Starting March 5, 2006, the popular syndicated bluegrass radio program Into The Blue will expand to three hours. The show is hosted by Terry Herd, and aired by 180 affiliates in 36 states, with affiliate stations placing the show in a variety of time slots as best suits their programming mix. Like many syndicated radio programs (music, talk, sports), Into The Blue is offered to commercial stations on a barter basis, meaning that affiliate stations can receive the show in exchange for part of their commercial air time, leaving part of the time free for their own ads.
Herd has been a figure of prominence in bluegrass music and radio for some time, an is credited by many as as pioneer in bringing bluegrass programming into the commercial radio sphere. He founded Bluegrass Radio Network – the company that owns and produces the show – in 1992, and has served as a member of the IBMA Board of Directors and chaired its marketing committee. He has also received the IBMA’s Broadcaster of the Year award four times.
