Banjo Signal

On air

Wednesdays · 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM · AK

KUAC · 89.9 FM · AK

Bluegrass

About the show

Trudy Heffernan is a legendary pillar of the Alaskan acoustic roots music scene, broadcasting straight from the rugged interior of Fairbanks, Alaska. Originally a native of Ontario, Canada, Trudy moved to the Last Frontier to pursue a Master of Science degree in biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Immersing herself in the local culture, she moved into a dry cabin, fell in love with the tight-knit regional acoustic music community, and quickly became an active performer herself, co-founding a folk-duo specializing in humorous, crowd-pleasing animal songs. In 1990, Trudy channelled her deep passion for strings into the airwaves, launching Banjo Signal on KUAC 89.9 FM, the premier public radio voice of interior Alaska. Over the course of 35 incredible years on the air, she turned her broadcast into one of the station’s most beloved, enduring programs. Her monumental impact and volunteer dedication to the Alaskan community were officially recognized when she was awarded the prestigious Spirit of KUAC Award. Beyond the mic, she is deeply embedded in the music scene alongside her husband Will Putman, helping organize major events like the Fairbanks Folk Fest and operating "Mace & Trudy's Acoustic Adventures". She is also a trusted voice nationwide, serving as an official national chart reporting DJ for Bluegrass Unlimited. On-Air Style & Sound The Last Frontier Soundtrack: Broadcasting from the edge of the wilderness, the show delivers an incredibly cozy, warm, and authentic neighborhood atmosphere that captures the rugged spirit of Alaska. The Bluegrass Core: True to the show's title, playlists are anchored heavily by a driving, high-fidelity rotation of traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Acoustic Adventures: Trudy effortlessly pushes the edges of the format by weaving in classic folk, Old-Time string bands, contra dance music, and regional singer-songwriter cuts. Alaskan Spotlight: Trudy uses her platform to give prime exposure to independent and touring acoustic musicians, frequently sharing stories, local music calendars, and tracks from the thriving Alaskan roots community.