Tens of thousands of listeners and hundreds of guests later, Windy City Radio celebrates its one-year anniversary at Chicago's largest FM talk radio station, WCKG 105.9 FM.
Created by the 18 year-old Windy City Times newspaper for the gay and lesbian community of Chicago, Windy City Radio took on a new life in the Summer of 2001 with seasoned hosts and producers from the folding LesBiGay Radio ( which aired in Chicago and the suburbs on AM stations for seven years ) . Also helping gay radio return to the airwaves were corporate sponsors Bud Light, Subaru, Majestic Star Casino, Bert Weinman Ford and American Airlines.
"With Windy City Radio we really try to speak to the whole community. We try to be a voice for those who still aren't comfortable being out, whether those individuals are adults or kids," said Executive Producer Danica Milich. "We're also the place where the community can turn to for local events as well as national happenings that impact the entire GLBT community."
The past year on the FM dial has been full of interesting topics and guests including singers Cyndi Lauper, Michael Feinstein, Matt Zarley and Maureen McCormick to comedians Sandra Bernhard and Bob Smith. Along with national talent, WCR continues to feature local musicians, authors, theaters, politicians and non-profit agencies along with many call-in segments including astrology, sex ed, entertaining trivia game shows, and live reports from lesbian truckers.
The core of Windy City Radio remains the personalities behind the mics. Co-hosts Amy Matheny and Jim Bennett are not only well-known to their legion of weekly listeners, but both are leaders in Chicago's theater scene. Matheny is an associate member of About Face Theatre and producer/founder of Greasy Joan Productions and Xena Live! She also was a regular radio host on LesBiGay Radio before joining the team of Windy City Radio. Bennett is a trained Second City improv actor and co-founder of GayCo Productions. To round out the team, national music editor/writer Gregg Shapiro frequents the air waves, along with seasoned news correspondent Karen Hawkins.
Windy City Radio airs on WCKG 105.9 FM on Sunday nights from 10:30 p.m.-Midnight, sharing radio space with nationally syndicated AWARE Talk Radio and LifeOUTside—a joint venture of AWARE and Windy City Radio. All shows are produced live each week and then archived on at the Web site www.WindyCityRadio.com in their entirety.
Windy City Radio will soon launch online programming at www.OutWaves.com under the guidance of Materville Studios. A wide range of local experts and celebrities will plan their own shows, including Alexandra Billings and C.C. Carter.
For more information on Windy City Radio, to request interviews or to inquire about the new online programming, contact Associate Producer Kathleen Ulm at ( 773 ) 871-7610 or via email at WindyCityMedia@aol.com .
Windy City Radio and Windy City Times are part of the Windy City Media Group, which also includes BLACKlines, En La Vida, nightspots and OUT! Guide. Visit www.WindyCityTimes.com, or visit www.WindyCityRadio.com .