 The Harmony Network (THN) is a non-profit company that produces a cappella music shows that are broadcast on the radio and internet. Located in New Jersey THN currently broadcasts four live shows every week devoted to a cappella music of all styles on WVRM 91.9 FM/1620 AM and www.villageradio.com. Faced with budget shortfalls and past-due bills, THN is approaching a crossroads.
Rich Taylor, president of THN and host of “The Applause Show” (the flagship live show of THN) took a few minutes to talk to me about The Harmony Network, its past accomplishments, present financial troubles, and future goals including becoming the first FCC-licensed radio station to broadcast a cappella music 24/7.
MG: How did you get into radio?
RT: In 1997, I was a member of the Hunterdon Chapter of The Barbershop Harmony Society and I was asked if I would like to do a radio show on a local public radio station, WDVR in Sergeantsville, NJ. Little did the folks at WDVR know, but I had been a radio show host in my college days at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. I had shows on the college station and on WTTF, the local AM station. So I went to the drawing board and presented what would become The "APPLAUSE" Show, a weekly radio show featuring, at the time, barbershop harmony.
MG: Only Barbershop? What about contemporary a cappella?
RT: Within 2 years, the show met Rich Pearson, the New Jersey Ambassador for CASA, and he introduced us to the "contemporary side" of a cappella music. In fact my first exposure to "contemporary" a cappella was in the Nassau Inn in Princeton, NJ where I was 3 feet away from m-pact’s Britt on top tenor. What a baptism into the other side of a cappella.
MG: So, you’re not broadcasting from WDVR anymore?
RT: No. In 2002, after being on the air just about 5 years, my co-hosts and I had a disagreement as to how The "APPLAUSE" Show should be presented each week and, because we could not resolve the issue, we chose to leave WDVR and find another radio station.
Within a month, we paired with Regional Broadcasting Services and their CEO, Mr. George Louvis, who owned and operated an AM-FM Station in Upper Montclair, NJ: WVRM, 1620 AM and 91.9 FM.
The "APPLAUSE" Show began broadcasting at WVRM in January of 2003 from the studios of Stardust Productions, a studio owned by Regional Broadcasting Services. (A note about Stardust- Sly, the 1970's rock star from Sly and the Family Stone, recorded 95% of his vocals in the very studio that we broadcast from. Other stars like Pat Benetar, Joni Jett and others were also regulars.)
MG: So what is The Harmony Network?
RT: Within a year after moving to WVRM, after a modicum of success with our show, I had a strong urge to expand the broadcasts from WVRM to feature other shows playing a cappella music. George Louvis had expressed to me that he did not want to continue the Stardust operation and, if we could build a network of all vocal harmony, he would design a "lease-back" arrangement wherein we could operate as a non-profit station and "lease" the time from Regional Broadcasting Services.
Well that was it. We were given clearance to move forward with the idea that a "Network" of all vocal harmony live shows could, and SHOULD be developed.
On March 12, 2004, THN...The Harmony Network began operation as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of New Jersey. Our charter was formed to be a “Radio station that will preserve the American style of A Cappella music through broadcasts of radio shows over the airwaves and across the Internet. In addition, the Network will be an educational company, presenting educational shows about Barbershop and A Cappella music to the general public and, through an arrangement with a local accredited learning institution, THN...The Harmony Network would allow students to learn about radio and to work in the station as an educational exercise."
MG: Besides the Applause Show, what other programs does THN produce?
RT: In the first two years, the network mounted five shows all broadcasting from 7-11 PM Eastern Time. In 2006, the Tuesday Show, "Tuesday Night Swipes" ended when host Marty Israel (noted Barbershop Harmony Society Music Judge) had a schedule change and could no longer do the show. And in 2007, the Doo Wop Show on Wednesday night..."The East Coast A Cappella Review" hosted by Garry and Linda Cascio, ended when the hosts became grandparents for the 6th time and wanted to devote more time to their grandchildren. Currently we have 4 shows on the air.
Monday Night with Joaner - Hosted by Jeanne Garrett, a long time Sweet Adeline singer offers a female perspective on all types of a cappella music. Joaner has a weekly trivia contest where listeners can win CD's.
Tuesday - The Best Of Both Worlds - Hosted by Ari Brafman, a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society plays the original song performances by artists from every genre of music possible and then plays an "a cappella group" that has covered the same song.
The "APPLAUSE" Show is on Thursday Nights- The flagship show of THN hosted by Rich Taylor and Gary Rush. We are now in our 11th year of continuous broadcasting and have featured more than 30 groups "Live" in the studio and have been the source of more than 50 CD Release Debut Parties the week before the CD hits the streets. The "APPLAUSE Show" has done four tribute shows over the years recapping the life and times of great a cappella icons.
Sunday Night Showcase - hosted by Vinnie Haynes, a member of the Big Apple Chorus and a New York City Policeman. This show features music from all styles of a cappella. Each night Vinnie features "Vinnie's Private Stock" and the audience gets to hear music that is NOT in the library of THN.
MG: What is Village Radio? What's the connection between Village Radio and THN?
RT: Village Radio is the trade name given to the local radio station by Regional Broadcasting. The village of Upper Montclair is the home of THN and we broadcast from the studios used by Village Radio. The web site for accessing the THN broadcasts is www.villageradio.com. When we begin broadcasting 24/7, we will be leasing the time on the air from Regional Broadcasting Company, operating as WVRM, Village Radio
MG: What is the current financial situation with THN?
RT: As I answer these questions, the checkbook for THN is in a deficit position. We have April and May bills unpaid that total more than $900.00 and the bills for June (approximately $550-600.00) will be due. Our donations have dwindled and the last significant donation we had was in March. Over the Memorial Day weekend, I personally wrote appeal emails to every musical group that has had their music featured on THN. We have laid out what we want to do and asked them to send us a donation. This email has been sent to amateur and professional groups from the barbershop, doo wop, contemporary a cappella, vocal jazz and gospel genres.
MG: How much money is needed? What do the expenses go to?
RT: The monthly expenses run between $550-600.00. This covers the fee to Regional Broadcasting Services, DSL and telephone service to carry the network to the Internet, streaming costs through our provider- LIVE365, and general office expenses for supplies, mailing costs and promotional expenses. Our current appeal in the referenced email is for $8,500.00, which will help us with 4 specific goals.
1. Pay a fee to Regional Broadcasting Service that will give us 24/7 access to the pre-recorded music that is played when the live shows are not on the air. Having access to the entire schedule will allow us to mount shows from all over the globe. It will allow us to go after corporations and businesses for advertising support, and it will allow us to re-broadcast the current shows at different times throughout the week to allow listeners to hear the shows they missed because of time or schedule problems.
2. Pay the operating bills for April, May, June, July and August to alleviate pressure to raise money every month.
3. Purchase two pieces of equipment to improve the quality of the broadcasts and
allow us to broadcast the telephone callers who have called into the studio.
4. Purchase a new computer to handle the streaming of the shows. In addition, we want to convert from DSL to Cable. The DSL has proven to be problematic because of the distance from the studio to the switching station at Verizon.
If we meet our financial goals we will be able to take the next step in procuring advertising dollars and additional "remote" shows.
MG: Where does THN get its funding normally?
RT: THN is and has always been a listener-supported station. From the inception, the Board of Directors felt that if we are to bring barbershop and a cappella music to the public airwaves and the Internet, the people who are the benefactors of our efforts should be willing to support the effort with their donations.
In December of 2006, after 2 years and two full application procedures to the Internal Revenue Service, THN...The Harmony Network was given a full approval and designation as a 501 (C) 3 Charitable Organization. The approval was granted as of the founding date, 3/12/04 allowing all donations to be tax deductible. By receiving this designation, we are now able to seek out people who have experience in writing grants to help us secure grant financing.
In 2004 we developed a working relationship with Gibbs College, a fully accredited college with campuses in New Jersey and New York. We now provide a business environment for their student to spend their required "internship" at THN. We have had two interns to date who have provided data input services to document the THN Library and to help in the funding appeals.
MG: Supposing all funding is found to take care of past due expenses, what plans are in place to secure THN's future financial needs?
RT: In addition to the comments above, if we reach this goal, our plans are to develop a funding plan that will include solicitations to foundations, corporations, and businesses who would like to target the a cappella communities. Our campaign will be supported by the Gibbs interns, our staff members and by people in the a cappella community who have offered to assist us. We plan to continue our appeal to our listeners for at least 50% of our operating costs.
MG: If programming moves to 24/7- how will you fill the additional time?
RT: We have planned for the 24/7 conversion as early as 2005. We have the 24/7 playlist prepared with station drops and spot announcements. We intend to implement that as soon as we reach our goal. In addition, LIVE 365 has advised us that we can do the remote shows from anywhere in the world with a simple modification to the current software. Live Remote Shows would be used to fill time slots using a programming calendar based upon East Coast Time...in other words we will fill in shows based on available east coast time slots.
MG: Will you need additional DJs or Staff to meet the demands of a 24/7 operation?
RT: Yes, and anyone interested in doing a show either from the studio in Upper Montclaire or from a remote location should email me at RMTMUSIC@aol.com.
MG: Do any of the DJs/Hosts get paid? If not, will they in the future?
RT: The show hosts at THN invest 10-20 hours a week preparing for and doing their respective shows. I would love to be in the position, some years down the line, to have enough financial income to pay our DJ's something, even if just minimum wage. But that depends on the results of the present and future campaigns.
MG: What are the long-term goals for THN? What do you see happening in 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years?
RT: I see this major campaign as the turning point. When we reach our goal, and I believe we will in the next two to three weeks, we will be able to move forward and begin the solicitation of advertising dollars form corporations and businesses. We want to have a radio network that offers live radio shows 24/7 with shows emanating from all over the world. Our immediate goal upon hitting these financial goals will be to mount and successfully present our first "remote show". If that is successful, by mid 2008 we would like to see live shows every day of the week, with re-broadcasts of those shows to fill the remaining time in the week. Ultimately we would like to syndicate one or more show to radio stations in other markets and maybe simulcast shows in other parts of the world. Our final long term goal would be to purchase the FCC license and move the station to our own location where we would become the only FCC Licensed Full Service Radio Station offering "All Vocal Harmony...All The Time".
MG: This seems like quite the undertaking. What about manpower?
RT: In order to reach even our short-term goals, we will need the intellectual, physical and financial support of many people all over the country. The staff here in New Jersey CAN NOT do all the work themselves. The talents of many people who are experts in Marketing, Public Relations, Grant Writing, Voice Overs, Commercial Jingle Production and many more things need to run a radio network will have to be located and asked to help. Are you one of those people? If so, please email me at RMTMUSIC@aol.com and tell me what you can do to help.
MG: Describe some of the highlights of the past years - what are some of the most memorable groups you've had on the show?
RT: Our first years on The "APPLAUSE" Show were filled with visits from many well-known groups. On the professional level, I imagine the three visits by the Persuasions has to be at the top of the list. These Godfathers of street music appeared twice at WDVR in Sergeantsville and, most recently, on the two-year anniversary show of The East Coast A Cappella Review. The group is incredible and is Garry Cascio's favorite. The "surprise" visit to their show was a blast. We also had Hampton Avenue, Ball In The House (twice, most recently 2005), Blue Jupiter in one of my favorite live shows ever, The Fonic from NYC, High Five Vocal Works from NYC, Key of She and The Alley Cats mark some of the favorite appearances. In the collegiate ranks, The UGA Accidentals, The Univ. of Illinois A Cappella group, and 36 MAD AVE (twice recently in 2006) along with Sons of Pitches from Albany rank as great visits. In the barbershop world, our most recent visit in 2006 by O.C.Times, medalist quartet from the BHS, The Fabulous Forties, Reveille (twice recently just before Roger Payne, their tenor passed away), have always been among my favorites. I think that two of the most wonderful things I can say I have been a part of in introducing a cappella groups to the barbershop world was when we hosted Return To Zero and Naturally Seven in two different annual shows produced by the Hunterdon Harmonizers Barbershop Chapter in Hunterdon County New Jersey. Their audiences fell in love with the groups and proved that singing and entertainment are appreciated no matter what the style.
THN and The APPLAUSE Show have always supported youth in vocal music. We have featured more than 15 live performances by groups all over the Mid Atlantic States. These young people demonstrate to me that vocal harmony is on the rise. More colleges and universities are now forming and supporting a cappella groups on campuses, and throughout the country, high school students are discovering that vocal harmony is "cool" and they love it when they sing it or hear it.
MG: Is THN involved in any other events outside of radio?
RT: We are hoping that the future will have THN producing a major event each year featuring vocal groups from all over the country. We envision a yearly event that will give vocal groups another opportunity to sing for grateful audiences.
MG: How can CASA members help?
RT: Readers can make donations to THN by going to PAYPAL at www.paypal.com and using this email address: the2004thn@aol.com to send money. They can send snail mail checks to: THN, 41 Watchung Plaza, #222, Montclair, New Jersey 07042. Donations of any size are appreciated.
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