SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

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SDC
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SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by SDC »

All,

WKCR is a radio station in NYC that broadcasts from Columbia University. They have been on the air since 1941, and although they have been primarily a jazz station for the last 71 years, they also give plenty of air time to classical, bluegrass, old-time, reggae, rocksteady, blues, gospel, Indian music, Chinese music, Spanish music, opera, a wide range of avante garde musicians, not to mention the reading of poetry, novels and plays. None of the programmers or DJs get paid. They have no commercial sponsors and no corporate funding. Although this allows them to play what they love with no commercial interruptions, it also means that money will always be needed. Well they have reached that point and desperately need support to keep operating. They maintain old equipment in order to deliver the records with a high quality sound and if they do not raise enough funds they will have to shut down.

I just want to stress how very rare this type of operation is nowadays. On Saturday nights you can listen to an entire opera. On Saturday mornings you can listen to old reggae and rocksteady. You can get a college level education in jazz from numerous programs. This past Christmas I listen to an hour of old Colombian Christmas songs and they were really good! They play incredible music and really help you appreciate it. There are NO other radio stations doing this anymore, as it is very difficult. I feel it is important to preserve such a station in order to have some entity that stands amongst the other corporate driven stations.

So if you have a love for music and the arts please visit the site. You can stream their signal. If you see the worth in such an organization perhaps you can throw them a few bucks.

Yes, I realize music is an attachment and that there are more helpful places to spend money, but as I said, if you see the value in what this station does perhaps you may want to help out.

Sorry for the spam.

SDC
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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James the Giant
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Re: SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by James the Giant »

Hmm, good cause I guess, but there are hundreds of stations like that on the internet.
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
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retrofuturist
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Re: SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,
James the Giant wrote:Hmm, good cause I guess, but there are hundreds of stations like that on the internet.
Even on the FM radio dial, there are subscriber-based stations that do similar things with different DJs presenting differently themed sessions throughout the week, and whilst they do have some advertising, it's local/niche advertising as opposed to full on "corporate" advertising. Because the shows themselves are quite "niche", advertisers (who may consist of event organisers, pubs, record fairs, local restaurants etc.) can specifically target particular demographics with relevant advertising.

Here in Melbourne, Triple R and PBS come to mind as examples of that kind of model. Perhaps they may wish to review their operating model, as it needn't be a case of all or nothing... they just need enough specialised niche advertising to be self-sustainable.

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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SDC
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Re: SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by SDC »

James the Giant wrote:Hmm, good cause I guess, but there are hundreds of stations like that on the internet.
Yes, but they are a regular radio station. I do not get the internet in my car. ;)
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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SDC
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Re: SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by SDC »

Bumping this topic because the station is having another pledge drive.

...

Station History
Music Departments
"Soundscape" Project
Donate

Sorry for the interruption. Thanks for listening to my plea.
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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SDC
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Re: SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by SDC »

Bumping this topic because the station is having another pledge drive.

Please if anyone has an appreciation for great music please contribute something to this organization. This station has been broadcasting from New York City for 74 years and continues to be a beacon for so many great styles of music that is in serious danger of disappearing. As stated above, yes there are places to hear these types of music, but none are able to go as in depth into the music the way this station does. Can your hear saxophonist Charlie Parker on another station? Yes. But can you listen to a daily show that, for the last 10 years has been doing an in depth analysis of all his recorded works in the order of performance? No. Can you hear Bach compositions on the radio? Yes. But can you find a station that plays nothing but Bach for two weeks during the Christmas season? No. Can you find a station that has a daily "New Music" program to showcase experimental and avant-garde music ranging from electronic music of the 1950's to contemporary grindcore? Probably not. To commemorate the birthday of a great player or composer, for instance, they dedicate a full 24 hours of airtime to their music. When a great player or composer passes they stop all normal programming for either a 12 or 24 hour memorial broadcast in their honor. This list goes on.

The best part is there is NEVER any interruptions. There are no commercials or public service announcements. They have full control over the content.

I have been listening for 8 years and can attest to the incredibly unique and wonderful experience this station delivers. I cherish every moment and would be so sad to see it go. The staff has shown me the value of dedication and patience towards a craft. And while theirs is music and mine is dhamma, their enthusiasm continuously strengthens and motivates my own practice. And they do it all for the love of music. None are paid. They all volunteer. All money goes to towards operating cost and is fully tax deductible.

Please don't take my word for it. On any of the below links you can click the "Live Broadcast" icon on the top right of the screen and broadcast the station for free. Give a listen and if you see it as something worthwhile please give anything you can.

Station History
Music Departments
"Soundscape" Project
Donate
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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SDC
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Re: SPAM, but for a good reason I promise

Post by SDC »

I'm calling out my only known fellow DW jazz enthusiast, alan! Please give what you can to this great organization!
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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