Something on the airwaves
Albany man makes dream of being on radio a reality
Tired of the same old thing on the radio every day? So was Doug Parker before he started his own station, LMJ Radio. The station features mainly country music, but Parker has plans for the future of the station, adding more variety from different decades and genres.
Doug Parker was tired of hearing the same songs week after week on the local country music radio station. So, he took his lifelong passion for broadcast and decided to make his own radio station.
After he learned about the technology, LMJ Radio made its first broadcast in Dec. 2016.
He did a weekly show where he played music, and over time, began building an audience.
“I never play the same thing over and over and that’s why people like it.”
Now, just over a year later, things have changed a lot.
“I’ve gotten new equipment. I’m able to do live phone-in requests now, and I’ve got a huge studio mic now.”
He’s also landed some big stars. He has interviewed guests like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers on his show.
“When I first started doing it, I was very excited because the first people I interviewed were the Ellis Family Band, and luckily I already knew them.”
Parker was at a country music festival in Moncton when he decided he would like to interview performer Collin Raye. He contacted Raye’s agent, who gave the phone number to one of Raye’s bandmates. To his surprise, Raye agreed to be interviewed on the show.
“I was stunned because I didn’t actually think it would happen.” Interviewing Raye helped open the door for other bigger names in country music, he said.
“When you’re typing up the email to their PR people wanting interviews, when you put in you’ve interviewed Collin Raye and whoever else, automatically they’re on board.”
Aside from the country show on Sunday, Parker also does a 1980s themed show on Mondays, and plans on creating another show featuring Island performers.
“I’m in the process right now of trying to get local artists, I’ve got a couple if them lined up right now,” he said, adding, “So if anyone wants to jump aboard and wants their music known on my show, by all means.”
He also plans to work with the Christopher Cross Requests Fundraising group to create a performance piece. “We’re going to do a live broadcast of some of the singers from up in the Tignish Legion; that’s what we’re planning on.”
But for now, he wants to improve the programs he already has.
“I want to maybe start getting some pop singers, some other types of singers, just something more than just country all the time.
You can tune in to LMJ Radio by visiting lmj.radiostream321.com.