CHIRP

Shawn Campbell, the now former program director for WLUW, is starting a new non-profit organization working towards bringing Low Power FM radio to Chicago, which I plan on being involved in. Check out the following press release for more info and upcoming benefits:


THE CHICAGO INDEPENDENT RADIO PROJECT WORKS TO BRING LOW POWER FM RADIO TO CHICAGO
New group holds its first two fundraisers the weekend of August 10th, 2007

The Chicago Independent Radio Project (or Chicago Indie Radio) is a new group formed for the purpose of securing a new low-power FM radio station in Chicago.

CHIRP is the effort of WLUW volunteers, staff, and friends who do not want to see community radio in Chicago come to an end when Loyola University retakes programming and management control of WLUW radio in June of 2008. The group’s board members have experience in areas ranging from station management and broadcast
engineering to small business start-ups and the formation of non-profits.

Right now, there are no low power FM licenses available in Chicago or any other major city. But a new bill introduced in both Houses of Congress on June 21, the Local Community Radio Act, would change that. The bill has bipartisan support in each House, and seems to have a good chance of passage. Recently, all five FCC commissioners went on the record as saying they believe the expansion of LPFM into urban markets is worth consideration. You can find out more about this effort at http://www.freepress.net/lpfm/

The goal of CHIRP is to apply for and receive a low power FM license once they become available in Chicago. In preparation for this effort, the group will lobby for expanded LPFM signals in urban areas and raise money so CHIRP will be in good position to be able to fund the application, buildout, and management of a new radio station. Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 over the next year.

The first official CHIRP fundraisers are set for the weekend of August 10th. On Friday the 10th at Double Door, it’s a show featuring Canasta, Plane, May or May Not, and Driftless Pony Club. The show starts at 9PM, and is 21+. Admission is $10. On Sunday the 12th, it’s an all-day, family-friendly acoustic jamboree outside at the Montrose Saloon (2933 W. Montrose) with Waiflike, All About Me, the Dime Store String Band, the Mudflapps, Kent & Dorothy McDaniel, Feathergun, the Delafields, John & Ellen Wright, Eva Destruction & her Outlaw Band, and more. 12-7PM, $5 (kids under 12 free).

If the Local Community Radio Act does not become law, CHIRP will donate funds raised less administrative costs to the Prometheus Radio Project (http://www.prometheusradio.org), an organization dedicated to helping build new community radio stations.

CHIRP has a myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/chicagoindieradio. A website,
chicagoindieradio.org, is under construction. The group’s e-mail contact is chicagoindieradio@gmail.com.