Here are my picks for the top 16 local Public Radio programs in the Philadelphia Metropolitan, Delaware Valley Area serving South Jersey.

16. The Blues Show
http://www.xpn.org/blues.php (WXPN)
The Blues Show, with host Johnny Meister, covers the entire history of the blues from 1920 to the present, from the best-known to the most obscure blues, with an eye both on the rich history of this music and its current vitality.

15. Acoustic Cafe
http://www.acafe.com/ (WHYY)
The Acoustic Cafe showcases new acoustic music. Each week, they air two hours featuring the best singer-songwriters in the business, including rare acoustic cuts, classic tracks, plus exclusive, live in-studio interviews and performances each week.

14. Speaking Of Faith
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/ (WHYY)
Public radio's national conversation about belief, meaning, ethics, and ideas.

13. A Chef's Table
http://www.whyy.org/91FM/chef/ (WHYY)
Every week, Chef Jim Coleman invites you into his kitchen for great conversations with nationally-known chefs and food experts. Together, they cook up mouthwatering recipes and explain cuisines and techniques. Chef Coleman takes you on culinary adventures across the country - he'll visit fine restaurants as well as hidden roadside cafes and diners. The program also offers sound nutritional advice, cookbook reviews, and the latest trends in the world of food.

12. American Routes
http://www.americanroutes.org/ (WHYY)
Each week, Nick Spitzer covers vast musical and cultural ground on American Routes, a public radio program based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hear blues and jazz, roots rock and soul, Cajun and country, zydeco and Tejano... and beyond. Plus stories and conversations with musicians and everyday people, known and unknown. Explore the roots of popular music and popular roots music.

11. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
http://www.npr.org/programs/waitwait/ (WHYY)
NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program. Each week on the radio you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up.

10. Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow (WXPN)
Jazz, folk, instrumental, and contemporary acoustic music served in a great atmosphere.

9. The Thistle & Shamrock
The Thistle & Shamrock (WHYY) 
Celtic based music and warm conversations with performers of Celtic music.

8. You Bet Your Garden
You Bet Your Garden with Mike McGrath (WHYY) 
Offers "fiercely organic advice to gardeners" answering call-in listeners and e-mail, along with guest garden experts. "Soothing" is NOT a word that can be used to describe him or his voice and delivery, but "knowledgeable", "informative" and "entertaining" ARE appropriate descriptions.

7. The Folk Show
The Folk Show with Gene Shay (WXPN) 
Keeping the tradition alive with Folk, Americana music - old and new.

6. Kids Corner
Kids Corner with Kathy O'Connell (WXPN) 
Fun music and talk show just for kids.

5. Whad' Ya Know?
Whad' Ya Know? with Michael Feldman (WHYY) 
Recorded live and usually on the road. It's a cross between "You Bet Your Life" and live call-in and audience participation shows, plus a small band and special guests (just listen to it). Informative, entertaining and always humorous (and remember the official answer is: "Not Much!").

4. Market Place
Marketplace (WHYY) 
Daily radio magazine of business and economics based look at companies, products and events that effect our lives, sometimes in a fun, but always interesting, way.

3. Fresh Air
Fresh Air with Terry Gross (WHYY, which is also the producer) 
Interviewer par excellance of famous and interesting guests -- this is the way it's suppose to be done.
 
2. Car Talk
Car Talk (WHYY) 
Talk show by two brothers answering car questions called in by listeners - hilarious banter and even useful information dispensed.
 
1. Prairie Home Companion
Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor (WHYY) 
There is no other like it. (Click here to read my comments in a previous blog entry.) Catch it while you still can.


Note: Most of the web sites provide broadcast archives, some provide transcripts and others provide additional information and resources in support of the progrms.
 
 
 
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