Billtown Bus Stop Radio Hour

Monday nights at 7pm only on WVYA-FM (Williamsport, PA area)

The Billtown Bus Stop Radio Hour debuted Jan. 5, 2009, on WVYA 89.7FM in Williamsport, PA. The show runs from 7 to 8 p.m. and is hosted by recording artist, producer and singer-songwriter Johnny J. Blair. Billtown Bus Stop focuses on music created locally or that has a local connection. Most of the music aired reflects what is going on in Williamsport and surrounding areas, with an emphasis on Americana, hip-hop, jazz, pop/rock, psychedelia, punk, world music, and “any visionary music that fits, from tango to techno,” Blair said. "There will also be a mix of humor, spoken word artists, and ‘theatre of the mind.’

“One subtext of the program will be the ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ philosophy. No one is really a total stranger. Everyone is separated from someone else by only six degrees. For example, I booked a guest in February who will provide a connection between Williamsport, John Coltrane, and Sponge Bob by only five degrees!”

The WVYA studio is located in downtown Williamsport inside the Community Arts Center, which sits near a bus stop. “Hence the name of the show,” said Blair. “You never know who might get off the bus.”

Blair frequently records and tours with ex-Monkee Davy Jones, and Blair has backed Jones on network television documentaries and concert clips.

Upcoming Guests:

Monday, 1/4 – Finalists will be announced for the 2009 Billtown Bus Stop Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Band of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and other categories.

Nominees include Akron/Family, Antares J. Barr, Black Marble, Chris Bovard, Tim Breon, Dave Brumbaugh, Ron Fleeger & the Stranger, Scott Francis, Fletcher Kaufman, Key of V, Lumpy Gravy, Doug McMinn, John Oliver & the Distinguished, Chris Pick, Earl Pickens, Richard & Alison Rupert, Joel Vincent, Alice Weiler, Hunter Wentzler, and nearly thirty others.
Some artists will be recognized for their hard work, while others for their latest recording, since not everyone released a new product in 2009.

Throughout the month of January, the Radio Hour playlist will celebrate the music of all these great artists.

On every show, you’re liable to hear music by Billtown favorites such as Black Marble, Ron Fleeger & the Stranger, Jonathan Haley, Key of V, Lumpy Gravy, Chris Pick, Hugh Ross & other brilliant Billtowners.