WCPE--TheClassicalStation.org’s blog

Q:  What's the hardest part about the role you play in your family?

WCPE is like a family.  We have many "grandparents" and "godparents" who have helped us to last these thirty marvelous years.  The hardest part about being in this family is that we have to hold ourselves together on the air when things aren't holding up well behind the mic.  A month-or-so ago, I was filling in for David Ballantyne on Rise & Shine.  Terry Marcellin-Little arrived with three minutes to spare (as she frequently does--and you can NEVER tell, by the way, because she's a stellar, confident improviser!).  With eyes looking as damp as her shower-fresh, braided hair, she told me she'd just heard that we'd lost another member of our "family."  Terry had known him well.

His name was Jim Reece, and I wish I had known him, too.  He was a founding father of this station and, like the rest of our ancestors, his tale grows taller each time it's told.  Jim's funeral was in Greenville, and quite a number of our ranks filed down east to mourn, collectively.

Francine of Greenville began her phone call with the usual sweet words when she called me.  I welcomed her conversation,-a gentle stirring in the sea of dark, lonely hours we call "Sleepers, Awake!"  She told me her sister planned to sell her restaurant.  She told me about the local art hanging on the walls. She continued to talk about her love of the station, and expressed joy in our acquisition of those boxes of cds....

"Francine!  You know about the boxes?!"

As Francine spoke, I began to plug piece after piece into the puzzle.  The cds were Jim's collection, and he left them ALL to the station.  He left his stacks of wax to us, too, though we no longer use records in our daily broadcasts.  Francine had been involved with Jim for many years.  Was she his ex-wife?  I didn't ask, out of respect.  She unfolded smile-making stories like one would unfold crisp sheets to make a bed; Each shake and tuck releases fresh scents that linger in the memory... like... line-dried sheets on a hot summer night, or toasty, wrinkle-less, mountains of cotton born from the dryer's belly in winter.

Jim Reece was obsessed with the quality of sound.  Francine contrasted her little Bose with the monstrosity Jim called a stereo system.  For her part, he did think she had a "lovely reading voice."  Jim had thousands of cds, but swore by the faint, warm crackling of his LPs.  He special-ordered this magic kit from France (a green marker and some mysterious brush-on potion) that was guaranteed to make his cds sound better.  His music collection was enviable and he tended to it with the delicate care of a meticulous gardener.  Once upon a time, he and Francine laid supine under the stars on the lawn at Tanglewood and breathed music... lungs, ears, souls- alight and sparkling like the heavens.  He was equally excited about an upcoming vocal performance in Greenville. It premiered just days after the final sounds he contributed to the symphony of life.  He insisted he'd be at the performance no matter what, though.

Jim Reece lay supine in his bed two days before that premiere, looking up at the fading sparkle of twilight on his ceiling, while every vocalist filed in and crowded around his room.  They'd taken a vote:  A few had insisted they would go to Jim and sing, but all the rest quickly begged for inclusion.  They held a vigil at the bedside of our forefather, Jim Reece, for hours and hours that night giving an unannounced pre-premiere to the those sensitive ears.  I cannot imagine what they heard the next night....

Francine took her seat beside Jim's current lady-friend at the funeral.  I believe she read John Dunne in her loveliest reading voice, knowing that her competition for Jim's ears was otherworldly.  And as Francine recounted the many aural adventures and satisfactions of our dearly departed over the phone for me, I began to feel my veins swell with pride, as my heart beat in three-quarter time.  This is the hardest part about the role I play in my family at WCPE: To remember each note, however enchanting its timbre, will beg the next to take its place.

“Each human life is like a new symphony heard for the first time. It can't be understood or fully appreciated until after the final cadence.”

What was your random act of kindness today?
Submitted by Cher Cabula.

A: Finally writing this blog I promised neighbor-Andy a week ago.

Life at WCPE goes on as it has... for 30 years.  Our first broadcast was thirty years ago next month!  Yes, the station is older than I am, which, in no uncertain terms, means I'll get to wear mini skirts 2 years longer than it can.  I'm still not sure if there's going to be some sort of an Open House for the big Three-OH.  However, I can tell you we got some party practice in last July at David Ballantyne's 60th... but that was at a dark, Irish-ish pub downtown Raleigh.  We were a class-ical act. 
Hour 1: David hired a string quartet and bought a round of champagne for everyone in the house. 
Hour 2: David dismissed the quartet, ordered us to buy our own poison, and rounded up some less formally dressed men (who donned drumsticks, bass and keyboard) to join him in a very UN-Rise&Shine-ish rock session. 

The R&S fan-guests were easily recognizable by the modern-ish trend of wearing hands on their ears.
 
note to the reader: The recurring "ish" is a product of my long recovery from mono.  Very little from last summer stands outside the great cloud of ISHes.

On to the next topic: Mystery

About a month ago, I arrived at the station to find the phone room conquered and occupied by giant tanks.  Okay, so they were actually boxes.  NINE HUGE boxes FULL of cds!  It was like a giant birthday party... except I was the only guest... and there was no cake... or pointy hats and kazoos....  There was also no card.  So... the air of unbridled, unfocused thanksgiving hung about the studio like birthday candle smoke for a few weeks.

Then I spoke with Francine of Greenville, with whom  I'd spoken MANY times before, never expecting she was to be the human key, the corner piece in my puzzlement.  Francine is one of my favorite callers (Yes, that means there are some that are not my favorite... or even that likable... or even sober... or sane...).  Francine is a little like Mozart though.  She's "pure sunshine" (Dvorak).  Francine calls periodically to say, "This is Francine in Greenville ("GREENvull"), and I just want you to know, I'm listening on a REAL radio.  I love y'all, and if I lived closer, I would come and sweep your floors for you and empty your trash.  I don't care, I'd do anything!  Y'all are so special...."  The conversation always starts with this exact phrasing spoken in a slight, alto rasp with warm and subtle charm.  From there, depending on the spirit, she may tell you that her radio is a Bose radio, how the signal is in Greenville (where we rent tower space) that day, and that we should go visit her sister ("a nervous, skinny, little blonde" who owns the Full Moon Cafe in Wake Forest). 
Knowing so much about people I don't... know... in person...usually makes me a little nervous, but Francine has some nervous energy, herself, which always cheers me, rather than unsettles me.  Her late-night calls make me think of a woman who's long since divorced sleep, who struggles to keep things organized, and seriously suffers from creative outbursts in the middle of the night.  Only, I imagine her as having started a new project every night, as she leaves another scorned.  She is a delight.  She's certainly a few (hundred) notches above the drunk dials,  and the heavy breathing I get sometimes working overnights.  She's light years of relief above the guy who used to call me "two and a quarter six-packs" into his night, asking me what was wrong with me (because I was single), telling me I'd better be nice to him* (because he was going to come to North Carolina and take me out for a nice steak dinner). * I also had to explain what was wrong with me when I confessed I didn't eat meat.

So... Francine of Greenville....  She solved TWO mysteries with her last phone call (the first one does pertain to the cd empire occupying the phone room that night), but I will save the second for my next blog, because it's OBvious I can hardly stay on topic tonight.  Actually....  Maybe I'll save the cd-tank/boxes mystery for tomorrow, too.  It deserves a full memorial.
 
Sorry.  It's like that no-Saturday-delivery clause... on a Monday night....

Before I sign off (with the promise of a new, and less ramble-y, installment tomorrow), let's revisit this mystery and the World of Mathematics: Just how much beer is "two and a quarter six-packs?"

Till tomorrow,
Tara Lynn

Okay, I really want to answer the Question of the Day, but I have some questions of my own, and news(!!) that cut in line.

I haven't been adding to the blog much since the pledge drive because I've been stumped about what I should post.  The fact is, we're full-steam-ahead in a normal fashion all the time here.  We're always kicking around ideas at the Managers Meetings, but the secret to our success is generally in our continuity... or the semblance of "sameness."  I'm going to sport my Nancy Drew hat a little better, thanks to a nice, excited listener from Durham who infected me the a slight case The Guilt.

May 9th, 2008 was the 50th birthday of WCPE Station Manager Deborah Proctor.  Read about her at BoomNC.com in an article called Fifty & Fabulous.

July 18th, 2008 is the 30 year anniversary for WCPE, as a completely classical station.  Yes, we HAVE been running on listener support (aka tax deductible donations) from birth.  Mark the date; Get ready to celebrate!  I'm not sure what sort of Mad Hatterness there will be but, BY GEORGE, there will be festivities!  I'll keep you posted as I can super sleuth details.  In the meantime, we've opened the Listener Comment Line again.  Leave a congratulatory message for WCPE that we can share with other listeners over the air at the following number: (919) 606.5980.  I think the time limit is still something like a minute and a half.  Please resist the urge to call and donate heavy breathing.  It's not as flattering as you think.

Speaking of change... there was this little things that happened since 1978 called the interwebs... or intertubes... or was it internets?  Heard of it?  I have actually had to explain to someone (in the middle of the night) what the internet was... I mean, completely, conceptual, technically.  That should be the QotD: Can you explain what the internet is (and how it works) to someone who has barely ever used a computer?  I used up all my imagination beans for a week trying to word it right.  It hit me that "The Classical Station dot Oh ARE Gee" meant nada every time he'd heard me say it on the air before.  ("Take THAT, Randy Savage!" my roommate would say.)  I DO have a point.  Please stop interrupting.

WCPE can be heard in 6 streaming formats from our webpage (on "the internets"), so we get a decent flow of traffic on a site that's the E-quivelant of a 2 lane country road.  We've gotten a little big for our britches, and it's time to bring on the exposives team.  We're going to rebuild the website and make it dynomite.  By dynomite, I mean you'll like it.  (There are people who study this stuff, the science of what YOU will like.  When business is slow, they help out in the fortune cookie factory.)  When WCPE announcer Christa Wessel moved on, we hired a new Webmaster who has tried to work within the framework of the current layout.  Seriously, it's time to knock out some walls.  So, expect a cleaner, user-friendly webpage in the near future.

Okay, one more tidbit, because I swear it's all the information I have for you (and I am not accepting interrogation attempts or offers at this time)....

A special 30th Anniversary WCPE compilation is in Santa's toyshop right now.  In the last year and a half, we've been able to work with Naxos to make two cds, The Classical Bouquet (WCPE Announcer Favorites) and Ave Maria (Great Sacred Music host, Ken Hoover's baby,-a collection of "Ave Maria"s that are as different as day and night).  Here comes the newest addition to the family: WCPE 30th Anniversary: Listener Favorites!  Just by the title, I'm betting you'll like it, too,-no scientists required.  GET YOUR VOTE IN, ALREADY, WOULD YOU?!

As for what I do when I "get a crush on someone"... I open more fortune cookies.

Tally

So, we didn't reach our goal of $700,000, but we did raise our highest total to-date.  It's tough not to feel discouraged when things aren't going perfectly, when we're not reaching our targets, but it helps to remember that MOST before the end of the month.  One listener called to tell me he was increasing his pledge this year because he just realized that even though he'd been pledging the same amount each drive, it had only just dawned on him that his pledge was not staying the same, but rather DECREASING because he wasn't taking inflation into account.  It's true, our operating costs are increasing... just like gas prices, food, and anything else.

So, when the phones aren't ringing, our volunteers occupy themselves by chatting and learning about the other volunteers.  Some people have been knitting, reading, or balancing their checkbooks.  Michael Hale Gray has been the most amusing of volunteers.  He was out there cross-stitching the other day.  While he usually has something witty to say that drags a smile out of even my grumpiest moments, he really got me rolling today with his list of "thank-you" cds that we could have chosen as premiums for this pledge drive.

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Eight Premiums that were REJECTED for the Spring Pledge Drive

by WCPE volunteer, Michael Hale Gray

8. "The Best of Mozart, and the Mediocre of Salieri"

7. "The 1811 Underture and Other Favorites of the Russian Underground"

6. "The Sopranos at Sing-Sing"

5. "Classical Hip-hip & Rap Duets with Yo-Yo Ma and Yo' Mama

4. "Comic Operetta at the Office with Dilbert and Sullivan"

3. "Mahler: short pieces, Etudes, and Lullabys"

2. "Celebrating Passover with Wagner"

1. ""The Golden Years- Music from Schubert & Mozart in Retirement"

Wednesday morning, Thursday morning... things were looking kind of grim.  That big red "4" at the front of the $$ STILL NEEDED board was enough to shake my confidence.  The phones were simply NOT ringing. 

Half of the staff filed out of the studio around lunch time on Wednesday, headed for the funeral of Eleanor Ruocchio.  The wife of the late Al Ruocchio (much-loved host of WCPE's Opera House for many years) passed on Sunday night.  It's taken a toll on all of us who were lucky to know the Ruocchios.  They are an amazing family.

In addition to the respectful silence, there's been a little too much silence in the phone room.  I was ready to turn in my resignation by the end of Thursday.  In fact, I went to Program Director Dick Storck and said, "What can I do?  If the phones don't start ringing, we'll all be out of a job!"

Thursday, one of the transmitters went down 3 times in the eight hours I was in the studio!  John Graham has been working his tail off to keep it running.  I snapped the photo on the right the only time I actually saw him sit down in 9 days. 

Deana Vassar and Paul Jordan (the middle photo) had to lay it on the line.  Slowly, but surely, we'll get there.  Nobody wants to have a summer fundraiser.

It’s like waiting for the gunshot at the starting line on race day.  Four people, like brief, floating phantoms, run from end-to-end of the building as the minutes tick.  It’s almost 7am on the first day of WCPE’s Spring fundraiser….  Dave Sackett busies himself making coffee, setting out breakfast, answering the door, making sure the pledge forms are in order, seating volunteers at their stations.  He’s like Cinderella, rushing here-and-there.  You’re hardly sure you saw him in the corner of your eye before he’s off tackling the next task. 

“Are you ready, Dave?” David Ballantyne (host of Rise and Shine) asks in his natural and jovial way. 

“It’s my thirteenth pledge drive,” Dave replies, hardly pausing as continues various preparatory functions. “I’d better be ready by now!” 

IMG_5679

Dave Sackett’s is the first voice I “met” at WCPE when I first sought volunteer opportunities back in the summer of 2005.  He’s got the kind of excitement in his voice you can’t help but hope is real (you love him when you realize it is).  This is not a biased commentary, even though I admit I have a predilection for men with great moustaches.  Anyway, in 2005 David Ballantyne’s was the only voice I knew.  I’d been waking to his voice on my alarm clock for at least a year by then.  The standard rule I’d given myself was “No snooze button; You can sleep until you hear the announcer.  Period.”  On particularly rough mornings, “Two songs, two breaks” was the default.  It’s such a pleasant way to begin the day.  He’s so gentle-sounding,-never says too much or too little, never says anything out of place.  If you catch him during drive time, he gets a little more wound up, a little more witty, sort of wide-open.  You might actually understand that “the classical guy” has been in some Monty Python stuff, and played in a few rock bands.  Yes, the truth is David Ballantyne has a rock and roll soul.

  I digress.

The thing about the fundraiser is that you’re never ready for it (unless you’re Dave Sackett).  Announcers, who are normally soft, informative little wisps of sound, become bright beacons of light (light, being faster than sound…and generally powered copious quantities of coffee-a renewable resource that is also biodegradable!) that seem to have no idea what the sun had planned for the day. 

And like that, we’re off!  The first call comes in.

03282008

We get a little bit silly, a lot crazier… but we do have tons of fun.  I have to keep reminding myself that it’s easier to say “fun” and “easy” on Day 1 than it is on Day 6 when it feels like we’re using our toes to dig for oysters, trying to figure out how to get you to call if you haven’t yet… trying to figure out why you’re waiting… still….

So, Day 1:  It’s a beautiful day.  We’ve heard from some truly wonderful souls who were eager to express their love of a community powered station that ONLY plays classical.  I’ve even taken a few calls myself because I love to hear the enthusiasm in your voices.  That said, right now the mid-afternoon sun is calling me back to bed so I can be up at 4 am to do it again tomorrow.  It would be different, getting up (or staying up all night!) for any other job, but we all do some crazy things for love. 

Music = love, and we are a station that couldn’t survive without a healthy dose of it!  Thirty years down, thirty more to go… and then some, I hope.

~Tara Lynn, WCPE host of “Sleepers, Awake!”