I snapped my head to the right and stared at the cassette playing on my work table. The voice. It was the voice. It conveyed a warmth, passion and intelligence that was striking. Linda Yohn's audition tape was remarkable... not for its content, but for how it immediately reflected the personality that WEMU listeners have come to know and love over the past 30 years. There were certainly other talented and knowledgeable applicants for WEMU's Music Director position.But there was only one who possessed the identity of the station in every phrase. But it got better...
When Linda made the station visit, it was obvious that she possessed the essential ingredient of WEMU's character: passion. The station always did more than expected with less than needed. It did so because the character of its staff burned with a passion for its service in both news and music. It was clear that Linda could lead by example with a passion for music, service and people.
It was an absolute stroke of genius to hire Linda Yohn at WEMU. Let me rephrase that. It was a blessing that Linda accepted the position which guided the soul of WEMU. To this day she epitomizes the passion for the community through the music, the warmth of a good friend, and the smarts to offer insight into the soul of public radio.
More than a radio station, WEMU is a service that reaches out into the homes and hearts of listeners. Linda Yohn is the poster-child for WEMU's service to listeners, to the music, to the musician and, therefore, to the community. Quality of life is a term that is often glossed over as an add-on to a community's description. Nothing could be a greater disservice in the lives of each of us. Among the intangibles that create an outstanding quality of life for the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor area is Linda Yohn.
One of the easiest decisions I ever made as General Manager of WEMU was to act after listening to that cassette and to soul of WEMU's future. Linda Yohn, welcome to your new future, but know you will always be a part of WEMU's soul.
Art Timko,General Manager, Emeritus89.1 WEMU-FM
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