WRFG Atlanta 89.3 FM

Listen to past programs in the Plain Ol’ Horizons – Archive Index.

Plain Ol’ Horizons host schedule:

• 1st and 3rd Sunday – Mighty Joe Hamm and Neighbor Phil
• 2nd Sunday – Rodney Gibs
• 4th Sunday – Alison Valk
• 5th Sunday – Brad Ritchie

Mighty Joe Hamm and Neighbor Phil are two longtime musicians who decided community radio was the perfect excuse to keep hanging out, spinning records, and talking about the music they love. Together they host Plain Ol’ Horizons, a musical variety show that listeners have described as “two old guys sitting at the bar talking about music”—which, honestly, isn’t too far from the truth. Phil hosted the show “back in the day” before running off to Texas, but a few years ago Joe dragged him back to Atlanta, and they’ve been at it ever since. You can catch them on the air the first and third Sundays of every month from 11 AM to 1 PM ET.

They also team up for My Own House, an Americana showcase airing on the fourth Sunday of the month, where they dive deep into the roots of American music. As musicians themselves, Joe and Phil love bringing live acts into the studio for on-air performances—because music is always best when it’s played, not just talked about.

Tune in, pour yourself a drink (or a second cup of coffee), and join the conversation.

Alison has been with WRFG since 2019, although being an Atlanta native she has been a long time listener and appreciator of the station’s eclectic programming for decades. Her introduction to music was shaped by the energy of Athens, Georgia’s live shows in the 1980s and 1990s. Alison has been a host for My Own House, Americana Pie and currently hosts the fourth Sunday for Plain Ol Horizons  Plain Ol Horizons airs every Sunday from 11-1pm playing a variety of free form music from all decades and genres with rotating hosts including Neighbor Phil, Mighty Joe Hamm and Rodney.

Rodney Gibbs‘ edition of Plain Ol’ Horizons mixes familiar chestnuts with surprising gems. Pulling from Americana, jazz, lounge, electronica, R&B, spoken word, rock, and funk, he delights in finding musical connections in unexpected places. And he has a soft spot for imaginative covers that turn the original song on its head.

Rodney grew up in Texas, where college radio changed his life and helped him develop “big ears.” He’s a live music and record store fanatic, which makes Atlanta a wonderful place to call home.

Rodney also hosts Soul Rhapsody: Good Foot Tuesday twice a month on Tuesdays from 10 AM to noon ET.

Brad Ritchie
From the Cellist’s Chair is a conversational, listener-friendly program about classical music hosted by Atlanta Symphony cellist Brad Ritchie. Each episode spans the breadth of the classical repertoire — from Baroque to
contemporary — and includes selections from Brad’s own recordings. Brad pairs carefully chosen pieces with behind-the-scenes stories about their history and the technical and emotional challenges of performing them. Whether you’re a longtime classical listener or new to the genre, his clear, passionate commentary makes the music more vivid and accessible. The program is produced by Paul Ferguson, host of The Celtic Show on WRFG and a former CNN correspondent, who helps shape episodes that entertain and broaden musical horizons.
Brad Ritchie joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1997. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he earned a Bachelor of Music at Indiana University studying with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and János Starker and pursued graduate studies at the Musikhochschule Freiburg. Early in his career he spent two years with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. An active chamber musician, Brad is a member of the Atlanta Chamber Players and a founding member of Sonic Generator, and has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall. His recordings appear on CRI, ACA Digital, and MSR. He also collaborates with several regional ensembles, teaches and performs in Kennesaw State University faculty concerts, and enjoys traveling, trail running, and learning about volunteer radio at WRFG.