September 2nd, 2026

Welcome to WUTC's Newsletter! From your community public radio station in Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. Follow us at wutc.org — and the WUTC app.

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Listen Local. Share Joy. Be Kind.

Dear Friends Of WUTC,

As we connect with our listeners, it's also a time to reflect - and express gratitude. Days apart, we lost two creative lights for WUTC and beyond: Dolly Parton and Shane Morrow. Their stories and their values inspire how this station serves you. One of my favorite Dolly quotes is "Find out who you are - and do it with purpose." WUTC is your home for community public radio here in Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. Everything we do, we do it with purpose - all for you. Thank you.

- Susan Lazenby, General Manager, WUTC

Celebrating Dolly Parton: Tennessee's Own

The loss of Dolly Parton is felt across the country and around the world - especially in this corner of the South that she called home.

She was more than a singer, a songwriter, a country music legend or an icon. She was more than an actress, a businesswoman or a humanitarian. If you caught any of her interviews on NPR over the years, you heard a woman who was a creative one of kind - and who spread her kindness wherever her talent took her.

​Listen To CT Martin's Tribute On The Retro Opry Collective​

​Archive: Richard Winham On A Dolly Poetry Anthology​

For Shane Morrow: Beyond Category

WUTC honors the life and legacy of Shane Morrow, the founder and executive director of RISE Chattanooga - the local Black arts and culture nonprofit in this city.

For nearly four-and-a-half years, Shane produced AMPLIFY for WUTC: a weekly show of, by and for local Black voices in Chattanooga.

Ray Bassett of Scenic Roots paid tribute to his friend Shane online - also producing a one-hour special on Shane in his own words for WUTC.

​Read Ray's Reflections On Shane Morrow

​Listen To Ray's Special On Shane In His Own Words​

This Month: Fall Jazz At UTC For WUTC

Tickets are now on sale for "UTC Live! Presents Benny Green" - this fall's jazz benefit concert with all proceeds supporting WUTC.

Pianist Benny Green will perform in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall in the UTC Fine Arts Center on Thursday, September 17th at 7:30 PM.

While Green performs solo and with his own trio in recent years, he has toured and performed with numerous jazz greats - including Betty Carter, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, the Freddie Hubbard Quintet, Ray Brown's trio - was featured in a duet with Diana Krall on her Grammy-winning "All For You" album and recorded the two piano "Oscar and Benny" album with Oscar Peterson.

​Buy Your Tickets Here - And Support WUTC​​

Next Month: IBMA World Of Bluegrass

Next month, the world's premier bluegrass event returns to Chattanooga for a second year - with WUTC as the official public radio partner.

The IBMA's World of Bluegrass is Tuesday, October 20th through Saturday, October 24th.

With the lineups of artists and events already taking shape, we're looking to bringing the bluegrass to you: on air, online and in the community.

​Dive Into Our IBMA Coverage - Past And Ahead - Here​

More Must-Listens

Besides the tributes we've shared, check out these listens from WUTC:

- The New Ownership Of The Chattanooga Times Free Press: Ray Bassett of Scenic Roots interviews Craig Fuller, the new CEO of The Chattanooga Times Free Press.

- Mon Rovîa: Tiny Desk Concert: Born in Liberia, Mon Rovîa delivers his "Afro-Appalachian" sound - backed by his full band - from Chattanooga to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert stage.

- Live In The Library: Teni Rane: The local singer-songwriter's latest album is "Never Turning Back" - and she jams in her session at the downtown Chattanooga Public Library, hosted by Clark Gibson.

Next Stop: AmericanaFest

WUTC is heading to AmericanaFest 2026 from September 15th - 19th in Nashville.

Performances include Jesse Welles, Kathleen Edwards, Shakey Graves, Hiss Golden Messenger, Wynonna Judd, Melissa Etheridge, Maggie Rose and many more. The AmericanaFest app is also available now for the full lineup and schedule.

​Purchase Festival Passes Here

For all WUTC tickets and giveways, visit: wutc.org/tickets​

Sponsored: Chattanooga Financial Planner

Chattanooga Financial Planner is a local, fee-only financial planning firm.

Their Certified Financial Planner professionals provide financial planning and investment management for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Learn how they can help you at ChattanoogaFinancialPlanner.com.

​Learn More About WUTC Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsored: Best Cellars And Wine Over Water

Experience Chattanooga’s iconic wine events - for Preserve Chattanooga.

• Best Cellars: Friday, October 9th at St. John’s Restaurant from 6:30 PM to 8 PM. Presented by Lexus of Chattanooga.
• Wine Over Water: Saturday, October 10th at Renaissance Park from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. Presented by Food City.

​Buy Your Tickets At PreserveChattanooga.Com​

Giving Matters

Dolly Parton’s generosity is a beautiful reminder that giving can have an impact far beyond a single moment.

Dolly invested in the people and places she loved, creating a legacy that will continue for generations. That is the spirit at the heart of philanthropy.

When you support something that matters to you — whether through a gift today or as part of your estate plans — you help ensure it remains strong for those who come after us.

For those who love WUTC and believe in the role public radio plays in our community, a planned gift is a meaningful way to make that impact last.

For ways to give to WUTC, visit: wutc.org/support​

Please Support WUTC

From All Of Us At WUTC: Thank You!

Connect With Us

Call WUTC: 423-425-4756

​Email WUTC​

Follow us at wutc.org and the WUTC app.

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