Sierra Madre Has a New Radio Station

Radiofishbowl is broadcast via Internet 24-hours a day and can be accessed by anyone with a web connection, but it was created exclusively for the residents of Sierra Madre.

The programming features a hodgepodge of music styles, from alternative to bluegrass to jazz and classical. DJ Boddington, a.k.a. James Faulkner, hosts a weekday morning show from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and is actively seeking other hosts and guests to join him on the air.

The station was local entrepreneur Jim Moran’s idea, and he recruited Faulkner, who has served on Sierra Madre’s Arts Commission for the past six years, to help.

“We’re still organizing the schedule,” said Faulkner. “We’ll have everything from travel shows to local sports to local news, politics, story telling for kids… [we’re] open to doing all types of shows.” Faulkner dubbed himself “Boddington” as a nod to his favorite beer.

Though a radio station dedicated to a town with a population that falls just shy of 11,000 might raise a few eyebrows, there is a potential for it to do well. After all, this is a town with two physical newspapers, two online newspapers and a blog, all dedicated to community happenings.

“I’m hoping it’ll work,” said Faulkner. “It just takes support. Getting the buzz out there is what it’s all about.”

The station is about a month and a half old and is broadcast entirely from Faulkner’s home studio. He uses an Apple computer, a USB microphone and his personal library of over 10,000 tunes.

“I love music,” said Faulkner. “I grew up in England in the 60s when radio was more prevalent before TV, so my dad used to tape music on a reel to reel tape recorder and play it back to us.”

Faulkner said the idea is for the station to have a small town feel. “We’re not trying to be really slick and corporate,” he said, adding that Radiofishbowl’s vibe is all about being community-oriented, friendly and grassroots.

Faulkner has started to recruit members of the community to help with his operation. Faulkner said that he is working with Sierra Madre News Net to form a half hour local news show, and that ‘Sierra Madre’ Sue Behrens has offered her music library and knowledge to the station. The goal is to have a full schedule of programming and eventually court advertisers.

Radiofishbowl uses Live365 to broadcast. To listen, you can log on to the Radiofishbowl webpage at radiofishbowl.com or download the Live365 app and listen on a smart phone.

So, will you listen to Radiofishbowl? Tell us what you think of this operation in the comments.