Nikki Stout writesCHIRP Champion: Mike Sirvinskas

Welcome to our new volunteer feature: CHIRP Champions! We'll be using this space to highlight special folks within the CHIRP sphere who have been recognized by their peers for making extraordinary contributions to the organization. Next up is Volunteer Mike Sirvinskas!

What first drew you to get involved with CHIRP, and how long have you been with the organization? 

Live music moves me. I learned of CHIRP when I attended a Bully concert at Thalia Hall in, I think, 2017. I held on to the post-it note swag pad I picked up and reached out to volunteer during COVID about 3 years later. I then joined in one of the first post-COVID volunteer groups about 2.5 years later.

Who are your favorite local artists currently working and performing in Chicago? 

Wilco is always good. I lived with Jay Bennet many years ago and the band has aged well. Shemekia Copeland has a great voice, and I have been listening to her a lot recently.

What is the best show you’ve seen in Chicago? 

Maybe Rush at the International Amphitheater just given my age at the time and the charm of that old rathole.

If you could see any artist in history at any Chicago venue, who would it be and where? 

Led Zeppelin with Nick Drake as the opener at Salt Shed.

What CHIRP adventure are you looking forward to next? 

Tabling at shows is fun. You meet interesting fellow volunteers and get to see great shows while promoting the station. What’s better than live music?