ASHLAND — Get ready for 48 hours of non-stop vinyl records.
WRDL, Ashland University’s award-winning, student-run radio station will be participating in its ninth Vinylthon celebration on Saturday and Sunday.
Vinylthon, which itself is in its 11th year, is an annual event organized by the College Radio Foundation, a non-profit charity in New Jersey, according to an Ashland University press release. The College Radio Foundation also organizes College Radio Day each fall.
Since its inception, the event has expanded from 24 hours of non-stop vinyl records to 48 hours, Derek Wood, faculty advisor and general manager of WRDL, said April 7.
Students, alumni, faculty and friends of the radio station all have a hand in the 48-hour production.
“All of the songs are strategically programmed and picked based on the personalities on the air,” Wood said. “It may be from their own collection or the radio station’s vinyl collection, but it’s a showcase of music and a medium of music, specifically vinyl, that’s had a resurgence in popularity especially in the last half decade.”
Images below are courtesy of Derek Wood, faculty advisor and general manager of WRDL.
Radio stations that spin at least 24 hours of vinyl records are given the Golden Slipmat
Award, the release said. An additional award (Diamond Slipmat) is given to stations that play 48 hours.
WRDL has won eight Golden Slipmats, as well as one Diamond Slipmat in 2025 — the first year it was available. Vinylthon will begin Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and play only vinyl records until Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
What’s new with Vinylthon 2026?
New this year during Vinylthon on WRDL is a retrospective of the 1970s rock band from Flint, Michigan, Grand Funk Railroad, Wood said.
WRDL interviewed founding member, Mark Farner, who was the primary songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist for the group.
Grand Funk Railroad charted 19 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100, including eight Top 40 hits and two number ones. The group sold over 30 million records worldwide, including more than a dozen gold and platinum-certified albums.
“It’s my job to provide the students a chance to do something they won’t get to do anywhere else, perhaps ever again,” Wood said. “Vinylthon is that type of event and I always try to challenge us on a regular basis to do the things the other radio stations won’t do.”
“If there’s one way to describe Vinylthon, it’s a very real radio feeling that you get by listening to it,” he said.
WRDL celebrating 60 years on the air
This year marks the 60th year WRDL has been on the air.
Wood said the station has always emphasized hands-on student learning experiences, traditionally through radio. But the station has also increased its digital presence, including a free mobile app launched this year.
The app includes a direct messaging feature, which listeners can utilize to submit requests for the upcoming Vinylthon event — in addition to social media platforms or calling the studio at 419-207-4889.
“I very much believe it as a gift to the audience in celebration of 60 years of community service,” Wood said. “As life changes and people’s listening habits and media preferences change, the one thing that’s remained the same in this community is WRDL providing a transformational learning experience for students.”
He said its a months-long process to piece together the playlist and on-air talents for Vinylthon.
“They (students) have to put together a playlist and some of that is influenced by the listeners who have made Vinylthon really special,” he said. “We do see an increase in requests and audience participation on a day like Vinylthon.
“We think it’s a very intimate celebration and people seem to respond well to the warmth and the feel and the sound of vinyl.”
About WRDL
WRDL can be heard in 10 counties across north central Ohio on 88.9 FM and is streamed live at wrdlfm.com, as well as the app.
WRDL supports the academic mission of the Journalism and Digital Media program at Ashland University and is a member radio station of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System and Ohio Association of Broadcasters.
