Welcome to our new readers! For the first time, an issue of the Listeners for MusicAmerica newsletter is being sent to the thousands of people who signed petitions during the past year. Until now, only the 1,000+ callers to the hotline have received these periodic updates from us.
Our thanks to Argus Management for underwriting the substantial cost of transcribing the sometimes barely legible names and addresses and covering printing and mailing costs. Merging these names with the callers to the Listeners' hotline, means that over 10,000 MusicAmerica fans will now receive our newsletter.
And, to all our readers, please call or write us if we have misspelled your name, are mailing to an incorrect address, if you are receiving duplicate mailings, or if you wish to be dropped from our list. Our apologies for any inconvenience. Thanks.
With the summer drawing to a close, it's time for another update on the continuing campaign to bring back MusicAmerica. The most important message: supporters of MusicAmerica have not gone away, we're committed to applying and maintaining the pressure needed to bring back the program, and during the past few weeks, heartened by a number of positive developments that are discussed in greater detail below, we've accelerated our activities.
Before reading any further, you can help this cause by taking a moment to call WGBH at 617-492-2777. Ask for Henry Becton's office and tell his secretary, Kristin, that you are still angry over the decision to cancel the show. It's been a year since MusicAmerica left the air, and it's our responsibility to let the station know that we haven't forgotten the joy it brought to our daily lives, the contribution the program made to Boston's culture, and, at least for some of us, the negative feelings we've developed toward a station that, first, would make such a mistake and, second, that arrogantly continues to stonewall the issue-even after receiving overwhelming feedback from its listeners.
And, in case you feel either shy or uneasy about being a complainer, just remember, there has never been a protest like this one over the cancellation of a radio program. You are not alone in your anger and frustration! And for good reason.
As indicated below, the Trustees of the Save MusicAmerica Trust are committed to operating the Trust with no expenses. This means that volunteer labor organized by Listeners for MusicAmerica and small monetary contributions are essential if we are to communicate among ourselves and promote additional events such as the April 28, September 29, and November 10 fundraisers. The best way to help support these activities is by mailing a small donation to Listeners for MusicAmerica, 63 Hillside Ave., Melrose, MA 02176. We can't expect 100% response to this kind of plea, so your five dollars would probably be enough to cover the cost of communicating with you, plus a couple of freeloaders. (Include a stamped, self-addressed #10 envelope and we will send you a snazzy bumper sticker.)
New York jazz duo Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, who recorded for Verve and, now, Concord Jazz volunteered in June to drive up from their home in New Jersey to perform the second half of the Save MusicAmerica Trust's September 29 concert (see page 2), backed by locals Bob Nieske and Rick Considine. Jackie & Roy have been longtime MusicAmerica supporters, and their close friend from Lexington, John Mahoney, had been keeping them posted on our campaign.
Roy underwent heart surgery this summer, and his recovery has been slower than expected. On August 22, he called to tell us that his health would not permit them to come and that they have been forced to cancel all performances until November.
Jackie & Roy want to reschedule their appearance, and we hope to see them here for a future benefit. Meanwhile, fans should look for their latest MusicMasters CD, Jackie & Roy: Forever.
Special thanks to Bob Nieske and Rick Considine for volunteering to perform. Hope to see you soon.
Thanks for your support, Jackie & Roy. And, Roy, get well quickly!
The Save MusicAmerica Trust will hold its second fundraising event, The Great American Songbook II ("TGAS II"), on Sunday evening, September 29 at 7:30 pm at the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington. This beautiful setting was home to TGAS I, held on April 28th. Once again, with just under 400 seats, the event will sell out quickly.
Reserved seat tickets for the event are $25, $20 and $15. Listeners for MusicAmerica volunteers will be on hand to offer refreshments during the intermission.
Carol Sloane hosts the program. All involved are donating their talent and, in addition to Carol, they include:
Josh Hilberman Stan McDonald's Blue Horizon Jazz Band Dave McKenna Joe Mulholland DiDi Stewart & Friends Dane Vannatter
Listeners for MusicAmerica have first crack at ordering tickets to this event. To order tickets by telephone using a VISA or MasterCard, call (617) 2590250. Orders with a check can be sent to Concert Tickets, Save MusicAmerica Trust, P.O. Box 657, Lincoln, MA 01773 (this address is for ticket orders only). Please add $1.00 to each order to cover mailing costs. The last concert was a sell out with a long wait list, so order your tickets, now, before we publicize the event to the general public.
The museum is located at 33 Marrett Road (at the intersection with Massachusetts Avenue). Coming from north or south? Take the Marrett Road/Route 2A exit (Exit 30) on Route 128/I-95 and drive east just 3 miles.
Save the date: Sunday evening, November 10. As we go to press, plans are underway for the Save MusicAmerica Trust's third gala: The Great American Songbook III! Already booked: Rebecca Paris with the Ken Hadley big band, Jim Porcella, and Carol O'Shaugnessy. They will be joined by other favorites. As in the past, this concert will sell-out, so we recommend that you order tickets now.
The Great American Songbook I, a concert to benefit the Save MusicAmerica Trust was an enormous success-a quick sell-out with 130 people wait-listed for tickets. The program, hosted by Carol Sloane, featured Paul Broadnax, Donna Byrne, Artie Cabral, Michael Calmes, Lynne Jackson & Mike Palter, Steve Marvin, Cercie Miller, Gray Sargent, Paul Schmeling, and Marshall Wood. Its proceeds-nearly $9000!-have been deposited in the Save MusicAmerica Trust.
But it's not too late to see the show! Cablevision of Lexington videotaped the program and, courtesy of the performing musicians and the Boston Musicians Association, this program has been aired in Lexington on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7:00 pm on cable channel 42. As we go to press, we have received word that these broadcasts will likely continue in September, and we are working hard to bring the concert to cable TV systems in every community where MusicAmerica was heard. Call your cable company and ask when the program will be aired, or watch your local listings.
We owe special thanks to Boston radio personality Tom Kennedy (himself a lover and promoter of this music). Tom introduces the broadcast by moderating a brief roundtable discussion featuring John Brady, Carp Ferrari, Steve Low, and Carol Sloane, who explain the history of the Save MusicAmerica Trust and the events that led to the benefit.
The August 19 issue of Current (the Public Broadcasting newspaper, read by radio and TV execs nationwide) carries a feature story on the campaign to bring back MusicAmerica. Rather than summarize this excellent article, we're enclosing a copy. Marita Rivero and Ron Jones are both quoted in the article, and based on their comments, we wonder whether either of these people will be part of a renewed WGBH (see the next two items).
It all began with Ron Della Chiesa's first in-depth interview since MusicAmerica's cancellation on August 31, 1995. Ed Symkus's fine piece appeared in the TAB Newspapers aimed at Boston and suburban (Cambridge, Newton, Brookline, Sudbury, Natick, etc.) readers.
But as Symkus wrote on page 1 of the TAB about what he called "some of the best radio in town," a junior member of his own editorial staff was telling MusicAmerica listeners to "move on." Can you believe it? Some insensitive kid, completely ignorant of the music, had the nerve not just to stab his own reporter in the back, but to tell a bunch of loyal supporters-contributors to the station, even!-to go to hell.
Well, Junior made a lot of folks mad, and thank God some of them wrote to the TAB, and, thankfully, those letters got printed.
Lynne Jackson & Mike Palter's piece was notably moving, and it received op-ed treatment. Reacting to the phrase "move on," in the title of the Editorial, Lynne and Mike talked of other struggles in which protesters didn't move on because the cause was just. "Move on, indeed. We shall not move on. For the management of WGBH presides over a sacred, public, trust. In this case, the trust involves the preservation of a precious, life-giving, healing and healthy inheritance-jazz, cabaret, and Broadway music." Letters from other TAB readers appeared in each of the next three weeks. Here are some excerpts:
"Thousands of disenfranchised radio listeners have given us a clear mandate to continue our campaign. To move on now would compromise the integrity of the Trust and the support of our contributors." (Carp Ferrari, Founder, for the Trustees of the Save MusicAmerica Trust)
"For 18 years, an audience estimated at 100,000 (using the station's figures) supported MusicAmerica with our time, our money, and our commitment to WGBH at large. We believed WGBH when their assorted fundraisers assured us that we were part of their program decision-making…We refuse to support a station that conducts an auction or pledge drive on Channel 2 or 44 shamelessly using Sinatra, Nat Cole, big band and other specials from the American songbook to front for their begging while they kill the very same programming on their radio station." (John Brady, Founder, Listeners for MusicAmerica)
"The whole MusicAmerica "thing" has illuminated an important fact: WGBH-FM 89.7, once an important asset to the cultural life of our community has broken down and needs to be fixed. To those who have supported the station over many years, it's clear that current program management has run out of ideas about how to reverse the decline, and that general management has lost touch with its audience." (Chuck Mattocks, Dorchester)
"The only way that listeners (or former listeners) can indicate their displeasure with this programming policy is by withholding our donations to the station. Station Manager Marita Rivero herself makes this clear when she says that it was consultants-not listeners-who have convinced her that it would be "irresponsible" to bring MusicAmerica back. (Charles Bahne, Cambridge)
Despite what the station has been telling its audience (and its Trustees), WGBH radio is in a tailspin as measured by listener contributions. Data, leaked to us by insiders over the past year, indicates that the station has been missing virtually every one of its on-air fundraising targets-in most cases not even coming close! We all know the reasons why: first, angry listeners like us are withholding our support and, second, the station's copycat programming strategy keeps pushing its audience over to WBUR for news and talk, and to Boston's three classical musical stations: WCRB, WHRB, and WBOQ. In short, there's seems to be a meltdown at Boston's formerly premier public radio station, as well as a management coverup to conceal it!
Just how bad is it? MusicAmerica fans will be interested in the following statistics for three random fundraising days in August:
Add it all up: 'GBH heard from only 69% of the listeners it sought, and their pledges met only 75% of the goal. Shockingly, even public radio's bulwark, All Things Considered, has stopped producing results for 'GBH. Over three days, ATC's goal was 110 calls and $5,500; actuals were 50 callers (45% of the goal) pledging just $3,370 (61% of the goal).
It looks like 'GBH's daytime programming is failing to meet even management's modest expectations. Even worse is that the schedule is failing to deliver contributing listeners to All Things Considered, either. Where did those listeners go? It's obvious, some are next door at 90.9, listening to WBUR; the others: who knows?
There's an important lesson here: even "professionals" make mistakes and, yes, even "professionals" either don't know or are too embarrassed to get out of a mess of their own making.
And here's a little know fact: Ron's morning show on Mondays is taped. Yup, here's a station management with the chutzpah to give us a canned host for a morning show featuring news, weather, and traffic. The radio professionals we've consulted, tell us that it is unprecedented for a 100,000 watt major market station to opt for a taped host on a weekday morning show like this one. This is quality? This is professionalism?
As Chuck Mattocks observed in his recent letter to the TAB (see the "Battle is fought…" item elsewhere in this newsletter), WGBH radio is in real trouble and lacks the management talent to turn things around. It is inevitable that Rivero's days are numbered, and, as listeners, we must demand that when a replacement is found, that person begins the revival first by listening to "the voice of the listener." We expect to be hearing a lot more about the problems at WGBH radio as we enter the fall. Stay tuned-to us, of course!
The Save MusicAmerica Trust was created to collect and to escrow contributions that will be turned over to WGBH upon restoration of MusicAmerica. To our knowledge, this is the first time in public broadcasting history that listeners, ourselves, have organized to provide financial support for programming.
Trustees include Carp Ferrari (the Founder); Medfield business exec, Peter Fontecchio; Steve Low, a management consultant from Lincoln; Joan Mayhew of Mashpee; Concord Jazz recording artist and MusicAmerica's Monday afternoon host, Carol Sloane; and Robert B. Parker of Cambridge, author of the Spenser mysteries.
The Trustees are committed to operating the Trust without expenses; 100% of funds contributed (plus any interest they earn) will be put to work in fulfilling MusicAmerica's mission of promoting the performance and enjoyment of classic American music. Remember, all contributions are tax-deductible, and you may designate a beneficiary in the event that MusicAmerica is not returned to the air.
As of this writing, the Trust has collected slightly more than $20,000-slightly less than half that amount are the proceeds from its first fundraiser, The Great American Songbook concert in Lexington on April 28th; the balance comes from voluntary contributions from committed MusicAmerica supporters.
Please contribute (if you have not already done so). Donors receive recognition in the printed program for each benefit concert.
Patron $1,000 or more Benefactor $500-$1,000 Friend $100-$500 Supporter $25-$100 Quarter any amount under Notes $25
Contributions should be sent to the Save MusicAmerica Trust, 207 Union Street, South Natick, MA 01760.
International Broadway/cabaret/concert/recording star, Barbara Cook, has written to the Listeners, indicating her strong support for the campaign to bring back MusicAmerica.
In a June letter to John Brady, Ms. Cook wrote, "Classical American music is an essential part of America's heritage. The songs and melodies of Broadway, the cabaret, and the concert stage have united our nation and are a powerful medium for ensuring cultural continuity. As I travel America, it is obvious that virtually no commercial station offers this kind of programming. I had always taken comfort with the fact that Boston-through public radio-had found a way to make this music available in the afternoon, when audiences, young and old, are listening.
"Thank you for working so hard to bring Ron's program back. I know that you can succeed in restoring the sound of America to Boston's airwaves. Della Chiesa's voice and America's music must not be silenced!"
National hero and Malden Mills President, Aaron Feuerstein wrote to Henry Becton in July asking him to use his power to bring back MusicAmerica. Feuerstein's letter was signed by wife, Louise, and more than 30 friends and supporters.
"No other station plays the great American songbook or informs its listeners where they can see live performers interpret our national heritage…We want MusicAmerica back to let us celebrate our past through the great American songbook."
The Feuersteins, leaders in Boston's philanthropic community, have also offered their support to the Save MusicAmerica Trust's continuing campaign.
Also in June, jotting just a quick "Good wishes for a great cause!", cabaret star Suzannah McCorkle sent a generous contribution to Listeners for MusicAmerica. Not only do we look forward to hearing Suzannah's voice on a restored MusicAmerica, but we're hoping to feature her in an upcoming TGAS concert.
Sad to say that without Ron Della Chiesa's weekday afternoon MusicAmerica show on WGBH here in Boston, this community failed to hear the kind of tribute to Ella that was her due. As many people have said, "If MusicAmerica had been on the air, there would have been 3 solid hours of Ella's music and memories." When was the last time you heard Ella's voice on radio?
Since our last newsletter, we want to thank the following supporters for donations to Listeners for MusicAmerica: Josephine M. Smith, Ronald & Barbara Stutzman, Arthur M. Landy, Robert M. Hyde, Thomas & Donna Burke, William Siroty, Joseph Spechuilli & Ann Brewer, Lillian & Sumner Silberman, Malcolm Kaufman, V. Maxine Barritt, Carolyn & Alfred Doherty, James & Ann Kenneally, Chester & Theresa Smolski, John & Dianne Grady, Harold & Erika MacLean, George & Olga O'Brien, Patricia A. Thornton, Carolyn M. Mathers, Marshall & Edith Bargar, Thelma Moore & Sara Johnson, Ann & Michael Jacobson, Lewis J. Seelig, Howard & Ann Morse, Madeline C. Courant, Mark J. Perry, Eileen P. Tangney, Marie & Benjamin Goldstein, Lorna M. Phillips, Frank Ansuini, Ellis & Deborah Waldman, Anita G. Massie, M. Enid Watson, Stanley N. Silbert, Tania Lang Burger, Danna Fortunato, Barbara Marion, Frederick & Joan Gore, Paul Nossiter, Herbert & Maureen Mores, David & Sharon Cores, Ted Belastock & the Jazz Company, Billy & June Patton, Sarah & Robert Williams, Suzannah McCorkle, Elizabeth D. Woods, Bob & Sally Williams, Arthur T. Edgerly, Al & Martha Vega, H.R. & Patricia Cohen, Thomas E. Hauenstein, Roslyn R. Talerman, Graham R. Taylor, T.M. & M.M. Blackshaw, Mark & Susan Tilden, Carolyn Cherry, John & Madeleine Sargent, Stephanie & John Rand, Michael & Carol Kort, Ann-Marie Joyce, Christos & Iris Koumantzelis, Ann & Earl Criel, Thomas P. McKeown, Ronald McGuire, Thomas & Patricia Egan, Reiner Stracke, Edith & Charles Messier, Chester & Nancy Breen, Gerry & Meredith Slavin.
We can always use volunteers. An immediate need will be to help serve refreshments during the intermission of our September 29 and November 10 fundraisers. If you plan to buy a ticket to either (or both) events and are willing to help, call Steve Low at 617-259-8341.