Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWhy I’m a Member: Jonathan Tolliver

I've been wild about CHIRP for some time now. I routinely find myself wanting to hear high quality, local music. Because, who wouldn't? CHIRP, however, gives it to me just the way I like it – incredible fidelity, intelligent, quippy on air talent, and a mobile presence that is always reliable. Great for sitting in a coffee shop, eating scones, sipping something strong, and wanting to feel connected to the sounds of the city. You know how much I like CHIRP?

I don't even live in this city anymore, and it remains my go to listening experience… after 3 years. I'll keep giving these folks money, because Chicago deserves something this awesome. -- Jonathan Tolliver (Member)

Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWhy I’m a Member: Cinnamon Cooper

I was lucky to meet Shawn Campbell years and years ago for an interview I did with her for GapersBlock.com. At that time she told me how there was no room on the Chicago radio dial for any new radio stations, which I found appalling. How can a city of this glorious size not have room for more diversity among its radio stations. So I was thrilled years later to get an email from Shawn explaining her vision for what CHIRP Radio was going to be.

Since then I have spent innumerable hours (probably far more than my donations have been able to cover) learning about music that is new to me, hearing the voices of people who are excited by music sharing their interests and their knowledge with their audience. Listening to CHIRP feels like listening to a friend recommend things that they think I will like and explain why they think I’ll like them. I love CHIRP for sharing great new experiences with me and making my world full of better sounds and better people. -- Cinnamon Cooper (Member)

Craig Reptile: Your Sunday Sonic Sundowner writesWhy I Volunteer: Craig Bechtel

After years of wandering in the radio wilderness, I have found a home. Like a lot of my colleagues, I was a college radio person, and dabbled in professional radio too. But after college, I went in a different professional direction. A friend from the Chicago Indie Rock Fans Meetup Group introduced me to CHIRP at a fundraiser a few years back. I got involved because I loved the concept of Low Power FM radio stations and what they could offer to Chicago, and loved the idea of sharing my love of music with listeners. CHIRP cares about Chicago, playing great music whether it’s new or old, local or international. Non-profit, community based and operated by a volunteer staff, no other radio organization does it better, and no one else is as passionate as CHIRP.

CHIRP was instrumental in getting the Local Community Radio Act passed. The software CHIRP created to run the station online and our website are both state of the art, so much so that other stations and aspiring community broadcasters look to us for ideas and solutions. And if that weren’t enough, CHIRP was voted "best overall radio station" by the Reader and Chicago magazine. There’s no question that CHIRP Radio online has been a great success, and we will continue that effort, but our overall goal is to finally obtain a broadcast signal, and we need your help to get there. Please visit www.chirpradio.org/donatenow and make a contribution today. Thanks! -- Craig Bechtel (Volunteer)