Live365's "Featured Spotlight Station" this week is FUNKOLOGY RADIO! We spoke with Ernie Mitchell about their setup, what listeners can expect to hear, and the station's favorite songs. Check out the interview below!
What brought you to Live365?
I've been a Live365 broadcaster since the "old" Live365, dating back to 2009. I'm a lifelong fan and collector of funk music, and I had a deep music catalog I wanted to share to entertain other funk lovers in the U.S. and around the world. It is quite a humbling thing to know that real listeners are out there jammin' to and enjoying my station. Over the years, I've been able to establish quite a few loyal listeners, some of which have DM'ed me on Facebook to express their excitement and appreciation.
What's your studio like?
I'm using an HP desktop running Windows OS and the Live365 Broadcaster software. I have a Blue Yeti microphone and Bose headphones. I usually run my station in AutoDJ mode, but at times I use playlists.
What can listeners expect when they tune in to your station?
Each and every time they tune in to FUNKOLOGY RADIO, listeners experience some of the funkiest music ever recorded, from today and dating back to 50+ years ago to the beginning of the funk music genre. You'll hear funk pioneers like James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Ohio Players, and The Bar-Kays, to name a few. And, we're commercial-free, so the party never stops! I also do special programming on major holidays, recognize Black History Month for the entire month of February, and recognize seasons of the year like spring and summer. Lastly, on Saturdays, I do a feature I call "Saturday Jam Session," and it's an all-day party!
What has been your favorite moment as a DJ/Station Manager so far?
Because I don't limit my format to strictly "old school" funk music, it gives me the opportunity to introduce newly-released funk to the world that they probably wouldn't hear otherwise, especially on today's terrestrial radio stations. Periodically, I do new music spotlights. Additionally, I've also had the honor of interacting with some of the artists who are excited to have their music heard by a mass audience. That's been a very cool, surreal experience for me!
What is the best concert you've ever attended, and why?
I grew up in the late 70s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One very memorable show I saw was Cameo and The Bar-Kays on the same bill. It was actually 1978, my junior year of high school. Both groups had just released new albums and they were on tour promoting them. Man, that was one FUNKED UP show! We were all up dancing in front of our seats the entire show.
What artist (dead or alive) would you love to see live, but haven't had the chance to see?
Prince would've been a phenomenal live show to see. In concert, that guy blew the doors off! Also, I love how he crossed multiple genres. He was one of the most gifted rock guitarists of all time.
We asked for some of the station's favorite songs. Here's what they had to say!
- Fencewalk - Mandrill
- Housequake - Prince
- The Pinocchio Theory - Bootsy Collins
- Rigor Mortis - Cameo
- Right Place Wrong Time - Dr. John
- Do It (Let Me See You Shake) - The Bar-Kays
- Early In The Morning - The Gap Band
- Got To Be Enough - Con Funk Shun
- Movin' - Brass Construction
- Dance Floor - Zapp
Listen to FUNKOLOGY RADIO on Live365.com!
Live365 Broadcasters! Want the chance to be featured? Fill out the form at the following link: Featured Spotlight Submission Form. (Duplicate station entries will only be featured once. You must have a Live365 Broadcaster account.)
