Working Hard to Make Reality a Lot Less Painful
For more than three decades, Mark Stenzler has been bringing the blues to listeners across Switzerland and around the world as the host of Blues Zeppelin.
Broadcast from Radio Bern (RaBe), Bern’s alternative community radio station, Blues Zeppelin airs Sunday afternoons from 15:00 to 17:00 CET.
The program has been part of the Swiss radio landscape since 1989.
More Than Just the Blues
Blues Zeppelin delivers an eclectic musical journey through blues, zydeco, soul, folk and world music.
But the program goes beyond the playlist.
Over the years, Mark has welcomed a wide range of musicians, artists and writers, combining interviews, conversation and music while providing an important platform for established performers and emerging talent.
Listeners can explore previous programs and podcasts through the official Blues Zeppelin website.
The show is also distributed internationally, including broadcasts in Switzerland, Canada and the United States.
Keeping the Blues Alive
Mark’s contribution to blues broadcasting received major recognition in 2024 when the Memphis-based Blues Foundation named him a recipient of its prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive Award.
The lifetime-achievement honor recognized his decades of broadcasting Blues Zeppelin and his commitment to promoting blues music to audiences far beyond Switzerland. (Cornell Alumni Network)
From New York to Switzerland
A native New Yorker and former radio pirate with Radio Free Ithaca, Mark has been involved in radio broadcasting on both sides of the Atlantic since 1978.
His journey eventually took him to Switzerland in the 1980s, originally as a physics researcher at CERN. Radio, however, remained a constant passion.
Blues Zeppelin on Ground Zero Plus
Today, Blues Zeppelin brings its distinctive trans-atlantic sound to the Ground Zero Plus Radio Network, adding blues, roots music and global sounds to the network’s expanding line-up.
Air Times: Fridays, Saturdays at 12 midnight and Sundays at 10pm pst.
With decades behind the microphone, Mark Stenzler continues his original mission: Working hard to make reality a lot less painful.
- Radio Bern (RaBe) in Bern (CH)
- Radio LoRa in Zurich (CH)
- Diis Radio in Canton Valais (CH)
- CJRO Community Radio in Ottawa ON (CAN)
- WRFI Community Radio in Ithaca NY / Odessa NY (USA)
- Ground Zero Plus Radio Network in Portland OR (USA)
