Support Your Local Music Scene

6/25/09

It’s 100% coincidence (though completely fitting) that this news is coming up right now, only a couple days after we sent our first-ever music issue to the printer. Two of the area’s institutions for local music are going through some tough changes, and they need the help of people around here.

I don’t ever put the tin cup out for WNC magazine, but I will gladly do it for nonprofits who bring something so unique to our area.

WNCW: A few days ago, I was on the phone with Dana Whitehair, the general manager of WNCW 88.7FM, who was telling me about a $200,000 blow that had recently been dealt to the station by the state. Since the station is part of Isothermal Community College, they had always received a portion of their budget from Raleigh. Well, with times being what they are now, WNCW has been cut off. (You can read a more detailed account of how it happened, and how they plan to cope with the setback at Dana’s blog: http://wncwcorneroffice.blogspot.com/) Now, I’m not going to venture a guess at what their annual operating costs are, but having volunteered at other community radio stations in the past, I can assure you that $200,000 will not go unfelt at WNCW. I think it goes without saying that the station’s programming brings something very special to this community, so keep them in mind when the next fundraiser comes around.

POPAsheville: Last week, I got an email from Stephanie Morgan of POP Asheville. It appears that she’s ready to step down from being the winter music festival’s director. I can’t say I blame her for wanting to reclaim a big part of her life, but I’m glad she’s not just calling it quits on PopA. Stephanie is looking to raise enough money to hire a director for the event. (read more @: www.popasheville.com). Anyway, I’m pulling for the festival to weather this transition. It’s one of the best things to happen during Western North Carolina’s hibernating months. Moreover, it’s a huge tool for getting the word out about the region’s music scene.