FredNetRadio Streams the 'Greats'

Keith Angstadt worked in radio his entire career.  So when it came to retirement, what would be more natural than starting an Internet radio station.

"I wanted to play in radio after retiring from radio," Angstadt told Fredericksburg Patch.  "I decided I would go back and recreate the days of radio the way it was when I entered the business in 1961." 

He began Fredericksburg Network (FredNet) Radio four years ago, and has been digitally streaming 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to a worldwide audience ever since.

Even more impressive, however, is the musicians themselves make live appearances on FredNetRadio (FNR). 

Soon after starting, Angstadt began receiving calls from all over the world.  People liked what they heard and wanted more.  Fan clubs wanted to hear their artists -- Johnny Mathis, Betty White, Brenda Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como and others.

Angstadt honored the artist's birthday with special programming, and soon the artists themselves were on-air with him.  "We've had them all on live, and we've taken calls from our listeners -- their fans  -- a world-wide audience," Angstadt said.

Doris Day's personal secretary, Mary Ann Bearthey, contacted Angstadt about starting a Doris Day show on FredNetRadio.

"We did a birthday party for Connie Francis one year, and it was a kind of magical thing between all of us," Angstadt said.  "We [still] talk to her every week, and she does "A Visit with Connie Francis" for us.  She has become a very good friend and a good friend of the station."

From Ham Radio to the Mutual Broadcasting System

Angstadt's first experience with radio began with ham radio as a kid, and his interested continued into high school.

"I was in my senior year at James Monroe High School and I hung around the station long enough that they finally decided they would put me on the radio on Sunday mornings," Angstadt said.  "WFLS at that time was only an AM station, 500 watt, and operated on William Street in the old Free Lance-Star building," he said. 

Years later, Angstadt worked for the Mutual Broadcasting System, becoming acquainted with the radio names of the 70s, including Larry King and Connie Francis. 

"Radio has changed so much over the years," Angstadt said.  "I wanted to recreate not only the music with FredNetRadio, I also wanted to do local things, such as a Sunday Morning church service ... something I feel is necessary in any community," he said.  "We did that. We carry Spotswood Baptist Church every Sunday." 

Angstadt also enjoys broadcasting special music programs from the schools, from area artists and from special events.  But he finds most groups do not respond to his invitations.  "I think some of these groups think if we broadcast their concert, people won't want to attend," he said. He, however, sees a live broadcast as publicity for the group, promotion for the venue and an entertainment outreach for those who cannot attend.

Expanding to Baltimore and Ocean City

"People from Baltimore heard about FredNetRadio and contacted me about programming," Angstadt said.  Soon Baltimore Net Radio (BNR) was formed.  "It was odd, because I was born in Baltimore," Angstadt said.

"I grew up in South Jersey, and decided one year we'd broadcast the Christmas Parade," he said.  Soon followed Ocean City New Jersey (OCNJ) Radio.  All three stations share programming.

A Thrilling Retirement

"It has been a thrill," Angstadt said.  "If you'd ever told me I'd have done this stuff after all the time at the network ... I never figured this!"

"The Internet has such superb audio quality and Skype provides excellent interview transmission," he said.  "Internet radio has given the little guy a chance to really get on the platform with the big boys."

"There are a lot of Internet radio stations, there's no question about it.  Whether or not they stay around, that's another story," he said.

"We've been continually doing this for four years now and I don't see any reason that we're ever going to stop," Angstadt said.  "We're always looking to develop new and exciting things."

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