While afternoon programming of classic American music (jazz, big band, swing, showtunes, cabaret, and, of course, the great vocalists) has been absent from the Boston market for more than 6 months, daily conversations with MusicAmerica fans and area musicians indicate no lessening in their desire to see Ron Della Chiesa's MusicAmerica program restored. Many MusicAmerica fans report independently that they no longer listen to any radio: "Without MusicAmerica, there is nothing worth tuning in to."
Shockingly, while so-called "popular jazz" is making a comeback on commercial radio, except for Ron's 2-hour Friday night gig on 'GBH, the Great American Songbook remains off the air in Boston! No Bennett. No Ellington. No Ella. No Cole (King or Porter). No Sinatra. No cabaret. Hardly ever a showtune.
In late 1995, Carp Ferrari, a long-term MusicAmerica supporter from South Natick organized the Save MusicAmerica Trust. Trust documents were drawn up pro bono by Attorney Joe Ryan, partner at Brown, Rudnick (one of Boston's prominent law firms). The Trust has been registered as a public charity with the Secretary of State (MA).
The Trust's purpose is to collect and to escrow contributions that will be turned over to WGBH upon restoration of MusicAmerica. In the event that the program is not reinstated, the Trust agreement obligates the Trustees to pay all trust funds either to charities designated by the donors, or to tax-exempt organizations that they choose. In this latter event, the Trustees have indicated their intent to consult with Ron Della Chiesa in selecting such beneficiaries.
Discussing what led her to form the trust, Carp writes, "Many MusicAmerica supporters I've spoken with over the last several months told me that by making a financial commitment to the station, we offer a constructive way to back our demands for restoring the show. In setting up this Trust and going after funds, we can not only show WGBH just how much demand there is for classic American music radio programming on weekday afternoons; we will finance it! Thinking long-term, I hope that the Trust will play a central and leadership role in funding the program on a continuing basis."
The Ferrari family has generously contributed $1,000 to the Save MusicAmerica Trust and in doing so has issued a challenge to all of us to consider making contributions of whatever we can afford. How about taking those WGBH membership fee refunds or that contribution you would normally make to the station and escrowing them in the Trust?
Contributions should be sent to the Save MusicAmerica Trust, 207 Union Street, South Natick, MA 01760.
Since the Trustees are committed to operating the Trust without expenses, 100% of funds contributed (plus any interest they earn) will be working to fulfill 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.
The Save MusicAmerica Trust will hold its first fundraising event on Sunday evening, 7:30 pm at the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington. This beautiful setting 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.
This gala benefit concert will be hosted by MusicAmerica's own Carol
Sloane! Performers donating their talent include:
Tickets for the event are $15, $20 and $25. Volunteers from Listeners for MusicAmerica will be on hand to offer refreshments during the intermission.
Members of the Listeners for MusicAmerica have first crack at ordering tickets to this event. To order reserved seat 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. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope to help our volunteers fulfill your request. Note that this address is for ticket orders only.
This concert is the way to send another loud and clear message to WGBH. Even better, we all get to hear some the best cabaret and jazz around. We expect to sell out quickly, so act now.
This event was made possible through the generosity of Carp and David Ferrari, who, in addition their generous donation to the Save MusicAmerica Trust have contributed the cost of renting the Museum's auditorium.
Members can add to the significance of this event by offering additional financial support and by receiving recognition in the printed program:
Since the MusicAmerica issue broke, committee volunteers have attended and monitored each meeting of WGBH's Community Advisory Board. The most recent meeting, held on February 12th, was significant, for this was station management's opportunity to respond to the Board's request for an explanation of what listener feedback the station solicits and how it is used in making program decisions.
We're sorry to report that management's response (delivered by new VP for TV, Steve Bass) took less than five minutes and lacked any specificity. Marita Rivero, VP for radio, had nothing to add except for the fact that the radio station receives Arbitron ratings quarterly. Not one single statistic was cited; no tabulations of any data were offered. And, of course, we wonder why television management made this presentation when everyone in the room knew that the CAB had requested this information as a direct result of the MusicAmerica brouhaha.
The bottom line? A totally unsatisfactory (if not, disrespectful) response to the station's own CAB, and the appearance that if good data is available, no evidence that it is analyzed or how, in fact, it has been used to guide program decisions.
Carp Ferrari reports that, following the CAB meeting, she, her husband (David), and Joe Ryan (a partner at Brown, Rudnick) met with the Executive Committee of the CAB to discuss the formation of the Save MusicAmerica Trust and to explain its purpose. They informed the CAB Executive Committee that station management had refused to meet with either the Ferraris or Attorney Ryan despite repeated attempts. Carp indicates that she has since been contacted by an assistant to Marita Rivero, and that a meeting with her is expected to take place in 2-3 weeks.