2008 Woodie Awards
UTM student at the heart of 'American Heartbeat'
Jason Bohanan
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
UTM sophomore Casey McCasland's radio personality has developed a following from fans all over the world.
McCasland, known as "DJ Cobra" to the radio world, operates an Internet-based radio station from his University Village apartment. Using a personal computer and an USB microphone, the Savannah, Tenn., native broadcasts "The American Heartbeat" from his room, which is filled with special lighting and 1980s memorabilia.
The United States aside, the station is most popular in Germany and the United Kingdom, with listeners also tuning in from locales such as China and the Cayman Islands.
"This thing is broadcast all around the earth, but I only take calls from the U.S.," McCasland says.
According to McCasland, "The American Heartbeat" is currently ranked about twentieth in a genre of 235.
McCasland began broadcasting online about one and a half years ago to support American troops overseas.
"They [troops] would send in e-mails and I would give them shout outs to let the families know they're OK," he says.
Although it has retained its patriotic flavor, the station now focuses on music from the 1980s.
"I play the music that I like and people just respond. There's a good market for this kind of music," McCasland says.
"It's a good thing for faculty, staff or whoever. It's the kind of music you can listen to in your dorm room."
McCasland has also recorded concerts of bands such as Kiss, the Scorpions and Whitesnake to broadcast on his station.
"You would be amazed at the artists I get to know by playing their music. Even Steven Tyler from Aerosmith sent me an e-mail," he says.
McCasland pays $30 per month to use the Studio 365 Live 2.4 software that broadcasts the station and its accompanying studio show, which runs from 6-10 p.m. each Tuesday.
The show features special guests such as local residents and celebrities, who often send their comments to McCasland via a MP3 file.
"They have insights on current events. [They are people] who are actually educated about events," McCasland says.
Although the digital equipment saves time, McCasland concedes his hobby can be demanding.
"It can be difficult at times, especially when you're running late. It's not as easy as people think it is," he says.
"When you start getting down in the dirty stuff, that's when it takes, like, six hours."
Despite the fans and following of McCasland's radio personality, he's not certain his roommates are aware of his hobby.
"I think they get kind of suspicious because they knock on the door and ask if I'm all right," he says.
McCasland, known as "DJ Cobra" to the radio world, operates an Internet-based radio station from his University Village apartment. Using a personal computer and an USB microphone, the Savannah, Tenn., native broadcasts "The American Heartbeat" from his room, which is filled with special lighting and 1980s memorabilia.
The United States aside, the station is most popular in Germany and the United Kingdom, with listeners also tuning in from locales such as China and the Cayman Islands.
"This thing is broadcast all around the earth, but I only take calls from the U.S.," McCasland says.
According to McCasland, "The American Heartbeat" is currently ranked about twentieth in a genre of 235.
McCasland began broadcasting online about one and a half years ago to support American troops overseas.
"They [troops] would send in e-mails and I would give them shout outs to let the families know they're OK," he says.
Although it has retained its patriotic flavor, the station now focuses on music from the 1980s.
"I play the music that I like and people just respond. There's a good market for this kind of music," McCasland says.
"It's a good thing for faculty, staff or whoever. It's the kind of music you can listen to in your dorm room."
McCasland has also recorded concerts of bands such as Kiss, the Scorpions and Whitesnake to broadcast on his station.
"You would be amazed at the artists I get to know by playing their music. Even Steven Tyler from Aerosmith sent me an e-mail," he says.
McCasland pays $30 per month to use the Studio 365 Live 2.4 software that broadcasts the station and its accompanying studio show, which runs from 6-10 p.m. each Tuesday.
The show features special guests such as local residents and celebrities, who often send their comments to McCasland via a MP3 file.
"They have insights on current events. [They are people] who are actually educated about events," McCasland says.
Although the digital equipment saves time, McCasland concedes his hobby can be demanding.
"It can be difficult at times, especially when you're running late. It's not as easy as people think it is," he says.
"When you start getting down in the dirty stuff, that's when it takes, like, six hours."
Despite the fans and following of McCasland's radio personality, he's not certain his roommates are aware of his hobby.
"I think they get kind of suspicious because they knock on the door and ask if I'm all right," he says.
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