MPB announces StoryCorps rolling into Jackson

( Jackson , Miss.) - Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is partnering with the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Edison Walthall Hotel and the Foundation for Public Broadcasting to bring StoryCorps to Jackson . The StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth rolls in and sets up shop by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum on Lakeland Drive with interviews taking place from January 11 through February 3 .

StoryCorps , a national oral history project dedicated to preserving America's stories in sound, invites you to bring a friend or loved one to its soundproof studio to record a 40-minute conversation sharing your or your loved one's story.

Reservations are required to participate. Beginning Thursday, December 28, at 10:00 a.m., those interested can schedule appointments by calling 1-800-850-4406 or by logging onto www.mpbonline.org and clicking the StoryCorps link, all available 24-hours/seven days a week.

At the StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth, people participate in pairs – oftentimes friends or loved ones – and one interviews the other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the interview process and handles the technical aspects of the recording. At the end of the session, the participants walk away with a CD of their interview. With their permission, a second copy will be sent to the American Folklife Center at The Library of Congress where it becomes part of a high quality digital archive. This collection will eventually grow into an oral history of America .

StoryCorps mobile StoryBooths embarked on cross-country tours May 19, 2005, collecting stories from across the United States . Mobile recording booths, contained in Airstream trailers, are traveling to every corner of the nation documenting everyday history and unique stories of grassroots America .

“As StoryCorps has traveled across the country, visiting 52 towns and cities in 37 states, we've seen the profound effect it has had not only on the lives of those who have participated in the project, but also on the millions who have heard them each week on National Public Radio,” said Dave Isay, StoryCorps Executive Director. “We are so proud to begin 2007 by continuing our mission to teach people to become better listeners, foster intergenerational communication among families and communities, and help Americans appreciate the strength in the stories of everyday people they find all around them.”

According to MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon, “Because StoryCorps' visit to our Gulf Coast was so positive last year, they have asked us to partner with them again for a rare second visit. This is a wonderful opportunity for Mississippians to document their rich stories so that they may be preserved for generations to come.”

According to MPB Deputy Director of Content Gene Edwards, MPB is to broadcast portions of the material recorded in the StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth. Selected segments may also air on National Public Radio's (NPR) “Morning Edition” and be compiled onto “Best of StoryCorps” CDs.

Major funding for StoryCorps is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. StoryCorps is a project of Sounds Portraits Productions in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center at The Library of Congress. Additional national sponsors include the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Institute & Soros Foundation Network.

StoryCorps asks for only a $10 suggested donation, totally optional, and welcomes those to give as much or as little as possible.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Kathy Broom
Dec 19, 2006	601.432.6683
*MPB announces StoryCorps* rolling into Jackson Celebrate 2007 by interviewing someone you love and making history in sound…**
( Jackson , Miss.) - Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is partnering with the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Edison Walthall Hotel and the Foundation for Public Broadcasting to bring StoryCorps to Jackson . The StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth rolls in and sets up shop by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum on Lakeland Drive with interviews taking place from January 11 through February 3 . StoryCorps , a national oral history project dedicated to preserving America's stories in sound, invites you to bring a friend or loved one to its soundproof studio to record a 40-minute conversation sharing your or your loved one's story. Reservations are required to participate. Beginning Thursday, December 28, at 10:00 a.m., those interested can schedule appointments by calling 1-800-850-4406 or by logging onto www.mpbonline.org and clicking the StoryCorps link, all available 24-hours/seven days a week. At the StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth, people participate in pairs – oftentimes friends or loved ones – and one interviews the other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the interview process and handles the technical aspects of the recording. At the end of the session, the participants walk away with a CD of their interview. With their permission, a second copy will be sent to the American Folklife Center at The Library of Congress where it becomes part of a high quality digital archive. This collection will eventually grow into an oral history of America . StoryCorps mobile StoryBooths embarked on cross-country tours May 19, 2005, collecting stories from across the United States . Mobile recording booths, contained in Airstream trailers, are traveling to every corner of the nation documenting everyday history and unique stories of grassroots America . “As StoryCorps has traveled across the country, visiting 52 towns and cities in 37 states, we've seen the profound effect it has had not only on the lives of those who have participated in the project, but also on the millions who have heard them each week on National Public Radio,” said Dave Isay, StoryCorps Executive Director. “We are so proud to begin 2007 by continuing our mission to teach people to become better listeners, foster intergenerational communication among families and communities, and help Americans appreciate the strength in the stories of everyday people they find all around them.” According to MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon, “Because StoryCorps' visit to our Gulf Coast was so positive last year, they have asked us to partner with them again for a rare second visit. This is a wonderful opportunity for Mississippians to document their rich stories so that they may be preserved for generations to come.” According to MPB Deputy Director of Content Gene Edwards, MPB is to broadcast portions of the material recorded in the StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth. Selected segments may also air on National Public Radio's (NPR) “Morning Edition” and be compiled onto “Best of StoryCorps” CDs. Major funding for StoryCorps is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. StoryCorps is a project of Sounds Portraits Productions in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center at The Library of Congress. Additional national sponsors include the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Institute & Soros Foundation Network. StoryCorps asks for only a $10 suggested donation, totally optional, and welcomes those to give as much or as little as possible.