In a previous interview with Eric Thomas, Executive Director of 101.5 FM Huntley Community Radio (HCR), he informed readers of a format change to the programming.
The station changes included:
• Featuring music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s
• Providing news and weather reports
• Sharing information about local community organizations and businesses.
Weekend programming on HCR includes live music shows, interview programs to spotlight local non-profit organizations, and many community features of Huntley.
Thomas has also successfully integrated the community into the station’s activities. He shared, “We recently partnered with the Huntley Little League and created an on-air series, Beyond the Bases, where we had conversations with Little League players to spotlight what playing baseball meant to them, and what they learned from the experience. Despite some initial nerves, the players shared about baseball, life lessons, and their favorite summer snacks, resulting in 25 engaging episodes on-air and huntleyradio.com.”
Parents brought the players to the station, where they got to take pictures of their radio stars in the newly renovated station.
Thomas said, “It turned out to be a great station promotion. Some parents were not aware of the radio station or where it was. We got some unexpected support for the station from parents who had the skills to solve some IT issues and helped us obtain some new computer equipment. Parents enjoyed relaxing in the new open space and taking pictures with their kids.”
The office space was recently transformed with a budget-conscious approach.
Thomas explained, “The renovation was a home-grown operation. All the changes came from my heart; it was my driving force. I wanted the look to be more contemporary and inviting. Being a non-profit, we had to be mindful of our budget and use what we had or could get. This approach ensures that every donation is used wisely.”
The office is decorated with framed photography and recycled frames. Thomas used a bright photo of gas pumps brought from his home that brightened out the room. A favorite three-piece photo arrangement shows the evolution of listening to music with a photo of a 1960s-era car radio to the present cell phone app and Bluetooth earphones.
“I got the furniture pieces from a neighbor for twenty-five dollars,” Thomas said. “They were in his basement, and he was getting rid of them. My wife, Danielle, must have picked up some talent from her dad, an interior designer. She designed the logo and made the new signs on the wall with a Cricut. We were quoted $2000 for the lobby sign, but she did the job herself and saved us that expense. She also cut the vinyl signs on the studio windows, identifying the studio to visitors in the shared building space.”
The logo, a new bright blue, is also on the front of the building, identifying the station to the community as they enter Deicke Park.
Thomas said, “We are very excited about our studio renovation that we started earlier this year.”
As the 101.5 FM Huntley Community Radio station continues to change, they need help moving forward.
“We need someone with sales experience to help us obtain funding to spotlight local community businesses and build relationships to increase financial support by offering radio and digital underwriting,” Thomas said.
Radio underwriting is a cost-effective way for non-profit radio stations to receive financial support from businesses and organizations through on-air announcements. Thomas said, “Anyone interested in the position can email me at eric.thomas@huntleyradio.org.”
101.5 FM Huntley Community Radio is a service to the community and an asset. It needs financial support. As a 501 (c) (3) Illinois not-for-profit corporation, the funds are exclusively for the development and operations of the station, and applied directly to meet the station’s expenses and growth.
You can donate, sign up for their e-mail newsletter, and listen to ‘The Greatest Music Of All Time’ for Kane and McHenry County on 101.5 FM and worldwide online at www.huntleyradio.com.
