It's been a while since I've posted a new blog. It has been extraordinarily busy behind the scenes for most of this year.

Here's some of the things we have happening now:

We are a local/regional radio promoter of the first ever Radio and Friends SAIL-abration Cruise, being sponsored by the Spin-N-Motion record label and Paradise Tours and Travel. This is a Christian cruise featuring southern and country gospel music, inspirational speakers, and songwriter Chris Binion. More details later this week here on the blog. Brochires are also available if ytou would like one. The cruise will leave from Jacksonville on Oct. 22 and will make stops at Key West and nassau. It returns to Jax on Oct. 27.

I am ACTIVELY seeking a terrestrial FM signal in my general area. This will be a noncommercial service, so I have been working up the LPFM application - and one other possibility has come up. If there is anything to it and it's not a dead end, it would be a great step up for our little station. In the meantime, we can always use donations of music, radio equipment, and cash donations. We beed a miracle, but I am ready to push forward and could provide a real service. More on that soon.

With the possibility of a local low power FM (LPFM) station license application opportunity coming up later this year, I have decided that this is an opportunity that Delta Star Radio should take advantage of.

LPFM stations are non-commercial in nature and were created with the intent of having stations that served their respective communities. Sadly, even a lot of LPFM's are not much more than satellite-fed repeaters or syndicated programming - the very elements that it was supposed to provide the listening public a respite from.

If you've been a listener to Big D Country for any length of time, you'll discover that I really enjoy country music - including some forgotten oldies that you just don't hear much anymore. That will not change if/when we are able to get an FM station - in fact, I totally do not plan to have a passive radio station! I will continue to host daily live programming as long as I am able! I love doing it.

The primary programming addition would be some more local community news, weather, road closures and the like, especially targeted to the eastern area of Tallahassee, Leon County, and the small communities of Lafayette and Chaires.

Of couse, anytime people offer me music, I'm like a kid at Christmastime. The thing is, my goal is to get the music on the air and share it, not just store it away forever. I believe our classic country offering will be expanded under LPFM.

 I also would like to add some southern gospel back into our Sunday programming. I'm not sure at what point this will happen (even us radio geeks need a LITTLE rest!) but I'd certainly like to move in that direction. And the classic Christian MUSIC OF NEW LIFE, which begins its seventh year as a weekly online ministry this month, airs now at 7:30 a.m. EST on Sundays and would be a part of the LPFM.

With the exception of local remotes and special events, we will steer away from talk programs. There's enough of them. Think of the station as an oasis in a crazy world, if you will.

I believe with the studio/office trailer we already have, the studio equipment we own, and such, that the LPFM could be built for less than $10,000. That would cover the engineering costs, the LPFM transmitter and antenna, the tower, and the EAS unit that is an FCC requirement.

This weekend, I have set up a little fundraising campaign on Fundly.com

Please check out our fundraising page, and if you feel compelled to do so, please consider helping us financially if you are able. If you own a business, we will offer underwriting spots to you for the full value of your contribution.

The programming that is currently on Big D Country's stream will continue, regardless of what is going on with the LPFM. There are a lot of local folks who are older and do not have computers. Being visually impaired myself, I know it would certainly brighten folks' day to hear a station that's a bit different. 

 I know that stretching for a 100 watt FM station will be difficult. I received less than $9000 total for 2011. So we are already pinched about as tight as is possible.

 And so, I've had a hard time deciding whether ir not I should pursue this at all. Finally I am feeling that the Good Lord is giving me the nod "yes."

Thanks for considering making a contribution to Delta Star Radio. If you don't want to use the Fundly platform, you may also send contributions directly to Delta Star Radio at the address at the bottom of the page. The radio station has its own account and I do not take any pay from it.

After spending most of 2011 doing the morning show, and later afternoons for a short time, I am moving to middays as of January 2012.

While traveling over the holidays, I noticed that the majority of stations are voice tracking middays, or are simply playing liners between songs. Since I am in favor of being interactive with our audience, I'm mostly going live between 10 am and 3 pm Eastern Time.

Another advantage? I am able to run commercial-free during the 11:55 am to 1:30 pm slot, this offering many listeners the benegit of a mostly-continuous music sweep while they are eating. Since we are being heard more and more on mobile devices, I'd like for you to hear more music during your lunch break.

I am continuing in my desire to develop Big D Country into a country radio station that truly meets your desires and needs as a listener. If I can do something better, please let me know. 

"How can I get airplay on your station?"

I receive this question, or some variation of it, every week and sometimes, almost every day.

So today, I'm sharing the answer here on the blog. I'm sure before the weke is over I'll receive another email with the same question.

Some stations and programmers do have a screening process. I didn't during my years in terrestrial radio and I don't now, but there are somethings you should consider.

Our station is primarily country, with some country/gospel music included in our regular programming. Therefore, if you send me something that's heavy metal, rock, rap, etc., it's not going to get played. If you're not sure your style fits us, please take a few minutes to listen, and get a feel for the station and its music.

Within the country genre, I do play mainstream top 40 country, classic country, traditional country, some pop country, independent artists, and some crossover country. I personally like a lot of kinds of music, so if it leans country, chances are I will at least give it a chance.

Most of the time, I will pick and choose music for on-air play within a couple of weeks. Usually it happens faster, but if the playlist is pretty full, I may have to wait a bit before making the add.

You may email mp3s to me at: alanmccal@hotmail.com. Ir you may send CDs to me at:

Alan McCall

Delta Star Radio/Big D Country

2625 Doll Place

Tallahassee, FL 32311

Once a song has been selected, you will usually receive an email from me letting you know that your song is being played.

In addition to the station, I do a daily live air show, have a small direct mail business, live on a farm and have animals to take care of, and do most of the cooking for our family.

I want you to know: I'm aware of a lor of dissatisfaction with corporate radio today. Big D Country is my one and only station. Frankly, one is plentyif you want to do it right. I tried operating a second station in 2006 with a Christian format, and it did well..at first. But the support it received financially translated to a station that could afford to broadcast about four hours...a week.So I now devote some time on Sunday to the Christian programming that did the best. It seems to work better this way.

Artists, thank you for sharing your music. We'll do our best to play it when possible.

I'd like to take a moment to wish our family of listeners and supporters a very Happy New Year.

The New Year marks some milestones for the station. We are about halfway into our 11th year of streaming, with July marking nine years as a country station. I am pleased that we've survived this long, yet a little disappointed that our listening hours and sponsorship/business models haven't grown as rapidly as we had hoped.

Nevertheless, it is what it is, and I am very thankful to those of you who have supported us with donations, whether it be financial or gifts of equipment, music, and other items. Our music library has grown over the past year, although there are still some missing titles I'd like to have. I feel confident that Big D Country has a competitive product that I'd proudly stand up against any station I've heard recently.

Because I am unable to make a living at Internet radio, though, I do have some personal changesthat I feel I need to make. One is establishing my direct mail business as my primary business. I have had to make some changes to my live broadcasts, and will announce my revised schedule in early January. It may be better. 

I remain committed to bring you the best country station I can. This includes keeping a playlist of more than the current Top 40 country hits. The classic country will continue, and I wlecome comments, suggestions, and requestsat any time.

May God bless you and your family this coming year. From all of us, Happy New Year!