Katy Daley, the 2009 IBMA Broadcaster of the Year, will have some help in the studio for her show this Thursday on WAMU’s Bluegrasss Country. Darren Beachley and Mark Delaney (Darren Beachley & Legends Of The Potomac) will be on hand from 8:00-10:00 a.m. (10/22) to assist in the 2009 Fall Membership Campaign.

Darren said that both he and Mark grew up with WAMU’s bluegrass programming, and spent countless hours listening to Katy, Gary Henderson, Lee Micheal Demsey and Ray Davis when they were learning to play.

“Mark and I are really excited about the opportunity to sit down with Katy and help do the work that needs to be done to keep bluegrass alive and kickin’. For us to be able to be in the studio, for an institution that’s meant so much to us and bluegrass music over the years, is a real treat.

I remember as a kid when they would be doing the membership drives… WAMU would do what they called a winter bluegrass festival, and it was wonderful stuff from all Gospel, to trivia, to live shows. It was a great time, and Mark and I are very honored to play a part this year.”

WAMU’s Bluegrass Country broadcasts 24/7 live online, and like many public radio (and television) outlets, dedicates some time each year to fundraising. This is their time for 2009, and they invite anyone who enjoys their free bluegrass programming to consider making a donation. As they say on their site…

It costs about $450,000 a year to run WAMU’s Bluegrass Country. We pay for music streaming, features, additions to our library, and acquisition of outstanding programs.

Katy mentioned that they have also been thankful for on-air help from Eric Gibson, Alan Munde, Kevin Church and Paul Williams during this campaign. Eddie Dean, Ralph Stanley’s co-writer on Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times, will be on with Lee Michael Demsey on Thursday (10/22), and Mark Schatz is scheduled for Friday (10/23).

We recognize how tedious it can be to listen to fund drives, but think for a moment about the poor on-air personalities who have to do the begging. If you can help, be assured that it will greatly appreciated.

And not just WAMU’s Bluegrass Country! We encourage our readers to consider supporting any and all broadcasters who keep bluegrass on the air. Make donations if you can to public radio, and mention bluegrass shows when you patronize the advertisers of commercial shows and  stations.