This morning, as I was driving into work, I listened to a bit of Paul Lauzon's “Monday Jukebox” show on WCUW 91.3 FM, which showcases music from the '50s and '60s. Only caught a couple of songs, and wasn't really paying attention. Mostly, I just sing along (or hum, if I don't know the lyrics) to whatever's playing. Some mornings it's a blues program, or a Motown show: Classic music that we're not constantly force-fed, music that still feels a bit surprising and new, if only because we don't often hear the particular songs all the time.

It's not always to my taste, but I'm always struck by how deeply the D.J.s seem to care about the music they play. That sort of love carries over to the listener in ways that commercial programming never really seems to.



Likewise, I usually listen to WCUW on my way home, too, and am pleased when I can catch Nicole Belanger hosting “The Drive.” Belanger's song choices always stick out a bit from the usual WCUW fare. Take her April 29 show, where she played music by The Modern Lovers, The Sugarcubes and The Jam.



Catching the beginning of that show as I made my way home, I was also pleased to discover that Mike Benedetti — host of the “508: A Show About Worcester” podcast and sometimes Pop Culture Notebook frenemy — was a guest. Benedetti was taping an episode of “508” while being a guest on Belanger's show. It's all very meta.



In any case, the resulting episode is a good exploration of community radio and how it works, and a nice behind-the-scenes look at WCUW:







Belanger pulls back the curtains a bit on the station, alluding to her time interning for the iconic Worcester personality Captain P.J. and showing off old punk recordings made by music-scene guru Brian Goslow, and even pointing out classic reel-to-reel recordings of Worcester artists: A potentially invaluable resource for local music historians. It's a nice little portrait of how the almost-entirely volunteer-driven operation runs, although it's bittersweet to learn afterward that the show Benedetti captured on “508” is actually the last she'll be doing for a while. But who knows? Maybe the next voice to appear on WCUW will likewise add something surprising and delightful to the evening commute.



WCUW will hold a Members Appreciation Party at 7 p.m. May 10, which will feature music by Worcester musician Big Jon Short, contemporary blues great Rev. Freakchild and 2013 Boston Blues Competition finalist Robin O'Herin. The event will be held in the WCUW Frontroom, 910 Main St., Worcester. Suggested donation is $10. (Victor D. Infante)