WYEP radio axes 'Soul Show' and 'An American Sampler' from weekend lineup

Two longtime staples of public radio station 91.3 WYEP’s weekend lineup are departing the airwaves.

WYEP, which is run by the Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation and bills itself as “Pittsburgh’s home for Adult Alternative Music,” announced Wednesday that it is canceling “The Soul Show.” It has been on the air since 1995 and has been hosted for the last 13 years by Mike Canton.

The station said in a news release that “The Soul Show” will continue to be available via Canton’s website at www.soulshowmike.org.

Also, “An American Sampler” is leaving WYEP’s Sunday evening schedule after 31 years on the air. The program has been hosted by Ken Batista who has been among the station’s “longest-tenured volunteer hosts, bringing folk and acoustic music to listeners for 31 years,” according to a statement from WYEP.

“We are honored that Ken has shared his knowledge and passion for the music with WYEP listeners for all this time,” Vice President of Broadcasting for Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Mike Sauter said. “We are grateful to both Ken and Mike for their long service on WYEP.”

WYEP program director Liz Felix said the changes were based on feedback from listeners.

“We are working to bring listeners more of the great mix of music on the weekend that they hear during the weekdays,” Felix said.

Another significant change is that “Roots & Rhythm,” an Americana and roots music program hosted by Jesse Novak is moving to a new time on Sunday nights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The programming changes go into effect this weekend.