Feeling Lucky? Donate to KCRW, Possibly Go See The National in NYC

If you have tuned into the local DC NPR station, WAMU, the last couple of days, you know the recent member drive has begun. Sure they're annoying to listen to, but pledge and member drives are what keep stations like WAMU in business. However, I often wonder who thinks up the giveaways with each pledge; I know they want folks to feel like they're getting something materially tangible perhaps for their $50 pledge, but really, a coffee mug? Me, I'd rather donate and get a thank you note than a mug that cost me $50.

I think perhaps NPR's flagship station for Southern California, KCRW 89.9 FM, which hosts one of the greatest and influential music shows around, Morning Becomes Eclectic, may have just hit on one of better pledge gifts I've seen, at least if you're a music nerd-a chance to win tickets!

“The National Live in NYC Flyaway Sweepstakes" was annnounced today, which is a special sweepstakes for a trip for two to NYC to see The National perform a special benefit concert for the Red Hot AIDS charity on Saturday, 5/15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in NYC. The winner will fly to NYC on Friday, 5/14 and have two nights at the ACE Hotel in Manhattan. Transportation to the hotel and concert are also included.

Rules and whatnot for the contest can be found here, but the gist of it is this: Anyone who joins, renews or makes an additional donation to KCRW between Tuesday, 5/4 (that's today!) and Friday, 5/7 at noon, will be automatically entered to win. KCRW Star Members, who contribute on a monthly basis, are automatically entered as well. Donations can be done online even (here).

What's also cool? The concert will be webcast live on You Tube and filmed by DA Pennebaker, the man who's directed such legendary movies like Bob Dylan's "Don't Look Back," David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," and "The War Room," a documentary from the end of Bill Clinton's '92 Presidential Campaign.

To top it all off, KCRW is currently streaming all of High Violet, The National's forthcoming record that's out next Tuesday.

Great stuff all 'round and for a great cause...

Tickets do go sale for the show via the BAM Box Office on Thursday, 5/6.

Give a Listen: Runaway-The National/Buy High Violet