Becki Alfrey – photo © M&T Photography
Becki Alfrey has been named as the new host of Bluegrass Diversion, a weekly bluegrass radio program on Morehead State Public Radio WMKY.
Morehead State is the home of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music, which offers both a bachelor’s degree or a minor in Traditional Music. It is located in Morehead, KY.
Bluegrass Diversion first launched on WMKY in 1984 with Lisa Salley behind the microphone. Over the years, a number of hosts have kept the show going, most notably Sandy Knipp, who was its voice for two decades. The show held its Saturday morning spot on WMKY for some time, only to disappear for a while, returning in 2023 after more than ten years of absence.
Alfrey is a lover and a singer of bluegrass music who, though growing up in a musical family, never dipped a toe into bluegrass until she took some classes at the Kentucky Center. She currently works at Morehead State as a retention specialist and academic advisor, and says that she is delighted to take the reins on Bluegrass Diversion.
In an interview with WMKY upon taking this new position, Becki shared…
“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to be part of a historic program that has promoted bluegrass, old-time and traditional music. I hope to continue to the great work started by Lisa Lally, while following in the footsteps of Sandy Knipp, Jesse Wells, John Ryster, and others who’ve continued the tradition of hosting a live radio program with a focus on bluegrass and old-time music.
My hope is that listeners will gain insight from songs of our past, present, and new sounds for our future. I love blending a mix of styles and genres, from fast-paced, toe-tapping songs to slowing it down with graceful melodies that remind you to take life one step at a time. I will pair the songs of my youth with those I have come to know and love, share the gifts by the musicians who write and play them.
I dug into the history, culture, highs and lows shared in the lonesome cries and joyous yodels to find myself. I am blessed to have a family that still sings and plays, active in their churches or in bands, and I love to join them when we get together. As a two-time graduate of Morehead State University, I am proud to keep this tradition alive at Morehead State Public Radio and share my love for music with my listeners.
The bluegrass community is very special and unique, providing an insight into the life of Appalachia, where depending on your location, you grew up in the hills and hollers, heading off to the mines to dig coal, heading north to Ohio to get a job, working the lumber yards or growing tobacco, basically, just trying to scratch out a living. This history ties us together throughout Appalachia. We have the stories of our elders who share their challenging times and how they came out of it to be successful. When we come together as a community, we are bound by the past and can be hopeful for the future.”
Bluegrass Diversion airs on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. It can be heard throughout eastern Kentucky at 90.3 FM, or via online streaming from the Morehead State web site.
