‘FM Odyssey’ Radio Episode Wins Top National Award
Fred Migliore’s Program Launched at Florida Tech Radion Station WFIT
MELBOURNE, FLA. — FM Odyssey Radio, the weekly music and interview show launched by Fred Migliore at Florida Tech’s WFIT 89.5 FM nearly 30 years ago, has been recognized with one of radio’s highest awards for its special program honoring the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 space mission.
The 2019 episode received a Best Music Special award at the this year’s New York Festivals Radio Awards in April. It and all awards entries are judged around the world by panels of industry peers. More than 15,000 total entries were received from over 40 countries.
The winning episode of FM Odyssey, titled “The 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11,” interspersed actual dialogue between Apollo astronauts and Mission Control from a cherished childhood record of Migliore’s, Man’s Incredible Voyage to the Moon, with songs written about the moon. The record was a gift from his mom to a 10-year-old Migliore.
But it almost didn’t happen: After deciding to use the record, Migliore could not find it in his collection.
“I searched online to find a used copy, but to no avail,” he said. “Just when I was about to throw in the towel, I found a sealed copy of it for $15. My Mom had died recently, and I knew she had a hand in this miraculous discovery.”
At the end of the award-winning show, Migliore thanks his mother “for what she did for me 50 years ago and what she did for me now.” He also accepted the award on her behalf.
FM Odyssey began, along with Migliore’s radio career, in 1991. It was originally called “Another Unconventional Sunday Morning,” when he started it that year at WFIT. The three-hour show blended esoteric folk/rock and “everything in between,” with new and emerging singer/songwriters.
The show earned national syndication in 1998 and was renamed FM Odyssey. It airs on more than 90 stations and has attracted some of the biggest names in music for interviews with Migliore, including Bill Joel, Judy Collins, Dan Fogelberg, Arlo Guthrie and Ray Manzarek of The Doors.
The show airs Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on WFIT.
The award-winning episode is available here.
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