…But it’s Broadcast as Usual for New Rongo Radio

 

Off the Top of My Head

By DJ Crap

After almost 14 years at Rongo Dinner Bed & Breakfast, Karamea Community Radio 107.5 FM will move into its new studio at “The Cross“ (formerly “The Bush Lounge”) on July 22.

With few interruptions, never any annoying advertisements, often considerable humour, occasional interviews and always awesome tunes, the community transmitter has been radiating out of its temporary custodial home at Rongo 24/7/365 since September 2004.

Late last year, local celebrity and bon vivant Brendan O’Dwyer, discussed with the owner of The Cross Tony Ibbotson and Rongo owner Paul Murray the idea of relocating the Karamea Radio transmitter to The Cross to make the station more easily accessible and public.

All concerned thought this to be a grand proposal and soon plans were afoot to erect an aerial and build a new radio studio. The Karamea Army then went to work, materials appeared, skills were shared, and rapid progress was made.

The new studio looks out into the evolving Vinnie’s Café and will provide his customers with an exciting accompaniment to their food and beverages. Lena at Nature Ahead will have tunes to groove to while she makes her customers more beautiful, Paul’s Property Brokers clients will hear Karamea in action and the staff and customers at the 4-Square Hardware and Info Centre will be dancing in the aisles!

The radio station has promoted Karamea and has reached over 100,000 people around the world. The exploits of “The Lisp,” “EMANON,” “NONAME, “Staunch Steve,” Big Man” and others on their on-air adventure “The Chronicles of Sputnik Follie” (think the Goon Show meets Red Dwarf) has been syndicated on a station in New York City. The world has also reached back. The “Nuphoria” radio show by DJ Marcellus Nealy comes to us from Tokyo and has thoroughly explored the “Art & Science of the Groove,” DJ Travis “Blind Dog” Taylor shares his broad blues experience with us from Adelaide, South Australia…and DJ “Raven Tuhua” keeps us mellow with psybient sounds from Westport and Wellington.

Other notable DJs over the years include DJs “Obewan” and “Echo” whose “Echoes of a Jedi” show is a mid-week staple for loyal listeners, the “Bigga than Bateman” show, DJ T, DJ “Dusty Roads” with his “Saturday Night Hoedown,” Brian “Big Man” Thomson with “Mondayitis,” “Sunday Drive,” “The Comedy Show” and of course “DJ Crap & The Big Man Blues Show.” Brian has been a stalwart of the station, and to him, we owe much credit for the evolution of Karamea Radio. Tristan “DJ Who?” Lockerbie has willingly shared his technical know-how to keep the radio broadcasting, the equipment functioning and the station improving.

From the former Karamea Radio crew at Rongo, Brian, Tristan and Paul, it has been a pleasure and an honour to have had the opportunity to look after 107.5 FM for on behalf of the community and take the radio from its humble beginnings to its current status and now proudly pass the baton on to the next team of runners. We look forward to the station progressing further and becoming an even more valuable community asset…Long may the station continue to brighten the lives of the people who a lucky enough to enjoy life in Karamea, visiting music lovers and channel’s many listeners around the world. Thank you all for listening to Karamea Radio over the years, stay tuned to 107.5 FM…It’s soon going to be better than ever!

For Rongolians, fear not, for the radio studio at Rongo will live on. Radio is very much part of Rongo life, so Rongo Radio will soon be available…For more information, please join Rongo Radio’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RongoRadio/

 

Owner of The Cross, Tony Ibbotson was unavailable for comment at the time of publication, but if you see him when he gets back from a well-deserved break, please thank him for his continuing vision and belief in the community, and the opportunities provided us by The Cross. Also to Brendan O’Dwyer, who is a driving force behind the evolution of The Cross.

To Listen to Karamea Radio Online, Please Visit: www.mixcloud.com/KarameaRadio/

Radio Station Farewell PARTY at Rongo July 21, 3-10 pm

Dear Listeners: To celebrate 14 years of Radio at Rongo, please bring your five best songs along to play at the farewell party on July 21 from 3:00-10:00 p.m. at Rongo. We will record the show and add it to the archive of Karamea Radio history.

Sausage sizzle to raise money for the new station: Bangers in Bread $5

Karamea Radio fans, see if you can find yourself in the collection of Karamea Radio memories below……

These images are from the fun we’ve had with people from all over New Zealand and the world…May the new Karamea custodians keep the good times rolling and Long Live Karamea Radio 107.5 FM!

All the images are in some way connected to Karamea Radio 107.5 FM and will remain stored in the archives, which will be added to as the story continues to unfold….Stay tuned to 107.5 FM and thanks for listening!