The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour of Oxford has been awarded a $17,400 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. This grant is a portion of the $1.3 million in grants the Commission will award in 2017-2018 and will be used to celebrate and document the diverse sounds of an evolving south through live performances, radio broadcasts, an online archive and other multi-media platforms.

“Arts organizations throughout the state of Mississippi play a pivotal role in sharing the power of the arts with people from all walks of life,” said Malcolm White, Executive Director of MAC. “The arts for everyone, and the Mississippi Arts Commission is pleased to support arts organizations committed to growing the presence of the arts in their communities.”

Thacker Mountain Radio Hour began in 1997 as the “Words and Music” show at Blind Jim’s, a former Oxford bar (now The Summit Lodge Bar). Its Oxford home is now Off Square Books at 129 Courthouse Square, with occasional shows at the nearby Lyric Theater.

In 2001, the program went statewide after being picked up for broadcast by Mississippi Public Broadcasting which, now airs the show every Saturday night at 7 p.m. on the radio and online.