It's Spring Campaign time and change is in the air!
"Nothing endures but change." - From Lives of the Philosophers by Diogenes Laertius
I’ve never read Lives of the Philosophers, but all I can say is Amen! because "change" is one thing CKUA knows intimately. Over its 83 year history, CKUA has seen a lot of change, much of it good, some not so much. But the idea of change and the quote above are particularly relevant as we prepare for our Spring Campaign (April 15th-25th).
The campaign will have the usual array of wonderful prizes which all donors and current CKUA subscribers qualify to win. There’ll be the typical fun and excitement too, thanks to the incredible energy and spirit of our amazing staff and volunteers and the generous donations of good friends like you in the CKUA listening audience. But this Spring Campaign is different – because things have changed.
Firstly, our goal of $600,000; it is our largest ever and it is an amount we must raise in just 10 days. Secondly – and the main reason for the change in our goal – this is our first campaign since CKUA suffered a serious financial setback when we learned that we would no longer be contracted to manage the Alberta Government’s Public Warning system. However, as Laertius identified way back when, change is constant, and we can choose to lament it, or we can embrace it.
We’ve chosen to deal with the change because, as with most things in life, we believe challenge presents opportunity, and CKUA’s Spring Campaign affords us all a tremendous opportunity. It is an opportunity to build upon the 83 year legacy of inspiring community support that is a hallmark of CKUA. It is also our collective opportunity to meet CKUA’s campaign goal, help ensure CKUA’s ongoing financial health and preserve the custom-built programming you expect and appreciate from this trusted, Alberta radio service.
Whether you enjoy Baba’s Grooves, Mulligan Stew, The Celtic Show, Natch’l Blues, Wide Cut Country, Sunday Magazine, ArtBeat, The Road Home, or any of CKUA’s daily programs such as Alberta Morning, Nine to Noon, How I Hear It, Afternoon Edition or Classic Examples; whatever your program of choice, it is vital that you support CKUA. None of these programs are possible without your generous financial support.
At CKUA, we believe we can meet any challenge. But we can’t do it alone. We can only do so if everyone does their fair share. During this Spring Campaign it is imperative that everyone who listens to or appreciates CKUA programs support this service. It is the only way CKUA will overcome recent setbacks and regain the things we’ve lost.
This brings to mind another very relevant quotation, this time by Friedrich Nietzsche; one I hope you will think about as you consider your pledge of support: "Without music, life would be a mistake."
Again, I can only say, Amen! … And thank you for being a friend to CKUA.
Support CKUA for a chance to WIN amazing prizes
Its campaign time and that means many opportunities for donors to win some great prizes! We know you’d donate to CKUA even if there were NO prizes, but it’s a nice bonus, don’t you think?
Early Bird Prizes – Premium Access to the Calgary and Edmonton Folk Festivals
Donate before midnight on Sunday, April 18th, for a chance to win all access passes, backstage privileges, after parties and centre stage festival seating to the Calgary or Edmonton Folk Music Festivals. Winning one of the coveted CKUA Tarp prizes to these world class events is sure to be the highlight of your summer!
Grand Prize – An all-inclusive week in the sunny Dominican Republic
Enjoy a week of sun, surf and sand in the fabulous Dominican Republic at the 4 star Grand Paradise Bávaro all inclusive resort! Unparalleled white sands and crystal waters, tall coconut trees and colorful landscapes, make this tropical resort a real gem – the perfect vacation destination. Courtesy of AMA Travel.
A New Donor Prize
Our friends at McBain Camera have sponsored the ultimate in digital camera technology. The Pentax K-7, a 14 megapixel SLR camera with a fully weather resistant magnesium body and numerous advanced features.
Remember – All ongoing subscribers are automatically entered into our prize draws.
Thank you to our prize sponsors!
FREE CD (some strings attached)
"CKUA makes you a believer. There is great music in the world." - Paul, CKUA Listener in Vancouver
CKUA has a long and proud history of donors who support great, independent radio with a monthly gift. Ongoing subscriptions provide the monthly financial stability so vital to sustaining CKUA operations. This stability allows us to focus on bringing you outstanding original programming.
At 8000 strong, our ongoing subscribers have chosen to invest in radio that is engaging, enlightening and entertaining. But to continue to provide this unique brand of independent, Alberta radio, CKUA must increase our family of ongoing subscribers. This year, 2010, we have set a goal of reaching 10,000 subscribers – and we can do it with your help.
To provide a little extra incentive, CKUA is offering the just released, Jeff Healey CD, Last Call as a special bonus gift. Become a NEW ongoing subscriber at the $20/month (or more!) level and you will be sent a copy of this CD. This offer ends on April 25th and is available only while quantities last - so don't wait to become a new ongoing subscriber.
All ongoing subscribers are eligible for fabulous additional benefits… Aside from the pleasure inherent in supporting this Alberta treasure, ALL ongoing subscribers are eligible for our monthly draws of prizes contributed by artists and businesses that support CKUA as well. This year, in addition to the draw for a CD, each ongoing subscriber’s name is placed in a draw for a weekend at one of the Charming Inns of Alberta… a collection of the most delightful Inns Alberta has to offer. And, as an ongoing subscriber, you automatically qualify for every Grand Prize draw held during CKUA’s on-air fund raising campaigns. Please support CKUA today – become an ongoing subscriber now, and keep the legacy alive.
"CKUA has made life wonderful… thanks!" - Peter, avid overseas CKUA Listener
Lunch at Teatro on April 14th and Support CKUA
Teatro restaurant in Calgary is donating 100% of all lunch service food sales (11:30am to 2pm) on Wednesday, April 14th to the CKUA Spring Campaign.
If you're looking for a tasty way to support CKUA, consider making a reservation.
CKUA's New Online Audio Stream
CKUA is pleased to launch a new online audio stream. This new stream is part of a transition to a new digital platform, which will enable CKUA to easily serve all types of computing platforms and mobile devices.
As you listen to the new stream, you will notice some additional features, including song information and album artwork from the track being played. This information may not be available all the time, as CKUA plays music from CD, vinyl and even 78’s, but as we digitize our collection, we'll be able to provide this level of in-depth information via our online stream.
We'd like your feedback as we test this new stream, so please send your thoughts to stream@ckua.com.
CD of the Week: Skaggs and Rice
Reviewed by Craig Korth, host of Fire on the Mountain
When considering writing a review of a new release for the CD of the week, I realized that what I really wanted to do was to expose people to a timeless classic album that they may not have heard. I was first turned on to this wonderful album by a friend in the early 1990's and was taken aback by it's beauty and simplicity. Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice came to bluegrass from completely different backgrounds, yet somehow were able to create music that sounds like they came from the same mother.
Read the rest of Craig's review and hear sound clips from this CD
As a way of saying thanks to our ongoing subscribers, CKUA conducts a weekly draw from our ongoing subscriber pool for CKUA’s CD of the Week. Tune in to Alberta Morning with Tony King on Fridays to hear the winner announced! To learn more about CKUA’s ongoing subscriber program and how to join, please contact our Donor Relations Office.
Scenes From The Library
The LP Library at CKUA continues to be developed and added to! CKUA Librarian, Monica Chattaway, recently purchased 4 frames to display some special 78s that have, until this time, been lying in stacks in the basement, and which were discovered (and carefully guarded!) by library volunteer Shelley MacDonald.
These 78s are not just any 78s! These 78s were put out by Vogue Records, a short-lived American label, in the 1940’s, and are noted for the wonderful artwork embedded into both sides of the 78. Vogue Records was founded in 1946 as part of Sav-Way Industries in Detroit, Michigan. The 78s put out by Vogue Records were a big hit when they came out, mostly because of the novelty of seeing artwork on a 78, but they were also popular because of the fact that their sound was so much better than the sound of other shellac recordings made around the same time.
These Vogue Records 78s are especially valuable – and a hot collector’s item! - because only about 74 of them were put out by Vogue Records before they went out of business in 1947. We have 4 out of 74 that we know about, so far! But who knows if there are more to be discovered? There are still many, many buried treasures in the CKUA Radio Library’s basement. Work will continue to bring more of these treasures to light. But in the meantime, we have been able to get the ball rolling in displaying our musical treasures for all to see and enjoy!
