Buddy Michaels, one of the most popular bluegrass DJs in the southeast, is now on WLHC-FM Life 103.1 Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. with his radio show, “Hometown Festival.” The show is broadcast from the station’s studios in Sanford and transmitter site in Moore County.

“Hometown Festival” features traditional and contemporary bluegrass, including local Carolina talent. Michaels was born in Suffolk, Va., just across the state line from Gates County. He blends his folksy style with lots of music and a bit of its culture. Michaels’ memories of his grandfather’s fiddle playing and his daddy’s “buck dancing” were the beginning of his bluegrass career.

Michaels’ radio DJ debut was in 1973. He played a variety of formats, including country, gospel, rock and roll, and finally, a bluegrass show in 1978 on Burlington’s WPCM-FM. He has also appeared on WBAG in Burlington, WKRX in Roxboro, and now WLHC Life 103.1 in Sanford. Throughout his career, Michaels has promoted bluegrass, mostly by playing records, doing radio interviews, and emceeing local festivals.