Michael Krall
Program Director
If you’ve ever had a question or comment about the station’s programming, or were looking for a story from WBHM or NPR, chances are you’ve spoken with WBHM’s Program Director Michael Krall. His job includes managing the sound of the station -- from overseeing the on-air staff to curating the program schedule.
You can hear Michael hosting Morning Edition or All Things Considered from time to time, and listen out for his interviews with artists and other interesting people who make their way through Birmingham.
Michael came to WBHM in 1998 from WCBU in Peoria, Illinois. A graduate of the University of Maine, he’s spent his entire career in public radio working in WKNO in Memphis and WSCL in Salisbury, Maryland, as well as Maine Public Radio.
In his free time, Michael enjoys hiking, attending concerts, and playing Scrabble.
CDC Ebola Training Center opens in Anniston
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated a training course at the former Army base in Anniston for health workers intending to help with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Holly Williams: Following the Family Tradition
She's the granddaughter of country music legend Hank Williams. Her dad, Hank junior, has sold millions of records. But Holly Williams isn't living in anyone's shadow. She's got her own sound and is making a name for herself. Greg Bass has this profile...
Hypocrisy and Lies on the Campaign Trail
During midterm elections, hypocrisy and lies are in abundance on the campaign trail. That's according to Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He says we should pay no attention to what politicians say, we should just watch what they do. he spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall.
Leon Botstein: Music is so important because it has no purpose
UAB has awarded the 2014 Ireland Distinguished Visiting Scholar Prize to Dr. Leon Botstein. The award brings to campus outstanding scholars who are recognized as leaders in the arts and sciences. While at UAB, Botstein conducted a special performance of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Botstein also lectured and met with students and faculty in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. He spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall
Vivian Fung: Harp Concerto World Premiere with ASO
Composer Vivian Fung is in town rehearsing her Harp Concerto with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The world premier is Thursday night at the Alys Stephens Center. Fung spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall.
Act of Congress: Christmas Vol. 2
The Birmingham acoustic quartet features influences from jazz, rock and pop and just released an album of Christmas songs. WBHM's Michael Krall spoke with band members Adam Wright and Chris Griffin and produced this audio postcard. (Note: Click the title bar above for music downloads.)
Dar Williams: Finding Her Musical Voice
Singer-songwriter Dar Williams has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez but with a bit of an acidic twist. Her ninth studio album is called In The Time of Gods. Williams performs in Birmingham Tuesday night and she spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall.
Chanukah in Story & Song
Sung by the The Western Wind, the acclaimed vocal sextet and the renowned actor present 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes.
Stephen Hough: Playing the piano isn’t enough
Stephen Hough is one of the world's leading pianists, but he's also been described a as a renaissance man -- excelling as a writer and composer. It's all part of his creativity beyond the piano. But it also adds to his creativity and his musical personality. He performs with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Friday and Saturday night.
Meet Danail Rachev: ASO Guest Conductor
Since the 2011-2012 season the Alabama Symphony Orchestra has been led by esteemed guest conductors from all over the world. One of these conductors could eventually become the new Music Director and Principal Conductor of the orchestra. This weekend Danail Rachev continues that trend and pays a return visit to Birmingham.
Yotam Haber: A More Convenient Season
A work of new music by composer Yotam Haber will have its world premiere Saturday night at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Featuring the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, “A More Convenient Season” was written specifically for and about Birmingham’s Civil Rights struggle. WBHM’s Michael Krall spoke with Haber about the piece….
John Archibald: Has Being Neighborly Become a Business?
The Birmingham Water Works board objects to Jefferson County’s plan to exit bankruptcy. Also, has being neighborly become a business? And the Birmingham City council fights over just what to name a proposed baseball museum. We talk about all this with Birmingham News columnist John Archibald…
Kyle Whitmire: JeffCo Commissioners Deny Deal
A proposal to increase by more than $43,000 the office budget for Commissioner George Bowman has some county commissioners concerned. That proposal comes two weeks after Bowman provided a tie breaking vote for Carol Sue Nelson, the new county attorney. We talk politics with Kyle Whitmire, political reporter with AL.com and The Birmingham News.
Kyle Whitmire: Delay for Alabama Accountability Act?
Gov. Robert Bentley wants a two-year delay before implementing the Alabama Accountability Act, and the Alabama Democratic Party is broke. We talk politics with Kyle Whitmire, political reporter with AL.com and The Birmingham News.
Tanya Ott’s final day at WBHM
On her final day as News Director and Morning Edition host, WBHM's,Tanya Ott speaks with Michael Krall about her time in North Central Alabama and tells us about her new position with Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Virgil Trucks
Birmingham native Virgil Trucks passed away over the weekend. He was 95. Trucks pitched for the Detroit Tigers and, while not a household name, is one of the few players who threw two no-hitters in a single season. WBHM's Michael Krall interviewed him in 2011...
Interview: Justin Brown on Sibelius and conducting the ASO
This weekend, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s masterworks series features two works by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Music Director Laureate Justin Brown talked with WBHM’s Michael Krall about the concert, as well as his new role with the ASO. Brown says that right from the start, Sibelius made a mark on the Finnish nation….
John Archibald: Politics over substance in Montgomery?
With the Alabama Legislature back in session, issues range from cost of living raises for teachers to no fewer than five separate bills dealing with guns. Birmingham News columnist John Archibald says Alabama has hard, weighty problems, that require thoughtful, creative minds. But fixing those problems is something the Alabama Legislature does NOT do well.
John Archibald on Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
The Jefferson County Commission votes to discontinue in-patient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. John Archibald offers his thoughts that situation as well as the latest from the Birmingham Board of Education, and Artur Davis' political switch.
August 29 Morning Newscast
A mundane Birmingham Board of Education meeting ends of an explosive note; Cooper Green Mercy Hospital to close, but a bankruptcy judge may have a final say; and Hurricane Isaac bring rough weather to Alabama's coast.
August 28 Morning Newscast
Residents along Alabama's coast are hoping to avoid the worst from tropical storm Isaac; the Jefferson County Commission will consider again whether to close the inpatient unit at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital; and the Bessemer Cutoff's court system will continue to operate with at least one judge, whether it's at the current courthouse or somewhere else.
August 17 Morning Newscast
Carol Garrison steps down as president of UAB; the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights holds a public hearing about crackdowns on illegal immigration in Alabama and other states.
Birmingham School Board Gets Down To Business
The Birmingham school board finally gets down to business; and emotions run high as county commissioners look to close inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
August 14 Morning Newscast
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Houston Brown rules that the Birmingham School Board must stop interfering in a state takeover of the school system; the Alabama Democratic Party will hold a hearing Friday on disqualifying Harry Lyon as the party's nominee for chief justice; and The Business Council of Alabama supports a proposed constitutional amendment to permit the removal of nearly $146 million a year for three years from a state trust fund for use in balancing the state General Fund budget.
August 13 Morning Newscast
The Jefferson County Commission votes tomorrow to close e inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital by Oct. 1; Alabama lags in incentives for solar power; and a monument being built to honor Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest is stirring up controversy in Selma.
John Archibald on upheaval in Trussville and Birmingham Schools
There's been lots of upheaval recently in local schools. Monday, the Trussville Board of Education terminated the contract of superintendent Suzanne Freeman. Not to be outdone, the Birmingham Board of Education is staring down a meeting on Tuesday to consider the state's financial plan for the district.
Alabama Takes over Birmingham City Schools
With the state of Alabama now in control of Birmingham's school system, we talk about the details and delve into the political motivations of the school board.
The State of Journalism in Alabama
The face of journalism is changing in Alabama. Starting this Fall, The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register will publish print copies just three days a week.
Wilco Brings The Whole Love to Birmingham
In the last 15 years the members of alternative rock band Wilco have experienced the highs and lows of a performing life. And they keep coming back for more. Their latest is 'The Whole Love'. Wilco brings the show to Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces tonight.
Act of Congress
Act of Congress is a Birmingham acoustic band who's unique sound is a combination of acoustic-folk-Americana. But on their new album, even band members Adam Wright and Chris Griffin admit the songwriting took them in a very different direction. WBHM's Michael Krall produced this audio postcard...
Capitol Journal Update
Few issues in Alabama politics right now have drawn such strong opinions as the state’s immigration law. This week, lawmakers held the first hearing this legislative session on possible changes to the law. We hear about that and other action in Montgomery this week from Don Dailey. He’s co-host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal.
StoryCorps
StoryCorps is an oral history project based on the idea that the stories of everyday people are the most important and interesting of all. Listen to stories from Alabamians.
