Eric J. "E.J." Iannelli took over SPR's Arts & Music Director role full-time at the beginning of August. Iannelli brings a world of music, arts and journalism experience to the role.
Iannelli has more than 20 years of experience with content creation in the media, advertising and language industries. He has worked largely as a freelance journalist, copywriter and translator since 2000. As part of his journalism work, he has interviewed artists of all kinds on a regular basis for various publications here in the US as well as in England.
Locally, Iannelli has been a contributing writer to The Pacific Northwest Inlander and its family of publications for more than a decade. He has frequently covered theater, music and literature in addition to occasional community and health stories.
Learn more about E.J.'s professional history here:
Iannelli said he hopes to broaden Spokane Public Radio’s coverage in order to get the full scope of performing arts in the region. In addition to covering public radio staples like classical and blues music, Iannelli hopes to add rock and hip hop-oriented coverage to the station’s airwaves.
Hear E.J.'s vision for SPR's coverage here:
Iannelli succeeds Verne Windham, the long-time program and music director of Spokane Public Radio, who, over the past 38 years, helped shape the station and its community.
“I really want to honor the legacy that Verne left here,” Iannelli said. “I am succeeding him and hoping to continue all the benefits of his tenure here, but augmenting the position in different ways, too.”
Learn about E.J.'s personal taste in music and how his work may differ from his predecessor's here:
In Iannelli’s free time, among other activities, he volunteers as the current chair of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council, as a member of the Poetry Out Loud judging panel and at the Emerson-Garfield Farmer's Market. In the past he served as chair of the Spokane Arts Commission and on the board of the West Central Community Center.
Hear about E.J.'s involvement in his community here:
Keep an ear out in next few weeks to hear E.J. on the air!
