Jazz Series, CAT-TV producing live telethon

The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series and Columbia Access Television plan to co-produce a live telethon on Dec. 11 to raise funds for the two nonprofits.
The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series, an organization dedicated to producing concerts and educating the public about jazz music, is in charge of the programming for the telethon, which will be produced by and broadcasted live over CAT-TV.
Local musicians, including Tom Andes, Lisa Rose and John D’Agostino, will perform during the six-hour telethon, along with music students from Lee Elementary School.
CAT-TV will coordinate the studio production, including the cameras, lights, audio, graphics and phone calls.

“The beauty of this event and the intrigue of this event is, as far as we know, it’s never been done before…on this level, in this town, by two organizations,” said John Poses, executive director of the Jazz Series.
Along with musical performances, the telethon will feature testimonials and appearances by local personalities who will co-host segments of the show.
Gift certificates and other premiums from local businesses will be awarded to donors during the telethon, and the hosts are seeking segment sponsors who will provide matching funds. The two organizations will split the donations evenly after expenses are covered. They did not set a fundraising goal because there is no way to estimate the results of an unprecedented event, Poses said.
“Our only goal is to have fun, be professional and to produce a good six-hour block of programming,” Poses said.
The Jazz Series and CAT-TV have never worked together in the past, but the Jazz Series often collaborates with other local nonprofits, and both groups consider their missions to be complementary.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the Jazz Series, especially because our missions complement each other so well,” CAT Executive Director Jennifer Erickson said in the news release. “We promise to bring you an event that draws from both our organizations’ strengths. It’ll be an eclectic, unscripted showcase of live and local music, highlighting the unique community that is Columbia.”
The organizations have reached out for support in the community. All performers for the event will be donating their time in exchange for a DVD of the performance, courtesy of CAT-TV. Local businesses, including restaurants and recording studios, have donated premiums and matching funds for the event. Local restaurants and bars have been asked to designate one of their TVs for the telethon.
CAT-TV, Mediacom Connections and both organizations’ websites (www.wealwaysswing.org and www.columbiaaccess.tv) are scheduled to broadcast the telethon live from 3 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 11. Viewers will be able to contribute online using PayPal accounts for the Jazz Series and CAT or by phone.
CAT-TV is shown on Mediacom Channel 85, Charter Communications Channel 21 and CenturyLink Channel 603.