Last week was highly exciting, for personal and professional reasons. The highlight came on Sunday at 12 noon with the official launch of CHIRP Radio, the radio station that I have been working on for two and a half years. Under the leadership of Shawn Campbell, The Chicago Independent Radio Project has been creating a brand and literally building a radio station in Chicago, and on Sunday www.chirpradio.org went live without a hitch. It might amaze you to know that our volunteer organization has a board of directors, many departments with department heads, and a volunteer pool of over 200 people. CHIRP has become a national leader in the fight to reform Low Power FM legislation, and when the FCC finally changes the rules and allows us to apply for a license, we’ll be ready. We are now broadcasting 21 hours a day with a real, live host from 6am to 3am, with a mission to play an eclectic selection of music from all eras with a spotlight on Chicago’s local scene. My show is every Sunday, 12 noon – 3pm, and I’m keeping it gay and brunchy for you and yours! The super robust website updates the current playlist and you can click through to buy the songs at two local independent record shops, Reckless Records and Permanent Records. Additionally, you can get us on the iPhone’s ”Radio” app and Android’s “A Online Radio” app, and we actually have our own official smart phone applications in the pipeline!
If you are a music fan, be sure to stream CHIRPRadio.org! I’ll be fleshing out my shift in the months to come…I’d like to have guests, interviews, queer news and event announcements and all kinds of fun stuff, however I don’t even have a name for the show yet! Any suggestions? It has to be gay and brunchy. So far “Hotcakes” is the front runner, but I’m open to others. Email them at thinkpinkradio(((@)))gmail.com if you got ‘em! Don’t forget to tune in every Sunday from 12-3pm, Central Standard Time for my show!
