WXPN Spotlights James Hunter as the XPN Artist To Watch for March

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Created on Friday, 24 February 2006 09:06

PHILADELPHIA, PA February 24, 2006 – WXPN, the nationally-recognized leader in Triple A music and noncommercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, names James Hunter its March Artist To Watch. Host David Dye will present the first of the month’s on-air segments focusing on this rising British soul artist on Monday, February 27 in the four o’clock hour.

James Hunter's music harkens back to the days of classic 1950s and early '60s R&B, with infectious vocal and guitar performances, clever songwriting and tight horn arrangements. Hunter has toured extensively with Van Morrison, singing alongside such luminaries as John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Jimmy Witherspoon and Georgie Fame.

Hunter will make his U.S. debut on March 7 with the release of People Gonna Talk on GO Records/Rounder Records. Born in Colchester, England, Hunter was drawn to the sounds of R&B at an early age. WXPN will welcome Hunter on March 9th when he performs at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street).

“We thought we were hearing some long-lost gem from the Stax vaults when Hunter's album first landed in our CD players," said Dan Reed, music director for WXPN. “The new album has a great vibe along with great songs, and there's certainly nothing quite like JAMES HUNTER out there today.”

“James Hunter is the real deal,” added Bruce Warren, assistant general manager of programming for WXPN. “He's got soul, great songs and all the right moves and our listeners are already reacting to the music we've been playing.”

The XPN Artists To Watch series reflects WXPN’s commitment to nurturing fresh, new talent and exposing listeners to the best new music. Each month, the XPN Artists To Watch series spotlights a different up-and-coming performer who has produced an album or body of work that demonstrates outstanding vision, creativity and songwriting ability. Month-long on-air promotion is combined with online features to help audiences discover each artist.

For more on the XPN Artists To Watch series and this month’s featured artist, visit Artist To Watch.

WXPN 88.5 FM, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe®, public radio’s most popular program of popular music hosted by David Dye and syndicated by National Public Radio, and the Peabody Award winning Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, Harrisburg at 88.1 FM, and the world via online streaming at www.xpn.org.