Dear Listener,

Eight years ago and a month, New Orleans sustained hurricane force winds that punched out every window in the Hyatt Hotel, uprooted thousands of trees including hundreds of majestic oaks in Audubon Park, and, oh yes, bent the top two sections of the tower upon which WWOZ’s antenna is hung. It left a 10 degree tilt, hardly noticeable to the eye unless you were really looking for it.

There was no need to do anything until this year, when ‘OZ undertook to hang a new, much larger antenna array in conjunction with our power increase. Perhaps you remember back in March the photos of the helicopter lifting our 2,000 pound, 100,000 watt transmitter atop the Tidewater Building in downtown New Orleans. Besides hanging the new antenna, they were also supposed to cut off the top two sections of the tower to make it more stable. For some reason, they never quite finished the job. The crew stuck around for weeks while we waited impatiently to trumpet our new signal’s magnificent reach to the north and east. We did a soft roll out, but thought it best not to go big while there was still a two week window where we would, in fact, be operating at much lower power as the crew finished its work.

In the meantime, listeners reported receiving ‘OZ a good one-and-half hours' drive out to the north shore and as far east as Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I myself was driving back from Atlanta last month and picked up our signal (fuzzily) as far away as Farm Hill, Florida on the old Pensacola Highway.

Eventually the tower crew left town. The tower top was never cut and we really didn’t know when they’d be back...until yesterday morning when they showed up ready to finish the job. They’ll be working on it for a week or so, depending on the weather. And as they bounce up and down the pole, ‘OZ will bounce down and up in signal strength.

We should have known they’d be back this week. Why? -- Because, this is the week-- this Saturday, September 28th in fact -- WWOZ will be broadcasting live and direct from the Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival. The week of all weeks we wanted to come in proud and strong on the North Shore. (The crew has agreed to sit it out as we pump our full 100,000 watts into Washington Parish during the live broadcast!)

And next month, October 26-27, our mobile remote truck will tool on over to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, for the Bay Bridge Fest. We’ve been broadcasting this event for the past two years, but this is the first time we’ll be able to hear the broadcast on our radios from the site. Or that folks in Bay St Louis and all along the coast can hear their local event on 90.7 FM.

And now the little station that could, (for those of you who know our humble beginnings) WWOZ is ready to announce to the world (almost), that it is officially the most powerful FM non-commercial radio station in Louisiana! And we’re gonna celebrate it first in Bogalusa, Louisiana. With the blues!

Yours in coverage maps and radio apps,

David Freedman
General Manager

WWOZ has partnered with WWL-TV to recognize the work of the city's "Guardians of the Groove" with a monthly television series of profiles and interviews. As musicians, business owners and community leaders, Guardians of the Groove share a dedication to their craft and a belief in the importance of cultural expression. The first segment, which aired on September 18, featured Benny Jones, Sr. of the Treme Brass Band, interviewed by WWOZ show host Bill DeTurk on location at the Candlelight Lounge.

 » See the first episode of "Guardians of the Groove"

WWOZ's Fall 2013 Membership Drive happens November 5 - 15, and we need your help to make it a success! We are 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 rocks during the pledge drive!

» Sign up for the Fall 2013 Membership Drive phone bank now!

Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca, a rising star on the international music scene, will perform in New Orleans for one night only in a free Jazz Journey concert presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival & Foundation. Opening the show will be Los Po-Boy-Citos. The concert takes place Tuesday, October 1, at the House of Blues. Admission is free, seating is general admission, and no advance tickets are required.

» Jazz Journey Concert: Roberto Fonseca

The eighth annual Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival comes to Lafayette Square Park October 18-20. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival & Foundation, this festival celebrates the best in blues and R&B with with another choice lineup including, among many others, Mel Waiters, Beverly Guitar Watkins, Jonny Lang, and Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory. And if that's not enough, vendors will be serving up outstanding barbecue in a variety of styles.

» Hear the Best in Blues at the Blues & BBQ Fest

WWOZ's show hosts score a lot of great interviews with musicians and other people of note, in which they discuss not only music, but their careers and lives. Now the best of these conversations will be available on demand and as podcasts in a new feature: "The WWOZ Interview". Our first batch, from this August and September, includes talks with Papa John Gros, Chris Rose, Harry Shearer & Judith Owens, Ingrid Lucia, and Bobby Rush & Dr. John. Of course we'll be adding more regularly.

» Hear "The WWOZ Interview"

The second Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival happens September 28 with a lineup including Walter Trout, Ana Popovic, Paul Thorn, and Vasti Jackson, among others. Last year's inaugural festival honored Bogalusa native Henry Roeland Byrd, AKA Professor Longhair; this year's tribute is to Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Oh, and WWOZ will be there with a live broadcast, the Swamp Shop, and Mango Freeze.

» More on the Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival

The Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau present the 11th Ponderosa Stomp on October 4 & 5 at the Mid-City Rock 'n' Bowl. Get a taste of who's playing with a "musical preview" video, which does a nifty job of conveying the feel of the event, which celebrates roots music of many flavors: rock-n-roll, blues, jazz, country, swamp pop and soul.

» Head to the Rock 'n' Bowl for the 11th Ponderosa Stomp

Here's what its creators at Martinique Bistro have to say about this month's recipe: "We all love boudin… Between the texture, the smoke and the spice, it stands out as an iconic Louisiana bite. Martinique Bistro prides themselves on offering to the hungry vegetarian eaters of New Orleans and beyond, and Chef wanted to give them a veggie version of this swine and game lover favorite...."

» Recipe: Sweet Corn-Smoked New Orleans East Tofu Boudin