Dawn DeBlaze, whose company DeBlaze and Associates does publicity and marketing communications for jazz musicians and jazz-related events, sent this message over the weekend via email:
Music Lovers Unite!There's also a brief item in the September issue of the St. Louis Journalism Review about the cancellation of Wolff's program. It's not available online, but I'll invoke the principle of fair use and quote it here:
The jazz community across the U.S. is mourning KMOX's decision to eliminate Don Wolff's 15-year long program, "I Love Jazz." Recently, I received an email from a high school student who said, "what was KMOX thinking?" Not only is Don Wolff a leading advocate for jazz across the nation, he is a pillar of our community. An attorney, a judge, and a defender of justice, call him what you will. Don is one of the few who have a pulse on America's only original art form: JAZZ. He is a founder of the Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival that now attracts 10,000 people annually, and he also created the "Wolff Jazz Institute" at Harris-Stowe University. His show is entertaining, informative, and much loved across the nation and around the world.
Don Wolff bridges the gap to include all types of jazz and guests. He interviews international talent and gives voice to our community and its organizations. KMOX claims to be the "voice of St. Louis," but why would they make a counter intuitive decision to take away that voice?
If you love KMOX's "I Love Jazz" program as much as Don loves jazz, tell KMOX what you think. Dispel the notion that jazz is just for old people. E-mail Dave Ervin today!
Dave Ervin, General Manager dmervin@cbs.com
[mailto:dmervin@cbs.com]
Wolff and all that jazzThis doesn't differ much from the Post-Dispatch's earlier account, though it's good to hear Wolff affirm that he wants to continue his programs.
"It defies logic...I'm hurt," says Don Wolff, but KMOX (1120-AM) is dropping his Saturday night jazz program at the end of September.
He said the "I Love Jazz Show" has top ratings for the 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. Saturday night slot. The retired criminal defense lawyer has been doing the show for 15 years, but Dave Ervin, stattion manager, says he wants to replace it with a different style of music.
Wolff's 2-year-old Sunday night show from 8-10 p.m., "Justice For All," will also go silent.
Wolff said he wants to continue the shows, hopefully on KMOX or on another station or medium."
And while the potential efficacy of an email campaign may be limited, there's certainly no harm in trying. If you do write to the KMOX GM, I'd suggest making your message polite, clear, and to the point; a well-reasoned paragraph is much more likely to be read in its entirety than a two-page testimonial, no matter how heartfelt. And do remember that the purpose of the message is to persuade, not to criticize or excoriate the management of KMOX.
I'll post my own note to Mr. Ervin here later as an update.
UPDATE - 2:30 p.m., 9/20/07: Here's what I wrote:
Dear Mr. Ervin:
As a longtime KMOX listener, I was very disappointed to learn of the impending cancellation of Don Wolff's "I Love Jazz" program.
The Saturday night jazz show is an institution in St. Louis, the kind of distinctive original programming that has helped make KMOX number one in the market. And Don Wolff is held in high esteem by people from all walks of life here in St. Louis and by jazz fans around the country. He's a great ambassador, not only for jazz, but for St. Louis and KMOX.
I urge you to reconsider your decision to cancel the jazz show, or at the very least, to find another spot on KMOX's schedule for this entertaining and informative program.
Sincerely,
Dean Minderman
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