Dear Listener,

In case you're wondering about all the wonderful live broadcasts you've heard on 'OZ of late, yes, they do cost lots of money to produce, especially the ones out of town, such as last month's Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival, this weekend's Bay Bridge Festival, or next month's broadcast from the Chicago Music Theatre; but no, they are not considered part of our normal operating budget. Festivals and out-of-town events are the ones that cost the most, and without sponsorship dollars, there's no budget to broadcast them on 90.7 FM.

I share this PTMOI (perhaps too much operational information) with you only because ‘OZ's Fall Pledge Drive/Live Music On-Air Rent Party is around the corner (November 5-15), and I don't want anyone to think that their carefully-ponderated, heartfelt contribution to WWOZ is somehow seen by staff as a ticket to ride all over the world in pursuit of great live music programming!

As I recently told someone who inquired: last spring, a 9-year old girl volunteered to answer the phones for us during Pledge. She got caught up in the fun and donated $20 of her own savings to keep the frequency modulating and the electrons flowing (not to mention the music pulsating) out of the Mighty-Mighty, 100,000-Watt WWOZ transmitter! It's because of incredible supporters like her that we seek sponsorship for our most costly live remote productions.

We do our best to treat you, our listeners, to the best. But you're our best investors, too. We take it as a badge of honor that we raise more money from our listeners than from any other single source. We'd like to think that's a sign of customer satisfaction.

Yours in sugar cane and chilblain,

David Freedman
General Manager

Tune in and catch all the fun during our Fall Membership Drive from November 5-15! WWOZ's membership drives are awesome times to hear one-of-a-kind performances by the brightest stars in the New Orleans music universe. We need your support in order to keep on as Guardians of the Groove! Help keep the greatest station in the nation serving up a musical feast for the ears.

 » Please support WWOZ!

An autumn weekend in Armstrong Park with great music and food? Yes, please! The Treme Creole Gumbo Festival returns with smokin' music and steaming gumbo on November 9-10. This year's edition sports a lineup that includes John Boutte, Glen David Andrews, the Original Pinettes Brass Band and lots more.

» Get the scoop on the Treme Creole Gumbo Fest

Now that fall has arrived, you can keep up on all the weekly second line parades and Mardi Gras Indian practices with WWOZ's online program, "Takin' It to the Streets". Our weekly coverage gives voice to New Orleans tradition-bearers with interviews and more. Get the route sheets and listen to our weekly podcast interviews with the people that keep these traditions alive.

» "Takin' It to the Streets": Get the route sheets and more

The seventh annual Bay BridgeFest happens October 25-27 in downtown Bay Saint Louis, MS. There'll be great live music and coastal cuisine from area restaurants, and a sweet lineup that includes the Revivalists, Dumpstaphunk, Amanda Shaw, Terrance Simien, the Honey Island Swamp Band, Johnny Sansone, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, and more. 'OZ will broadcast live on Saturday, October 26.

» Bay BridgeFest live broadcast

Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will be at the Chicago Theatre on the night of November 21, and 'OZ will be there for a live broadcast! Special guests: the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Haley Reinhart.

» NOJO in Chicago

The 2013 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience happens November 1-3 on four stages in City Park, with a lineup that includes mega-rock bands like Pearl Jam and Nine Inch Nails, as well as local acts like the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, CC Adcock & the Lafayette Marquis, Fleur Debris, Flow Tribe, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, among many, many others.

» More on the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

Save the date! WWOZ's Birthday Bash, 2013 edition, will happen on December 5 at Tipitina's, featuring Irvin Mayfield, the Red Wolf Brass Band and an after party with a very special guest DJ. More details to come.

» WWOZ Birthday Bash

This comforting stew embraces autumn with squash, sweet potatoes, and garnishes it off with a little bacon. This savory chowder is simple to make and arranges flavors that will keep your stomach happy and warm with the changing seasons.

» Recipe: Autumn Harvest Chowder