KY2K gives new twist to radio

by Karen E. Culp

SBJ Staff

A new radio station in Springfield will not be putting up a tower. KY2K Radio does not need a tower to transmit its blend of rock, country, oldies and adult contemporary music to listeners all over the country: KY2K is a commercial Internet radio station.

Terry James, founder and owner of KY2K, had been working on the concept of a commercial Internet radio station for about a year. It is the company's intention for its listeners to log on to its Web site and listen to the music while they work or explore on the Internet.

"We want to supply the background music for people while they are at their computers," said Rene? Goodwin, national public relations director for KY2K.

James is financing the project himself, and said that, unlike traditional radio stations, there are no Federal Communications Commission regulations on Internet radio stations.

"There is no monitoring at all at this point. We don't have to file anything with the FCC," James said.

The company now employs a staff of seven, but has plans to bring that number up to 12 or 15. Right now it is automated, but it will adapt to an all-live broadcast Sept. 1 when its "net-jays" will take the air to announce songs, Goodwin said.

What distinguishes KY2K from other Internet radio stations is that it is a commercial station that will sell 30- and 60-second radio advertisements to clients in the Springfield area and beyond. The station will also have space available on its Web page for display ads, Goodwin said. She added that KY2K is the first such Internet radio station to be commercial.

"We decided that commercial radio was a good way for us to go. We really intend to do to radio what cable did to television," Goodwin said.

The radio station has been playing online for about three months, Goodwin said, but will add its radio personalities to its broadcasts Sept. 1, besides adding more sales staff and some special broadcasts. Goodwin, who formerly worked for KTTS in Springfield as a reporter, said she plans to do a show on KY2K that features people who have "found love online."

James said he has worked in broadcast communications for 25 years and was intrigued by the idea of interactive radio on the Internet.

"More people are using the Internet every day," Goodwin said.

James has 25 other such stations under construction in 15 different states. He expects to have those other stations up and running in 18 months.

"I plan for this to be the headquarters or hub for a national operation of online radio stations," James said.

The station plays songs from each of its four formats all day long, Goodwin said.

"You may hear a country song first and then an adult contemporary song. We really mix the types of music you hear," Goodwin said.

In addition, the station plans to play the music of local musicians, many of whom use a recording studio in Buffalo that James owns.

"It's very difficult for local artists to get radio airplay. We hope to give them some exposure on our station," James said.

James said he first considered starting a new FM radio station in Springfield, but decided to try the online station.

"I could run two regular FMs for what it costs to run one of these, but I want to take this opportunity and do something that hasn't been done before," James said.

KY2K produces commercials in-house and is a 24-hour radio station. Right now it has its offices in the Woodruff Building downtown, but it is looking for its own, stand-alone office, Goodwin said.

In addition to Goodwin and James, who is the company's president and chief executive officer, Daniel Allen is its program director. The radio station can be found online at

www.ky2kradio.com.

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