volunteers

Volunteer Bios

Howard Burchette

show: “The Funk Show”
time: Saturdays @ 4 p.m.
email: thefunkshow
website: thefunkshow.com

The Funk Show is hosted by Howard Burchette, who has an extensive collection of the funkiest R&B—both the hits and the one-hit wonders—from the 1960s through the ’80s. He also takes the time to keep in contact with modern-day funksters, playing their current releases, interviewing them and getting them to record fun-to-hear station IDs.


Jim Davis

show: “8 Track Flashback”
time: Saturdays @ Noon
email: [email protected]
website: 8trackflashback.com

Jim Davis has been with WNCU since the very beginning, helping to supervise the construction of the station in 1994–5. Although he’s still the chief engineer (in charge of the technical operation of WNCU), he’s best known as host of “8 Track Flashback,” where you can relive fond memories as he plays R&B, rock ’n roll, pop, and jazz from the 1940s through the ’60s.


Ed Fulbright

show: “Mastering Your Money”
time: Saturdays @ 10 a.m.
email: edf

Ed Fulbright, a certified public accountant and financial advisor, has been with WNCU since its inception. By listening to his show, “Mastering Your Money,” you can learn how to repair credit, stretch an advertising budget, deal with the IRS, research estate planning, and other tasks related to finance. “Mastering Your Money” is so popular that it’s now syndicated in six markets in the Southeast and Midwest.


Walter Hatcher

show: “Hallelujah Praise”
time: Sundays @ 9 a.m.

Walter “Country Boy” Hatcher hosts “Hallelujah Praise,” every other Sunday, alternating with Carolyn Pettiford Ryals. Both hosts play a mix of traditional gospel music, mostly quartets, plus old favorites and new releases by local musicians. Walter also sings lead with the Traveling Sons, a gospel quartet based in Pittsboro.


Patricia A Murray

show:“Radio Skywriter”
time: Saturdays @ 11:30 a.m.
email: durhamskywriter

Patricia A Murray hosts “Radio Skywriter,” which is a public-affairs spinoff of the Durham Skywriter, ‘Durham’s community newspaper.’ She interviews local personalities from all walks of life, including nonprofit representatives, entertainers, notable students, and local innovators. Get “news you can actually use” and connect with local community/civic organizations and programs for both children and adults.


Bouna Ndiaye

show: “Bonjour Africa”
time: Sundays @ 4 p.m.
email: [email protected]

Bouna Ndiaye, a native of Senegal, spins classics and new hits from all over the continent of his Motherland on “Bonjour Africa.” He takes you on a tour of the continent, explaining the various genres and interviewing some of the artists who are touring the US. Have fun listening for the station IDs of popular African artists aired on WNCU.


Carolyn Pettiford Ryals

show: “Hallelujah Praise”
time: Sundays @ 9 a.m.
email: carolynryals

Carolyn Pettiford Ryals hosts “Hallelujah Praise” every other Sunday, alternating with Walter “Country Boy” Hatcher. Both hosts play a mix of traditional gospel music, mostly quartets, plus old favorites and new releases by local musicians. Carolyn receives announcements from area churches and reads them during the popular ‘Church News’ segment at 9:30am, followed by her inspirational ‘Thought for the Day’ every Sunday without fail.


Steve Taxman

show: “Jazz Focus”
time: Saturdays @ 9 a.m.
email: steven.taxman
Steve Taxman hosts Jazz Focus every Saturday morning from 9-12, playing the best in mainstream jazz. The show features a wide variety of jazz styles, but is firmly grounded in 40s-60s bebop and hard bop, with a strong representation from new artists of the past year. He is frequently rediscovering obscure tracks by established masters and forgotten talent so that you can hear compositions you may have never heard before.