DATE=4-1-02

TYPE=English Feature

NUMBER=7-36126

TITLE=50th Anniversary Concert

BYLINE=Susan Logue

TELEPHONE=619-0920

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=Al Pessin

CONTENT=

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ANNCR: Now a VOA Snapshot remembering our past as we look to the future in this, our 60th Anniversary Year.

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HOST: Ten years ago, VOA marked its 50th anniversary with, among other things, a concert featuring major stars and hosted by VOA's Judy Massa.

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"Good evening ladies and gentlemen of all ages around the world. Welcome to the Voice of America's 50th anniversary "Gift of Song" live, worldwide broadcast!"

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HOST: Garth Brooks was among the performers in the special three-hour concert featuring country, classical, jazz and rock musicians. Another was Joe Walsh from the rock band, The Eagles.

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"Hello, everybody. From all of us musicians here in the United States we extend our warmest greetings and greatest hopes for the future to the entire world community."

HOST: "A Gift of Song" marked the first time in VOA history a concert was broadcast live to listeners from VOA headquarters in Washington. But it wasn't the last. Four years later, when jazz musicians paid tribute to Willis Conover with a 3-hour concert at VOA, it too was broadcast live, worldwide. And this year, VOA is hosting a series of concerts to mark its 60th Anniversary. I'm __________.

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ANNCR: Listen for VOA Snapshots throughout our 60th anniversary year, here on VOA.

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OPTIONAL LIVE TAG: To write to us about our anniversary, send an email to anniversary@voanews.com. Or, send regular mail to Anniversary, VOA News Now, Washington, D.C. 20237, USA.