Meet Our Vespa Raffle Winner
L to R: Mary Liz Keevers (WWOZ), Vicki and Bill Sadin, Gayle Materne (Vespa)
A big 'OZ-style congratulations go to the lucky winner of our autographed Vespa LX150 scooter from The Transportation Revolution, thanks to the casual purchase of a $25 raffle ticket!
New Orleans resident Bill Sadin was picking up his Brass Pass at a local Whole Foods store and decided to pick up a ticket, never dreaming he might be one whose name came up at the drawing several months later on.
Bill, a regular Jazz Fest attendee, missed the final day of the 2009 festival — something he's never done before — because he and his wife had left town briefly to help their daughter move. It also happened to be the day of the drawing.
Bill was informed by WWOZ's Mary Liz Keevers via email that he'd won the raffle, and his initial reaction was understandably suspicious:
OMG. I'm so excited...this will be the last year I ride my bicycle to Jazz Fest... I just want to make sure I'm not being punked. Call me at either [...] or [...].
When we asked Bill which of the dozens of autographs on the unique vehicle meant the most, he began with Dr. John, but then he slowly walked around the scooter, pointing and mumbling "...and Irma Thomas... and Kermit Ruffins...." As his voice trailed off, we stepped back and let him have his moment with his unexpected prize.
Congratulations, Bill and Vicki. We look forward to seeing you cruise towards the Fairgrounds next year on your Vespa, and honk if you like what you hear!
Raffle Details
Raffle tickets are no longer available, and the drawing has ended. Congratulations to our lucky winner, New Orleans resident Bill Sadin. Thanks to all who supported 'OZ by purchasing tickets.
Tickets were $25 each. All proceeds benefited WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage radio station. Winner need not be present to win. View raffle terms and conditions.
See Who Signed the Vespa
Enjoy these photos of some of the great musicians and supporters of WWOZ who have added their signatures to the prized Vespa, including Irma Thomas, Terence Blanchard, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter, James Andrews, Troy Andrews, Randy Newman, Walter Washington, Marcia Ball, Cyril Neville, John Vidacovich, Marva Wright, Johnny Sansone, Kirk Joseph, Kermit Ruffins, Derrick Freeman, Kevin Morris and Doctor John!
Click on the center of the slideshow to display captions.
Special Thanks
The Vespa was generously donated by The Transportation Revolution — The Home of Ducati, Triumph & Vespa New Orleans. Then the bike was transported to Denver, Colorado, for WWOZ's live broadcast events during the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. The Vespa appeared at all of the WWOZ and Friends of New Orleans events at The Fillmore Auditorium and Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge, where Henry Butler played and signed it.
Thanks to Gayle Materne and The Transportation Revolution for sending the Vespa to Denver for us, and for arranging to get it back home. In Denver, the bike was well taken care of and transported back and forth to its engagements by Tai Beldock of Erico Motor Sports. Thanks, Tai!
WWOZ would also like to send a special thanks to Linda Holbrook, our volunteer in Colorado, who took all those gorgeous pictures. She worked hard for WWOZ! For more information about her great work, you can email her at llholbrook7@yahoo.com.
We'd also like to thank Max Materne, who transported the Vespa back and forth from Voodoo Fest, where we gathered more artists' signatures and sold the first tickets.
