Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind chose its birthday celebration for its longest-term volunteer, Audio Engineer and Program Director John Schumacher, to make a major announcement - the nonprofit that serves hundreds of visually-impaired and blind listeners is actively seeking to reach everyone in the Phoenix Valley with its general-audience programs.

The first episode of the Music & Memories program will debut on RRRB’s internet radio station, KRUVradiosun on Feb. 28. It will air Monday through Friday at 5:30 p.m. and seven days a week at 1:30 a.m. The digital radio station is found by entering KRUVradiosun into the search bar of your favorite internet browser.

But a much easier and more popular way to access the Music & Memories program (and all RRRB programs) is through the podcast on the Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind website readingfortheblind.org.  When the site comes up, click on the Listen tab. All programs on the podcast are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

“We’ve known for a long time that much of our programing would also be of great interest to a huge number of other listeners, as well,” Schumacher said at his 91st birthday party. “But it was when we began creating our newest program, Music & Memories, that we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we had something no other radio station or podcast in the entire country had. With the creation of each episode of Music & Memories, we realized our potential listenership was more than a million people in the Valley and quite possibly countless millions across the entire country — because our research shows not another radio station or podcast is doing the wonderful thing we are doing.”

The program focuses on popular music from 1940 to 1990. Each performer and each song is introduced with reflections and memories about a performer or a song.

“We treat each piece of music and each performer as if the songs and the singers were right here with us. We treat them like the treasures they are,” said Mel Livatino, the originator and host of the program.

“The music we play isn't just for pleasure, though it certainly is a delight to hear ... Even more important, the music we are playing celebrates the memories, meaning, and miracle of love and life when we were young.”

These evenings of music will begin airing on KRUVradiosun and on the RRRB podcast on Feb. 28.

To learn more or to volunteer, call 623-933-0985, or visit readingfortheblind.org. To listen to the programs click on the Listen tab. The podcast is available 24 hours a day every day.