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The topic of our inaugural podcast is “Folk Music and Poetry of Karpathos” and is a warm tribute to Bill Buschel (see link below).
Bill Buschel, Poet, Storyteller, Radio Host, World Traveller, & Master of Ceremonies was a beloved, longtime volunteer producer and host for COSMOS FM, the Hellenic public radio station in New York City. He was deeply respected for his dedication to Hellenism.
It is with deep sadness that we recently found out that Bill passed away in February 2026.
Bill joined COSMOS FM in 1988 and played a significant role in shaping its English-language programming. For nearly three decades, he contributed his time, talent, and dedication to serving the station’s audience and strengthening its broadcast presence as producer and host of his bi-weekly show “Graffiti”.
Although not Greek by heritage, Bill embraced Hellenism wholeheartedly and took pride in promoting our culture, values and music through his programs. He was not only a respected broadcaster but also a valued member of the COSMOS FM family and a dear friend to many.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. He will forever be in our hearts and minds.
It was back in 1988, when we met Bill Buschel. His interest in our home island of Karpathos sparked an interesting and lively discussion, which quickly turned into an invitation to share our thoughts and passion about the ‘Folk Music and Poetry of Karpathos’ on his radio program.
As Apella Nota, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Bill and the privilege to present the music and poetry of our homeland to an audience of more than 200,000 listeners in the US.
We listened to the recording of this radio program and re-lived – with deep emotion and respect for Bill – the amazing and incredibly intimidating experience of sharing our love for Karpathos on the air while being guided and soothed by his warm voice and poetic narrative.
A precious experience for us with an even more precious outcome… A deep and forever lasting emotional connection with the incredible heart and mind of Bill Buschel.
As a tribute to Bill Buschel and to honor his life and contributions, we would like to dedicate our first podcast to him by sharing with you this radio program.
As you will hear in this podcast, Bill gave an incredible introduction to the Aegean Sea and its islands, as he slowly zoomed in to Karpathos and Kassos to set the stage for us to present the music and poetry of our home island. The stage was set and the journey continued with our humble efforts to share a wealth of still relevant information about the topic but, more importantly and with Bill’s encouragement, to open our hearts and bow our heads to our culture.
We welcome you to this podcast and hope you share with us our warm salute to Bill and the culture of our motherland.
And as Bill would always say:
“That’s it, see you soon, kalinihta, may the eagles fly, love ya!!”
–manolis m. tsangaris
–pericles t. lagonikos
29/5/2026
LINKS
- ANP101 – Karpathos: Folk Music and Poetry, Graffiti, Bill Buschel (Apella Nota Podcast)