(long, but thanks for reading in advance)
Hi guys,

Well, for only the second time in the 9 years of broadcasting the APPLAUSE
Show, I am off the air tonight as we continue to face the financial burdens of
this All Listener Supported Radio Network called THN...The Harmony Network.
As has been reported earlier, the DSL carrier (Verizon) shut down the
network because we have not been able to keep their account current. We have
had
some response to our earlier requests, but we still have not been able to
satisfy the amount due plus the security required to get the service
reconnected.


For those of you just reading about this, THN...The Harmony Network is a
radio network devoted to All Vocal Harmony, with live shows every night of the
week (Mon-Fri). This all-volunteer network began it's third year of operation
at the beginning of March. It is the ONLY COMMERCIALLY LICENSED radio
station in the WORLD that has turned over it's entire live format to Barbershop
and A Cappella music. Each night, live radio hosts bring you music and offer a
chat room, toll free access to their show, and live appearances by noted
a cappella groups. The APPLAUSE Show begins it's 10th year of continuous
broadcasting on April 11th and we are proud to be one of the longest running
acappella and barbershop radio shows in the world.

I am using this post to appeal to all of you who have known me, either as a
radio host, or maybe as the host of the Barbershop Harmony Society's Web Cast
for 5 years, or maybe as a member of a group that I have helped throughout
my 38 years of involvement in the Barbershop Harmony Society, or finally as a
friend. THN...The Harmony Network, has been a dream of mine for years. When
we were able to find a radio station owner who was willing to "Give" us
their station in 2004 to develop the Network, I thought that the barbershop and
a
cappella communities would certainly back the operation and that we would
have no problem operating as a listener supported network.For the last two
years, we have been able to operate the network without paying the fair price
to
the landlord....all we are responsible for is the $4-500.00 monthly
communication and licensing costs. Our costs of operating the entire
network, with
a 24/7 feed (that we don't have as yet) and live shows throughout the day and
night, with a full local presence (signal) in Northern NJ, would be under
$30,000 per year, a full 1/3rd of the cost of operation at the station in
Hunterdon County where The "APPLAUSE" Show started in 1997. That station's
budget
in 2001 was $85,000 per year and also ran with an all-volunteer staff.

But, we have been disappointed (but not dissuaded) bt the response of the
barbershop and a cappella communities. And, NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP! I am
personally asking each one of you that have benefited from any association you
have
had with me, to help THN today. For thirty eight years, I have said YES to
every barbershopper who has asked for my help, to every chapter that has
asked for my assistance, and to every group who has asked for my help, and now
I
need YOUR HELP. If you think that having a radio network available to you
24/7 that gives you live shows every day and night is worth it....really "worth
it", Please send your donation today. If your chapter can help, pass the
hat and send us the proceeds. If your Quartet or A cappella group can see
clear to do it, donate the proceeds of one performance to THN. And if my
friendship, support, encouragement, or advice has helped you at any time in the
past 38 years, please send a donation today.

In 2004, in Louisville, many of you felt strongly about the ability to have
the convention available to you on your computer. We received more than 1300
emails of support and positive comments about our performance as hosts, and
about the quality of broadcasts. In response to our appeals for donations,
more than $50,000 was raised by contributions of only 1400-1450 people.

THN...The Harmony Network can be the same kind of entertainment and
enjoyment to anyone with a computer, and the support we are only looking for
equates
to less than 50 Cents from each person who is a member of Sweet Adelines,
CASA, The Barbershop Harmony Society and/or Harmony Incorporated (68,000 folks)
to provide this service to you all.

Thanks for all of you who have given in the past...we have had 2 years of
operations because of you. For those of you who have yet to experience the
Network, send us your donation and as soon as we solve this problem, we will
again commit to bringing you the best of barbershop and a cappella music with
live, inter-active shows all week long.

Thank you for your kindness in reading this post, and for your response by
way of donations.

For all of the hard working people who devote themselves to THN...The
Harmony Network, I remain

Humbly and In Harmony
Rich Taylor, President
Host of The "APPLAUSE" Show, beginning it's 10 th year on 4/11/06


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