Alternative radio, a staple of Baltimore's musical life for more than 25 years, is experiencing a resurgence with the growing popularity of two small stations fighting for the hearts of progressive rock fans.
WHFS, the granddaddy of area alternative rock stations, now shares the airwaves with the progressive free-form station WRNR in Annapolis and an Adult Album Alternative station from Philadelphia that sends its signal to the area via WKHS on the Eastern Shore.
But even as those stations are generating excitement among listeners, WHFS is enjoying some of its strongest ratings ever. New ratings out yesterday put the station in eighth place among all local stations -- just a notch above WIYY (98 Rock). A year ago, WHFS ranked 11th and WIYY 5th.
The resurgence of alternative radio is part of a national trend, as stations capitalize on the huge appeal of such groups as Pearl Jam and the Gin Blossoms. Billboard magazine says modern rock is the nation's second-fastest growing format behind '70s oldies.
This area, of course, has a history of passion for stations with a broad-minded musical format -- among them such old favorites as WRTI in Frederick, WCVT in Towson, WLMD AM in Laurel, WKTK in Catonsville, WGTB in Washington.
But none has been more popular -- or more resilient -- than WHFS, the station Jake Einstein founded in Bethesda in 1967. For 15 years, progressive rock and home-grown talent flourished at WHFS on Cordell Avenue, next to the legendary nightclub the Psychedelly.
Mr. Einstein moved the station to Annapolis in 1982 and sold it six years later. The new owners moved to Landover and changed from the eclectic, progressive format that had been WHFS' hallmark to a more mainstream version of modern rock.
That has led to a debate over whether WHFS has left the alternative edge. "People ask if alternative has gone mainstream," acknowledges music director Robert Benjamin. "I
suppose it has. The quality of the music, though, hasn't changed at all. It's just that more people like it."
While it may be more mainstream, Mr. Benjamin says the station remains dedicated to discovering new artists and introducing them to its listeners.
"When we believe in an artist, a song, we get very enthusiastic about it and we will play things a lot," he says. "We've found that's the best way to do it. We're always changing. The music is always changing."
