For more than 25 years, Jacksonville listeners have tuned in to WJCT News 89.9 FM’s Saturday night program Electro Lounge, a soothing blend of chillout, ambient and lounge music curated by veteran broadcaster David Luckin. At 73, Luckin remains as energetic as ever, now splitting his time between the radio studio and the vinyl‑filled aisles of Castaways Vintage to Modern, the antique shop that straddles the Fairfax‑Avondale border.
From New York Roots to Jacksonville Radio
Born and raised in New York, Luckin’s first retail job was selling records in Rochester. After stints in TV news across Jacksonville, Orlando and New York City, he settled at WJCT in 2000. Over the past two decades he has worn many hats – station manager, executive producer of the daily public‑affairs show First Coast Connect, and curator of the station’s HD music channels.
Electro Lounge’s Unique Soundtrack
The show’s playlists defy easy categorization. Listeners might hear a reggae groove from Aswad, a classic Sinatra torch song, a Billie Eilish hit, or a deep cut from John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy. Luckin peppers the mixes with historic radio clips, film excerpts and local artist tracks, all tied together by a “spacey dream music” vibe he describes as chillout, downtempo or ambient lounge.
Vinyl Revival and Community Impact
When vinyl made a comeback in the early 2000s, Luckin’s personal collection – amassed over 50 years – became the backbone of Castaways’ 400‑square‑foot vinyl section. His dedication to sharing music has resonated with listeners; the program has stayed in the top ten of its time slot for its entire run. Fans have written letters thanking him for the solace his selections provide during difficult moments.
Looking Ahead
To celebrate the milestone, WJCT will host a live broadcast of Electro Lounge on September 16 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the station’s studios. Luckin says he isn’t ready to “chill out” just yet, noting that younger listeners continue to discover the joy of analog records.
Electro Lounge airs Saturdays from 10 p.m. to midnight on WJCT News 89.9 FM and the station’s HD1 channel, offering Jacksonville a nightly island of peace amid the world’s hustle.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
