TRANSMISSION

WCWP Live Broadcast at Bar Beach

by Mike Ferrari


Live radio is truly performing without a net. WCWP,
the college radio station for C.W. Post University,
executed a live broadcast from the North Shore’s Bar Beach
under the worst possible conditions.

Everything started out alright but just before they were about to go on air they had to scramble to find open frequency due to a pirate radio broadcaster occupying the 88.1FM signal. Thanks to the fast thinking of former station manager Bill Mozer and others, the station was able to make the broadcast.

Led by station Operations Director Joseph Manfredi, staff members Jay Mirabile, Jamie Mazzo, and Mike Ferrari gave color commentary, and conducted interviews with honorees and celebrators alike.

A poignant moment came when Mazzo interviewed two veterans, one from the Korean War and one from the Vietnam War. When asked what Memorial Day meant to them, both veterans paused and said it meant the loss of good people they served with and never made it home.

Hopefully you’ll re-read that previous paragraph again and reflect a moment on it. It is something to remember on holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day and even the this months 4th of July celebrations, that many people died so that we may enjoy them. Which may be a tough thing to do in this day and age when holidays are reduced to capitalist rah-rah commercials urging you all to out and make a purchase at you local MegaMart.

In saying that there was also much mirth and merriment to be had with live entertainment on the show mobile stage, and street performers along the boardwalk, as well as parades from military and police – both of whom this event honored.

The second crisis of the evening on this live broadcast came from Mother Nature. While most of the day had been mostly sunny and warm, about 2 hours before the big fireworks show the clouds darkened and the winds kicked up. Thunderstorms rolled over Long Island with a ferocity that sent most of the crowd scrambling for cover as well as WCWP grabbing for tarps to cover the equipment. Luckily the storms rolled out almost as quick as they had come in, and the Bay Fireworks show went on as scheduled and was spectacular! WCWP even had a music interlude that was broadcast live in sync to the fireworks.

Overall it was an impressive execution of live radio and
further proving that the pioneering WCWP is a
jewel in the L.I. University Public Radio Network crown.

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