WNCW NEWSLETTER - JULY 2009

WIN A MEET AND GREET WITH
THE AVETT BROTHERS! 
CLICK HERE!

Headlines: WNCW Funding Update...The Return of Mountain Stage...Southern Sirens Hits the Airwaves
A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER
-- Dana Whitehair, General Manager, WNCW 

WNCW Funding Update

Since my piece in last month’s newsletter – which chronicled WNCW’s probable loss of State funding – “probable” has moved ever-closer to “certain”.  We learned last week that the North Carolina House of Representatives  had – as expected  – followed the lead of the Senate and approved an appropriations bill cutting all State funding to the State’s three community college-based public radio stations?including WNCW.

It is now up to us ... those who love WNCW, its truly unique programming and who see the enormous potential for WNCW to become an even more integral part of the region it serves ... to increase our support of WNCW and assure its survival.

For more on the State funding issue, how it affects WNCW and how you can help WNCW stay strong and continue growing into the future, please click HERE.

WNCW remains “listener-powered” because of YOUR support. To help support WNCW’s campaign to replace State funding, please click HERE now.

The Return of Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage returns to WNCW’s programming line-up on Friday, July 10^th at 8:00 p.m. (following World Café).

With an astounding 25-year track record of presenting live, performance radio from both its home-base in Charleston, West Virginia and from occasional “road trips” throughout the nation, the list of musicians and bands who’ve graced Mountain Stage reads like a who’s-who of WNCW core artists. Mountain Stage Host/Artistic Director Larry Groce believes that all musical styles are connected. That’s a driving force behind the program and its success.

Sound familiar? That’s very similar to WNCW’s own “Crossroads” programming philosophy. One of the many reasons Mountain Stage is returning to WNCW is that it was part of the programming that helped put WNCW on the map and established it as a new, exciting voice for this region. Both WNCW and Mountain Stage have grown and matured quite a bit since then. WNCW and the folks at Mountain Stage are quite pleased to be back together again. We hope you’ll tune into Mountain Stage each Friday night at 8PM for two-hours of live performance radio from The Mountain State of West Virginia (and beyond). Again, Mountain Stage premieres Friday, July 10^th at 8:00 p.m. on WNCW 88.7 FM.

Southern Sirens Hits The Airwaves

Southern Sirens premieres Tuesday, July 7^th at 8:00 p.m. According to WNCW Host/Producer Laura Blackley, “The South is fertile ground for rich American music traditions. Southern Sirens celebrates the women who are making music, art and poetry throughout the South. From classic to contemporary,  indie to major,  rock to folk, jazz to blues and everything in between. Southern Sirens will comb the region from the Piedmont to the Delta, from Asheville to Austin.”

Local Color, which is also produced and hosted by Laura, will continue to be heard each Sunday night at 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate Independence... In Radio 

“A band like us doesn’t get played on any mainstream radio station. People who listen to ‘NCW, maybe you kinda get used to it but as I travel around the country, it’s just not available everywhere. WNCW, it’s a real fortunate thing and I think people should support it.”  Bela Fleck

It’s the support of our generous contributors that gives us the freedom to just “play good music” regardless of the genre.  From bluegrass to blues, from reggae to old-time, from rock to Celtic, and beyond, your donations are what keep truly independent radio alive on WNCW.

You count on us to keep the music alive by introducing you to new, emerging artists, by playing your familiar favorites, and by bringing you live interview sessions from Studio B. You can also count on us to keep you in touch with your community - both globally and locally with important news coverage and information about the region's rich arts and cultural activities.

As we begin our new fiscal year this month, WNCW faces great funding challenges. Your financial support of WNCW helps to ensure we have the resources to continue and expand our commitment to providing the quality music, news and information you’ve come to expect from us. You can make a difference!

If you’ve never donated to WNCW, become a brand new member now.

Take a moment now to renew your WNCW membership and support the programming you love and count on every day.

Make a gift over and above your annual membership to help WNCW face our financial challenges and embrace our opportunities for growth.    

A strong future for WNCW depends on you!

Win a Meet and Greet with the Avett Brothers

WNCW wants to offer you the chance to win tickets and a Meet and Greet with The Avett Brothers on Saturday, August 8th at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte.  One person will win a pair of tickets to the show that includes a Meet and Greet with the Avett Brothers and 9 other winners will receive a pair of tickets to the show.

When you renew your membership, make an additional gift, or contribute for the first time online, you will automatically be entered to win!  This contest will end on July 30th at midnight.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CONTEST. 

No pledge is needed to enter the contest, but please consider making a contribution today to support the station that keeps the music alive on the radio. 

Take Advantage of Your WNCW Gold MemberCard Benefits:
With your membership gift of $100 or more, you will receive the WNCW Gold MemberCard.  Just present your MemberCard to receive 2-for-1 savings at more than 400 restaurants, attractions and great every-time savings at select merchants!  Just added this month: 

The Dripolator Coffee Bar in Asheville
Gaston School of the Arts Playhouse in Gastonia
Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte
Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte
Check out a full listing of participating businesses on our website, www.wncw.org.

Stop by and say “hello”...
During the month of July, WNCW will be represented out and about in the community at regional festivals. 

Goin’ Across the Mountain and Gospel Truth host, Dennis Jones, will be staffing the WNCW booth and onstage emceeing the Sixth Annual Red White and Bluegrass Festival in Morganton. The festival takes place at Catawba Meadows Park today through Saturday. Stop by the WNCW booth located next to the stage, pick up a bumper sticker and introduce yourself to Dennis and WNCW’s staff and volunteers!  

WNCW’s This Old Porch host Carol Rifkin will be the WNCW emcee at the July 18 & August 22 Shindig on the Green concerts. Shindig on the Green happens along about sundown most Saturdays through September 5 at MLK Jr. Park in Asheville.          

Come on by and say “hello” to the WNCW gang at the 31^st Annual Bele Chere Festival July 24- 26. WNCW’s booth will be set up on Battery Park Avenue in downtown Asheville and we’d love to meet you! 

WNCW Music Director and Morning Host, Martin Anderson will take to the stage at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, representing WNCW Thursday, July 30th. The three night festival starts at 7 each night and runs from July 30^th through August 1 at the Diana Wortham Theatre.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for your support!

Make Your Tax-Deductible Gift to WNCW Today!   

Your tax-deductible gift will go a long way toward helping WNCW bring you another year of great music hand-picked by our hosts, live Studio B sessions, NPR News, features, arts and culture throughout 2009.  

Please make your secure online gift NOW at www.wncw.org to keep WNCW’s programming going strong!  Thank you!