April 20 Blog

Josh's Blog

Friday, April 20th

On the air at last!!!

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Wow, what an exciting experience the past 36 hours has been! As I sit here typing this update at 10:50pm, I've been up for almost 39 straight hours and I'm more exhausted than I've been in as long as I can remember. However, despite being tired, I'm probably as excited as I've been in my life. Tonight completed a month-long journey where I've learned more about myself, my friends, my staff, my community, and the radio business than I ever bargained that I could learn from such a tragedy.

Thanks so much to Frank Folsom of RF Laboratories, Inc, who is responsible for getting us back on the air today. True experts in AM engineering are increasingly rare, and we are lucky to have a friend like Frank to guide us through the process of creating and tuning a great-sounding AM station!

Also, I cannot say thank you enough to Brian O'Brien, who is not only the Operations Manager at the radio stations, but a dear friend as well. Without his dedication and hard work, WANO wouldn't be on the air tonight. As I write this, he is sitting in the on-air studio working away. His dedication means more to me personally than he'll ever know. Thank you, Brian, for all you do.

Thank you also to my mother, Libby, who is not only our Business Manager, but the glue which holds together the universe that is Countrywide Broadcasters. Her moral support has meant so much to me over the past few weeks. I love you, mother.

This evening, after we signed WANO on, I was sitting in the car listening to one of the most wonderful sounds I've heard in ages. The tears streamed down my cheeks...tears of joy, as I realized what a victory that flip of the transmitter switch represented. You see, hearing WANO back on the air represents more to me personally than just the fact that my business is, well, back in business. When I hear those Oldies, I think of all the people who have shown me kindness and loyalty this month. I think of all the times I've picked up the phone and been told "yes" when I had to ask for favors. And I think of Pineville, and how tonight they have their radio station back. I can't help but choke up a little as I type, because the past few weeks have proven to me that people, at their core, are good. I've been shown that if you strive to be a good person, and live a good live, you'll be rewarded. I've been rewarded more than words can express during the past few weeks, and I cannot say thank you enough to all of you who have made it possible.

Let's all take a moment to savor the victory, and enjoy OUR radio station!