True Community Endeavors

This Friday, March 21, the Barrymore Theatre will play host to X, celebrating their 31st anniversary with a national tour including all of the band's original members — John Doe, Billy Zoom, Exene Cervenka and DJ Bonebrake. Formed in 1977, X is known for revolutionizing definitions of the punk genre with their work, including the groundbreaking 1980 album Los Angeles, for which the band received the unique distinction of an Official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles. The show is also unique as the latest of a series of True Endeavors shows benefiting a community organization. In this case, one dollar from every ticket sold will go directly to WORT 89.9 FM, Madison's premier community sponsored radio station. Like X, WORT is also a recent thirtysomething, debuting on the airwaves on December 1, 1975. The station is a product of the efforts of many, with over 2200 individuals contributing annually to help offset station costs and hundreds of others volunteering to maintain the station's programming. The station has grabbed a niche in Madison as a home to the interests and support of the "uns" of society, as John Ohliger described in a 1994 speech at a station meeting: "The unabashed, unafraid, uncensorable, unconventional, uninhibited, unorthodox, unpretentious, unstinting, unsung, untiring, and finally, definitely, unique." Despite continued support from the Madison community, the station has faced its fair share of obstacles, particularly with the influence of new laws being put into the books by the Bush administration, such as the 2007 Media Ownership Act. "The current administration has succeeded in cutting the budget for publicly-funded stations, thus stifling creative and independent voices in favor of fewer and fewer points of view," describes Sybil Augustine, WORT music director. "Corporations are allowed to monopolize many TV and radio stations, as well as newspapers, in the same markets. We are sliding down a very slippery slope." To purchase tickets for the X anniversary show at the Barrymore, visit BarrymoreLive.com. To find more information on how to contact representatives and stand up against oppressive and pro-corporate media legislation, visit FreePress.net. – Joe Erbentraut, True Endeavors Communications and Public Relations Intern