{"id":293,"date":"2015-09-22T01:37:07","date_gmt":"2015-09-22T01:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/?p=293"},"modified":"2015-10-19T00:38:59","modified_gmt":"2015-10-19T00:38:59","slug":"woas-fm-still-evolving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/?p=293","title":{"rendered":"WOAS-FM still evolving"},"content":{"rendered":"

The All School Reunion held this past summer was a great event. \u00a0There is never a better time for alums from all across the map to return home and show their families their roots. \u00a0\u00a0Former WOAS-FM DJ Tom Dean did just that when he dropped by with his lovely wife Melissa. \u00a0Not only was he able to show her where he first got the radio bug, but he asked a lot of questions about the station\u2019s current operations and caught up on some of the more recent Ontonagon news. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We have had a lot of talented DJs pass through our studios over the years. \u00a0Some have gone off to college and gotten involved in various campus radio operations. \u00a0Tom is one of our favorite sons because once he had his foot placed firmly on the lowest rung of the radio career ladder, he started a long, steady climb to the top of his profession. \u00a0When he and Melissa departed after their reunion visit, he promised that he would send us a synopsis of his career highlights so we could do a little more expansive article about his career.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tom had contacted me a few years ago after checking out the station web site and to catch up a bit when he was working in Cincinnati. \u00a0At that time, he had offered to help us anyway he could. \u00a0He set us up with some record company contacts that are still sending us new music and \u00a0he repeated his generous offer this past summer, \u201cIf there is anything I can do to help you, just say the word.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thanks to the help of REMC-1 intern\/MTU student Stephen Radachy, we now have a stable web platform that includes both streaming audio and video from the WOAS-FM studios. \u00a0As a 10 watt radio station, WOAS-FM\u2019s broadcast radius is limited to about 20 miles depending on what terrain lay between our tower and the listener\u2019s radio. \u00a0Having a stable web presence at <\/span>www.woas-fm.org<\/span><\/a><\/span> extends our reach a little further. \u00a0To paraphrase the ZZ Top lyric, we are not only, \u2018bad and nation-wide\u2019, we are now \u2018bad and world-wide\u2019. \u00a0I am not trying to freak out our new DJs when I tell them, \u2018remember, you may have someone in Australia watching and listening to you right now,\u2019 \u00a0I am just telling them the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0WOAS-FM\u2019s day schedule is populated by student volunteers who give up some of their school day to learn the art of radio broadcasting. \u00a0Our evening schedule is a mixture of live and syndicated shows that air until our sign off which typically happens somewhere around midnight. \u00a0Our pool of long time evening DJs has dwindled and we have openings any night of the week for anyone who would like to share music. \u00a0No previous experience is necessary, only an interest in sharing music with others. \u00a0It is a wonderful thing to be able to learn radio broadcasting from the ground up and on the air because nothing blows up if one makes a mistake. \u00a0We have all made our share of bloopers on the air, but that is part of the charm of doing radio live without a net.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If you are interested in trodding the same halls that Tommy BoDean did when he started out (Tommy BoDean being Tom Dean\u2019s radio identity), please contact me or simply drop by and say hello. \u00a0My e-mail address is <\/span>ken@oasd.k12.mi.us<\/span><\/a><\/span> and my phone number is 906-813-0614 Ext 109. \u00a0If you don\u2019t want to be on the air but would like to support our all volunteer operation, we are a tax deductible organization owned and operated by the Ontonagon Area Schools. \u00a0As always, the best way to support us is to listen in at 88.5 FM or join us at <\/span>www.woas.fm.org<\/span><\/a><\/span> .<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n