Swimmers are a team of writers who are passionate about helping musicians advance in their careers. Though our center is located in Houston, our writers live all over the country and listen to different radio stations, with genres spanning alternative, classic rock, country, hip hop and R&B. Here are 13 stations that have caught their ears. They may catch yours, as well!
CD 92.9 FM →
Columbus, Ohio’s CD 92.9 FM (formerly CD 1025) touts itself as offering intelligent programming that they call “theater for the mind.”
Independently owned and operated for more than two decades, the station plays alternative/indie music that includes Beck, the Killers and Cage the Elephant. They book and promote musicians whose tours typically bypass Columbus.
One of CD 92.9’s main programs is Frontstage, which airs weeknights at 9 p.m. Hosted by Tom Butler, the show is ardently dedicated to providing local musicians with airplay.
Other popular programs include Invisible Hits, which highlights music overlooked by the mainstream market, and Independent Playground, which showcases underground music.
ALT 107.5 FM →
ALT 107.5 FM is a Las Vegas-based, alternative station that’s free on Audacy. (Audacy is an app that provides a digital platform for 1,000 radio stations.)
Reflective of the genre of music the station plays, it’s nicknamed “Las Vegas’ Alternative.” ALT 107.5 was responsible for launching bands including local groups Panic! At the Disco, the Killers and Imagine Dragons.
They play alt-rock bands including Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters, as well as indie pop.
Like its Vegas location, the station has many entertaining shows, including the Dave and Mahoney Morning Show (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.,) and the Church of Lazlo (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
ALT AZ 93.3 FM →
The Phoenix-based ALT AZ 93.3 FM calls itself “Arizona’s Alternative” and features, as its name suggests, alternative music. Their alt-rock playlist includes the White Stripes, Bastille and the Black Keys.
You can listen to the station live, via the ALT AZ 93.3 app or with Alexa.
The station features the Woody Show, which has been described as “recess/happy hour on the radio.” Another show, hosted by Mo, supports the Arizona music scene and welcomes submissions by local musicians.
Y-105 FM →
Based in Rochester, Minnesota, Y-105 FM calls itself “Rochester’s Best Variety.” Unlike some other stations where DJs clock in from all over the country, Y-107’s live and work in the Rochester area.
The station plays adult contemporary favorites from the 80s, 90s and 2000s, and Christmas music from the middle of November though Christmas. It also broadcasts local news, information and features.
Kick start your day with a laugh and listen to the James and Jessica Show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Slow down the pace on Sunday mornings with Jerry Miller’s Sunday Morning Slow Dance Show.
97X FM →
Based in Davenport, Iowa, and serving the Quad Cities, 97X FM calls itself “The Classic Rock Authority.”
The station plays classic rock including Boston, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aerosmith.
Tune in to enjoy the Ultimate Classic Rock Show, hosted by legendary radio personality, Uncle Joe Benson, complete with a deep dive into Led Zeppelin’s catalog. The Dwyer and Michaels Show is another crowd-pleaser, with comical antics from two guys who endearingly call themselves the 2Dorks.
107.7 FM and 104.7 FM The Wolf →
If country music is your style, check out The Wolf, 107.7 FM and 104.7 FM, “Buffalo’s New Home for Country.” Featuring New Country music, their selections include Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett.
The station operates on the Audacy platform. It’s been offering country music since June of this year; prior to that, it featured alternative rock.
Join Sid Sidall’s Howling Ride Home Show for excellent music and his own unique spin on the day’s news.
94.3 JACK FM →
94.3 JACK FM is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. True to their slogan, “Playing What We Want,” the station plays an assortment of genres by bands including Weezer, Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourne, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lou Reed.
Uniquely, the station doesn’t have DJs, talk shows or breaks for news and weather. Instead, they play songs back-to-back to give the listener a seamless experience.
ALT 96.5 →
ALT 96.5, “The Buzz,” is an alternative station broadcasting from Kansas City, Missouri. They call themselves “The Home of the Two-Minute Promise” because they vow to only play two minutes of commercials at a time.
The Buzz’s alt-rock playlist has included the Smashing Pumpkins, Modest Mouse, the Cranberries and the Artic Monkeys.
The station’s special shows include Homegrown Buzz with Jeriney (“The Goddess of Local Music Herself), Mornings with Jordin Silver and Friends, and Last Call With Los Cauz.
Jammin’ 105.7 →
Serving Dolan Springs, Arizona and Las Vegas, Jammin’ 105.7 is a station that plays what they call “old school jams,” as well as today’s R&B.
The station plays throwback hits by artists including Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston and Keith Sweat. They also feature up-to-the-minute jams from Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Usher and more.
Jammin’ 105.7 has a wide variety of shows that are sure to please any listener. These include the Steve Harvey Morning Show, the Greg Mac Show, (Greg is considered to be the Godfather of West Coast Hip Hop) and the Sweat Hotel with renowned R&B crooner, Keith Sweat.
Throwback 105.3 →
Throwback 105.3 is Columbus, Ohio’s “Classic Hip Hop and R&B” station. In addition to listening to it on an analog transmission, it can be enjoyed on iHeart Radio.
Tune in and listen to timeless hits by Dr. Dre, Public Enemy, Ice Cube and more.
Shows feature BIGVON, who has DJ’d for luminaries like 50 Cent, as well as Chuck Dizzle, G Biz and Mikey V.
ALT 105.3 →
ALT 105.3 is based in the Bay Area and calls itself “The Bay Area’s Alternative.” It can be listened to on the iHeart platform.
Their playlist includes Ashe, Weezer, Billie Eilish, Glass Animals and many other great alt-rock favorites.
ALT 105.3’s entertaining shows include Stryker and Klein, nicknamed A Modern Day Odd Couple, Megan Holiday, who says she likes to be a “big goof and make people laugh,” and more.
94.5 The Buzz →
The 94.5 the Buzz is a rock and alternative station located in Houston. The station holds a yearly concert called Buzzfest; this year’s lineup was the Offspring, P.O.D., Candlebox and Chevelle.
The Buzz plays a variety of genres by musicians including Stone Temple Pilots, Kenny Loggins, Motley Crue and Machine Gun Kelly.
The Buzz’s flagship program is the Rod Ryan Show, which airs weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
93.3 The Bus →
Located in Columbus, Ohio and calling themselves “Columbus’ Play Anything Station,” the Bus is supported online by iHeartRadio. True to their slogan, they play anything from Tina Turner to AC/DC to the Cranberries to Peter Gabriel.
There’s no better station to tune in to at Christmas than the Bus. They play round-the-clock Christmas music and are regarded as Columbus’ No. 1 Christmas music station.
During the week, the Bus features anchor Chris “the Bus Driver” and the Shawn and Kate Show, which promises laughter, great music and “unsolicited advice.”
The station, which previously ran without an on-air staff, is now home to hosts including Chris Davis, playing pop and Top 40 and Nina Chantele, playing soul.
Enjoy Music with Us
Check out these radio stations and fill your days and nights with great music. One station – or all – may be just right for you!
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