With all the grim economic news out there this week, local classical music radio station WDAV-FM decided Tuesday to suspend its fall on-air pledge drive and return to full-time music, which officials called a “calming” service that listeners need right now. The Davidson College-owned station said it was about halfway to its $200,000 goal for the drive, which began Oct. 2 and was to run through Friday, Oct. 10.

In announcements, email messages to existing members and an announcement on its website, WDAV invited supporters to continue pledging online, through www.wdav.org.

People had been calling in with pledges of support, but in some cases at a lower level than in past years, spokeswoman Lisa Gray said this morning. “People love the station and they want to help, but they are so focused on the news,” Ms. Gray said.

Classical music stations like WDAV provide a calm in the storm, station General Manager Benjamin K. Roe said a press release. “We cannot be oblivious to what’s happening in the world – and especially in our region. There’s a bit of a crisis in our community right now. Our audience sees WDAV as an oasis of calm in an unsettled world. In times like these, we need to provide the around-the-clock classical music our listeners rely on. We will resume doing best what our audience needs most,” Mr. Roe said.

The station has the money it needs to continue operating, but Ms. Gray said, “We do need to come back at some point.” She said a return to on-air fund-raising would likely come after the Nov. 4 election.

LINKS

Oct. 7, 2008, WDAV announcement about suspending its on-air fund-raising.