WVLP 98.3 FM showcased Valpo’s local talent Sunday night at Valparaiso University. The radio station presented the concert which featured 19 acts as a fundraiser to keep WVLP alive a kicking. WVLP is a locally supported radio station, which in their words, “provides an alternative to commercial radio with a broader selection of music, news and talk with an emphasis on local music and issues.”
One of the broadcasters for the station is John King, who spotlights local talent for WVLP during his show Livin’ It Up. He described the importance of Stars over Valpo to WVLP. “This is a not for profit community radio station and in order for us to keep going we have to raise the funds," he said. "This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the year.” King also had a large hand in being responsible for the musicians, “I brought in half of the acts for tonight and then Paul Schreiner added up the second half. I have a lot of these people come on my show and with that we were able to bring in a wide arrange of talent.”
The night began with the Master of Ceremonies Steve “Nine Fingers” Cronk, who hosts the morning show, Valpo Blues and Democracy in Action for the station, which he filled with puns and jokes of his own. From then on the first ten acts performed covers and their own new or old material. Buddy Pearson, Mami Matsuda and her daughter), Taylor Fleming and Devin Whitten, Pete Calacci and Kelly Skaggs, Carolyn and Pancho Rodea (and Angelo Cicco gave the night an excellent start. Chris and Megan Marlof, owners of Valpo’s Old World Market, played on rare occasion together as an act even though they are seasoned musicians who have played with the likes of Jay-z and Robert Glass - to name a few. The Webdells played shortly after which is made up of young sisters Sophia and Mia and their mom Valerie. Melissa Welch, a seasoned saxophonist, played with previous performers Devin Whitten and Buddy Pearson. To finish off the first half of the evening was Patti Schafner, who stepped onto the stage with Melissa Welch.
After the short intermission more artists came up to showcase their talent. Lou Samaniago, WAZ (Walter Lisek), started it off before John Derado, Ronn Barany, Ron Buffington played three songs together with each of them taking a vocal lead. Jason Murphy and Beatrice Eveland followed shortly after. Robert Rolfe Federsen, who hosts Left of Center on Wednesday and Fridays on the station, performed an original song about about an abandoned band member of Metalica but it was what he said before that really struck a chord with the audience. “I love working for WVLP and being able to play new music and discovering new talent from this area. It’s positive and fun and playing original material up here is a humbling experience. It’s thanks to you and everyone who is involved that makes this station happen.”
The final act was Harlan Bjornstad, Dot Pakan and Jeff Helmers who performed a capella - a great top off to a successful affair. Every single person who went under the stage lights did the event free of charge as a response to their love of Valparaiso’s 98.3 FM. In turn all of the attendee’s of Sunday night’s entertainment provided a donation to the radio station with the purchase of their ticket. With every dollar given it keeps WVLP up and sending waves through a radio or internet stream in order for this and many other events to happen. All information for donations or simply about Valpo Radio can be found at their website.
This year there may have only been 19 acts in Stars over Valpo, but as time goes on they plan to get bigger and bigger as undoubtedly the talent from Northwest Indiana grows. As for now, WVLP has shown that stars do hang over Valpo.