In Elgin, you can literally buy your way onto the radio.
Some folks are doing that for fun, albeit within FCC guidelines, while others are combining the joy of being on the air with business. It's all part of the brokered offerings at WRMN 1410 AM where about 10 of the shows broadcast are paid for by the people you hear on the air.Time costs $150 for a half hour and $200 for an hour, explained Elgin Radio's local sales manager Dave Niven. And, with improvements in Internet technology, the programs are reaching far and wide with simulcasts on the station's Web site (http://wrmn1410.com).
That's how a good many of Cort Steven's friends and fans will be listening to his show which is set to run for a second round this spring.
"I did this last April as well, every Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m. This year, I'm doing three Friday nights with various time slots," Stevens said. Those are April 6 from 7 until 11 p.m. and from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. on April 20 and 27.
While many amateur and professional radio talents are turning to setting up equipment shop and podcasting shows from outside traditional studios, for Stevens using the station is a trip down memory lane.
"I wanted to share some of the older country music and some rock and roll favorites," said Stevens. "During my college years (at Manchester College in Indiana), I did a show on Saturday nights for three years, from 7 to 10 p.m., The Saturday Evening Mostly Country Music Show. I use basically the same format, but had a much less of a library of CDs/artists that I could share on that show then. Now, my collection is at least double what it was. Plus, I enjoy sharing the music."
Stevens, 33, who works by day at Weber-Stephen Products in Schaumburg, said for his hour, "basically, I play what I like. I have taken a few requests, though I'm not too keen on that because I don't like saying 'yes' to one person, and then having to say 'no' to someone else because I don't have the song they want. I do have an e-mail address that I will use once again for the radio show this year so people can e-mail me before/during/after each show."
Stevens uses the Internet to assist his broadcast in other ways, too. He is a member of more than of 20 different online groups or message boards, to which he posted about the show last year. A couple of the boards even had running threads during the show, he said.
One of those Internet spots is a support group for people with heart conditions. Stevens has undergone three open heart surgeries, a pacemaker replacement this past February and a number of other minor surgeries, he said.
"Since WRMN has online broadcasting, my friends and family across the country were able to tune in last time. Most people who know about this year's show have told me they are really looking forward to this again, since most radio stations don't play the older music anymore on a regular basis," Stevens said.
Jim Durante of Durante Real Estate in downtown Elgin started his Let's Talk Real Estate Show on June 6, 2006. Soon the show will expand from Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. to being on a second hour each week, from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, too.
The show was up for an Elgin Image Award, and Durante bills himself as a community-minded agent. To that end, he's has county clerks, tax collectors, politicians and architects on as guests, usually interviewing them by phone.
"The very first week, I had the format all planned out. But when the mic turned on I went dry. Nothing came out of my mouth. That's when I decided to do what I do best, which is talk about real estate," said Durante.
Filling the 9 to 10 a.m. hole on Wednesdays are The Real Estate Guys, Geoff Pinkus and Bill Crane, who work for Exit Realty in Algonquin.
Crane said the show features real estate trainers, experts, investors, agents, and tips for how to sell your home. Thanks to the Web, it has found listeners across the country, if not the globe, who link to it through the Exit Realty site, www.60minuteswithexit.com. The men have even picked up a few listings from being on the air and online.
Pinkus said that the show is "edgy, entertaining, informative, and fun. We have a good time. I've played Rodney Dangerfield routines, and there are jokes and music, too."
Pinkus has reasons beyond realty for co-hosting the show: "I've always wanted to be on the radio. I'd like to pursue this," he said.