'OZone Email Newsletter for December, 2008

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'OZone Newsletter

Dear Listener,

On December 4th, WWOZ celebrated its 28th birthday! Times being what they are, we found ourselves in the midst of a three-day, on-air Holiday Brass Pass Blitz.

One of my favorite magic moments of the Blitz was hearing bluesman J. Monque'D on Missy Bowen's show giving reasons to support 'OZ. He shared his insight that, should there be life somewhere beyond our planet, discerning extraterrestrials — if they tuned into anything at all — would certainly be tuned to WWOZ.

Well, no matter what planet I happen to be on at the time, I tune into WWOZ pledge drives just for moments like that.

Speaking of birthdays, I remember a particular birthday party for J. Monque'D many years ago. It was attended by a crowd of well-wishers who, upon a signal from the host, all dived into a huge birthday cake on the dining room table. When I say dived, I'm talking without forks, without fingers — just head first. And that's how we're doing it these days here at 'OZ. We're not waiting around for any somber January predictions. Just as we did after the Federal Flood of '05 — just as we've always done — we're diving in head first, come what may, as we hurtle into the future.

Yours in cabbage and champagne,

signature

David Freedman
General Manager

Live Broadcast: Irma Thomas & David Torkanowsky

Tune in on Wednesday, December 17, from noon to 1 p.m. for a live broadcast of an in-studio holiday celebration performance by Irma Thomas and David Torkanowsky, hosted by George Ingmire.

2009 Jazz Fest Line-up Announced

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2009, and the lineup has just been announced! Check out who will be playing at the festival this year, and don't forget to reserve your WWOZ Brass Pass for in-and-out access for all seven days. The 2009 Jazz Fest runs from April 24-26 and April 30-May 3.

Reserve your Brass Pass now

Best CDs of 2008

Every year, our fabulous show hosts sift through all the new recordings they've heard to pick the very best. Here are their favorite discs of 2008, so run out now and pick up some of this great music for you and yours this holiday season!

Read our show hosts' picks for top CDs of 2008

Holiday Shopping at WWOZ

If your loved ones have been nicer than naughty this year, consider giving them gift memberships to WWOZ at any level, from basic for friends to a Social Aid and Pleasure Club membership for that extra-special someone. Or stop by our online Swamp Shop and pick up some hip 'OZ gear. And remember that raffle tickets for a Vespa scooter autographed by NOLA favorites like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, and George Porter Jr. make great stocking stuffers.

Give a gift membership
Give a brass pass
Buy stuff at the 'OZ Swamp Shop
Get Vespa raffle tickets

Highlights from Our Holiday Membership Drive

Thanks to your support, our three-day Brass Pass Blitz was a success! Check out photos of some of the great artists who performed live in the studio, including Doctor John, James Rivers, Juanita Brooks, Germaine Bazzle, and many more. Remember, you don't have to wait for an on-air membership drive to support WWOZ. You can pledge online any day of the year, and we have many great thank-you gifts to choose from.

Check out photos of highlights from the drive

Happy Birthday, Jerry Wexler (In Memoriam)

Jerry Wexler, best known as a producer with Atlantic Records in the '50s through the '80s, passed on August 15th, 2008. He worked with stars like Aretha Franklin and Led Zeppelin, but he was also involved with New Orleans luminaries including Professor Longhair and Champion Jack Dupree. In celebration of his birthday on January 10, we look back at his indelible mark on music.

December Recipe: Shrimp Bisque

This delicious bisque will add some refinement and warmth to your holiday menu — done best with stock made from Louisiana shrimp. If you like the recipe, then check out Louisiana Cookin' magazine. Subscribe with the promotion code wwoz08, and they'll donate $5 to WWOZ.

Check out this month's recipe

Win a Honeydripper DVD and a Set of Speakers

Four lucky listeners have a chance to win a DVD of the movie Honeydripper, signed by the award-winning director, John Sayles. One grand prize winner will win a pair of Creative GigaWorks T40 desktop speakers as well as a signed DVD. To qualify for the contest, you will need to find some specific things on our website. Good luck to all, and may the best web-surfer win!

Find out how to enter the contest