Mark your calendars, set the clocks: Jon Solomon’s 24th Annual 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show is coming soon! The marathon begins on Saturday, December 24 at 6:00 PM ET and ends Sunday, December 25 at 6:00 PM ET.

It’s not Christmas without Jon’s annual holiday marathon. Seriously! From the absurd and bizarre to the beautiful and almost-kinda-holy, Jon’s show traverses the terrain of holiday music. No two marathons are alike, and perhaps that’s why listeners both near and far flock to the radio and/or webstream. So says Inside Jersey:

Forget the Bing Crosby-Nat King Cole-Mariah Carey loop that seems to air on every station in every mall – Solomon mixes covers of traditional hits with songs by bands from the region, recordings lost to attics and basements, and esoteric picks like “Mr. Russian, Please Don’t Shoot Down Santa’s Sleigh,” a Cold War-era number.

Which is not to be confused with “Can Santa Miss Those Missiles,” Solomon says.

You can RSVP for this show on Facebook.

Jon wants you to know that if you would like to make some requests, by all means get in touch.

Watch a live stream of everything happening in Studio A (goes live on December 24th):

Check out the band’s Facebook page here. You can listen to songs and purchase a download of their album on their bandcamp page as well. The Facebook page for Metal Mania will have more updates about the show as well.

The WPRB Membership Drive begins today! The full schedule for our special week of programming will be:

Sunday 10/9

7pm – 10pm                        John Weingart

10pm – 2am                       Mister Various

Monday 10/10

6am – 9am                        Classical with Toby

9am- 11am                         Classical with Sara

11am – 1pm                       Jazz with Dan Buskirk

1pm – 3pm                        Yo Gabbie Gabbie

3pm – 5pm                        Scullination with Eli

5pm – 6pm                       Timeout with WPRB Sports

6pm – 6.30pm                WPRB News

6.30pm – 7pm                The Week In Review

7pm – 9pm                       DJ Rev MC

9pm – 11pm                     Rock with Aaron

11pm – 1am                      Metal Mania

1am – 3am                        DJ Carnie

Tuesday 10/11

6am-9am                         Classical with Michael

9am – 11am                     Classical with Bob

11am – 1pm                      The Outerspace Employment Agency

1pm – 4pm                       Rockabilly Roadhouse

4pm – 8pm                      Motorfunker

8pm – 10pm                    Not Truth, But Effect with KPC

10pm – 12am                  Transitional Soundscapes

12am – 3am                     Extremities

Wednesday 10/12

6am – 11am                        Classical Discoveries

11am – 1pm                        Classical Discoveries Goes Avant Garde

1pm – 3pm                         The Clothesline with Wilbo

3pm – 5pm                        The Front Porch with Molly and Adoley

5pm – 7pm                        The Death of Tango with Pablo

7pm – 10pm                      Rock with Jon Solomon

10pm – 12am                    J.T.

12am – 2am                      The Sprawl with Mickey Kane

Thursday 10/13

6am – 11am                        Towe on Thrsday

11am – 1pm                        Blues, Bop and Beyond with Will Constantine

1pm – 3pm                         Teenage Lust with Colin

3pm – 5pm                        Majestic Jams with Gabe & LP

5pm – 7pm                        Doubleplusgood with Lizbot

7pm – 9pm                        Clean Yr Room with Art and Julia

9pm – 11pm                      Best of the UK with Scott

11pm – 1am                       Peacock Dreams with Lance Loud

Friday 10/14

6am – 9am                         Classical with Kate

9am – 11am                       Classical with Nathan

11am – 2pm                       Serenade to a Cuckoo with Jerry Gordon

2pm – 5pm                        Pop Rocks with Louisa

5pm – 8pm                       The James & Andy Show

8pm – 9pm                       State of the Station

9pm – 10pm                     Lauren & Dixon

10pm – 12am                  Slot Time with Surgeon General

12am – 3am                     Music with Space with Mike Hunter

Saturday 10/15

6am – 7am                        Classical with James

7am – 9am                        Classical with Gabe

9am – 11am                       Sangeet

11am – 12pm                    The world’s Fare with Pangaeo

12pm – 4pm                     FOOTBALL – Live Coverage Princeton vs. Brown

4pm – 6pm                       All Ages Show with Paddy

6pm – 8pm                       Recherché with Readie Righteous

8pm – 10pm                     DJ Shane FM

10pm – 12pm                   Old School Rock and Roll with Kurt

12pm – 2am                     Between the Lines with Sitesh

Sunday 10/16

6am – 10am                      Sunday Morning Opera with Sandy

10am – 1pm                      Sunday Jazz with Jeannie

1pm – 3pm                        Musical Odyssey with Bonnie and Xander

3pm – 5pm                       Jamrock Radio with Selecta Bam Bam

5pm – 7pm                       Side-B Radio with Phil Jackson

To make a donation, either call us during a show at 609-258-1033 or go to pledge.wprb.com

Bernard Wöstheinrich

Bernhard started in about 1987 to intensely experiment with his own soundsand tunes after he found out that drawing and painting simply weren’t enoughto adequately express himself. He went about to find something that mighthad a more “performing” approach. Inspired by the likes of Einstürzende Neubauten and other informal and experimental music, he finally began towork in a very personal way to compose and record some early tapes.

Bernhard leads his own solo project “The Redundant Rocker” and his maincollaborator is Markus Reuter (in CENTROZOON). He has also worked with IanBoddy, Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock, No-Man singer Tim Bowness, Conrad Schnitzler,and Synapscape’s Philipp Münch. He has released music on a variety of labelssuch as DiN, Burning Shed, Tonefloat, Unsung Records, and continues to push at the boundaries of rock, electronica, and the avant-garde.

Bernhard elicits meaning from abstraction in electronic music and painting.He has studied graphic design and has created an eclectic body of work inboth graphics and music. Using a compositional approach akin to his work asa visual artist, Bernhard usually begins by improvising abstract sonic structures which are subsequently developed into an increasingly detailed aural picture.

For more information visit:

http://www.redundantrocker.com

http://www.centrozoon.de

Vic (Left) and Dean (Right)

Master Electronic Musicians Dean De Benedictus and Vic Hennegan will be performing 3 sets on this weeks edition of Music With Space on Friday Night just after te midnight hour (technically Saturday morning.) This is a “must not miss” even for fans of electronic and ambient music.

About Dean - Dean’s music, among other mediums, is the result of his will to tie an essential common thread together between opposing genres and mentalities, as well as draw from them a natural sense of emotion, expanse and mystery. This Southern California-based producer / performer / musician / visual and conceptual artist (otherwise known to the electronic/ambient community as Surface 10 or as Surface 10 Activity) has always utilized his interest in a variety of styles and cultures to enrich the quality of his musical expression. Beginning his deep exploration of music in the 80′s, De Benedictis covered a wide gamut of musical experience; moving through many jazz fusion and progressive rock bands, music theory classes, and producing/performing source music for network television over 12 years of his career

About Vic -   An artist and a spiritualist, Hennegan contemplates the state of humanity through his music. “Many of us have lost our connection with ourselves, the planet, the universe and those around us. Through dance, we connect to our spirit self and to the earth. Through song, we connect to each other, becoming instruments in tune and in harmony reaching a new and higher level of consciousness. My intention and purpose is to create and bring forth music—for dance, for harmony and for spiritual connection.”

“Vic Hennegan absorbs the beauty of this surroundings and translates that to a fine musical expression.” (Little Universe) Hennegan’s work as a live performer makes him a rare commodity in the electronic world. With computers, samplers, vocals and synthesizers, Hennegan’s instinctive hand creates techno-trance and ambient music in a wildly fun, uplifting spiritual experience that will take your soul on a journey to the center of ecstasy.

Hennegan’s music emanates a unique warmth which moves the listener to a state of euphoria. Through complex and insistent rhythms and vocals, Hennegan accomplishes “a lush dynamic that relentlessly strives to entertain.” (Matt Howarth, SonicCuriousity.com)

Cards and flowers may be sent to 1124 Larkin Way Napa, CA 94558 after Wednesday. Per the request of Dr. Cosmo and his family, donations can be made to WPRB.

A memorial in the Princeton area is currently being planned.

Here’s what fellow WPRB DJs and DJ alumni have to say about Dr. Cosmo:

One of the joys of being a member of the WPRB community is getting to know some truly amazing people. George was one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. One particular story he told me sums up for me George’s mischievous sense of humor: He was headed to a King Crimson show around ’81/’82 and he got the idea to bring a frisbee, make his way to the front of the crowd, and wing it DIRECTLY at Bill Bruford’s bombastic gong. Crimson had, (and still has,) a behemoth touring setup, with a ludicrous number of racks and extraneous percussive instruments and it was exactly the kind of playful but harmless gesture that poked fun at that without really disrupting the show. He actually pulled it off, no doubt causing a wave of uncomfortable shifting and sidelong glares from prog fans all around him, then receded back into the crowd! Brilliant! I’ll miss George’s energy, his bottomless enthusiasm for music, his humor, and, of course, his great stories. Friday nights on WPRB will never be the same. – Lizbot, “Doubleplusgood”

George believed in the magic of radio and aimed for each show he created to form an alternate universe if possible though he might settle when they were merely much more than the sum of their parts. He was also an incredibly decent, public-spirited, and humble human being. – John Weingart, “Music You Can’t Hear on the Radio”

WPRB became considerably less creative and challenging overnight. For some reason in the hours since I heard this sad news I keep thinking of your “traffic reports” during the classical programs you hosted one summer and they bring a smile to my face. Thank you for two decades of unparalleled broadcasting and friendship. – Jon Solomon

Like many of us in WPRB-land, I was deeply saddened today to learn that our friend and colleague George Mahlberg, better known as “Dr. Cosmo,” had passed away this weekend. George was a true renaissance man with limitless interests and passions, and a consummate professional in everything he did. WPRB has lost a true friend and major presence.  – SKM

One of my very first shows on WPRB was subbing for the DJ in the timeslot before Dr. Cosmo’s “Nocturnal Transmissions.” The last song of my show was a tune on vinyl — I think it may have been The Tubes’ “White Punks on Dope” — and it was going to run over about 90 seconds into Dr. Cosmo’s time I, of course, told the good doctor he could pod it down if he wanted to start his program promptly. Instead, as soon as the clock struck 10 p.m., he abruptly stopped the 12-inch with his hand and then started spinning the record backward at different speeds all the way to the beginning of the song. At first, I was little irked and thought his action somewhat rude, until I realized that those 4 or so minutes of manipulated backward music was far more provocative than any of the sounds I had filled the airwaves with over the previous three hours. I’ve since on more than one occasion bragged about my clever “collaboration” with Dr. Cosmo. – Paddy, “All Ages Show”

[W]e had the good fortune to have Dr. Cosmo sit in with us during our show, as we had the slot before his. We had a lot of laughs, and his musical knowledge was second to none. I could ask him about some obscure sixties band, and he would whip out his Ipod and have whoever I was talking about already stored there. I particularly enjoyed the looseness of his show, and the knowledge that you could never predict where he was going next, be it some unknown European prog band, a forgotten garage band, or a total improv on some topic or event that others would never even think of, let alone broadcast it from the seat of their pants. — Frank, “Mike and Frank’s Radio Free America”

Cosmo came on board at WPRB sometime in 1991—about a year prior to me, but his experience and radio wizardry far surpassed anything in my stable. He was older than most of PRB’s other non-student DJs, and had a long résumé of radio credentials, reaching all the way back to the 70s when he’d been a programmer at L.A.’s then-adventurous K-Rock. He was also a brilliant storyteller, had a voracious appetite for unusual sounds, and most of all, he really enjoyed the company of young people who were passionate about radio. To call him an inspiration and a hero may sound trite, but after spending the last 18 hours reckoning with the news of his cruel departure, I’m having trouble denying how appropriate those terms are. Recollections on his Facebook page, as well as the phone calls and emails I’ve fielded from former WPRB colleagues seem to validate the sentiment. There are probably dozens of mic break techniques I’ve nicked from him over the years, and I feel no shame in admitting it. WPRB was beyond fortunate to have a shepherd like him, even if only a small minority of the staff were aware of how incredible his talents were. – Mike Lupica, “Hip Transistor”

Dr. Cosmo left a mark on everyone he met. His incredible radio voice and physical presence were backed with a lifetime of amazing stories to tell. He had a way of relating his adventures that was engaging and not prententious, though many of them were certainly brag-worthy. His life had taken various paths – astrophysicist, DJ, actor, writer…and he was a mentor to my budding Photoshop ambitions, having created the much reproduced “In-A-Gadda-Da-Oswald”, a brilliant retake on Jack Ruby’s assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald. – Stephanie Obodda, WPRB DJ alumna

Dr. Cosmo siezes control of the airwaves during WPRB’s inaugural membership drive, October 2007 (courtesy of Adam Flynn):

Pledge drive showdown w Dr Cosmo, Fall 2007 by adamflynn

Please join us on Friday night at 10PM ET for a special on-air event to pay tribute to our friend and colleague.

If you have memories of Dr. Cosmo and “Nocturnal Transmissions,” please share them in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!

Listen to 103.3 fm WPRB on Wednesday, April 6th at 8:00 pm ET as Jon Solomon welcomes Past/Futures recording artist Che Arthur down to the station for a live performance.

A former member of Universal Life & Accident and Atombombpocketknife, Arthur has three solo records out, the latest of which is the quite fine “Like Revenge.”

Website : Facebook : MySpace

You want a video tease? Our pleasure.

Mark your calendars, set the clocks: Jon Solomon’s 23rd Annual 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show is coming soon! The marathon begins on Friday, December 24 at 6:00 PM ET and ends Saturday, December 25 at 6:00 PM ET.

It’s not Christmas without Jon’s annual holiday marathon. Seriously! From the absurd and bizarre to the beautiful and almost-kinda-holy, Jon’s show traverses the terrain of holiday music. No two marathons are alike, and perhaps that’s why listeners both near and far flock to the radio and/or webstream. So says Inside Jersey:

Forget the Bing Crosby-Nat King Cole-Mariah Carey loop that seems to air on every station in every mall – Solomon mixes covers of traditional hits with songs by bands from the region, recordings lost to attics and basements, and esoteric picks like “Mr. Russian, Please Don’t Shoot Down Santa’s Sleigh,” a Cold War-era number.

Which is not to be confused with “Can Santa Miss Those Missiles,” Solomon says.

You can RSVP for this show on Facebook.

Jon wants you to know that if you would like to make some requests, by all means get in touch.

The 2010 Xmas Playlist will be updated in real time.

Watch a live stream of everything happening in Studio A (goes live on December 24th):

Image: Princetonbasketball.com

The 2010-2011 Princeton Basketball season is upon us! Listen to WPRB and you can catch live broadcasts of Princeton Tigers sports teams.

Pre-game coverage begins 20 minutes beforehand, and most games run approximately two and a half hours after tip-off. Schedule below include the pre-game coverage. For a complete listing of more Princeton Tigers Sports, visit the website.

2010-11 Princeton Men’s Basketball Schedule

All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change.

11-12, 6:40PM vs Rutgers
11-14, 4:40PM at Duke
11-22, 6:40PM at James Madison
11-23, 4:10PM vs. Bucknell
11-24, 4:10PM vs. Presbyterian
11-28, 1:40PM, Siena
11-30, 6:40PM at Lafayette
12-05, 4:40PM, Saint Joseph’s
12-08, 6:40PM at Monmouth
12-12, 1:40PM at Tulsa
12-17, 6:40PM at Wagner
12-22, 3:40PM at Towson
12-29, 9:10PM vs. Northeastern
12-30, 4:40PM vs. Furman
12-30, 7:10PM vs. UCF
01-05, 6:40PM, Marist

Celebrate WPRB’s Fourth Annual Membership Drive this Friday October 15th with two special events!

This Friday, WPRB Presents: Blonde Redhead with Pantha Du Prince and Blood Feathers at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA! Come out to listen to great music, meet WPRB DJ’s, and get exclusive membership drive merchandise. Tickets are only $15 at the door, but they are selling quickly, so be sure to buy them in advance for your chance to chat with some WPRB DJ’s.

This Friday October 15th, Hot Rod Scott and The Professor of Rockabilly Roadhouse are hosting a Benefit for WPRB at Jack’s Twin Bar in Gloucester City, NJ! This event features performances by the Speedwells and Full Blown Cherry, exclusive Rockabilly karaoke, and prizes at the door. All proceeds from this event funds WPRB’s diverse programming, so be sure to come out to support your favorite radio station.

Remember, to pledge click here or dial (609) 258 1033 to speak with a WPRB Representative during all hours of the broadcast day!

You can view our premium gude detailing all of our different pledge levels and exclusive WPRB items by clicking here. Special premium gifts given by record labels, distribution companies, and artists are available to listeners who pledge at certain hours, so be sure to tune in during your favorite show to get these specialty items. Remember, donations pledged during this drive will be directed towards station operations, so be sure to tune in and support WPRB!