KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee’s student radio station, WUTK 90.3 The Rock, was recently voted “Knoxville’s Best Radio Station” in the inaugural Knoxville Mercury “Top Knox” readers’ poll. This is the tenth straight year that WUTK has received this award, being voted the best station in the readers’ polls of Knoxville’s other free, independent newspapers including Metro Pulse (2006-2014), and Blank Newspaper (2015). Three of WUTK’s on-air personalities were voted runner-ups in the “Best Radio Personality” category, including Damian Messer, DJ 1-Chance (Chance Collins), and Derek Senter and Rob Levering from “The Funhouse.” WUTK has won numerous local and national awards and accolades over the last ten years, and offers an eclectic programming and musical mix unlike any other on the Knoxville dial since 1982. WUTK serves as a learning lab for UT students, especially those from the College of Communication and Information. “Being voted ‘Knoxville’s Best’ for ten years not only shows you how passionate our many listeners and supporters are, it also proves that there are some special students and volunteers who work hard, every day, to make sure Knoxville has a true alternative on the dial.,” said WUTK General Manager/Program Director, Benny Smith.

WUTK recently launched a new branding campaign that centers on their new “Volunteer Radio” tag, which includes a new logo, bumper sticker design, and station apparel for sale to help raise money for the self-supporting station that has to bring in funding for its day-to-day operations. The Rock is also producing a fund raiser concert for the station this Friday, October 30 at 9 p.m. at The Concourse in Knoxville, featuring Knoxville rapper Lil’ Iffy in his next-to-last concert appearance, ever. Also on the bill for this 18 and over show will be local bands Gamenight, and The Billy Widgets. A minimum donation of $5 is requested for entry, with all proceeds benefitting WUTK. The station is also hosting a benefit beer dinner Monday, November 2nd at Sunspot Restaurant on The Strip at 6:30 for those 21 years of age and over. Asheville, North Carolina’s Highland Brewing Company will provide a different flavor craft beer with each of the five courses for the meal, prepared by Sunspot Chef Brandon Cruze. A limited number of reservations for the beer dinner are available at (865) 637-4663. There will be valuable door prizes at this event, and proceeds from the $50 tickets benefit WUTK.