WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015
1. Membership. As of September 30, 2015, WWOZ has received $37,632 in donations for FY 2016, a year-to-date increase of 85% over FY 2015 revenue of $20,323. During the current reporting period, 1,700 individual members donated to WWOZ and 1,527 sustaining members gave $15,784 (42% of all revenue). During the same period in FY 2015, 1,403 WWOZ members donated $20,323 to WWOZ, and 1,282 sustaining members contributed $13,704 (67% of all revenue).
2. Underwriting & Sponsorship. As of September 30, 2015, WWOZ has earned $11,925 in underwriting and sponsorship revenue for FY 2016, an increase of 34% over the same period in FY 2015, during which underwriting and sponsorship revenue totaled $8,906. WWOZ signed eight new underwriting & sponsorship agreements in October 2015: The New Orleans Ballet Association for the Twyla Tharp 50th Anniversary Tour, the French Market Corporation (annual contract), Backroom at Buffa's (annual contract), the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra for “Truth, Lies & Gossip: The Music of Jelly Roll Morton,” Casa Borrega (annual contract), Beaver Productions for Diana Krall at the Saenger Theatre, the Lower Coast Wine & Music Festival, and J&R Adventures for Joe Bonamassa at the Saenger Theatre.
3. Swamp Shop. The WWOZ Swamp Shop generated $877 in revenue for September 2015, compared to $4,316 in revenue for September 2014, an 80% decrease. During the weekend of October 16-18, 2015, the Swamp Shop was on hand to sell merchandise at the 10th annual Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival in New Orleans’ Lafayette Square Park.
4. Major Giving. As of September 30, 2015, WWOZ has generated $0 in major giving revenue for FY 2016, compared to $8,225 in revenue for the same period in FY 2015. The annual cultivation event traditionally held in New York City each October has been rescheduled for the spring of 2016, negatively affecting September 2015 revenue. On October 3, 2015, Major Gifts Officer Lauren Del Rio represented WWOZ at the second annual Preservation Hall Ball NOLA at the Civic Theatre.
5. Outreach. WWOZ hosted an outreach tent at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival during the weekend of October 16-18, 2015.
6. WWOZ Video. In October 2015, WWOZ filmed three live musical performances at the WWOZ studio: the Hot 8 Brass Band on October 8, 2015; the Warren Easton High School Brass Band (as part of the Cuttin’ Class series) on October 15, 2015; and on October 27, 2015, WWOZ Video filmed and live-streamed performances by artists participating in the 2015 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, during their stopover in New Orleans: The California Honeydrops, Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, Kenny Neal, Jarekus Singleton, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, and Vasti Jackson.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation invited the WWOZ Video team to provide live video for the Jumbotron adjacent to the St. Charles Ave. Stage at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival from October 16-19, 2015. Using seven cameras manned by eight crew members each day, WWOZ Video shot and live-streamed a total of 20 acts Page 1 of 7
WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015 6. WWOZ Video (cont).
during the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, including two unique shows: “Ride Your Pony Down to New Orleans - Home of the Blues,” starring The Funky Meters (Art Neville, George Porter, Brian Stoltz and Terrence Houston) plus special guests Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas on October 17, 2015, and an Excello Records Reunion, featuring Lazy Lester, Carol Fran, Classie Ballou and Lil’ Buck Sinegal on October 17, 2015.
On October 28, 2015, WWOZ Video filmed the “One Book One New Orleans” literacy campaign’s season finale event, held at Celebration Hall and featuring WWOZ’s Charles “Action” Jackson, author Brian Boyles, and the TBC Brass Band. The event was sponsored by the Young Leadership Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic organization created to develop leadership through community projects.
7. New Media. During October 2015, the New Media team prepared for the fall 2015 Membership Drive by updating the “splash” page for soliciting donations and the donation forms for every level of giving, creating and posting images of new membership premiums, updating the WWOZ Brass Pass pages, creating drive-specific Facebook content, and supporting live video streaming of the in-studio performances.
8. Dimitri Apessos. On October 6, 2015, Dimitri Apessos resigned his position as WWOZ Membership Director. Dimitri joined WWOZ’s staff in June 2013 after many years as a dedicated WWOZ volunteer show host. During his tenure at WWOZ, Dimitri created and curated “WWOZ Private Collections,” a series of outreach events at Siberia on St. Claude Avenue, featuring WWOZ show hosts spinning vinyl record from their personal collections. Dimitri will continue to host his WWOZ show, “Acoustic Blues with Your Cousin Dimitri,” every Sunday afternoon.
9. Chief Development Officer. Pamela Wood joined WWOZ as its first Chief Development Officer on October 12, 2015. Pamela has more than 18 years’ experience as a professional fundraiser, and specializes in all aspects of development, including major gift solicitation, managing individual gift portfolios, planned giving, strategic planning, donor moves management, case and materials preparation, and donor engagement.
10. Charity Navigator. On November 2, 2015, Charity Navigator, an independent American nonprofit corporation that evaluates charities in the United States, granted a four-star rating – its highest rating – to WWOZ for its “sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.” In a letter to WWOZ General Manager David Freedman, Charity Navigator’s President & CEO Michael Thatcher stated, “Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Approximately a quarter of the charities we evaluate have received our highest rating, indicating that WWOZ outperforms most other charities in America.”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015
11. “A Great Night in Harlem” Gala Concert. WWOZ produced a two-hour live remote broadcast of the 14th annual “A Great Night of Harlem” gala concert live from the Apollo Theater in New York City on October 3, 2015. The concert is a fundraiser for the Jazz Foundation of America’s “Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund,” which assists elderly jazz and blues musicians. The broadcast featured a host of artists including Davell Crawford, Kimberly Nichole, Steve Jordan, Will Lee, Keb’ Mo’, Randy Weston, Alex Blake, Donald Fagen, Nona Hendryx, Ivan Neville, Valerie Simpson, and Keith Richards. The Jazz Foundation of America presented Sonny Rollins with its Lifetime Achievement Award, and Merry Clayton with its Clark & Gwen Terry Award. In 2016, WWOZ will produce a version of the concert suitable for syndication to our fellow community radio stations around the U.S., as WWOZ did for the 13th Annual “A Great Night of Harlem” gala concert.
12. Future of Music Policy Summit. General Manager David Freedman attended the Future of Music Policy Summit at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., on October 26 & 27, 2015. The summit is sponsored by the Future of Music Coalition, a national nonprofit organization devoted to education, research and advocacy for working musicians. WWOZ General Manager David Freedman served on “The Future of Radio” panel, alongside Anya Grundmann, Executive Director of NPR Music, and Michael Olson, a Vice President and Head of Music Maker Strategy at Pandora. The theme of the 2015 Future of Music Policy Summit was “Fairness. Transparency. Incentives. Opportunity.”
13. In-Studio Performers and Guests.
October 1, 2015: R.J. Comer, Harvey Berman, Stephen Hawkins, Lindsay Ross Owens, Ike Stubblefield, Will Bernard October 5, 2015: Helen Gillet, Arsene M. DeLay, Smoky Greenwell, Russell Gulley, Dennis Gulley October 6, 2015: J Wood, Martha Wood, Walter Prettyman, Jon Hatchett, Joseph Faison, Joe Kile, Marco Marconi, C. Joseph Patterson, James Singleton, Ruby Singleton October 7, 2015: David Goodwin, Teresa Goodwin, David Goodwin, Madison Goodwin, Alexandra Scott, David Kendall, Thomas Fewer, John Ellis October 8, 2015: Michael Torregano, Ann Marie Coviello, Allyn Robinson, Marc Adams, Andrew Wiseman October 9, 2015: Ty Siddiqui, Mikayla & Steve October 12, 2015: Samantha Fish October 13, 2015: Samuel Vonable, Jeremy Cole, Ooops the Clown, Kitty Kaos, Mandi Turner, Briny Anderson, John Swenson, Sallie Ann Glassman, Davy Mooney October 14, 2015: Rebecca Mwase, Dustan Louque, Mitch Woods, Jason P. Gabriel October 15, 2015: Cate Root, Erika Meggs, Erin Billington, Jacob Wise October 16, 2015: Erica Durousseau, Indian Roastfish Page 3 of 7
WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015
13. In-Studio Performers and Guests.
October 18, 2015: Ruben Ruth Brooks, Leroy Williams October 19, 2015: Michel Fourquier, Ian Midgley, Lauren Wade, Barbara Gresham Hammerman, Erica Dudas, Trixie Minx, Elizabeth Davis, Michael Welch October 20, 2015: Cassie Anderson, Sharyn Katz October 21, 2015: John Calhoun, Debbie Davis, Jason Jurzak, John Díaz-Cortés, Reid Wick, David & Roselyn, Costie L. Anderson October 22, 2015: Nanette & Tyrone Nelson, Noah Stahl, Helen Gillet October 24, 2015: Jose Torres-Tama October 26, 2015: Renard Bridgewater, Megan Holt October 27, 2015: Haruka Kikuchi, Michael James, Michael Martin, Bill Davis, Denise Bonis, Quintron, The California Honeydrops, Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, Kenny Neal, Jarekus Singleton, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Vasti Jackson, Brian Boyles, Jesse McBride October 28, 2015: Rob Wood, Rachel Lyons, Brice Miller, Derrick Freeman October 29, 2015: Derrick Freeman, Leah Chase, Jasmine Ratliff, Darryl Durham, Teri Teti, John Weler, Michael Welch, Merell Burkett, Corey Glover, Big Sam, Eric McFadden, Delphine, Arsene M. Delay, Margie Perez, Lynn Drury October 30, 2015: Whitney Armstrong, Laura DeFazio, Andrew McGowan
14. Live Broadcasts & Recordings.
October 17-18, 2015:
10th Annual Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival Presented by The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Lafayette Square Park, New Orleans
Featuring Mitch Woods & Rocket 88, Mike “Soulman” Baptiste, Mason Ruffner, Little Freddie King, Lurrie Bell, Kenny Neal, Swamp Dogg, “Ride Your Pony Down To New Orleans” with The Funky Meters plus Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas, the Brint Anderson Band, Jarekus Singleton, “The Excello Records Reunion” with Lazy Lester, Carol Fran, Classic Ballou, and Lil’ Buck Sinegal.
October 23, 2015:
14th Annual “A Great Night in Harlem” Gala Concert Presented by the Jazz Foundation of America The Apollo Theater, New York City
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015
14. Live Broadcasts & Recordings (cont).
October 28. 2015:
“Amplifier in Our Horns” with the TBC Brass Band Presented by The Young Leadership Council’s “One Book, One New Orleans” Campaign Celebration Hall, New Orleans
15. Upcoming Live Broadcasts & Recordings.
November 3-13, 2015:
WWOZ Fall 2015 Membership Drive Artists TBD
16. Press.
The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com: “Video: Remembering Allen Toussaint” Kathleen Flynn, November 11, 2015
“Deacon John Moore and Irma Thomas reminisce about their friend, legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, who died on Tuesday November 10, 2015.”
NewOrleans.me: “The Students of New Orleans are ‘Cuttin' Class’ - and That's a Good Thing” Cate Root, November 11, 2015
“The writer and radio host [Nita Ketner] co-produces Cuttin’ Class, a series which brings in young New Orleans musicians from high school marching bands or community groups to perform live on-air in the WWOZ studio. The monthly show allows kids a chance to be on the radio, interact with show hosts, enjoy a pizza lunch, and, well, cut class— with permission—for a bit of the afternoon.”
WWL-TV/wwltv.com: “Friends say Toussaint died doing what he loved” Paul Murphy, November 10, 2015
“Tuesday, WWOZ radio interrupted its fall fundraising for a day-long tribute to Toussaint. ‘You just look back on what his contributions have been to the music of New Orleans, the music of the world,’ WWOZ Program Director Dwayne Breashears said. ‘This man has left a mark.’”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015
16. Press (cont).
Tulane Green Wave/Tulane.edu: “Yes We Can Can” New Wave Staff, November 10, 2015
“Music scholar Melissa A. Weber, WWOZ-FM radio programmer and a master of arts in musicology candidate at Tulane, says, ‘Allen Toussaint shaped so much of the sound of soulful New Orleans music that it’s nearly impossible to comprehend what it would be like without his influence and involvement as a songwriter, arranger, producer and performer. His work with our own legends, like The Meters, Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey and countless others shape the landscape of modern New Orleans music. His collaborations with pop artists like Labelle (“Lady Marmalade”), Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello cement his importance in the canon of popular music culture. Toussaint’s death is a huge loss to the music world-at-large in any genre, and I hope his work continues to receive even greater analysis and appreciation.’”
Offbeat/Offbeat.com: “Trombone Shorty Academy Brass Band to Be Featured on WWOZ’s Cuttin’ Class” Noé Cugny, November 6, 2015
“WWOZ will feature the Trombone Shorty Academy Brass Band in its monthly series Cuttin’ Class, On Thursday, November 12th at 11:30 a.m. The program showcases high school brass bands and youth music education, broadcasting the young performers live from WWOZ’s studios in the French Quarter. Bands play three songs interspersed with interviews with the schools’ band directors and students.”
Philadelphia Inquirer/philly.com: “Exit 0 festival brings a warm jazz to autumnal Cape May” Shaun Brady, November 6, 2015
“Marsalis’ appearance brings together two strains that have characterized the festival's programming since its founding in 2012: modern jazz and New Orleans artists. That has included performances by trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, the Rebirth Brass Band, and Dr. John, stems from the decade-plus that [Exit 0 Founder Michael] Kline lived in the Crescent City, where he worked for radio station WWOZ and as an agent for artists such as Terence Blanchard.”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report November 11, 2015
16. Press (cont).
Detroit Metro Times/metrotimes.com: “Event preview: John Sinclair at Book Beat this Sun., Nov. 8” Mike McGonigal, November 3, 2015
“John Sinclair has been many things to many people- founder of the Detroit Artists Workshop and the White Panther Party, manager of the storied MC5, producer of the legendary Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festivals and of records from Deacon John to Sun Ra, political prisoner and implacable opponent of the marijuana laws since 1965, popular radio broadcaster at WWOZ and originator of the live coverage of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, pioneer of podcasting and proprietor of his own radio station at www.RadioFreeAmsterdam.com for the past ten years.”
The Press of Atlantic City/pressofatlanticcity.com: “Cape May festival comes together for the love of jazz” Vincent Jackson, November 3, 2015
“[Michael] Kline earned his stripes as a producer of live music events when he worked at a nonprofit radio station, community-supported WWOZ-FM 90.7 in New Orleans. The station produced a live broadcast annually from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.”
WXVU.org: “Steve Gebhardt: Cincinnati Filmmaker Special Re-airs Saturday Night” Lee Hay, November 2, 2015
“John Sinclair is a poet, disc jockey, and political activist who recorded a jazz album with Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Cincinnati on January 15, 1994. He was a longtime New Orleans resident where he did a blues show on WWOZ for many years, and he has recently lived in Amsterdam for at least 5 years where he produces his own internet radio show. He was also the first manager of the seminal, protopunk Detroit band, MC5.”
Esquire/Esquire.com: “Why Won't the White House Come Clean About Its War Against ISIS?” Charles P. Pierce, October 30, 2015
“Weekly WWOZ Pick to Click: ‘Dead Man’s Bones’ (Gypsy Elise And The Royal Blues). Yeah, I pretty much still love New Orleans.”
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