2005

WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

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24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

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Featuring classics from heritage troubadours to new musicians and bands in the singer-songwriter tradition.

Folk Radio

Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
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WXPN Showcases The Brightest Musical Talent With New Monthly Artists To Watch Series For 2005 (Jan. 2005)

Danielia Cotton kicks off 2005 as the first month's featured artist.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Long recognized as an incubator for nurturing talented emerging musicians, WXPN the non-commercial radio from the University of Pennsylvania, underscores its commitment to seeking and showcasing the best new musicians with the launch of a monthly XPN Artists To Watch series. Today around 4pm host David Dye will announce January's pick - the self-proclaimed "alternative soul" singer Danielia Cotton.

Each month the XPN Artists To Watch series will spotlight a different up-and-coming performer who has produced an album or body of work that demonstrates outstanding vision, creativity and songwriting ability. The artist will be introduced on the first Monday of the month during the four o'clock hour. Pre-produced vignettes will air throughout the month providing some background and insight about the month's featured artist. Profiles and song clips are posted online on the expanded XPN Artists To Watch area of the station's website.

"Last year we recognized several new voices like Keane, Ray Lamontagne, Charlotte Martin, and David Berkely as Artists To Watch and gave them much needed airplay for their music," said Bruce Warren, program director of WXPN. "With this new monthly format, we can give more individual attention to each artist which translates into more opportunity for these artists to build an audience."

January's XPN Artist To Watch, Danielia Cotton, caught the attention of the station without any of the advance hype that typically accompanies a new artist of this caliber.

"A couple of months ago, we received this six-song, self-titled EP from Cotton who was a complete unknown," explained Dan Reed, WXPN music director. "She knocked us off our collective feet. An artist who was absolutely born to sing, Cotton effortlessly weaves all kinds of musical styles into one very compelling package. This Jersey-born prodigy is certain to be heard from for years to come."

For more on Danielia Cotton and the new monthly series visit the XPN Artist To Watch web page.

WXPN 88.5 FM is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Pennsylvania and the premier source for an eclectic and inspiring mix of music including rock, blues, roots, and folk. WXPN produces the nationally syndicated World Cafe., public radio's most popular program of popular music hosted by David Dye. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, and Harrisburg at 88.1 FM. It is also available via online streaming at www.xpn.org.

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