Hardly Strictly

On air

2:30 AM` – 4 AM · et

WMPG · 90.1 · ME

Bluegrass

About the show

Fred Frawley is a highly respected radio veteran and a cornerstone of the New England acoustic roots broadcasting scene. Based in Maine, Fred has spent years behind the microphone cultivating a loyal community of listeners who tune in for his incredible curation and deep musical knowledge. He is the long-standing host of Hardly Strictly, which broadcasts live on WMPG 90.9 FM, the popular community radio voice of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Fred’s massive reputation extends far beyond the studio console. He is deeply embedded in the Northeast bluegrass community, serving as a trusted voice and prominent on-site personality at premier regional events, such as the historic Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival in Brunswick, Maine. His dedication to supporting independent artists makes his program a vital destination for touring musicians and labels alike. On-Air Style & Sound Breaking the Boundaries: True to the show's name, Hardly Strictly eschews rigid genre definitions. While hard-driving, traditional bluegrass forms the core engine of the playlist, Fred delights in pushing the edges of the format. The Acoustic Spectrum: Listeners can expect a masterfully structured journey through classic Bluegrass, old-time string bands, Americana, acoustic blues, and contemporary roots music. Champion of Independent Artists: Fred uses his platform to consistently spotlight independent and emerging singer-songwriters, giving critical early-rotation airplay to new acoustic releases. Local and National Flavor: The show perfectly balances the absolute biggest contemporary hits moving up the national bluegrass charts with deep-cut gems from the rich, legendary New England acoustic music scene.