"Jazz for the Holidays," a radiothon fundraiser, will be hosted this weekend by the Mid-South's only exclusively jazz radio station, WUMR.
Chris Davis, program director for the University of Memphis station, said people will be able to hear jazz versions of classic Christmas songs, and that it will be a "unique listening experience."
The radiothon begins Thursday at 9:17 a.m. and ends Sunday at 9:17 p.m.
Leroy Dorsey, chair of the department of communications, chose the times to reflect the station's frequency, 91.7. Davis said it is a reccurring theme to promote the station.
"[The radiothon] will allow us to have a powerful impact," Davis said.
The fundraiser will last four days, slightly more than 91.7 hours. Davis said the station is trying to "keep the frequency in people's minds."
Pledges can be made by phone at 901-678-4000 or online at wumr.memphis.edu.
"We just decided to allow people to give whatever they are able to give," Davis said.
In the past, the donation goal was created to cover expenses due to the gap between what WUMR gets from the state and what it needs to operate. This year, the station is focusing on trying to make continuous improvements to keep it moving forward, Davis said.
