WCUW is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation of Worcester, MA to replace our aging on-air studio mixing console.

This much appreciated grant will enable us to replace a critical piece of our on-air studio equipment whose capabilites have become degraded with age while replacement parts have become increasingly difficult to locate. We anticipate acquiring and installing the new console in July, 2008.

WCUW BOD President Barry Sullivan adds "We are both honored and thrilled to receive this support from the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation. We view this as yet another valued endorsement of the importance of community access radio, diversity of programming and freedom of the airwaves that WCUW provides. Furthermore, the WCUW BOD is humbled and inspired by our historical connections to Robert H. Goodard who founded the station in 1920 with the support of local businesses and now our connection to George F. Fuller, Worcester industrialist, who was formerly president and chairman of the board of Wyman-Gordon Company, a leader in the forging industry; a trustee for many years of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; a director of the Mechanics National Bank of Worcester, and associated with numerous social, educational and philanthropic institutions. Their example re-enforces and motivates our efforts to administer this station for the benefit and welfare of the community we serve."

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation is a private independent Foundation which supports only qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in Worcester, Massachusetts, and surrounding communities.

WCUW is pleased to announce that it will be the recipient of a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation in July 2008 to fund in part our operational expenses; to enable us to maintain, support and fully utilize our newly implemented technology acquisitions (IT resources, PCs, network and digital audio production studio) and to provide our volunteer staff training opportunities to maximize the use of this equipment and benefits to the community.

WCUW BOD President Barry Sullivan adds "We are grateful to GWCC for their recognition and support of our efforts to improve our infrastructure, resources and capabilities which will ultimately enable us provide the community with programs of higher quality created and delivered by members of the community. We also believe this grant from GWCC is an affirmation of WCUW's important role in providing community access to the media, diversity of prgramming and freedom of the airwaves."

The WCUW Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Troy Tyree has accepted the position of Executive Director of WCUW effective May 12, 2008.

As Troy Tyree states it, he has been honing his readiness for this Executive Director position at WCUW for the past three decades by hosting a wide-variety of radio shows and the production of a plethora of concerts and festivals - all combined with numerous years of working professionally in the non-profit world.

Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Troy began his radio career in 1979 at WBNI-FM, located on the IPFW (Indiana University -Purdue University Fort Wayne) campus. Relocating to Worcester, MA in 1984, he began a rather extensive chapter (1984-2000) of volunteer activity with WCUW 91.3 FM. Over those years Troy hosted both morning and afternoon shows; established New Traditions (now Crosstracks), served on the Board, and produced the Front Room concert series and numerous other events on behalf of WCUW. Since the fall of 2000, Troy has hosted American ROOTS Radio heard Wednesday evenings over WICN 90.5 FM.

For the past 20 years, Troy has also organized and produced music concerts for a number of venues in Worcester, including the Coffee Kingdom, Tatnuck Booksellers, the Coco Bean, and Café Fantastique located inside Rotmans. He has served as an advisor to First Night Worcester and organized the Elm Park Summer Concert Series (2004-2007).

Troy also founded the nationally recognized WOMP Agency (Word Of Mouth Productions) for bookings, agent, and record promotion endeavors.

To be given an opportunity to roll all of this life experience into one position, is the gift of a lifetime, states Tyree!

WCUW is pleased to announce that two of it's programs and DJs were recognized by Worcester Magazine's 2008 Turtle Boy Music Awards.

In the category for "BEST DJ", first place honors went to DJ Cool Chris (and co-host Tone Capone) for their Urban Fire Reggae show which airs on WCUW Fridays from 8pm - 10pm.

Third Place Award went to DJ Bobo and his show Invisible Hypeman Radio which airs on WCUW, Fridays from 10pm to midnight - right after Urban Fire Radio.

Also contributing to the Turtleboy Awards panel of nominating judges were several other WCUW DJ's / volunteers including:

Bob Bernier/DJ Bobo/Invisible Hypeman: One of Worcester's foremost hip-hop connoisseurs. He's the proprietor of invisiblehypeman.com, and the host of Invisible Hypeman Radio every Friday night from 10 p.m. to midnight on WCUW 91.3

Don Northway: Host of "Friday Night Blues," heard on WCUW 91.3 FM. Best known as the long-time doorman at Gilrein's during the glory years, Northway brings that kind of first-hand experience to the show. Tune in weekly from 5-8 p.m.

David Ritchie: Ritchie has some of the most respected ears on the local music scene. Catch him Thursdays mornings from 6-9 a.m. as the host of "Crosstracks," where he presents "primarily an Americana and roots music program, but that's kind of a limiting description. If it's genuine, and it's being ignored by the rest of the dial, you'll probably hear it here."

Troy Tyree: Heads Word Of Mouth Productions (WOMP), and is the producer/host of "American ROOTS Radio" airing Wednesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. over WICN 90.5 FM. You may also know Tyree for booking entertainment at such places as the Coffee Kingdom, Tatnuck Bookseller and the Café Fantastique, located inside Rotmans

WCUW is proud of the recognition and accomplishments of it's volunteers and DJs and the role we serve in the Worcester community as an independent, non-commercial, listener supported community access radio station. We believe in diversity of programming and freedom of the airwaves.

We are pleased to announce that we installed our new Harris ZX FM transmitter on April 12, 2008. This new transmitter will deliver a stronger broadcast signal with better quality and reach.

Please take a moment and complete our 3 question survey to help us determine the level of improvement at your listening location. Just click the link below. Thank you.

Take Survey - Click here

note: Charles Ball, Esq., is a member of the WCUW Board of Directors

Worcester Telegram, June 25, 2008
Bronislaus KUSH Worcester Diary

The Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation will kick off its “Send a Smile to a Soldier” campaign at tonight’s Worcester Tornadoes’ game against the New Jersey Jackals.

Fans will be asked to contribute $5 to the foundation, which will be used to send a Smiley Face cookie and card to a soldier serving overseas. Foundation officials said the treats will be sent in time for Oct. 3, World Smile Day.

The Smiley Face was created by Worcester resident Harvey Ball.

“This year, an election year, we hope to reach across the country and the political spectrum, as we ask everyone to join us and show support for the U.S. troops serving overseas,” said Charles Ball, Mr. Ball’s son, and the managing trustee of the foundation.

Anyone who wants to send a Smiley Face package can do so online at www.WorldSmileDay.com or www.worldsmile.org. The contributions are tax deductible.

The cookies, by the way, will be made by the famed Eleni’s Cookies in New York City.

The foundation’s kickoff coincides with the Tornadoes’ Smiley Face T-shirt give away. The game begins at 6:05 p.m.

WCUW is pleased to announce that Hank Stolz, one of Worcester's most recognized voices of AM Talk Radio (WCRN) has joined the WCUW Board of Directors.

He brings many years of radio industry knowledge and experience in management, production and on-air broadcasting. He worked at WRNX (Triple A Format) in Springfield and WEQX (Modern Rock) in Vermont, WTAG in Worcester and currently WCRN in Worcester.

"As, I hope, my work at WTAG and WCRN represent I have a tremendous interest in "community radio" and I am excited by the re-energized WCUW. The station has an unmatched history and does a tremendous service to the community. The mission of WCUW is an important one in providing a voice for members of the community. I also recognize the challenges in funding the station and believe getting the station on solid financial footing so it can fulfill its mission should be among WCUW's primary goals."

After many months of observation, analysis and discussion, the WCUW Board of Directors has concluded that a new approach to the station's management and operations is required so the station can better serve its listeners and become a more sustainable organization.

The Board has decided that the current job description for and position of General Manager with its broad responsibilities will be discontinued.

Two new positions will be created: an Executive Director and an Operations Manager - each with its own set of responsibilities and focus.

The Executive Director will report directly to the WCUW Board of Directors and have overall responsibility for the station, its financial performance and its operation. More specifically the E.D. will focus on business issues, marketing strategy, financial performance (grants, fund raising, underwriting, events), public relations, community outreach programs, and intern programs.

The Operations Manager will report to and support the E.D. and focus on daily operations, technical assets, office and administrative tasks, facility management and maintenance and volunteer management.

The WCUW Board offered the role of the Operations Manager to Joe Cutroni, Jr., but after some consideration he declined the position and will depart the station effective May 10, 2008. The WCUW BOD thanks Joe for his contributions to the station over many years of service and wishes him success in his new endeavors.

In the coming days and weeks the WCUW BOD will communicate further updates and status on this re-organization.

As WCUW begins a new chapter in its long and proud history, we anticipate further improvements to the station's management, operation and resources and are confident that you and the WCUW community will be excited by these positive changes as they will raise our visibility, capability and contribution to the community we serve.

WCUW is pleased to announce that two of it's programs and DJs were recognized by Worcester Magazine's 2008 Turtle Boy Music Awards.

In the category for "BEST DJ", first place honors went to DJ Cool Chris (and co-host Tone Capone) for their Urban Fire Reggae show which airs on WCUW Fridays from 8pm - 10pm.

Third Place Award went to DJ Bobo and his show Invisible Hypeman Radio which airs on WCUW, Fridays from 10pm to midnight - right after Urban Fire Radio.

Also contributing to the Turtleboy Awards panel of nominating judges were several other WCUW DJ's / volunteers including:

Bob Bernier/DJ Bobo/Invisible Hypeman: One of Worcester's foremost hip-hop connoisseurs. He's the proprietor of invisiblehypeman.com, and the host of Invisible Hypeman Radio every Friday night from 10 p.m. to midnight on WCUW 91.3

Don Northway: Host of "Friday Night Blues," heard on WCUW 91.3 FM. Best known as the long-time doorman at Gilrein's during the glory years, Northway brings that kind of first-hand experience to the show. Tune in weekly from 5-8 p.m.

David Ritchie: Ritchie has some of the most respected ears on the local music scene. Catch him Thursdays mornings from 6-9 a.m. as the host of "Crosstracks," where he presents "primarily an Americana and roots music program, but that's kind of a limiting description. If it's genuine, and it's being ignored by the rest of the dial, you'll probably hear it here."

Troy Tyree: Heads Word Of Mouth Productions (WOMP), and is the producer/host of "American ROOTS Radio" airing Wednesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. over WICN 90.5 FM. You may also know Tyree for booking entertainment at such places as the Coffee Kingdom, Tatnuck Bookseller and the Café Fantastique, located inside Rotmans

WCUW is proud of the recognition and accomplishments of it's volunteers and DJs and the role we serve in the Worcester community as an independent, non-commercial, listener supported community access radio station. We believe in diversity of programming and freedom of the airwaves.

Royce Anderson has joined the WCUW Board of Directors filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Marchand.

Royce Anderson has served as Executive Director of the International Center of Worcester (ICW) since 1998. ICW’s activities include US government professional exchange programs, a sister cities relationship with the Russian town of Pushkin, a developing program with a Russian university, and community-based membership and volunteer activities. Royce has lived and worked in Russia, where he was instrumental in the development of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pushkin. He has lived and taught in Israel and, as a child, grew up in India. He holds an M.Div. from Drew Theological School, an MBA from Rutgers University, and a PhD from the City University of New York with a specialization in Marketing and Consumer Behav-ior Research. Prior to being full-time at ICW, he was Associate Director of Graduate Programs, College of Professional and Continuing Education at Clark University. He has taught marketing at Clark University, Rutgers University, and Baruch College at the City University of N.Y.