DC's Last Remaining Folk/Protest DJ (and WETA's union rep) fired

[Leopolds Ghost]

This happened after Redskins owner Dan Snyder bought DC's last remaining classical music station. Previously, WAMU (American University) tried to eliminate bluegrass from the dial. And in a move that nobody noticed here on DU, a consortium of radio magnates and right-wing businessmen attempted a hostile takeover and dissolusion of Pacifica radio.

WETA, which is solidly affiliated with the DC-based, neocon NPR and PBS that drove out Bob Edwards and Bill Moyer, purged all of its liberals in the mid-90s except for folk DJ Mary Cliff, who was the union rep.

WETA is going back to classical in a "business decision" to dump
all other forms of music and go after the captive audience left stranded by right-wing billionaire Dan Snyder's purchase of DC's only commercial classical station to turn into a Redskins-only channel.

Snyder is the man recently responsible for illegally cutting down hundreds of trees in National Parkland to provide a better view of the Potomac River from his house.

Mary Cliff played a wide range of anti-war and protest music on her show, along with singer-songwriters, making it unique in the area.

WETA was under pressure to fire her years ago because of her late-night time-slot and unvarnished, unplaylisted style.

-----------

Note: forwarded message.

I am sure that everyone got as nauseous as me when they read the Post story and this aspect of it was only mentioned in passing..

This is a very sad day for original music in this area.
Yes, you read the Post story correctly.

Mary Cliff is a very good friend of mine, a woman of a
thousand talents and interests, and a true gem of a
human being who doesn't deserve this, not that ANYONE does.

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Subject: Mary Cliff's "Traditions" dimissed from WETA

Forwarding this letter from Takoma Park resident Jennifer Cutting.
A stunning action on the part of WETA. Undoubtedly there will be
a huge outcry.

--Bill Brown

Dear Friends in Folk,

Please pardon my not using the "bc" function on this mailing...
But after you read this, you may feel the need to contact one other.

This afternoon I heard the sad news that Mary Cliff has been asked to
collect her things and leave WETA FM Radio this Friday, and that this
Saturday night will be the last broadcast of her show, "Traditions."

As the WETA FM website describes it, "Traditions, four-hour Saturday night folk music program, is known for its breadth: a mix of traditional, revival, singer-songwriter, ethnic, world and kitchen music, with a strong emphasis on artists and performances in the greater Washington area." It is notable that Traditions is Washington D.C.'s longest-running radio show devoted to folk music.

The Institute of Musical Traditions celebrated the show's
30th anniversary with a special concert in January of 2004.

I called Mary and she verified the bad news, reading me excerpts of the
official dismissal letter that began, "After careful consideration..."

She is shocked, but taking it rather well, considering how sudden this is. She told me that only last week, she was assured that the station would keep airing "Traditions" until she retired. She is trying to remain hopeful, and says she is keeping her ear to the ground for other stations that might pick up her show (and Prairie Home Companion, which is also homeless!).

Word is spreading like wildfire on the internet. Washingtonpost.com already has an article in today's Metro section entitled "WETA to Resume Classical Music Broadcast: Move Comes as WGMS Changes Programming."

Print media will not be far behind. Mary says she has already talked to columnist Mark Fisher of the Post's Metro section, as well as someone from Washington CityPaper.

This is a terrible day for the folk community -- for folk music fans; for folk musicians who depend on Mary to help fill the venues where they make their livings as performers; for the venues that book folk and traditional music; for small indie labels that publish this music; and for all who love the thriving Washington, D.C. folk music scene that Mary has nurtured all these years.

I'm sure that as word spreads, there will be organized protests with
strategies that encourage us to pull together in a certain direction.

Until then, we can express our thoughts about the dismissal of Mary Cliff and the loss of the "Traditions" show by phone or email to WETA's Director of Audience Services, Sheryl Lahti. (Do remember, though, that Sheryl had nothing to do with this decision).

Sheryl Lahti's email address is: [e-mail]

The telephone number for WETA Audience Services is [phone].

Someone will answer between 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday,
and can transfer your call to Sheryl.

To leave a message after hours, wait until the pre-recorded message
finishes, and you hear the beep. Make sure to spell your name, and
leave your daytime phone number.

Mary says that they will tally and catalog the comments they receive;
the recording says they will make an effort to respond.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of this bad news,
but I wanted you to know as soon as I did.

With appreciation for Mary Cliff and all the years we've enjoyed Traditions,

Jennifer Cutting
Bandleader, Ocean Orchestra
www.jennifercutting.com

(William L. Brown)

http://www.wmlbrown.com

[Leopolds Ghost]

1. No replies. Apparently most WETA listeners actually APPROVE of this.

It seems calls are running half-and-half.

The Post barely even remarked on Mary Cliff's firing.

She has to clean out her desk before her final show airs.

[stuntcat]

2. I do not approve

This is the only real sad part of the change.
I wrote about it on the other thread, about her new 'deal'..

[stuntcat]

3. I have to miss most of it, I just remembered

(and I read your post this time and saw you'd already found all of this out!)

I'm going to a concert after the march, I won't be home in time for the first part so I'll only hear the End.

[demnan]

4. I will sincerely miss Mary Cliff

I've spent many a Saturday night listening to her folk program for 30 years now. I really hate what this jerk has done to WETA, which used to have a good mix of news, Classical, Garrison Kellior and Mary, of course on the weekends.

[stuntcat]

5. it was like Feast or Famine with them

They were Perfect before they changed at all. I was So happy to get the classical back but now there's no Traditions.
She's just said to keep checking her site to find out what she's doing (which you probably heard too but)
http://www.marycliff.net/

[Leopolds Ghost]

6. Listen to her last show on the Web if you can. Here's some of the stuff you may have missed:

* An on-air interview and several live songs by Phil Ochs
(Mary Cliff commented "Several years later, Phil looked
back on his life, and decided to leave it.")

* Woody Guthrie recording about a union massacre.

* The Klezmatics doing a Klezmer version of a never-released
Woody Guthrie lyrics ("I'll clean up this world the best I can")

* Paul Robeson singing "The Last Will of Joe Hill"

* Chumbawamba with a new folk song "This is the Land of
Do What You're Told" -- sounds almost like George Harrison
or 1970's folk-rock!

* "Lyndon Johnson told the Nation" -- Mary Cliff announced
that the guy who did this song in the 1960s is rewriting
it about the Iraq war.

* Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Soggy Bottom Boys ("Man of
Constant Sorrow"), Grace Griffith, Eva Cassidy, and other famous
DC-area roots musicians

* Some Celtic music and sea shanteys

* Several fine blues tunes

* Yet another kid's song by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer --
"It's better than that!" about growing up.

[stuntcat]

7. WAMU 88.5, Saturdays from 11:00pm to 1:00am

Don't give up on Traditions y'all. WAMU is having a pledge drive and they've just said new members are joining the station because of them carrying Traditions. That's why I've just joined anyway.
It won't be the very same, not an all night show, but I'll still get to hear her.