In August 2019, Washington State University abruptly terminated Dan Maher’s Inland Folk radio show after 37 years. Dan recently retired from his long career at WSU, which holds the licenses for Northwest Public Broadcasting radio and television stations. Dan had intended to keep producing the radio show, which he hosted as a volunteer for 15 years, and subsequently produced for minimal compensation. Dan’s public television show, Jam with Dan, which he hosted as a volunteer, has also ceased production.

Dan used Inland Folk as a platform to share acoustic music with listeners across the Northwest, to educate, enlighten, and inspire. He has supported NWPB during pledge drives, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars in pledges each year, often offering private concerts as donor incentives. He has nurtured the performing arts throughout the Northwest by introducing his large listening and viewing audiences to regional and international musicians.

The loss of Inland Folk has left a gaping hole in the Northwest arts community. We, the undersigned, request that WSU resume production of Inland Folk with Dan Maher and restore it to its rightful place in the NWPB radio schedule.