Call for Entries - WOOK-LP Radio

WOOK-LP Radio is now accepting music for airplay from recording artists throughout the Washington-Baltimore region. Funk, Jazz, Rock, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop, Blues & World Beat music accepted; re-issues and out-of-print recordings are OK. Albums and singles are acceptable in CD Audio or .mp3 format. Send an e-mail for more information on promoting your next album release or reserving performance space.

MP3 singles may be forwarded by e-mail to wookradiodc@gmail.com. Please include your contact information, i.e.; full name, name of act (if different), phone number, mailing address, etc., with your submission. Please forward CDs -- singles and albums -- with your contact information to:

WOOK-LP Radio
c/o 2000 Half St SW
Washington, DC 20024

Follow WOOK on Facebook ('WOOKradioDC') and listen online @ www.wookradiodc.org.

#Amplify_DC

Call for On-Air Radio Talent

WOOK-LP Radio DC announces over 50 openings for on-air hosts of D.C.-based music and public affairs-themed radio programs for its low-power FM project.   No experience necessary; students are encouraged to apply.  Proposals for 'live', pre-recorded, and/or syndicated productions from:

• performing artists (incl. DJs, spoken word artists, and comedians)
• educators and schools
• activists
• journalists
• webcasters and Internet radio stations
• recording labels
• small businesses & entrepreneurs
• event promoters

reflecting the culture of Greater Washington, D.C. will be given top consideration.

Time slots will be reserved on a first-come basis. On-air hosts will be required to participate in the station's membership campaigns, but will have the opportunity to use their shows for fundraising on behalf of charitable causes, or to earn income from 3rd-party sponsorships and/or promotional agreements.  The fee for hosting a weekly 1-hour program is $75/month; a $50 non-refundable deposit is required.  More details are available on the station's website.

For an invite to apply in person at an upcoming monthly mixer, R.S.V.P. by 'liking' WOOK-LP Radio on Facebook, or leave your full name and e-mail address in the 'comments' section below. 

10 Thoughts: WPFW

Once again tensions have boiled to the surface among listeners, announcers, staff, and management over upcoming program changes announced for Washington's WPFW 89.3 FM.  The non-commercial station and long-time voice of 'jazz and justice' in D.C. has seemingly operated for years on the brink of collapse as its parent company -- the Pacifica Foundation -- asserted more influence over programming and operations with individual affiliates.  Pacifica's finances are also shaky for reasons I believe to be largely self-inflicted.  However, it's individuals actively involved with WPFW who are mostly responsible for the station's predicament.  As I write this op-ed, there are rival factions within the station defined by complex and sometimes overlapping racial and ideological lines busily circling their respective wagons in response to the latest changes.

I'm reluctant to take a side in this internecine squabble because a) people I know on both sides of the issue are making valid arguments, b) I don't have the authority or inclination to act as arbitrator or mediator, and c) first-hand experience with WPFW instructs me not to volunteer solutions for a hot mess.  Nevertheless, I've compiled a brief list of my initial reactions to the station's latest melodrama: 

• WPFW retains enough autonomy to address its challenges
• the station's culture is dysfunctional
• the amount of programming devoted to local issues continues to steadily and precipitously decline
• Pacifica appears to be making station policy contrary to its core principles
• the station's management and station board members lack imagination and nerve, if not tact
• station resources are vastly underutilized
• the new schedule's evening jazz programming is an improvement
• its listener base is aging, shrinking, and contributing less.
• many of WPFW's 'publics' (volunteers, listeners, artists, etc.) put personal agendas ahead of the best interests of the station or its community of license
• the ongoing strife at WPFW symbolizes in the U.S., 'public' stations aren't so public; 'progressive' media isn't always progressive.