Running an online radio station is basically a labor of love. Few ever make money from it, and even fewer care about such things. The station owners do it because they love music. It's more than just a hobby; it's basically a second job. But every now and then station owners are reminded just why all of the time and money spent behind the station is worth it. For Gary Wien, Program Director at ThePenguinRocks.com, that reminder came when his station was named a Featured Station on StreamFinder.com, one of the largest internet radio directories on the web.
StreamFinder.com is one of the most popular places on the Internet for music fans to find online radio stations of every genre. In addition to listing the stations, visitors at StreamFinder.com are able to nominate their favorite radio stations to be a Featured Station. Only 10 stations are nominated each month out of more than 13,000 radio stations listed in the directory. The Penguin was nominated as a Featured Station in June.
"Being named a featured station is a great honor," said Wien. "What makes it even more special is that it wasn't a contest we entered or anything. In fact, this was a complete surprise to us. Listeners nominated us on their own, which is very cool! It's always nice to know people are listening and even better to know they like what they hear.
"I've always tried to treat The Penguin as if it was a professional radio station," he continued. "I originally came from terrestrial radio and spend dozens of hours each month reviewing new music, creating station playlists, preparing our syndicated programming for broadcast, maintaining the station's website, and keeping links current in online radio directories. It's nice to see that effort rewarded from time to time."
The Penguin recently celebrated its 6th anniversary as an online radio station with a special night at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ on June 4th. The night featured live performances from George Wirth, Kyle Adem, Old Folks Home, The Sunday Blues, and Arlan Feiles and the Broken Hearted. In-between acts, a mix tape of artists regularly spun on The Penguin was played.
Broadcasting out of his sunroom, located a few blocks from the beach, the online station largely plays alternative rock and roll. The Penguin has made its name as a home for independent artists, but routinely plays songs from genres such as Americana, punk, country, and folk as well. Artists are encouraged to submit their songs to the station in mp3 form to info@thepenguinrocks.com.
About The Penguin Rocks
The Penguin is an online radio station broadcasting from Belmar, NJ run by Gary Wien, an award-winning music journalist. The station's motto is "We don't follow the charts... we make our own." In addition to its regular playlist, the station features several original and syndicated shows each week. Shows include: "Beyond the Palace" hosted by Gary Wien, "Lazlo's Den" by Lazlo of Blowupradio.com, "Rock ‘N Roll Gas Station" with Jim Testa, "Radio Show with dw dunphy", "Best of British Unsigned", "Sideways With A Badger", "Deuce Radio Show", "Classic Artists Today", and "Rock On Radio with Danny Coleman." For more information on the station, please visit the station's website at http://www.ThePenguinRocks.com or on Facebook and Twitter @thepenguinrocks.
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