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Dear Listener,
Scott Borne, our Music Director, and a huge bunch of our show hosts are really excited to explore our newly improved real-time play list system. Our latest enhancements allow you to to track, in real time, the songs being played by any of our 70 show hosts, on your computer and automobile audio display screen. This is no small feat, because at WWOZ we have a library of 35,000 CDs and 10,000 LPs to draw from. Not to mention that some of our DJs are passionate music fans who have larger private collections than the station does! Most of your standard-issue radio stations have a much smaller number of songs, all pre-programmed without the guidance of the person on the air.
Some of our volunteer show hosts--and all of them are volunteers with real day jobs--have made a life-style decision to reduce the amount of technology in their lives, so we've had to make sure our new system was both state-of-the-art and easy to use. At one point, I noticed that the sound of one of our most cherished shows had changed drastically. Instead of short, upbeat tunes--now everything was slowed down to long, languid ballads. Turns out the show host did not have the typing skills to enter the song titles fast enough to keep up with the three-minute selections, so the solution that show host came up with was to play recordings at least twice as long! Fortunately, the host went on mic and quickly coaxed up the services of a volunteer typist. And now that show has resumed its previous tempo!
Ever since we started streaming in 1995 (an early pioneer), WWOZ has been committed to using technology in the service of its heritage material. But it ain't always easy. The effort cannot be underestimated. All of our CDs have been transferred onto a 15 terabyte server. It took our Music Director and a host of volunteers years to accomplish this. Now he is busy adding in all sorts of details associated with each song into this digital library so that our hosts can pass along more information to our listeners. Our latest accomplishment with the digital library is that the show hosts can now access the entire song library at home, so they have more time to prepare their shows. We're looking forward to 'OZ show hosts now being able to use social media such as Facebook, to work together on how all the various programs can interface and sound throughout the day.
And, since it is hurricane season, we are mindful that should we need to shut down and evacuate, we can always load up our digital library server with us and broadcast from wherever the winds take us. August is always a reflective month in New Orleans.
Yours in summersaults and chocolate malts,
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![David Freedman](/files/all/images/ozone/11943_0.jpg)
David Freedman
General Manager
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![Takin' It To The Streets! Takin' It To The Streets!](/files/all/images/ozone/160-perfect-gentlemen-christy-grimes.jpg) |
Takin' It To The Streets!
Photo by Christy Grimes
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The Valley of the Silent Men Annual second line parade officially kicks off the 2013 second line season. We will have (almost) non-stop second line parades every Sunday from now until May 2013. Check out Takin' It To The Streets - WWOZ's weekly coverage coverage of New Orleans second line and Mardi Gras Indian events to see all the details.
» Check out Second Line Season 2013
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WWOZ General Manager David Freedman shares his thoughts on the state of New Orleans and New Orleanians seven years after Katrina and the Federal Flood of '05. We also have listings of community events commemorating the seven year anniversary. "New Orleans has not 'recovered'...(but) we will move on."
» Seven years after Katrina
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![Musically Speaking film series](/files/all/images/ozone/musically-speaking.jpg)
![Support the Louisiana Bucket Brigade Support the Louisiana Bucket Brigade](/files/all/images/ozone/160-labb.jpg) |
Support the Louisiana Bucket Brigade
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On August 25th from 2pm to 2am at Cafe Istanbul, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade will be hosting a Dance-A-Thon to raise money for the organization. Here at 'OZ, the only thing that even comes close to our love of great music (ok, besides crawfish) is dancing to great music. So sign up, learn some sweet moves from dancing instructors, enjoy the Stooges Brass Band and support a great non-profit!
» Sign up now for the Dance-A-Thon
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![Celebrate culture in New Orleans Celebrate culture in New Orleans](/files/all/images/ozone/160-culture.jpg) |
Celebrate culture in New Orleans
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Visit WWOZ at the fourth annual Culture Collision on Wednesday, September 5th at Generations Hall. Free and open to the public, we'll be there at 5:30 tabling the event where you can learn more about 'OZ and lots of other great New Orleans non-profits and arts organizations. Following the business of the Collision, join 'OZ staffers as we head across the hallway to the Big Room for the after party!
» Learn more about Culture Collision
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![Phone Bank Volunteer Supreme Phone Bank Volunteer Supreme](/files/all/images/ozone/160-volunteer-juju-photo-by-danielle-small.jpg) |
Phone Bank Volunteer Supreme
Photo by Danielle Small
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WWOZ's Fall Membership Drive is right around the corner, 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. The drive starts on Tuesday September 25th and runs through Friday October 5th. With lots of food, fun and live music, the phone bank is the place to be during the pledge drive!
» Read more about volunteering for the drive
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WWOZ is proud to announce its newest sponsor - The Green Project! Serving New Orleans since 1994, The Green Project operates a warehouse store and lumberyard to sell building materials that otherwise would go into area landfills. It actively solicits materials from the public, businesses, agencies and individuals. The Green Project conducts regular environmental workshops focusing on the R's of sustainability: reduce, reuse, reclaim, repair, recycle, repurpose, restore, rehabilitate.
» Find out how your business can sponsor WWOZ
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Since 1922, Hubig's Pies have been a delicious fixture in New Orleans. These folded, fried, sugar-glazed and fruit-filled treats have long warmed spirits and bellies in the Crescent City. On July 27th, a fire erupted in the heart of the Hubig's Faubourg Marigny factory. No one was injured, but the factory and all of the equipment inside were destroyed. Help keep the Hubig's spirit alive while we eagerly await the return of our beloved hand-held pies.
» Read more about Hubig's Pies
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![Summer Risotto Summer Risotto](/files/all/images/ozone/160-french-onion-soup.jpg) |
Rich and creamy risotto
Photo courtesy of OKRA
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This rich, creamy and comforting risotto includes bacon and creole cream cheese yet keeps it light with asparagus and lima beans plus the surprising flavors of lemon and fresh mint -- a perfect late summer dish. This recipe is courtesy of Stephanie Jane Carter and OKRA Magazine, from the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.
» See this month's recipe
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WWOZ Quick Links
Shop WWOZ
The 'OZ Swamp Shop is open and chock full of WWOZ gear.
New Orleans Music Calendar
Live music is the life-blood of New Orleans. Check out our online music calendar to find out who's playing where.
WWOZ Elsewhere on the Web
Become a fan of 'OZ on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Pledge/Renew Now
Support WWOZ—and the music you love
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