TruBlues975 - WDIF 97.5 FM in Marion

TruBlues975 - WDIF 97.5 FM in Marion Marion's premier LPFM radio station. The only blues station in Ohio. 97.5 FM in Marion and online at trublues975.com.

Marion, Ohio non-profit radio station 97.5 FM serving the community needs with blues music, local programs of public interest.

🎶 CLASSIC ALBUM FRIDAY | GARY CLARK JR. — THIS LAND 🎶Can a blues album be a classic when it was released only a few year...
08/21/2026

🎶 CLASSIC ALBUM FRIDAY | GARY CLARK JR. — THIS LAND 🎶

Can a blues album be a classic when it was released only a few years ago?

For Classic Album Friday, we’re jumping forward to 2019 and Gary Clark Jr.’s Grammy-winning This Land — an album that shows just how far the blues can travel without losing its roots.

Clark came out of Austin’s rich blues tradition, but This Land refuses to stay inside one musical box. Blues guitar meets rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae and hip-hop, creating a sound firmly rooted in the present.

The title track is especially powerful. Inspired in part by Clark’s experiences with racism connected to his Texas property, “This Land” tackles race, ownership, identity and belonging in America.

And the Grammys noticed.

🏆 Best Contemporary Blues Album — This Land
🏆 Best Rock Song — “This Land”
🏆 Best Rock Performance — “This Land”

Listen for “This Land,” “What About Us,” “I Got My Eyes on You (Locked & Loaded),” “When I’m Gone” and “Pearl Cadillac.”

📚 The lesson: The blues doesn’t have to sound exactly like it did 50 years ago to remain blues. Each generation takes the foundation, adds its own experiences and influences, and moves the music forward.

That’s exactly what Gary Clark Jr. does on This Land.

🎸 A classic blues album doesn’t necessarily have to be old.

Friday, August 21 | TruBlues 97.5

📻🎸 Today is National Radio Day — and few musical traditions owe more to the airwaves than the blues.Long before streamin...
08/20/2026

📻🎸 Today is National Radio Day — and few musical traditions owe more to the airwaves than the blues.

Long before streaming and social media, radio carried Black blues, gospel and rhythm and blues beyond local clubs and communities to listeners across America. Groundbreaking stations such as Memphis’ WDIA helped launch careers, amplify Black voices and introduce the music to audiences across racial and regional boundaries.

Even B.B. King began behind a radio microphone. His WDIA name, “The Beale Street Blues Boy,” was eventually shortened to the name the world remembers: B.B. King.

Today, independent and community stations like TruBlues 97.5 continue that tradition by sharing the music, musicians and stories that keep the blues alive.

The blues gives radio its soul — and radio helps keep the blues alive. 💙

🎵 THURSDAY | THE STORY BEHIND THE SONGYou know Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” But do you know where it started?In 1965, Ot...
08/20/2026

🎵 THURSDAY | THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG

You know Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” But do you know where it started?

In 1965, Otis Redding wrote and recorded the original—a working man expecting respect from his woman when he came home.

Two years later, Aretha Franklin turned that perspective around. Now the woman was the one demanding respect.

With a new arrangement, powerful backing vocals and an unforgettable performance, Aretha transformed the song. Her 1967 version went to #1 and grew into something even bigger—a song embraced as an anthem of dignity and empowerment, and closely associated with the civil-rights and women’s movements.

🎧 Listen to them back-to-back:

1965 — Otis Redding
1967 — Aretha Franklin

Same song. Two perspectives. Completely different impact.

That’s the story behind “Respect.” 🎶

🇺🇸 LAST CHANCE TO HONOR A MARION COUNTY VETERAN OR SERVICE MEMBERThe Military Banners Project of Marion County is accept...
08/19/2026

🇺🇸 LAST CHANCE TO HONOR A MARION COUNTY VETERAN OR SERVICE MEMBER

The Military Banners Project of Marion County is accepting its final applications September 1–10, 2026 for military street banners honoring local veterans and current service members.

To apply, you’ll need:
• Service or discharge documentation
• A photo — preferably in uniform
• A completed one-page application
• Payment by cash, check or Zelle (no credit cards)

📍 107 N. Main St., Room 212, Marion
📞 740-244-4792 — call or text
📧 [email protected]

Contact the project for an appointment, as volunteers are not available on site full-time.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a military street banner for someone in your family, this is the last chance to apply. Please share and help spread the word! 🇺🇸

08/19/2026

🎸 Talk about where it all started!

Before Joe Bonamassa became one of the biggest names in modern blues, he was just 12 years old and already sharing the stage with the legendary B.B. King.

This throwback clip is a pretty incredible look at a young musician who was already showing signs of what was ahead.

Every blues journey starts somewhere. 💙🎶

How did you first discover Joe Bonamassa?

📻 TruBlues 97.5 WDIF — Keeping the blues alive in Marion.

👑 QUEENS OF THE BLUES: KOKO TAYLORYou can’t talk about the Queens of the Blues without talking about THE Queen of the Bl...
08/19/2026

👑 QUEENS OF THE BLUES: KOKO TAYLOR

You can’t talk about the Queens of the Blues without talking about THE Queen of the Blues — Koko Taylor.

Born Cora Walton near Memphis in 1928, Koko went from singing in church and growing up on a sharecropper’s farm to becoming one of the most powerful voices ever to come out of the Chicago blues scene.

After moving to Chicago, she caught the attention of legendary songwriter and producer Willie Dixon, who helped bring her to Chess Records. Then came 1965 and “Wang Dang Doodle” — the song that would become her signature.

That big, gritty, unmistakable voice carried Koko through decades of performing and earned her 29 Blues Music Awards, a Grammy, induction into the Blues Hall of Fame, and a National Heritage Fellowship.

And that crown? She earned it. 👑

This Wednesday, we’re celebrating Koko Taylor — the Queen of the Blues.

📻 TruBlues 97.5 — Real Blues. Real Radio.

✈️ HERE’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO DO IN MARION THIS WEEKEND!For more than 55 years, the Marion Airfoils have been bringin...
08/18/2026

✈️ HERE’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO DO IN MARION THIS WEEKEND!

For more than 55 years, the Marion Airfoils have been bringing the world of radio-controlled aviation to Marion — and Saturday they’re opening the flying field to the community.

The Marion Airfoils 2026 Open House is Saturday, August 22, from 11 AM–3 PM at 650 Herr Road.

You’ll see experienced R/C pilots flying everything from traditional fixed-wing aircraft and warbirds to helicopters, quadcopters and jets — and this isn’t just a stand-back-and-watch event.

There will be flight simulators, an FPV flying experience, opportunities to talk with local pilots, and plenty of information for anyone who’s ever wondered, “How do I get started doing that?”

The Marion Airfoils have been part of our community since 1971, so this is also a chance to check out one of those longtime Marion organizations you may have driven past without ever really knowing what happens there.

☀️ Bring sunscreen and a lawn chair. Portable canopies are welcome.

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 11 AM–3 PM
📍 650 Herr Road, Marion
🌧️ Rain date: August 29

A fun one for the kids, aviation fans — or anybody who still looks up when they hear an airplane. ✈️

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! TICKETS ARE ON SALE TODAY - TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026 AS OF 3PM EST!Columbus Blues Hall of Fame Ceremon...
08/18/2026

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
TICKETS ARE ON SALE TODAY - TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026 AS OF 3PM EST!

Columbus Blues Hall of Fame Ceremony
Sunday, October 11, 2026
5pm doors, 5:30pm show time
Natalie's - Grandview, Music Hall side

2026 Inductees: André Scott, Patrick McLaughlin, and Jeff McCargish

Musical Performances by: 614Blues Ed and Piper & The Hard Times

Tickets can only be purchased through this link or at Natalie's - Grandview - ticket box in person.
https://events.leapevents.com/tickets/columbus-blues-alliance-hall-of-fame-celebration-b967url

Do not trust any other links.

There are also no vendors at this event.

Always reach out to Columbus Blues Alliance with any questions.

🎶 A big thank-you to Mike “Cigar Mike” Crider, who served as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Coldwell Banker Realty...
08/18/2026

🎶 A big thank-you to Mike “Cigar Mike” Crider, who served as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Coldwell Banker Realty TruBlues 97.5 Blues Fest!

Mike’s connection to Marion music goes back decades — from picking up a guitar as a young musician, to performing in the local scene, to helping preserve its history through Marion Music ’Round Midnight on TruBlues 97.5.

Mike has spent years playing the music, supporting the musicians, sharing the stories, and making sure some of Marion’s musical history isn’t forgotten.

Having him behind the microphone guiding us through Saturday’s festival just felt right!

Thank you, Mike, for being part of the soundtrack — and the story — of Marion music. 💙🎸

(Pictured with Julie Guy of Coldwell Banker Realty Marion, OH)

08/18/2026

Don’t miss her the next time she comes through.

Address

734 East Center Street/2nd Floor
Marion, OH
43302

Telephone

+17403603137

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