To the Editor:
I am writing on behalf of Rossland Radio Co-operative.
The co-operative is dire need of volunteers and programmers. Currently, we are a “bare bones” group now due to a lack of new shows and volunteers.
Some may have read earlier on the plight of the group on where they are located. As a member going on seven years, I would like to see this non-profit continue on as a vital part of our fine community.
When I started back in 2006, it was a single room establishment that was only on the Internet with about 10 shows or so. After a while, it picked up some steam and more programmers joined.
Then after a while, the co-operative moved from where it was located to a new place for a few years and some new faces joined up and slowly the shows from the first place dwindled.
After about a year at the new studio, the co-operative moved to the current place and now only a few shows, including mine, are left. The board is pondering another move, but nothing has materialized yet.
Since about February the group has been fundraising slowly by having DJ-ed events at the Aerie and currently at the town square with a barbecue.
Down the line, we’re going to have a table at the farmer’s market to sell merchandise, an upcoming bottle drive at the radio station on July 7 to which people can bring empties to the station (located at 1807 Columbia Ave.).
For becoming a member of this fine group of eclectic tastes of music, just drop by the radio station during a station meeting every Monday starting at 7 p.m., and hear what’s happening internally. And if you want to do a show, the more the merrier.
The cooperative are looking for people to do shows in the mornings and afternoons to get the city tuning in and enjoying the alternative station that is literally located in their backyard when they are gardening or having a barbecue with friends.
There are different tastes of music and bands in this community and Rossland Radio would like to expose that, something the other stations in the area wouldn’t do.
On my show, I play mainstream bands, like Van Halen, whose works won’t be played on the big name stations, or cover songs that you never hear on the radio like a Japanese punk version of ABBA’s Dancing Queen.
Rossland Radio has a duo that plays stuff only on records and another host that plays nothing but funk.
So, on behalf of Rossland Radio Cooperative, the board and the members, come and join this non-profit group, make new friends and have your music and voice heard on the radio.
Sean Bateman
Rossland Radio Cooperative programmer