Charleston cranks up the volume: WTSQ to launch CharlesTunes, a hyperlocal music and events stream
PRESS RELEASE:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Get ready to turn the dial up to local. WTSQ 88.1 FM, Charleston’s fiercely independent community radio station, is proud to announce the official launch of CharlesTunes, a first-of-its-kind hyperlocal music and events hub dedicated to celebrating the sounds, stories, and soul of the Capital City. Backed by seed funding from the City of Charleston, the initiative is set to go live with a press event on Thursday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. inside the newly outfitted CharlesTunes Podcast Center at the Peoples Building (179 Summers Street, Suite 712).
This isn’t just another streaming project. It’s a sonic love letter to Charleston. Through music, storytelling, and a relentless focus on what’s happening right now in our city, CharlesTunes is poised to become a go-to destination for anyone curious about Charleston’s unique rhythm.
“We are always looking for ways to hand the microphone to our local artists, businesses, and activists who’s mission is improving the lives of Charleston’s community. Charles Tunes is just our latest interaction of this ongoing mission. We expect this resource to blow up with great hidden talent and local brilliance.”
The project’s scope is ambitious: a 24/7 music stream featuring local recordings, an ongoing rotation of interviews and features from WTSQ’s newly launched Podcast Center, a revitalized morning radio show (airing weekdays from 7:00–9:00 a.m.), and a fresh editorial newsletter, On the Record, created with support from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation’s Narrative Power Grant program.
From spotlighting independent artists and listing must-see live performances, to oering space and support for community members to create their own audio content, CharlesTunes aims to be more than a station but a cultural infrastructure.
Launch Event Details:
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Peoples Building – 179 Summers Street, Suite 712
Guests Expected: Mayor Amy Goodwin, Charleston Area Alliance, local media, and WTSQ volunteers
The public is invited to tune in, show up, and join WTSQ in cranking up the future of Charleston’s music and arts scene. This revolution will not be televised—it’ll be broadcast, streamed, and podcast with a local heartbeat.
About WTSQ 88.1 FM
WTSQ is Charleston’s non-profit, listener-supported radio bringing independent programming, community voices, and a strong commitment to the local arts scene to nearly 10,000 weekly listeners. For almost a decade, WTSQ has amplified the city’s cultural landscape—and with CharlesTunes, they’re just getting started.
