On a cold, gray February Saturday eleven years ago, my neighbor and I headed down to the late, great Double Door for a volunteer orientation meeting for a new local, independent radio station called CHIRP. Missing the camaraderie of radio and music lovers which I experienced while at NIU’s student radio station, WKDI, I quickly realized I had found a home. I was lucky enough to get an on-air shift a few months later, and that is where I have been on Friday afternoons for the last eleven years…spinning tunes on CHIRP Radio, hosting “The Friday Afternoon Happy Hour.”

I love being around so many talented and passionate volunteers whose love of music and belief in something truly unique is inspiring. I’m also constantly humbled by the listeners and supporters who step up during the pledge drives to keep the station strong. We can’t do it without you!

CHIRP is radio as it's meant to be: live, local and independent.

We are true radio believers at CHIRP. We love the music that we share with you, and we are committed to our community -- playing local bands every single hour of the day, interviewing Chicago artists for our podcast series, showcasing local nonprofits doing important work, and generally making sure we are shining a light on our city's diverse, vibrant, creative scenes. And we're doing it all without any commercials!

Your generous support makes everything we do possible. We are a truly independent, listener-supported radio station, never beholden to corporate interests.

If you believe in this work, and if you're able, we please make a donation to CHIRP today.

IMPORTANT: If you would like to become a sustaining member by making a recurring donation (monthly or quarterly), or if you want to select a thank you gift, please visit CHIRP's main donation page to make your contribution (and to give in support of the person making this post, be sure to type their full name in the "volunteer to credit" section so they can receive credit for your gift).