Dear Listener,
New Orleans pretty much has only 2 seasons—hot and cold, with a blessed whiff of temperate-ature for a few days in-between. Then, every once in a while, balminess shows up around the winter solstice. Basically though, New Orleans is a city of extremes, and once we get the first hint of chill in the air, the Season is on. I'm talking the Voodoo Music Experience, Thanksgiving Parties, Christmas Parties, New Year's Eve Parties, Mardi Gras Parties, Parade Route Parties, Party Gras Mardis, French Quarter Fest and finally building to the ultimate in sensory overload—Jazz Fest. Then it's hot and humid again, and the city goes back to sleep.
The On-Air Fall Membership Drive is the first signal that the Season is upon us. Since we just completed the Drive last week, I can report that it too was a study of extremes. As rent parties go, the party part was great. Aaron Neville, Dr John, and Irma Thomas are just a few of the throng of incredible musicians who dropped into our newly rebuilt French Market studios to share their music and love for WWOZ. We are grateful for the wonderful response from our listener-members—especially given the fact that the stock market seemed to have moved from Wall Street to Coney Island during that period.
Hopefully, things will settle down. We sure hope so, because that's the rest of the story — we had far fewer Brass and Over Pass members sign up, compared to last year's Fall Drive. As a result, we are about $140,000 shy of our goal. Ouch! However, there's still time to sign up if you haven't already made your pledge. Just go to www.wwoz.org/pledgenow. It'll just take 3 minutes and your decision to do this now really is important. How much of a difference WWOZ can make in serving the New Orleans music community (yourself included!) depends entirely upon whether you weigh in with your support.
Once you've done that, you will have all the more reason to come out and celebrate another High Season in New Orleans with us at the Voodoo Music Experience. We'll be broadcasting live from the Soco/WWOZ and Preservation Hall stages. We'll also be hosting our Voodoo V.I.P. Hospitality Area. And keep your eyes peeled—you heard it here first—you may be able to preview (or even buy) the new way-cool WWOZ Hawaiian shirt, and you may be able to see our one-of-a-kind New Orleans musicians' signed red Vespa—or even buy raffle tickets to win it!
Yours in Possibilities,
David Freedman
General Manager
WWOZ Brings You the Voodoo Music Experience
Over the last ten years, the Voodoo Music Experience has grown into one of New Orleans' most exciting music events. We will be broadcasting live from Voodoo 2008 on October 24, 25 and 26. Our broadcast schedule includes Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the special reunion show with Ozomatli and Chali 2na, and so much more. If you have a WWOZ Voodoo VIP Pass, then we'll see you at the WWOZ hospitality tent. In any case, we'll be with you on the radio throughout the festival.
Check out our live broadcast schedule for Voodoo 2008
Highlights from the Membership Drive
Our Fall Membership Drive was truly memorable! Thank you to all of our new and renewing members, and to all of the volunteers who made the drive happen. Check out day-by-day highlights with photos of show hosts, volunteers, members and, of course, the scores of great musicians who came by to show their support. Pictured is the great Aaron Neville with WWOZ show host Brother Jesse.
Check out the highlights from the Fall Membership Drive
Become a guardian of the groove - pledge/renew now
WWOZ's New Live Broadcast Studio and Offices
WWOZ signed a new lease at the French Market Corporation Building a few months ago, and we started really settling into our new digs by renovating the space to fit our needs. Our brand-new music studio made it possible for the station to bring back our beloved live in-studio performances, just in time for the Fall Membership Drive.
Check out photos from our new live music studio
Volunteer Profile — Dennis "Big D" Schaibly
WWOZ is truly a volunteer powered radio station. For example, our Wednesday afternoon Sittin at the Crossroads Blues showhost, Dennis "Big D" Schaibly, also volunteers countless hours administering our Livewire Music Calendar, doing production for Piano Night and many other events, and even he helped renovate our new offices. We have so much to thank "Big D" for.
Read more about Big D's contributions to the station
October Recipe — Devilishly Candied Pecans
These decadent candied pecans will make the perfect Halloween treat. They're wickedly sweet, and you will be surprised at how easy to make and tasty they are. Remember, nuts are good for you!
If you like the recipe, then check out Louisiana Cookin' magazine. If you subscribe with the promotion code wwoz08, they will donate $5 to WWOZ.
Playboy Jazz Cruise
Join Host Marcus Miller and some very special jazz artists for the inaugural sailing of the Playboy Jazz Cruise, from January 25 to February 1, 2009. The line-up includes legendary bebop saxophonist James Moody, Herbie Hancock, Poncho Sanchez, James Carter, Dianne Reeves, Keb' Mo', Roy Hargrove, the New Birth Brass Band and more. Find out how to enter a free cabin giveaway.
Read more about the Playboy Jazz Cruise
WWOZ Quick Links
Playlists Online
Are you interested in an artist we played on the air? You can search playlists by song title, band name, CD title or label.
WWOZ Swamp Shop
The 'OZ Swamp Shop is open and chock full of WWOZ gear.
New Orleans Music Calendar
There's live music in locations all around New Orleans. We've got a music calendar online.
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