Billy Jam sez:
If you stop people on the streets of Jersey City and quiz them about the origins of the name of the Garden State, the majority will be unaware of the island of Jersey - the British Crown Dependency located in the Channel Islands off the coast of Normandy. I know because recently I did exactly this: I interviewed a sampling of Jersey City folks on the street near the WFMU studios (MP3).
I will be playing back this vox pop on Friday (Oct 2nd) between 9am and 12 noon (NJ time) during the WFMU live remote broadcast from Weighbridge Square on the harbour-front in St Helier (Old Jersey's capitol), during day two of the four-day Branchage Film Festival in Old Jersey.
In addition to talking on the air with the film festival's director Xanthe Hamilton and many others about the festival that also involves music, I will be talking with several authorities on the relationship between Old Jersey and New Jersey. These will include Philip Malet de Carteret whose ancestors are literally responsible for New Jersey. Back in 1663 King Charles II rewarded the de Carterets for their loyalty during the Civil War by gifting them with a large tract of land in North America. That tract of land would become New Jersey.
Also to be interviewed will be Rod McLaughlin - an acclaimed Jersey historian who will speak on Jersey's status as a Crown Dependency, how it was once under French rule, its occupation by the Nazis, and its relationship to New Jersey. Jersey cow farmer Ian Mitchell, who will bring along samples of some dairy products derived from the rich creamy Jersey milk, will discuss Jersey's popular export.
And in conjunction with BBC Jersey, who are producing the festival's Shear Music showcase of local talent, I have invited numerous Old Jersey artists including Jjjiiim, Jersey Bob, and Wizard & Frog to come on the air live to perform. There are many more guests expected on this WFMU remote broadcast but who knows just what might happen on freeform FMU. Tune in to find out on Friday 9am to 12 noon (Doug's normal slot) on WFMU. For exact details on the Branchage Film Festival click here. And check back here on the WFMU blog for updates from Jersey on the Branchage Film Festival.
- Billy Jam
I can see the similarity between old and new. Sparesely populated islands of simple people, both.
Posted by: Kevin | October 01, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Cor! How typical of the Jersey man to go galavanting around the world and get some far off land named after his island! Us here in Guernsey we call the Jersey man a crapaud, after the toad, but they call themselves beans. God knows why. At least we have the decency to know we is donkeys us.
On a more serious note, check out the Folk Buzz if its at the festival. Its a mini-bus in which live acts play and you sit in the seats and watch them - its great fun!
A la perchoine!
Posted by: Ebenezer Le Page | October 01, 2009 at 02:46 PM
jersey
"knitted cloth" (1583) and "breed of cattle" (1842) both from Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, said to be a corruption of L. Caesarea, the Roman name for the island (or another near it), infl. by O.E. ey "island;" but probably in fact a Viking name (perhaps meaning "Geirr's island"). The meaning "woollen knitted close-fitting tunic," especially one worn during sporting events, is from 1836
Online Etymological Dictionary
Posted by: Rix | October 01, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Old Jersey also produced this rather excellent NWOBHM band, Legend: http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=749
Posted by: RagnarR | October 02, 2009 at 09:07 AM
As someone who began listening to FMU in the pre-Web, pre-XHD/MFU, pre-Jersey City days of 1992, I occasionally sit back during, say, the ATP events, the Barcelona broadcast, this, and just while listening to the Net stream of the plain ol' air signal and say, "Damn, who ever would've imagined back then that this little college radio station would go to these crazy places and share this awesomeness for everyone on the planet to hear?" Just very grateful to have taken the ride. Go WFMU!
Posted by: Listener James from Westwood | October 02, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Hi I is the owner of the folk buzz. www.myspace.com/thefolkbuzz Its Jerseybob, Hi billy thanks for letting us play a tune on air great stuff, good luck I will be in New York 5th Feb on my final leg of a world tour.. Keep ya posted.......
Posted by: Jerseybob | October 03, 2009 at 06:50 AM
That vox-pop was fascinating, because like most Americans I have always used "England" to be synonymous with "the United Kingdom". After having lived in the UK for 5 years though, I know that certain people would kick my ass if I ever referred to Jersey as being in England. Namely everyone in Jersey. Channel Islanders, Scots and the Welsh will harp on at you about the difference between nations, states and 'constituent countries' without seeing that these are domestic issues that do not have parallels in other countries.
Man, had to get that off my chest.
Posted by: Emo Joe Blob | October 03, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Hi,
Nice article.The history of Jersey city is interesting for me.The facts are very surprising.Thanks for the mp3 link about the folk song.These are great songs.
Posted by: acai | October 06, 2009 at 08:29 AM