This year, WQPT viewers will be able to ring in the New Year from one of the most famous musical streets in the world, Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock & Roll.
"I decided that since we have a large Blues audience here in the Quad Cities and surrounding region and with the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest as one of our areas biggest events, that this special would be a great addition to ring in the new year," said Jerry Myers, WQPT Programming Director.
WQPT will present LIVE! Beale Street on New Year's Eve, from 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., providing a unique look at the rich history of Beale Street with live interviews and lots of great music to welcome 2012.
The broadcast includes a traditional countdown to midnight with fireworks and the dropping of the Giant Guitar. Revelers will also be invited to "come bury your blues" by dropping mementos and notes into a symbolic coffin. (Viewers at home will be able to bury their blues by emailing buryyourblues@bealestreet.com)
Viewers are also invited to like the "Beale Street on New Year's Eve" Facebook page and post comments and questions during the broadcast. Some of the comments will be mentioned on the air.
LIVE! Beale Street on New Year's Eve is sponsored by Performa Entertainment, Budweiser, Beale Street Merchants Association, and The City of Memphis.
This unique New Year's Eve celebration captures the flavor, the sounds, and the story of Memphis' Beale Street. Viewers will be treated to live reports from the street, a survey of the acts currently performing on Beale, and an introduction to the Legends of Beale.
"We welcome this opportunity to share the culture, the music, and the excitement of Beale Street this New Year's Eve," said Michael J. LaBonia, WKNO's President and CEO. "And we're proud to be able to share this live experience with viewers across the region."
WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois.
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