Radio active
New Waterford teenager launches online radio station
Adam MacLean has had a passion for the broadcast industry for as long as he can remember.
The New Waterford teenager’s journey in the business has already begun, despite the fact he’s only 15 years old.
MacLean launched his own online classic rock radio station, 107.7 The Pop Radio on March 12.
The station, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is based out of MacLean’s 10-by-10 bedroom.
The equipment includes a mixer and laptop as well as the music program Spotify.
“In Grade 5 (at Greenfield Elementary School) I started doing live sound for the Christmas concerts and that really got me interested in the sound aspect,” said MacLean, sitting in his radio chair near the station’s laptop.
MacLean, a Grade 9 student at Breton Education Centre, discovered the idea of owning his own radio station two years ago when he purchased a small FM transmitter at Walmart for $24.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I bought it — the box said the transmitter worked within a one-block radius,” laughed MacLean. “I tried it and it worked and ever since then I’ve been trying to have my own radio station.”
Although the music the station plays was mostly produced before he was born, MacLean doesn’t seem to mind.
“Classic rock is my favourite kind of music,” said MacLean. “To be able to play those songs, I’m also getting a chance to listen to stuff that I enjoy, as well as the listeners.”
The station has only been in operation for a week and has already hosted its first live on-location feature. MacLean broadcasted live on Friday from the Mayflower Mall, which officially announced its sponsorship of the station on Wednesday through the mall’s Facebook page.
The announcement encouraged followers to listen to the radio station — they did just that.
“When I went on the dashboard (of the website) I noticed that the percentage went up 1,400 per cent (1,200 listeners) that day,” said MacLean. “I was shocked because I really didn’t know what to do or what to say at that moment, I wasn’t expecting that.”
When he’s not focusing his attention on the station, MacLean volunteers in his home community, helping with minor basketball and minor baseball.
He also does volunteer work with Eastlink TV as a camera operator, and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.
Shauna Tonary, MacLean’s mother, couldn’t be prouder of her son’s accomplishment with the station.
“I don’t really understand how he does what he does, it’s amazing,” said Tonary. “We joke and say that he can take a bag of wires and make a radio station out of it and that’s pretty much what he’s done at this point.”
Tonary never expected her son to one day have his own station.
“I thought it would really be a passing kind of project that he would get bored with, like most kids do, but no it’s grown into a lot more than that – he has quite the set up.”
During the live on location event, MacLean was approached by Jay Bedford, a well-known radio personality with New Country 103.5FM in Sydney, who will celebrate 50 years in the radio business in August.
“He told me that I was doing a good job and that he listened to the station the other day and to keep up the good work,” said MacLean with a smile. “It was pretty cool, and I was pretty excited about that.
“The feedback from listeners has been great and I look forward to the station’s future.”
Tonary was happy to see people who work in the broadcast business reach out to MacLean.
“They’re encouraging him and helping him along the way,” said Tonary. “Another important
person who has helped him along the way many times is Rob MacNamara from 101.9 The Giant, so he’s getting it from both ends of the stations.
“I think it’s important for kids to be recognized when they’re doing good things because far too often the only things we hear about children are negative and they’re not all bad.”
MacLean, who plans to enroll in a broadcasting program after high school, has no set hours as to when he will be on air as he will be juggling the station and school work for the time being, but that won’t stop the music.
His overall goal for the station is to one day be able to broadcast on the airwaves in order for people to listen to the station in their vehicles.
“I would like for everyone to listen and try it out and see how they like it,” said MacLean. “Any feedback, we encourage you to message us and let us know how we’re doing and how we can improve.” The first-ever internet radio service was launched in 1993. Online stations have grown in popularity over the years with the most listened platforms being TuneIn Radio, IHeartRadio and Sirius XM.
In 1997, Pure Rock Radio launched in Saskatoon, Sask. The internet-only station celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and is known as the longest-running internet station in Canada.
To listen to the radio station, visit www.thepop1077.com.
The station is also on Facebook by searching 107.7 The Pop or on Twitter @thepop1077.
jeremy.fraser@cbpost.com Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy