WUTK tells volunteer hosts they're no longer needed: 'We appreciate your service'

WUTK's email to specialty radio hosts was vague and unsettling for the volunteer DJs who supplement student slots on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville station, which is still without its longtime GM Benny Smith.

The email sent by WUTK Underwriting and Marketing Manager Matt Keaton, published in its entirety below, said only students and staff will be "managing the airwaves."

Smith, a respected figure in the radio and local music scene, confirmed the online rumor of his administrative leave but clarified in a text message to host Wayne Bledsoe of the "Six O'Clock Swerve" that his job has not been terminated.

Bledsoe shared the message July 11 with Knox News and with listeners of his WUTK show who were in attendance for the live broadcast at Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria. But the show never aired after Bledsoe's team received a message 35 minutes prior that things were changing behind the scenes at WUTK.

While introducing legendary Knoxville rock band Superdrag at Lost & Found Records on July 13, volunteer DJs Rob Levering and Derek Senter shared their bleak outlook on the changes happening at WUTK.

"I don't expect a lot of change to come out of this," said Levering of music fans rallying in support. His recent episode of "The Funhouse" with Senter aired July 12 on public TV due to WUTK's restriction on those who are not students.

Smith did not attend the Superdrag concert as previously announced and did not provide a statement to the volunteer DJs to share with the crowd as they anticipated.

The goal of Smith's supporters at this point, Levering said, is to make the situation "a complete PR headache for the University of Tennessee."

Bledsoe encouraged his audience at Barley's on July 11 to protest the changes by donating in minuscule increments to WUOT, whose leadership some feel are responsible for Smith's change in status with WUTK.

They also should ask for documentation for tax purposes, Bledsoe said.

The idea is WUOT will be overwhelmed by the large number of donations, albeit small amounts, but will have to accept them regardless for compliancy.

Another local station, WOZO (103.9 FM), is offering some of its radio slots to "WUTK refugees."

"We encourage any DJ who cannot access the airwaves to reach out to us and we will do everything we can to put them on air at WOZO so their voices cannot be silenced," WOZO posted to its Facebook page July 11. "In a very real sense without Benny’s leadership, our station may not have been inspired to get a license and go on air."

What did WUTK's email to volunteer DJs say?

Knox News has obtained the email sent by Keaton to volunteer DJs (those not enrolled at the university):

"Dear WUTK Volunteers,

At WUTK, we are committed to serving as a learning laboratory for our students. We greatly appreciate your dedication to WUTK and our mission. At this time, our students and staff will be managing the airwaves at WUTK. We appreciate your service to WUTK and will keep you updated on station needs going forward.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding."

Missing from the email was any update on Smith's status, who is overseeing the station in his absence, who made the decision to pull the specialty programs hosted by volunteers and how long the restriction will last − all questions not answered by the university, despite multiple attempts by Knox News.

The only answer Knox News received from UT after multiple requests for information came July 11 from spokesperson Kerry Gardner, who said Smith is still employed at UT, later adding that the university does not comment on “personnel matters.”

More:Notable Knoxvillians support Benny Smith as he awaits his fate at WUTK

'The Funhouse': Volunteer DJs help fill college student gaps at WUTK

Levering and Senter, who are are volunteer DJs (not students or WUTK staff), have lauded Smith's character when it comes to mentoring students at the station. On their recent TV version of "The Funhouse," the co-hosts said they have maintained their time slot on WUTK because no students have been willing to work 8-10 p.m. Fridays.

If a student wanted the slot, Levering and Senter said, they could have it. Volunteer DJs fill the gaps.

Knox News has sent questions to leaders at WUTK, WUOT and the College of Communication and Information about changes implemented at the radio stations. They have not responded to our questions, and the WUTK page on Facebook remains inactive.

Smith returned to WUTK full time in 2004 after previous stints as a specialty show host, music director and program director. He got his start with the station as a student DJ in the 1980s.

Contact Keenan Thomas by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com; Ryan Wilusz by email at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com.

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