Local musicians looking to get their names out have a chance to broadcast concerts live on the radio thanks to a Muncie venue.
Doc's Music Hall, in conjunction with FM Music, hosted its second live radio show Monday night.
The weekly shows will air on 93.5 and 96.7 Max FM from 10 p.m. to midnight every Monday during "Nights with Alice Cooper." The shows are also available in real time online at fmmusiclive.com.
"Doc's approached us about the radio segment," Max FM sales manager Preston Corey said. "They wanted to give listeners some home-ground local music. The music they feature isn't classic rock, but it seems to be working well for our station so far."
FM Music has a one-year contract with Max FM, but it plans to continue to use the radio station as a media outlet. Max FM is looking for sponsors for the radio segment.
"It's meant to be fun," said Mike Martin, owner of Doc's Music Hall and FM Music. "It gives local bands a chance to be heard on the radio and Internet. I feel like this is a win-win situation for us and the radio. The featured band also gets 10 percent of the bar sales for the night."
FM Music, host of the radio show, is a promotional record company for local musicians. It is in the process of booking a summer tour for Midwest Heights. The seven-member band is comprised mostly of Ball State University alumni. The only current student in the band is senior Max Kepler.
"FM Music has helped give us a jumpstart by creating press kits and really supporting our music," Kepler said.
Midwest Heights will be featured on the radio show Monday night.
"I'm a little nervous about the interview part of the show, about coordinating seven people to speak," Kepler said.
Martin uses FM Music as a venue for teaching new artists how to book, promote and sell their own major record deals. His self-titled band was signed with Jagermeister in October 2006 and its songs have been featured in two independent films. Its last two CDs made the Top 25 list for Muncie musicians.
James Brown Car Alarm was the featured band this week. All three band members are seniors at Ball State.
"We first played at Doc's with Mike in 2007 and have stayed close friends with him ever since," said John Hottle, guitar player for the band.
Midwest Heights and James Brown Car Alarm will play at Muncie Gras Saturday.
"Hosting the radio show at Doc's has really helped bring a larger crowd on Monday nights," Martin said.
The station is still trying to work out the bugs like the video connection and feedback from the microphones. Martin said that feedback from Muncie citizens has not been resoundingly positive or negative.
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