The coronavirus pandemic is bringing out the best in Vermonters — our sense of being unified in facing a desperate challenge to avoid tragedy; our willingness to help one another when emotions are high and spirits are low; our entrepreneurial capacity for finding solutions, exercised with determination; and above all, the optimism and compassion that dominate the character of Vermont’s response to the crisis. The team at Big Heavy World salutes all Vermonters for persevering, and sends special respect and appreciation to everyone on the front lines, facing the worst on behalf of our loved ones.

Our work at Big Heavy World has been guided by the wish to sustain the connections between people — to be sure we’re reminded that we are a community. We’ve used technology in modest ways because that’s what it’s good for, and we’ve invited our resources to be shared by others who’d help with keeping us all feeling connected. Here’s a quick overview of what’s kept us busy.

Linda Bassick performs for kids via a livestream that is broadcast over the air on 105.9FM The Radiator.

We’ve spread the word that the airwaves of 105.9FM The Radiator are up for grabs by musicians across the state — anyone planning to live-stream a performance of original music is welcome to reach out and find a spot on the radio station’s programming schedule where we might broadcast the livestream, sending it straight to the airwaves from Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram. We’ve carried sets by artists like Sarah King, Lauren Costello, Jason Baker, and more.

Some musicians and DJs have taken on regular weekly radio slots, with music performances and storytelling — bringing their personal ‘firesides’ to the radio listeners of Burlington and Big Heavy World’s streaming channels. Rik Palieri, Bishop LaVey, and Linda Bassick perform for families, the public, and children. Craig Mitchell and Kyle ‘Fattie B’ Thompson perform weekly DJ sets for kids, grownups, people in recovery from addiction, or the LGBTQ community. Bolton Valley, GLAM and Recovery Vermont help spread the word, bringing people together from many directions for good music and Zoom dance parties.

Kyle ‘Fattie B’ Thompson plays dance tunes for a full house on Zoom and 105.9FM The Radiator.

With a Special and Urgent Needs grant from the Vermont Community Foundation, Big Heavy World has been able to pay for and share a full Zoom account, making video meetings possible for artists, DJs, and local community groups. Zoom allows the Big Heavy World crew to meet weekly, remotely, and carry our work forward. If your Vermont-based community group would like us to host a Zoom meeting for you, contact info@bigheavyworld.com

We’ve also brought many of Governor Scott’s weekly COVID-19 press conferences to Burlington’s radio listeners, and Mayor Weinberger’s State of the City address. The Radiator is broadcasting public service announcements and words of encouragement to others by artists like Remi Russin, Craig Mitchell, and Sarah King.

Our crew was an early advocate for recognition of the hardship faced by artists and the industries that support them who all suffered so immediately with the closing of venues and cancellations of performances and tours. We spoke up with allies like the Vermont Arts Council, Smart Artists, the Vermont Creative Network, and friends in theater and dance. Find some resources gathered for musicians and organizations that serve them.

In the background a small group of Big Heavy World crew members has been exploring every livestreaming production platform out there — getting their heads around the best assortment of software to produce a live virtual music festival in June. We’ve come a long way in understanding this under-developed industry and might soon be leaders in practicing new streaming production skills.

Rik Palieri streams stories and live music performances from Hinesburg to 105.9FM The Radiator.

Our regular projects have been bursting forward, too. A giant new repository of 360-degree videos from the ‘final’ concert at 242 Main is being uploaded to YouTube; dozens of amazing photographs from that show by Tim Snow have been added to a growing 242 Main historic archive that will become public soon; and filmmaker Bill Simmon has been editing the 242 Main documentary with support from Big Heavy World volunteers. A new map-based directory of Vermont bands is being designed; the ‘tiny’ museum has expanded; and the crew has been fundraising to update some core equipment that’s at the end of its life after a decade of use. The work hasn’t stopped at Big Heavy World, it’s happening at a safe distance.

If you’re a Vermont-based musician — or you know one and would pass this along to them — here are a few ways you could jump in and put Big Heavy World to use:

Send us your original music for airplay on 105.9FM The Radiator;
Record a brief station I.D. that includes the phrase ‘WOMM-LP Burlington’ and include your band name and its website — our station I.D.s play every hour!
Send a thirty-second message of general coronavirus-related encouragement for us to share with our radio audience through the duration of the pandemic;
Make sure you’re in the VT Band Guide on bigheavyworld.com — we’re volunteer-run and need your input to make this resource complete;
If you have any, send us digitized versions of your photos or video from 242 Main, for the documentary and the archive;
Let us know if you’d like to be a DJ on 105.9FM The Radiator! With our volunteer staff working remotely, DJs are ‘holding the fort’ here to make sure independent media serves its essential purpose during this crisis and beyond.

Reach out with your notes and MP3s to info@bigheavyworld.com.

As we move past the darkest days and toward a post-pandemic spring, we’ll be thinking of you, sending you the warmest well-wishes and hopes for a comfortable emergence. We’re in this together, and know what that means now.

Catching-Up With Big Heavy World