Media: Longtime Folk DJ Gets the Boot
Posted by Dave Nuttycombe
Mary Cliff is the latest longstanding D.C. media figure to be dropped from the airwaves. The gentle-voiced host of the folk-music show Traditions, heard Saturday nights on WETA-FM for nearly 34 years, was let go by the station Monday. The last “Traditions” broadcast will be this Saturday, Jan. 27.
“You'd have to ask [WETA management] why,” says Cliff. “They didn't have to justify it. In this business, you know, when you have a contract they give you money and you go away.” Cliff says this with a laugh, though clearly the situation saddens her.
The move is a result of the ongoing D.C. radio upheaval, spurred by Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s territorial imperative. Snyder's offer to buy classical station WGMS-FM prompted that station to change to some kind of oldies format called “George 104.” As reported on DCRTV.com on Monday, WETA is picking up the classical slack Monday evening, returning to the format it dropped for news/talk.
Looking on the bright side, Cliff notes that “there will be some arts coming back here. They'll be playing classical music instead of just talking.” And the DJ now has her Saturdays free. “Oooh, I can go to concerts!” she laughs. (Except for vacations, Cliff only pretaped two shows in more than three decades. Once was for a memorial service for a friend, the other for a Clapton concert.)
Cliff's soothing voice was a refuge and beacon for many in the acoustic and folk community, but she has yet to plan beyond the last show. “If I just needed to do radio, I could program my iPod. I don't have an iPod, thank you,” she says. “But to me it's a community thing, the community needs something to rally around, something to talk to, something to hear from, exchange information. And that's what it was since ’70, when folk music started on WETA. I've been doing it since March of ’73. It's been quite an experience. It's a great community to be a part of. “
Cliff says she's received a “proper severance. But that's not my problem. My problem is that the community loses a certain amount of its focus, which I think is unfortunate.”
12:36 PM |
Read 4 comments |
E-mail a friend |
del.icio.us
|
Digg it
4 Comments:
At 2:49 PM, Joel Pomerantz said...
Mary is one of the sweetest,nicest, most even tempered and giving people I have ever met.She has an open mind and is willing to play everything from Bluegrass to Acoustic Rock to Go-Go to what have you. Her level of knowlege in a myriad of subjects is absolutely astounding.
At 5:38 PM, Mike Licht said...
WETA-FM web site bio of Mary Cliff: "In 1972 she was hired to host Classical Weekend at WETA, where she's been ever since." "She has also been part of national broadcasts as host, producer, and interviewer -- classical, folk and public affairs."
It is not just "Traditions" that the station has lost. Who among the remaining "Out and About" contributors can match Mary's knowledge of Washington's resident musicians -- new music composers, ethnic musicians, singer-songwriters, chamber players, traditional singers and musicians?
Just like syndicated satellite feeds and web downloads, classical CDs come from everywhere and nowhere. The "New Classical WETA-FM" comes from two big towers planted in our area. Surely the station needs someone who knows the musicians who live and perform in metro Washington, and no one knows them better than Mary Cliff.
At 9:43 AM, Mike Licht said...
New post on WETA blog from Chief Operating Officer Joe Bruns:
"We can certainly refund your membership – that has always been our policy. Call our audience services line at 703-998-2724, and they’ll take care of your request."
"If you recently made a philanthropic contribution linked to radio and wish your donation returned, you can call the Leadership Circle at 703-998-2691."
So there you have it.
At 9:08 PM, Mike Licht said...
From the WETA-FM website on Saturday:
We've long been enriched by Mary Cliff's knowledge, appreciation of music, and generous spirit, and offer appreciation for her many years at WETA and within the community.
Mary Cliff grew up in Arlington and has been active in the Washington-area music community since high school. She is known and appreciated for her long-running Saturday night folk music program Traditions. Both personally and professionally, Mary has been a steadfast cheerleader for the Washington area's music scene and its artists, especially those of the folk community.
Please join us in sending your best wishes and kind regards directly to Mary Cliff at the following e-mail address: traditions@weta.com
Post a Comment
<< Home