|
|
Dear Listener,
|
WWOZ has a little black box with something called an "exciter" in it. The exciter hooks up to some amplifiers and the whole thing is known as a transmitter. Ours sits 25 stories atop a building in downtown New Orleans and is connected by telephone to 'OZ's CD players and microphones back in our French Quarter studio.
This little black box pumps 4,000 watts of electrons through a cable snaking up a 200 foot tower to an antenna sending this energy out in pulses to another little black box, known as your radio, where WWOZ magically pops out its speaker. That is, as long as your radio sits or drives around in the general area of Orleans, St. Bernard and Jefferson Parishes.
But imagine what would happen if you pushed 100,000 watts of electrons through a much bigger black box. Well, the signal would carry a lot further—across the lake, down the coast, deep toward the east into Mississippi! It would make WWOZ the only non-commercial FM in Louisiana to broadcast at that power. So, that's exactly what we decided to do. It all sounded so simple—back in December when we started the process of lugging our big black box (weighing, literally, a ton) 25 stories up.
Be sure to read all the details from that amazing saga. In the end, we looked to the heavens for inspiration. And, lo, there was a helicopter! So, our engineers made the necessary calls and, if you have been following our website at all, you know there are wonderful photos of the Great Airlift that took place on Saturday, March 9th. The pictures are really fun to look at. Now we are busy connecting our big black box to a new cable being strung up the tower to connect to a new antenna.
Sometime in the next few weeks, you'll be able to drive that little black box known as your radio down the coast and across the lake and feel the magic of WWOZ way beyond Orleans, St. Bernard and Jefferson Parishes. We'd love to hear from 'OZillians far and wide once the 100,000 watt Mighty WWOZ is loosed upon the airwaves. Needless to say, we're excited!
Yours in rimshots and kilowatts,
|
David Freedman
General Manager
|
 |
|
Red Baraat will perform Sunday, March 24, in Congo Square
Photo by Catherine King
|
|
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival returns to Armstrong Park on March 23 & 24! In addition to tons of fantastic music (hello, Red Baraat!) on stage, this festival also features the Class Got Brass student brass band competition. 'OZ will be live broadcasting, so we'll see y'all out there!
» Check out the events at Congo Square this weekend
|
 |
|
Meschiya Lake and the Little Bighorns performed on Day 9 of the drive.
Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
|
|
Thanks to everyone who made our Spring Membership Party a huge success. We add your names, and those of all our wonderful musicians, show hosts and volunteers, to the roll call of our Louisiana music family. A huge thanks to the 2,112 members who pledged during this drive and became one of 'OZ's number!
» See the drive highlights
|
 
 |
|
Trombone Shorty plays at French Quarter Fest in 2008.
Photo by Stafford
|
|
French Quarter Festival, the kickoff to festival season, celebrates its 30th anniversary with a feast of local music on over 20 stages throughout the Quarter. Notable artists include: Soul Rebels, George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, NOLA Nightingale Revue, Meschiya Lake and the Little Bighorns, Bonerama, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and many more.
» Get the details on French Quarter Fest
|
 |
|
Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson
|
|
Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson, a major contributor to the music world as a performer, composer, spokesperson, educator, and humanitarian, is currently recovering from a serious illness. Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Ellis Marsalis, and many, many more will perform at a benefit for Wess at the Howlin' Wolf on Saturday, March 23.
» See the complete lineup for the Wess Anderson Benefit
|
  .
|
Piano Night 2013 is sponsored by:
|
|
Henry Butler at last year's Piano Night.
Photo by Bill Sasser
|
|
Honor the New Orleans piano tradition by attending WWOZ's Piano Night: one-of-a-kind fundraiser for the station, in which we take over the House of Blues on the Monday night between the two New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival weekends. We invite in many amazing New Orleans pianists (and a few of our out-of-town favorites!) to entertain and raise funds for the station. Some of this year's performers include Ike Stubblefield, Bob Malone, Tom McDermott, Carol Fran, Marco Benevento, and Marcia Ball.
Get your VIP tickets now, as they're selling like hotcakes made by piano-playing musicians!
» Get the details on Piano Night & get tickets
|
 |
|
The new transmitter, high above the CBD.
Photo by Tony Guillory
|
|
WWOZ is spreading its wings! We have long been plotting the installation of a new transmitter to boost our broadcast signal from 4,000 watts to 100,000 watts. Our signal will be stronger in New Orleans and will expand further outside the city. The process is nearing completion following the transmitter's dramatic chopper ride to the top of the old Tidewater Building on Canal St.
» See the photos and read more on 'OZ's stronger signal
|
  
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 lifeblood 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
|
