NIGHT Notes Feb-2007

NIGHT Notes
Brookdale Public Radio
90.5 The NIGHT
E-Newsletter
February 15, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE:
* REASONS BEHIND THE PROGRAMMING CHANGE
* BLUEGRASS JAM LISTENERS
* ALBUM OF THE MONTH
* OUR NEW BROADCAST SCHEDULE
* 10th ANNUAL GUITAR SHOW
* MEMBER DISCOUNT ORGANIZATIONS

REASONS BEHIND THE PROGRAMMING CHANGE

Many of you have called or e-mailed about the changes on 90.5 the NIGHT, namely the absence of NPR programs to the program schedule. The truth of the matter is that we have increasing fixed costs regarding the operation of the station. These fixed costs depend on a guaranteed revenue stream. Our fixed revenue stream includes funding from Brookdale Community College and a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Other revenue comes from membership which is always a variable, sometimes to the extreme. Much of our fixed revenue goes towards the purchase of programs and operating the station. Our other income from membership dollars has been an inconsistent source that makes it almost impossible to plan a solid operating budget year after year.

Based on the increasing costs of purchasing programs like “Morning Edition”, All Things Considered” and “Weekend Edition”, the decision was made to reduce spending on this type of programming so that more fixed income can go towards the operation of the station, localizing our news & information, and remaining solvent. The NPR Programs that we once offered are on other stations in the area.

Many of you have asked why not just tell members we need more money? We have done this in the past with additional drives, but how many times can we go to well before the well runs dry? Logically, we were facing a pledge drive every month just to stay ahead and honestly how many of you would have become turned off by constant radio drives?

With that said, here is what you can still count on at Brookdale Public Radio 90.5 The NIGHT:
•           We are still a membership station.
•           We are still an NPR member station – we’ve added NPR Newscasts to the music programming that airs hourly though out the day.
•           We still air local news, weather, and morning traffic reports.
•           We will continue to serve our local community.
•           We still air Car Talk on Saturday mornings.

We hope many of you decide to remain members or become members and support Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 The NIGHT.

Tom Brennan
Station Manager
Brookdale Public Radio

BLUEGRASS JAM LISTENERS

To all of the Listeners of Bluegrass Jam at 90.5 The Night:

First of all we (Randy, Heidi and Ken) would like to acknowledge all of the emails, phone calls, and other correspondences to each of us and the management of 90.5 The Night! One thing’s for certain, there is a lot of passion for the program and that was felt very strongly by the sudden change in programming these past few weeks! We have recently met with Cheryl Cummings (Director of the Brookdale Network) and Tom Brennan (Station Mgr) to discuss the future of Bluegrass Jam. Cheryl had taken the time to read every one of the emails sent to her and to Tom Brennan. She also took the time to look up the membership status of each person and found that only about 25% of them were active members! She explained that from an overall perspective, memberships have gone down over the past year or so and the costs for doing business (like our taxes) have risen! The discussion was very “healthy” but very “sobering” to say the least! None of us realized the fiscal status we were in and discussed plans to increase the membership of the listeners of Bluegrass Jam in order to validate our being part of the programming of 90.5 the night.

The outcome of this discussion was good news because it was decided to extend the duration of the program from one hour to two hours! The Hours will be 9-11am, which may be a little early for some but we think it’s a nice compromise! Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are determined to increase the membership of the listeners of Bluegrass Jam and the awareness of our Bluegrass program! We cannot over emphasize the fact that 90.5 the night is “Listener Supported Public Radio”. We appreciate your passion for the program that you have enjoyed for 26 years; however the bottom line is that in order for us to be able to sustain Bluegrass Jam for now and the future we really need those listeners who are not members to consider becoming members! In closing we would like to thank all of you that are active members for your continued support of Bluegrass Jam and would like to thank in advance all of our listeners for their consideration in becoming new members or renewing members. With all of us working together we can enjoy Bluegrass Jam for many years to come!!!!! As always your suggestions are welcome. We hope to hear from you soon!!! We are here for you, our loyal listeners. Now we come to you, asking that you be here for us!!!! Again, thanks for your continued support!

Randy Bailey, Heidi Olsen and Ken Jewell

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Norah Jones ­ Not Too Late

Norah Jones has just released her third album, Not Too Late. It’s her first album with all original compositions. Her first album without the legendary producer Arif Mardin (who passed away last year). Her first without using a slew of top shelf studio musicians. A little less “jazzy” than in the past, but still the perfect kind of record for a Sunday afternoon or a really late night. Using her usual band of Lower East Side friends (with a few exceptions), I suppose the album “feels” more like a band record. After being part of a band over the last couple of years (The Little Willies) it would seem that she’s found a comfort zone in playing with them. You’ve no doubt already heard the first single “Thinking About You,” the album also boasts a number of distinctly “not jazzy” numbers like the Tom Waits-ian “Sinkin’ Soon” and the overtly political “My Dear Country.” While Not Too Late is perhaps not as “immediate” a record as its predecessors, it is a distinct next step in the maturation of Norah Jones as an artist.

Jeff Raspe
Music Director
Brookdale Public Radio

OUR NEW BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Weekdays:

12mid-5a – Music on The NIGHT
5a-10a – Music on The NIGHT w/Stephanie (filling in for Michele) and local news & traffic from Kevin Scott Jones
10a-3p – Music on the NIGHT w/Rich Robinson
3p-7p – Music on the NIGHT w/Leo Zaccari
7p-11p – Music on the NIGHT w/Jeff Raspe
11p – Music on the NIGHT Features

Monday: Jam Room (10pm – 12mid)
Tuesday: 14 Degrees of Separation
Wednesday: Classic Rewind
Thursday: Artist of the Week
Friday: Altrok (10pm – 12mid)

Saturday

12mid-9a – Music on the NIGHT
9a – Mixed Bag Radio w/ Pete Fornatale
10a – Car Talk
11a-12mid – Music on the NIGHT

Sunday

12mid-9a – Music on the NIGHT
9a-11a- Bluegrass Jam
11a – Music on The NIGHT
9p – Forward Into The Past
10p-12mid – Box of Blues

10th ANNUAL GUITAR SHOW

90.5 The NIGHT is proud to announce that the Brookdale Guitar Show is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on February 18, 2007 from 10am – 5pm!

Last year’s event surpassed our expectations with over 3,000 in attendance.  For our 10th Anniversary we have special performances planned and an extensive list of free workshops.

Music performances will feature:
Tommy Anton & Abby Cahn
Sonni Shine, Jay Hernandez
Doug Mikula
Rick Barry
Woodfish.

FREE Clinics all day featuring:
Steve Conte of the New York Dolls
Bobby Bandiera of Bon Jovi
Marc Muller of Shania Twain
An All Star Tribute to Dave Mac with:  Matt O’Ree, Sonny Kenn, Chuck Lambert, Terraplane Blues, Jody Joseph & The Average Joes, Joe Wymer and the Voodudes.

Admission is $10. $5 entry when you bring a guitar to sell or trade or show your 90.5 The NIGHT membership card.
Visit www.brookdaleguitarshow.com for more information.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

“A Lesson Before Dying” Onstage at Brookdale

Brookdale’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) will pay tribute to February asBlack History Month with the powerful drama of a young Black man wrongly accused and placed on deathrow. “A Lesson Before Dying,” based on the Oprah Book Club selection by celebrated novelist, Ernest J. Gaines,will be presented February 15 and 22 at 10:00 a.m. school day matinees, February 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8:00 p.m.and February 18 and 25 at 4:00 p.m.

Respected director Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr., Howell, will make his Brookdale directing debut with the Romulus Linney play marking the 30th Anniversary of Brookdale’s Performing Arts Center, coinciding with the College’s 40th Anniversary.

MEMBER DISCOUNT ORGANIZATIONS

If you are a member you could use your member card to get discounts at these great places:

RE/MAX Bay Point, Realtors
Offering a $100 donation upon the successful closing of a listing or sale transaction by a 90.5 The NIGHT member.
526 Bay Ave.
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
jerseyshoreliving.comg or 732-899-8202

ROBERT GERBER SALON
20% discount on new spray tan service
100 West Front Street
Keyport,NJ
(732) 888-7575