We're seeking new members for our 2025 Board of Directors, as well as our founding Associate Board for young professionals 35 and under. Details and application at each of the links above.
The CHIRP Blog
Shawn Campbell writesWhat CHIRP Means to Me: Shawn Campbell
I don't know what it is, but radio has always been the thing. You know, THE thing. It's hard to explain. From the time I was about ten years old, I wanted to work in radio. And from that point forward, it was the only thing I wanted to do. So I went to college and studied radio and worked at my college radio station (see photo - and scrunchie). I got a job in commercial radio, did that for awhile, went to grad school and studied more radio (WHY?), then worked some more in commercial radio. It had its moments, but there were always compromises.
Then in 1999, I made the move back to non-commercial radio and found my true home. To get to play the bands you think are amazing, no matter what label (if any) they are on. To have the chance to showcase organizations and issues no one else is talking about. To get to make your own playlists and curate your own shows rather than going from a pre-programmed playlist. To work with passionate, like-minded music fans. All are pleasures of non-commercial radio.
But even in that non-commercial world, there are battles to fight, and at the end of the day, the party that controls the broadcast license controls the fate of the station. And with that in mind, in 2007, I decided Chicago needed a truly independent community radio station. I got a great group of people together, and we sat on the patio at Moody's and plotted out what was to become CHIRP.
Since then, it's been quite a run. We built the station we imagined. We literally created it from the ground up. More and more people joined in as we went along, even in the days (years!) before the station physically existed. And now we have more than 250 amazing volunteers. We've won awards. And we won our battle that began with day one of CHIRP -- to change the law at the federal level so we would be able to apply for a broadcast license. We applied to the FCC last October, and currently are awaiting word on our application, but we're very optimistic.
Meanwhile, we're not resting on our laurels -- everything at CHIRP is a work in progress, and we still have plenty of big dreams that we haven't checked off our list. But the fact is, it's only because of the people who have believed in us over the years that this station exists. It's because of YOU. And that's why, as we begin the second week of our spring fundraising campaign, I really hope you'll make a gift to CHIRP in whatever amount that fits your budget. 2014 is going to be a huge year for us, and your support makes all the difference. Thank you so much to all of you who have supported CHIRP over the years, and who are making pledges of support for the very first time right now. As ever, you guys rock.
Mike Pakowski writesWhat CHIRP Means to Me: Mike Pakowski
Today is $10 Day at CHIRP, and I hope you'll join me in becoming a member at this very manageable giving level. If you love CHIRP and what it represents, membership is really important, and $10 Day is a great point of entry.
I started volunteering for CHIRP in 2009, and the station and organization has become a huge part of my life. Not only am I surrounded by people with great taste and interest in the local music, arts, and cultural scene; I’m also surrounded by kind and caring individuals who are passionate about Chicago and everything this great city has to offer. There’s no other organization out there like CHIRP. I am extremely proud to be part of CHIRP, and I am very excited about what the future holds for us.
So please join me in upholding the values of community radio, because it truly is a community. Become a $10 member (or whatever level works best for you) today!
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Solomon Burke Edition
Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler, a man who knew a thing or two about soul music said that this man was “the greatest male soul singer of all time.” He may very well have been the king, as he took the stage and sat on a throne. Today is Solomon Burke’s birthday. Burke had a voice that could summon up the sweetness of Sam Cooke or the fury of Otis Redding and many colors in between. The Philadelphia native began his path to legend as so many soul singers singing in church. Moreover, by the time he was 12, he was preaching too. Yep, Solomon lived at an accelerated pace, fathering his first child at 14. One year later, he entered a talent contest which led to a bidding war to sign him. It wasn’t until he turned 21 that his records began to chart, and then waxed classics like “Cry to Me”, “If You Need Me” and “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”, among others. But Burke never ascended to the level of stardom equal to his talent. Nevertheless, he endured, he preached, he became a father and grandfather many times over, and was recognized as a major influence on so many acts. In 2002, an all-star collection of songwriters provided the material for Don’t Give Up on Me, a Grammy Award winning album that put the spotlight back on Burke, where it belonged. His voice may have lost some top end, but it gained so much in character that he may have been better than ever. In honor of Solomon Burke, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Shawn Campbell writesGreat Thank-You Gifts in CHIRP’s Spring Fundraiser
Here at CHIRP, we're in the middle of our spring fundraising campaign with a goal of $15,000, and we're so excited about the great thank-you gifts we have to offer!
For example, a $60 gift (or $15/quarter) gets you this great reusable grocery tote, perfect for the upcoming farmers' market season:
Give $120 (or $10/month) and you'll get this cool limited edition t-shirt designed by the wonderful Jaclyn Miller of Fort Foot:
And for a $240 gift (or $20/month), it's this sweet CHIRP umbrella, with a special vented design that means it won't turn inside out in the those big spring gusts:
If you give $180 (or $15/month), you'll get both the tote and the shirt, and when you become a $365 ($31/month) member, you get all three!
Make your donation today and score one of these great CHIRP gifts before they disappear forever on March 28th!
Scott McKenna writesWhat CHIRP Means to Me: Scott McKenna
I consider myself nothing less than very fortunate to have been welcomed into such an organization as CHIRP. From the first moment that I discovered the station, I knew that I wanted to be involved and took immediate steps to join. This is back just after we first began streaming live and I had absolutely zero experience in the radio industry, but had always been an avid music listener and a pro when making mixes for my friends. CHIRP gave me an opportunity and an outlet, allowing me easy access to a community of like-minded people and dedicated supporters of commercial free, community focused programming.
To look back now and appreciate what exactly we have accomplished since the beginning is astonishing. Our team has started a cultural dialog in our city that you have engaged in whether you listen, contribute, volunteer, or all of those things! While we are so appreciative of our past, it is important to look ahead now and plan for where CHIRP is going and how it will get there. As we continue to grow, evolve, and expand the reach of independent radio, your support is more important than ever. Please consider donating what you can during our spring fundraising campaign, and help us continue to foster the conversation that has become so important to me.
CHIRP is truly what you make of it, so please make the most of this opportunity to help.