We’ve been passing along news and press releases here about the continuing efforts of broadcasters and related organizations to help in hurricane relief. Here are more:
– Friday morning, some 30 Minnesota radio stations joined to broadcast live from 5 a.m. until noon; listeners heard interviews of victims and experts from the Red Cross and University of Minnesota. An e-commerce Web site and phone lines were provided for financial donations.
– In Michigan some 200 broadcasters, including radio and TV, with Gov. Jennifer Granholm observed Michigan Cares/Michigan Gives Fundraising Day Friday, in a three-hour morning event. The Michigan Association of Broadcasters also arranged audio messages from state celebrities urging donations. Those messages are available on the Michigan Cares/Michigan Gives page of the MAB Web site.
– Philadelphia’s WXTU(FM), a Beasley country station, will host singer Alan Jackson in concert at the Tweeter Center on Saturday. Jackson, Beasley and the Tweeter Center management will each donate $1 toward relief efforts for each ticket sold to the event.
– Bustos Media is working with Spanish-language operator Grupo PRISA and its international radio unit in establishing a cross-border radiothon linking Bustos’ 23 stations with Ke Buena stations in Mexico. The event will be broadcast air Sept. 11, noon to 6 p.m. PT.
– KDGE(FM) in Dallas plans “Storm Aid: The Concert at the Gypsy Ballroom” on Sept. 18, with bands including the Burden Brothers, Space Cadet, Blue October and Edgewater performing acoustic sets as part of a six-hour show. The station’s promotions director said all proceeds will go to the victims.
– Envision Radio Networks’ morning show prep service Today’s Bits is making available Katrina audio downloads to stations. Sound bites include President Bush’s initial warning to Gulf residents, evacuees telling their stories and a “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Relief Mix, featuring victims and news clips with Johnny Cash’s version of the Simon and Garfunkel song playing underneath. The site is www.todaysbits.com.
– Delaware’s WSTW(FM), in conjunction with sister station WDEL(AM) and local bank Wilmington Trust, launched the First State Friendship Fund campaign to raise funds through the American Red Cross of Delmarva Relief Fund. The campaign was to kick off Friday with personalities broadcasting live from a local restaurant. Money collected goes to the Red Cross. Donations will be accepted at Wilmington Trust branches for the next couple of weeks.
