Wyoming Public Radio Encourages Interviews for National Day of Listening

Nov. 19, 2009 -- Wyoming Public Radio is joining the acclaimed oral history project, StoryCorps, in celebrating Nov. 27, the second annual National Day of Listening.

National Day of Listening encourages all Americans to honor a friend, a loved one or a member of their community by interviewing them about their lives. The interview process takes less than an hour and offers a meaningful alternative to holiday consumerism, says Jon Schwartz, WPR general manager.

WPR urges listeners to participate and is providing materials at www.wyomingpublicradio.net for the project. WPR will broadcast a special edition of National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" detailing the project Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) from noon-1 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to record their National Day of Listening interviews using equipment that is readily available in most homes -- cell phones, tape recorders, computers or pen and paper.

"In the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the idea of listening during the holiday season has clearly resonated with people across the country," says StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. "The National Day of Listening, which coincides with Black Friday -- traditionally the largest shopping day of the year -- proves that simply listening to one another is the least expensive and most meaningful gift we can give."

WPR's Roger Adams adds, "Everyone takes pictures of their friends and family, on the National Day of Listening you can take audio ‘snapshots' to leave for future generations."

StoryCorps is an independent non-profit that honors lives through listening. StoryCorps is one of the largest archives of American voices ever created, with interviews gathered from more than 50,000 people in all 50 states. Each StoryCorps interview is recorded on a free CD for participants and also is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

StoryCorps' award-winning program is broadcast on NPR's "Morning Edition."

For more information, contact Schwartz at (307) 766-4240 or jbs@uwyo.edu. For a complete list of stations, programs and other information about WPR, visit the Web site at www.wyomingpublicradio.net.

Photo:
These are among more than 50,00 people in all 50 states who have recorded interviews for StoryCorps, one of the largest archives of American voices ever created. Wyoming Public Radio encourages people to interview friends or family members during the National Day of Listening Nov. 27. (Tony Rinaldo Photo)

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009

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