Rita Houston hosted JusticeAid’s Voices to Protect the Vote online May 18th concert in support of Election Protection and the 866-OUR-VOTE coalition hotline.
Rita Houston is a nationally recognized tastemaker filled with a broad knowledge and passion for music, Program Director Rita Houston shapes the musical direction of WFUV’s (90.7 NYC) acclaimed and unique music format. Firmly based in the greatest city in the world, Houston’s music mix brings ‘rock for grownups’ diversity to the left end of the New York radio dial.
Well-known for her rapport with artists, Houston has hosted hundreds of interview sessions and Marquee Member concerts. She also serves as Executive Producer of the FUV Live concert series, books the annual Holiday Cheer for FUV concert and produces annual benefit CDs of performances from WFUV’s Studio A.
After years as a popular midday host, Houston shifted her on-air presence to create ‘The Whole Wide World with Rita Houston,’ which airs Friday nights from 6-9 pm, showcasing her famously wide-ranging taste in music and often featuring live sessions with artists from around the globe.
Out of the studio, Houston was instrumental in the “Required Listening” series of shows at the Bottom Line in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village (R.I.P.), showcasing new and under-appreciated artists for an eager audience. She also served as host of the “In Their Own Words” series there as well, renowned interview-and-performance evenings with influential songwriters talking about their ideas and influences.
Houston is often seen out and about at clubs and festivals — determined to turn listeners on to new artists, she goes out three or four times a week to catch live shows. Houston is always on the lookout for the next Damien Rice or Norah Jones — artists who deserve to be heard by larger audiences, first heard in New York on FUV.
This talent and tenacity are recognized by her peers: Houston is a two-time Radio & Records (R&R) Music Director of the Year, a three-time designate of Gavin’s Music Director of the Year, and she has also been awarded the Deems Taylor Award for Broadcast Excellence. In 2001, Houston enjoyed acclaim as part of the WFUV team as they were named Album Network 2001 Major Market Adult Rock Station of the Year, Gavin’s Station of the Year, and 2001, 2002 and 2003 FMQB Progressive Noncommercial Radio Station of the Year. In 2009 Rita was the Honoree at the Emelin Theatre’s Benefit Gala in Mamaroneck, NY. She is part of the DJ exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was named Program Director of the Year by FMQB for 2019.
Houston came to WFUV in 1994 from Westchester’s WXPS (also known as X107, with PD Paul Cavalconte) where she hosted ‘Starlight Express,’ a show close in style to FUV’s. After anchoring the midday there for six years, she left the station to join FUV, where her discerning and varied tastes found a welcome home. A Westchester native, Houston moved to Nyack, NY from the East Village in 2002, to plant basil and perfect her fireplace skills.
