WAMU 88.5’s Red Shipley to Retire on 25th Anniversary

Legendary WAMU 88.5 host Red Shipley will retire as he celebrates his 25th anniversary as host of Stained Glass Bluegrass. Shipley’s final episode will air from 6-10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 16. Bob Webster, who currently works on the program with Shipley, will take over hosting duties as the program moves to WAMU’s Bluegrass Country in HD at 88.5-2 and online at bluegrasscountry.org, where it has been airing since 2001.

"I want to retire while I'm at the top of my game,” Shipley said. “It's been a great 25 years."

Shipley’s career has spanned more than 50 years, with the constant being the songs that serve as the foundation for his bluegrass gospel programs. He began his career at WJMA-AM in Orange, Va., on Memorial Day, 1956. In his time at WPIK-AM/WXRA-FM in Alexandria, Va., he began a program called Inside Bluegrass, and met Jerry Gray, who was instrumental in bringing him to WAMU 88.5. Red filled in for Jerry and other bluegrass hosts, and in August 1982, took his place in the host’s chair on Stained Glass Bluegrass, where he’s remained since.

After his retirement from the trade show industry in late 1995, Shipley returned to Orange, Va., to be closer to his family. This move brought about a unique partnership between WAMU 88.5 and commercial station WJMA-FM in Orange that has allowed Red to continue to serve his regular listeners and has added even more loyal Stained Glass Bluegrass fans in central Virginia. In September 2006, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) named Red its Broadcaster of the Year.

"For 25 years, Red Shipley has brought his unique, folksy style to Stained Glass Bluegrass," said Caryn G. Mathes, General Manager for WAMU 88.5. "His connection with our listeners and his love of the music has made Sunday mornings 'destination radio' for so many, and he’ll be greatly missed. I wish him a wonderful, well-earned retirement."

In honor of the loyal following Red has garnered in 25 years as host of Stained Glass Bluegrass, WAMU 88.5 has set up a phone number for listeners to leave messages for him. Fans can call 202-885-8827 to leave a message telling Red what the show has meant to them.

American University’s radio station since 1961, WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington, D.C., area with more than 650,000 listeners in the region. WAMU 88.5 is “your NPR news station in the nation’s capital.”