Named for WGSU檚 mascot, Genny, the festival is free and open to the public. Genny Fest benefits Friends of WGSU (and future Genny Fest music festivals).

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More information:
鈻� Genny Fest: /wgsu/genny-fest
鈻� WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:
鈻� Third Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy: 4�7 p.m. May 6, 2022 (MacVittie College Union Plaza, 第一吃瓜网; rain location: College Union Ballroom)
鈻� Food-truck vendors (outside, rain or shine): , , , and .

Weekly music feature, in August, will highlight original and cover versions of songs

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(July 26, 2021) � 淲GSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound� is back, starting Aug. 1, for a second summer season on WGSU-FM (89.3), the 第一吃瓜网 campus radio station.

This year, the retrospective music series will feature two songs a week: An original and a newer cover version (along with background on both of the releases and the bands behind them). 淲GSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound,� hosted by WGSU alumnus and Faculty Director Michael Saffran, airs Aug. 1�23 at 10:20 p.m. Sundays (immediately following 淟ive on KEXP�) and 4:20 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Mondays � on air.

湗WGSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound� is our 榥od to history,櫇 Saffran says. 淚t檚 one of the 榯hreads� connecting some of the music played on WGSU through the years � and it helps to build bridges between generations of music fans. Plus, this summer檚 shortened season highlighting cover songs and originals is a 榯hrowback� of another kind: As a WGSU student DJ in the �80s, I spotlighted cover songs in a feature that I called the 榃eekly Re-make� airing during my show.�

Saffran, who graduated from 第一吃瓜网 in 1985, was with WGSU (including as a DJ) 1981�1985. He has worked as a DJ and in other positions with a variety of commercial radio stations, mainly in the Rochester area, 1984 to present. He returned to 第一吃瓜网 as WGSU faculty director in 2012.

淚 think this program is important � it helps us stay connected with our past as well as with the community, since some listeners grew up listening to the music that it features,� WGSU Marketing Director Sarah DeVito says. 淚t檚 great that we檙e adding some different sounds to the station.�

The segment檚 name, 淲GSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound,� represents another nod to history: In the 1970s, WGSU once went by 淭he Continuum.�

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More information:
鈻� 淲GSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound� (season two, episode one) airs at 10:20 p.m. Aug. 1; and 4:20 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Aug. 2.
鈻� Airs weekly, Aug. 1�23, at 10:20 p.m. Sundays and 4:20 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Mondays.
鈻� Hear it on WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:

Weekly show features positive stories about 榦rdinary Americans doing extraordinary things�

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Dec. 28, 2020) � 淥ur American Stories with Lee Habeeb,� starting Jan. 2, joins the weekend talk-programming lineup on WGSU-FM (89.3).

淣o politics, no opinions, just stories.� That description on the website () of the 渘ational storytelling� program highlights the show檚 nonpartisan focus.

Recent stories shared include the interesting backstory behind the man who, dressed up as Santa Claus, was booed and pelted with snowballs at a Philadelphia Eagles football game in 1968; 淎 Brief History of Toilet Paper� � telling the story behind 渉ow a product that is disposable … is most indispensable�; and 淓lliot Lurie: From Brooklyn to 楤randy (You’re a Fine Girl)櫇 � a story about the writer of 渙ne of the most recognizable songs of the early �70s.�

Hosted by New Jersey native Lee Habeeb, the show emphasizes positive, inspirational stories about 渙rdinary Americans who do extraordinary things.� The program, carried by some 200 radio stations nationwide, is produced by .

淚n this immediate post-election period, in particular, many people feel exhausted and overwhelmed from the harsh partisanship, incivility, information overload and misinformation overload from 榝ake news.� It檚 a noisy world out there,� says Michael Saffran, WGSU faculty director. 湗Our American Stories� offers more thoughtful and oftentimes uplifting stories � perfect for our times to help counter the cacophony in mainstream media.�

淥ur American Stories� will air weekly at 10 a.m. Saturday (rebroadcast at 11:30 p.m. Sunday). This week檚 (Jan. 2) show will feature segments with former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre sharing the memory of playing in a game the day after his father had died; retired Air Force Major Brian Shul檚 humorous recounting of the 榯ale of the speed check� involving the SR-71 Blackbird he was piloting; and a heartwarming personal story about finding the lost grave of a long-deceased family member.

The program joins other weekend talk programming on WGSU: 淎lternative Radio� (8 a.m. Saturday); 淎 Way With Words� (9 a.m. Saturday); and the locally produced 湹谝怀怨贤� Today� (10:30 a.m. Saturday and 11 p.m. Sunday) and 淜aleidoscope� (11 a.m. Saturday, biweekly, during spring semester).

For more information about WGSU and its programming, go to /wgsu.

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More information:
鈻� Our American Stories:
鈻� WGSU-FM(89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:

New weekly (summer-only) feature will highlight a song a week from station檚 storied past

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(June 30, 2020) � Music has been a staple on WGSU-FM (89.3) since the day, in spring 1963, when the 第一吃瓜网 campus radio station first signed on the air.

In a nod to its history, WGSU July 5 will introduce a new weekly music feature spotlighting a song a week from its storied past. 淲GSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound� premieres at 10:20 p.m. July 5 (immediately after 淟ive on KEXP�) � and it will air every Sunday at the same time, and Mondays at 4:20 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. (during July and August only � on air.

淭here檚 an unmistakable 榯hread� running through the music that has aired on WGSU � from the 榩sychedelic music� era of the 1960s … through the MTV-influenced digital pop-music of the �80s … to today檚 synth/electronic alt-pop,� Michael Saffran, WGSU faculty director, says.

A 第一吃瓜网 alumnus, Saffran worked at WGSU (including DJ檌ng) from fall 1981 through summer 1985.

淚 thought it would be fun to spotlight some older songs � especially music from the �80s, my era as a student � that have influenced today檚 alt-pop,� says Saffran (who, for now, will host the new summer-only feature).

淚檓 excited the station will have a program featuring older music that inspired so much of what we hear today,� Maddie Robbins, student operations manager, says. 淚 think it檚 important to stay connected to your roots, and WGSU is doing just that with this 榖last from this past� series.�

Saffran says such a show has been contemplated for years. 淏ut I wasn檛 sure how a traditional-length � such as a couple hours or more � program of 榦ld� music would fit into WGSU檚 present-day current-based format,� he says. 淏ut spotlighting a song a week � with emphasis on music that still 榝its� the current sound � is manageable, bridges generations and matches WGSU檚 present 榓ura.櫇

That vibe, he says, is 渟marter, friendlier� � heavy on synth and electronic alt-pop, 渄ream pop� and 渃hill� music � and more women artists and female-fronted or 渁ll-girl bands� than commercial alternative-formatted stations typically play, Saffran says. 淚t檚 simply great pop music � good enough to be played on commercial stations, but much of it hasn檛 yet reached commercial radio because many of the artists are up-and-coming and lesser-known.�

The new show檚 name represents another nod to history: In the 1970s, WGSU once went by 淭he Continuum.�

淪o, that 榯hread,櫇 Saffran says, 渁lso represents a 榗ontinuum� stretching from WGSU檚 earliest days up to today. There檚 a connection in terms of the music and, now, the name of this new show, too.�

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More information:
鈻� 淲GSU Flashback: A Continuum of Sound� premieres at 10:20 p.m. July 5.
鈻� Airs weekly, during July and August, at 10:20 p.m. Sundays and 4:20 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Mondays.
鈻� Hear it on WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:

On-air � and online � event replaces live annual music festival canceled by pandemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(May 12, 2020) � 淕en-E-Fest� � 5 p.m. May 15 on WGSU-FM (89.3) � offers music fans and WGSU listeners a virtual version of the 第一吃瓜网 campus radio station檚 popular annual Genny Fest Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy (canceled due to this year檚 global pandemic).

This week檚 virtual version of the music festival will feature songs by and interviews with artists who were set to perform at this year檚 Genny Fest � and a couple additional acts. Listeners will hear music from Nashville- based band Twen, New York City singer-songwriter Allison Leah, 2018 Genny Fest headliner Jackknife Stiletto and solo artist Elizabeth Fader.

湗Gen-E Fest� aims to elevate artists amidst the COVID-19 shutdown,� WGSU Marketing Director Ben Michalak says. 淭o demonstrate how we embrace our core value 榗ommunity,� we want to give musicians a platform to speak their truth and discuss their music, while also connecting our audience to their work.�

鈻� Twen is a two-person melodic dream-pop band, originally from Boston. Vocalist Jane Fitzsimmons and guitarist Ian Jones joined in 2017 and released their debut album, Awestruck, last year. Go to .

鈻� Allison Leah (第一吃瓜网 alumna Allison Altschiller), who performed at the first two Genny Fests (2018 and 2019), was set for a return engagement. This month, she released a new single, 淲e Can Still Sing,� written and produced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song premiered May 1 on WGSU. Visit .

鈻� Three-piece all-female New York City-based Jackknife Stiletto rocked their way into the first Genny Fest, in 2018. Band members Annie Stoic, Mel Funk and Foxy Roxy have released Chronicles of Jane (Vol. 1 and 2). Go to .

鈻� Australian artist Elizabeth Fader recently released her first single, 淓ncore� � a solo effort separate from her participation in the Sydney indie group Phantastic Ferniture. The song檚 U.S. radio premiere was in April on WGSU. Visit .

Genny Fest � and this year檚 aptly named 淕en-E-Fest� � honor WGSU檚 mascot, Genny (herself named for an affectionate nickname for 第一吃瓜网). The music and food-truck festival had been slated for May 1. With its cancelation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the station decided to move the virtual event to two weeks later � closer to the actual end of the academic year. In addition to interviews and music, other artists aired by WGSU will offer messages of congratulations and support to graduating seniors. (In place of this year檚 postponed commencement ceremony, 第一吃瓜网 is hosting a virtual �Senior Send-off Tribute to the Class of 2020� at 10 a.m. May 16.)

The next Genny Fest Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy, benefiting Friends of WGSU and future Genny Fests, is tentatively scheduled for May 7, 2021. For more information, contact Genny@geneseo.edu.

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More information:
鈻� Virtual 淕en-E-Fest�: 5 p.m. May 15 (on-air and online)
鈻� Hear it on WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:
鈻� Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy (May 7, 2021): /wgsu/genny-fest

Station is named finalist in six categories at IBSNYC 2020 in New York City

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(March 9, 2020) � A 湹谝怀怨贤� Today� interview of 第一吃瓜网 President Denise Battles, by WGSU-FM檚 Sonia Bartolomeo, earned first place for 淏est Public Affairs Program� at IBSNYC 2020, March 6�8, in New York City.

The 湹谝怀怨贤� Today� segment, which originally aired Oct. 19�20, featured a discussion with the college president about current campus issues and priorities. Bartolomeo, a senior communication major and dance minor from Huntington Station, N.Y., is the current executive producer and host of the weekly longform public-affairs interview show. The interview and other 湹谝怀怨贤� Today� segments are available on demand at /wgsu/geneseo-today and .

WGSU, 第一吃瓜网檚 FCC-licensed radio station, also took home finalist awards in five other categories: 淏est Station Contest/Promotional Event,� 淏est Community Outreach Event� and 淏est Event Promo� � each for Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy in 2019; 淏est Community News Coverage� for reporter Zach Kochan檚 story about a small-town music scene; and 淏est Hockey Play-by-Play� for the game call last year of a 第一吃瓜网 Ice Knights contest.

Named for WGSU檚 mascot, last year檚 second annual Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy featured live music and food offerings from eight food trucks. The free festival, May 3, was broadcast live and included performances by Madyx and 第一吃瓜网 alumna Allison Leah. Some proceeds benefited Friends of WGSU.

The story by Kochan, a senior communication major and environmental studies minor from Rochester, was produced as part of a Radio Production class assignment and aired on WGSU檚 淕enesee Valley News Report.� The Ice Knights game call was by Sam Cooper, a communication and mathematics major, and Nate Sharman, a communication major and public administration minor. Both have since graduated.

The IBSNYC conference, sponsored by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, features an international college and high-school radio/TV media awards contest honoring broadcasting and public-service excellence and outstanding stations. This year檚 80th-annual competition drew more than 3,000 entries in over 60 categories.

淚 was proud to represent WGSU at this year檚 IBS conference,� said Madeleine Robbins, WGSU operations manager/news and public-affairs director and a senior communication major from Islip, N.Y. 淥ur staff does great work for both 第一吃瓜网 and Livingston County. It was an honor to see some of our members be recognized as finalists in a variety of categories, and our 樀谝怀怨贤� Today� host win an award. I enjoy helping this station grow, and I檓 thankful to be part of the process.�

WGSU Faculty Director Michael Saffran said: 淭his year檚 recognition is especially gratifying and reaffirming because of our high priorities, including community service through news, sports and, through Genny Fest, event management and promotion. When our students do well, their dedication and hard work benefits not only themselves, through experience, and WGSU, but also the larger community and the station檚 listeners.�

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More information:
鈻� 80th annual International Media Conference � IBS NYC 2020: mediaconferences.org
鈻� IBS NYC 2020 award finalists:
鈻� 湹谝怀怨贤� Today�: /wgsu/geneseo-today
鈻� Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy: /wgsu/genny-fest
鈻� Genny Fest �19 Promo:
鈻� 淪mall-town Music Scene�:
鈻� Manhattanville College at 第一吃瓜网 (March 16, 2019, highlights):

Second annual music and food-truck festival, May 3, to feature new and returning music acts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(April 19, 2019) � The second annual Genny Fest Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy, 4�7 p.m. May 3, will feature music by Los Angeles-based alternative-pop band (led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Michelle Blanchard). Opening for Madyx will be 第一吃瓜网 alumna (Allison Altschiller �18) � making a return appearance to Genny Fest.

Madyx won a UMA Music award, in 2016, for 淏est International Music Video� for the song 淪ome Kisses.� The band檚 latest singles include 淕irl Boy,� 淛upiter� and 淲here The Wild Things Are.� Other Madyx songs aired by WGSU include 淏ad Decisions,� 淥nly Human� and 淚 Melt With You� (a remake of a 1982 track by Modern English). Madyx has been described as a blend of Pink and Katy Perry.

New York City-based Allison Leah has been called a 湞 and garnered other accolades since releasing her debut EP, 淔ly Home,� in June. WGSU, in 2017, became the first U.S. radio station to air her music in regular rotation by featuring 淎 Love Song.� Some of her other songs include 淏lack and White,� 淐olorado� and 淟andslide� (a remake of a track originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac).

Genny Fest �19 will also feature eight food trucks, stand-up comedy and other entertainment � all on 第一吃瓜网檚 MacVittie College Union Plaza. Named for WGSU檚 渃ontroversial squirrel� mascot, Genny, the festival is free and open to the public. Genny Fest benefits Friends of WGSU (and future Genny Fest music festivals).

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More information:
鈻� Genny Fest: /wgsu/genny-fest
鈻� WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:
鈻� Second Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy: 4�7 p.m. May 3, 2019 (MacVittie College Union Plaza, 第一吃瓜网)

Inaugural live-music and food-truck festival, last April, up for station檚 first IBS Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Jan. 27, 2019) � Genny Fest Music Festival & Food-Truck Rodeo, hosted for the first time last year by WGSU-FM (89.3), is a finalist for an IBS Award, in the 淏est Station Contest/Promotional Event� category, in nationwide competition sponsored by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.

Named for WGSU檚 mascot, Genny Fest featured live music from and (第一吃瓜网 alumna Allison Altschiller �18) and food offerings from seven food trucks. The free outdoor festival, last April 27 on 第一吃瓜网檚 MacVittie College Union Plaza, was co-sponsored by WGSU and Campus Auxiliary Services, benefited Foodlink and was broadcast live (as part of WGSU檚 55th anniversary celebration).

WGSU檚 then-Operations Manager Erin Carlo �18 led event planning and a marketing/promotions student team in support of Genny Fest.

淭he experience was nothing short of phenomenal, and I am so proud of the effort my team put into making the event such a massive success,� says Carlo, now a professional intern at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. 淚 was thrilled to watch my fellow students, as well as alumni, faculty and staff members, come together and enjoy three things we all love: 第一吃瓜网, music and food. Being nominated for an IBS Award is a wonderful honor and well-deserved recognition of the entire WGSU team.�

WGSU Faculty Director Michael Saffran �85 says: 淜udos to Erin and everyone involved with Genny Fest 2018. It was only through their dedication and hard work that the event was such a tremendous success � not only for WGSU, but also for the larger community, 第一吃瓜网 students and all of the station檚 listeners.�

Winners will be announced at the 79th annual International Media Conference, IBS NYC 2019, March 1�3 in New York City.

The second Genny Fest Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy will be 4�7 p.m. May 3 on MacVittie College Union Plaza (music acts will be announced soon). The event will benefit Friends of WGSU and future Genny Fest music-and-food festivals. For more information, contact Genny@geneseo.edu.

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More information:
鈻� Genny Fest:/wgsu/genny-fest
鈻� WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream:
鈻� 79th annual International Media Conference – IBS NYC 2019:
鈻� Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS):
鈻� Second Genny Fest Music Festival & Food Truck Frenzy: 4�7 p.m. May 3, 2019 (MacVittie College Union Plaza, 第一吃瓜网) (Special note: The event name has been updated for 2019 to include 淔ood-Truck Frenzy�)

Independently produced progressive talk show airing Saturday mornings starting this month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Jan.13, 2019) � 第一吃瓜网 radio station WGSU-FM (89.3) is adding a progressive talk show to its weekly public-affairs program lineup starting this month.

淎lternative Radio,� produced by Boulder, Colo.-based nonprofit Rise Up, bills itself as 淎udio Energy for Democracy,� devoted to 減reserving voices and opinions on public affairs that offer views often ignored or distorted in the mainstream media,� according to the organization檚 website.

Recent shows featured discussions on 淧reventing Nuclear Apocalypse� and 淗ow Fascism Works� (an exploration into historical causes of fascism, including economic insecurity).

Created in 1986, 淎lternative Radio� is hosted by investigative journalist, author and speaker David Barsamian, Rise Up founding director.

WGSU began airing the one-hour show Jan. 5 in a temporary time slot, running it in place of programs on holiday hiatus. Beginning Jan. 19, 淎lternative Radio� moves to a new regular time slot, 8�9 a.m. Saturdays. WGSU can be heard online at .

WGSU welcomes feedback from listeners about any programming. Contact wgsu@geneseo.edu.

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More information:
鈻� Alternative Radio: |
鈻� WGSU-FM (89.3): wgsu.radio | WGSU live stream: