Dear Listener,

Yes, I know this is February, but we've been so busy at 'OZ lately we're just getting around to celebrating New Years! And it's shaping up to be one worth celebrating, too. For the past 6 months or so, our staff has been hard at work putting together the story of the station's 33-year development. We have a lovely Power Point I'd be thrilled to show you if you're ever in the neighborhood. It traces the arc of our growth from a 99-pound weakling to our current 100,000 watt physique.

Over the years, one of the keys for us has been technology. F'rinstance, did you know that WWOZ had a website way back in 1994 (Netscape 1.0)? And that 'OZ was streaming its radio programming back in 1995 (Real Audio 1.0), one of the first 50 radio stations to do so? Our first live streamcast, in 1995, was from the Howlin' Wolf featuring Davell Crawford, Soul Rebels and Johnny Adams (aka "The Tan Canary"). WWOZ was also the first station in Louisiana to broadcast in HD! (Little known fact.)

After the Flood-We-Call Katrina, in 2005, like everyone else in the City-Built-on-a-Swamp, we had some serious rebuilding to do. It was only about 2012 that we were able to start looking forward instead of through the rear-view mirror. We began thinking about what a 21st century 'OZ should look like: a lot more digital for sure.

So, keep your eye on this spot because during the year we'll be rolling out a lot more innovations as 'OZ jets into the future. One of the first things you'll be seeing soon is a new streaming media player at WWOZ, which'll be universally accessible on all platforms. For that matter, eventually our entire website will fit whatever mobile device you happen to be using, no matter what it is, no matter where you are.

And one of the first features we'll be adding to our new media player is the ability to select a second WWOZ program channel. That channel is still in development, so if you have any ideas about what kind of programming you'd like to hear on an OZ-2 channel (available on HD radio, as well), please send me your suggestions at: help@wwoz.org.

Remember: You heard it here first: 2014 is going to be a year to remember at WWOZ.

Yours in syrupy sweets and salty tweets,

David Freedman
General Manager

WWOZ's Spring 2014 Membership Drive goes down March 18 - March 28, and we need your help to make it a success! We're looking for phone bank volunteers to help us sign up new and renewing members at the studio. With lots of food, fun and live music, the phone bank is the place to be during the pledge drive!

 » Sign up for Membership Drive phone bank

 » Photos from last fall's drive

OK kids, time to get serious about Mardi Gras! Krewe du Vieux and krewedelusion are in the rearview, and the first big weekend of parades is about to roll. Check out our Mardi Gras page for great advice from WWOZ show hosts on what to do and how to do it, plus more on all the music, parades, king cakes, costumes, Mardi Gras Indians, all of it.

» Mardi Gras 2014

When you visit the Louisiana Music Factory in its beautiful new space at Frenchmen and Decatur, be sure to check out the WWOZ Swamp Shop counter. Now you can score your favorite music and load up on 'OZ gear all at once. How convenient is that? By the way, while the new LMF location's grand opening will happen March 8, the store is already open for business.

» WWOZ Swamp Shop in the Louisiana Music Factory

Jazz Fest Community Outreach Tickets

The Jazz & Heritage Foundation gives thousands of free Jazz Fest tickets to those who otherwise couldn't afford to go. Deadline to apply: March 10.

Class Got Brass 2014

Class Got Brass is the Jazz & Heritage Foundation's brass band contest for Louisiana schools. At stake: $20,000 for instruments. Enter by March 10.

If you're worried about your Mardi Gras costume, we've got you covered! It's carnival time and this month's featured sponsor is Rhonda K. Findley, co-owner of Funrock'n. WWOZ Members can bring in their 'OZ membership cards for 10% off everything custom costume t-shirts on down to drum stick salad tongs and mustaches!

» More on Funrock'n and Rhonda K. Findley

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is looking for volunteers to help staff the 2014 Sync Up conference; the deadline to apply is March 3. An entertainment industry gathering, Sync Up focuses on the music, film and digital media industries from the perspective of independent artists. As in years past, 'OZ will carry a live video stream of the conference.

 » Volunteer at Sync Up

Dressed up in green, yellow, and purple, King Cakes are not only a tasty tradition, they symbolize the history of Mardi Gras, Twelfth Night celebrations, and keeping the party going on. Here's one version of this traditional treat, filled with cinnamon cream cheese.

» Recipe: King Cake with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Filling