Sound of ‘Hanks Giving’
Tom Hanks’ favorite songs will play on WYEP on Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 24 won’t just be Thanksgiving Day. It will be “Hanks Giving” day in Pittsburgh. Tom Hanks is taking over local station WYEP ( 91.3- FM) on Thanksgiving with a full day of music he’s hand-picked.
Hanks has become “an honorary Pittsburgher,” according to the station, for portraying Fred Rogers in 2019’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and also shooting his forthcoming film, “A Man Called Otto,” here.
“A Man Called Otto” is being released on another holiday: Christmas Day.
Hanks fans will recall that the Oscarwinning actor demonstrated his love for early rock ’n’ roll in 1996 with his directorial debut, “That Thing You Do!,” the story of a fledgling rock band.
According to a WYEP news release, “Hanks provided WYEP with an eclectic and very fun list of 100 songs for the station takeover, with a 66-year timespan — ranging between music from 1956 all the way to a duet released a few months ago between Elvis Costello and Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson.”
“Hanks Giving” will air on Thanksgiving Day 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Additionally, the 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m. hours will feature music curated by WYEP on-air hosts taken from soundtracks of movies featuring Hanks.