Tuning Into Community: The Heartbeat of WHFC 91.1 FM

Rich Bennett 0:00
Thanks for joining the conversation today. We are back with the crew from the number one station here in Hartford County, 90 11w hfc, f. N. And last time they were on here, we talked about the full membership drive and now we have the spring membership drive coming up. So I will let everybody introduce themselves. Going above you guys, just start wherever. 

Terry Trouyet 0:28
Okay. 

Rich Bennett 0:29
I'm going to try not to talk so much because of this, this call. 

Terry Trouyet 0:33
Okay. But I'm Terry Terry trainee and I'm the station coordinator here at HFC and, you know, we're ready to get into another membership drive. I'm Matt Terry. I'm the community outreach specialist here at Hartford Community College's radio station, 91.1 W HFC. 

Nasia Creamer 0:53
Hello, my name is Major Creamer. I am radio assistant and producer here for a 90 11w HFC. 

Terry Trouyet 1:03
I'm Paul. 

Paul Chuffo 1:04
And I'm the programmer over here and the station's 

taking care of the content. 

Rich Bennett 1:15
Before we get into the spring drive, I got to ask you guys, how did the fall membership drive go for? 

Terry Trouyet 1:21
Our membership drive was great. We knocked it out of the park. You know, when we do our membership drives, we don't really put a number in terms of dollars on it as a goal. But you know, we got close to $10,000 for the fall. Wow, that was big. So. So we're talking about if we're going to duplicate it, that will be just another giant step for our station. But very, very successful. 

Rich Bennett 1:51
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that one of the biggest ones in a while there? 

Terry Trouyet 1:54
Yes, absolutely. Because as you know, we, you know, flipped or changed the format. So you got a whole new audience that's coming in in addition, in the fall, what we did is we're doing this spring is we teamed up with Tom for Community College's marketing department, and they added some new wrinkles to it, including direct mail piece. You may have gotten the direct mail piece, I don't know. But that as well is outside marketing signs using electronic media. I mean, the whole deal to get a message out. And it worked. 

Paul Chuffo 2:30
One of the one of the great things about the fall is also like the number of new people joining up as members. You know, it was 

by a factor of like five compared to the past. So like, people are listening and people are are finally jumping in and participating now in the station, not just being a passive listener. 

Terry Trouyet 2:56
Yeah. In addition, Rich, we also had quite a number out of state contribute. 

Rich Bennett 3:01
I was going to ask you about that. 

Terry Trouyet 3:03
So I mean, we continue to see that growth. It'll be very nice and I think we average somewhere between 150 and 200 per pledge. So we're right in that area where you want to be right now. The key is to increase the number of contributors and donors right now. 

Rich Bennett 3:22
Do you know of yet any out of country? 

Terry Trouyet 3:24
That I'm not sure. I don't think we're doing. 

Nasia Creamer 3:26
Not yet. 

Terry Trouyet 3:27
We're working on. 

Rich Bennett 3:27
Not yet. 

Paul Chuffo 3:28
Yeah. Any? 

Rich Bennett 3:31
Not yet. This spring they will. 

Terry Trouyet 3:32
Yeah, they're on the way. 

Paul Chuffo 3:34
Well we look at the at the streaming statistics every once in a while and also even just like our Facebook page members, the followers, and it's all around the world, you know, and then Finland, UK, India, all over the place. 

Rich Bennett 3:53
So tell everybody the importance of making a donation, not just during the drives, but all the time. 

Terry Trouyet 4:01
Sure. I mean, of course, one of the main important factors is that you're able to support all of the new talent that's looking to create a career or start a career in broadcasting. As you know, Rich, we have the complete package here. Not only will the students learn on air, but there is production, there's podcasting. We've added more and more of a video component to it. So it's not just the voice spoken word. You'll start to see all these beautiful faces around here. We also we've also done well in getting some of the local media involved. For example, that Web program was covered by WMUR. That was a big, big, you know, boost for our radio station. We also hope to contribute to hope to team with WMUR for more messaging during our spring campaign. But again, supporting the new talent that we have here, also helping them to create the creativity, which in turn keeps us fresh. We have a continued fresh sound to the station surrounded, of course, the 888 format that we're running. The community connection is always important. I mean, we have got we've got community volunteers here like Dave May, you know, and others who have been here for a long time. And that that that is a great story to tell. And I always encourage them to to share the story as to why they have stayed here, you know, Right. So many years. That's always a good thing to do. And again, we just have, you know, the great ability to help these students. We've had a number of successes and have gone out and working for local media in the Baltimore area. And so it's important for our listeners to contribute to keep all this going, and it is going to be an ongoing process. 

Rich Bennett 6:05
So what are some of the things that you guys actually need for the station or even the student learning lab? 

Terry Trouyet 6:11
Well, I mean, I mean, Paul or Matt NASIR, you can echo in here. Certainly the continued upgrade of equipment. One of the things I like, which is not a secret, and that is to continue to get new board for the production studio. You know, we're basically 50% there. We have a new board in the on air studio. I'd like to get a duplicate one that is going to be in the production studio. In addition, we're looking to do more live talk at the radio station. So we've already gotten the seven second delay that we needed from the previous drive. Now is good to get a new studio board for production. B Also look at how we can expand the center studio. You see in the center studio that we have there for podcasting, start to expand that, so it becomes more of a talk studio for host. So you can see it, right? We're moving toward it now. It's going to take time, but I tell you, the number one priority is to get a new board for the station that's going to work well, because Zebra, which is a great automation system that we have here, well, it's digital, so it works so well and the connectivity is great. The quality will be great. And so we need to move forward and get money for that for sure. 

Rich Bennett 7:39
So with all these changes that you guys have been doing and especially at the student Learning lab, are you seeing more people. 

Terry Trouyet 7:47
Enroll fall. 

Rich Bennett 7:48
Into the college to take the courses there now? 

Paul Chuffo 7:52
Oh yeah. Well, I don't know. 

Early on we saw a couple of students that came in saying, Yeah, I saw that the station is there. And then I was then I looked at the classes and decided to start taking some classes. I haven't heard that so much recently, but we've done almost double the number of students that we have involved for radio. 

Terry Trouyet 8:16
Yeah. 

Paul Chuffo 8:17
Yeah, yeah. 

Terry Trouyet 8:18
Wow, that's awesome. 

Nasia Creamer 8:20
I mean, I just met somebody today like. Yeah, she's. She's excited to start her show on Monday. Yeah. Like, yes, they're coming in and it's really exciting to see their. 

Terry Trouyet 8:31
The number of people that we have now, Rich, is just like all we're saying it's it's doubled both in students and community volunteers. Everybody's really, you know, taking advantage of the radio learning lab. It's the the game in town to get this kind of hands on That's great. 

Rich Bennett 8:48
Tell it all everybody the type of well, the format that you guys do and how they can listen, especially for those in other countries that want to donate. You know? 

Paul Chuffo 9:01
Yeah, well, I mean, the the format the format is called triple A, that's the technical term for it, adult adult album alternative. And it was it was created maybe 20 years back at this point. 

And you it was kind of created by radio people, 

program directors, station managers, producers that were really sick of the the niche that radio's constantly stuck in. You know, you had to play only classic rock. You only have to only play R&B, you know. So it was sort of like, Well, why don't we play stuff that we think is good as opposed to, you know, having to follow this strict format? 

It took a little while, but all of a sudden you start seeing triple stations popping up all over the country. Now it's just like this gigantic format. I had a conversation when we first started with a guy named Jack Barton, who was one of the first people to just sort of shape this format and he was like, well, you know, from your from your lessons like what you've learned over the years, like, what should I avoid? And he said about music. 

Rich Bennett 10:15
Oh, I like that. 

So in other words, don't let me come on the station and sing it. 

Paul Chuffo 10:24
So within it, you know, But, you know, getting back to, to fundraising, like the the other part of it is since we're I mean, three years in with this with this format, we're still trying to grow up, grow a catalog. There's no easy fix of like, hey, no, here's a bunch of tunes that you could start with, you know, and then, you know, build up. I mean, I asked that guy Jack like, you know, is there any service, other radio stations we can call to try to get ourselves started? He said, I call your friends and neighbors and see what CDs they have. So like and we're still running on that like three years in, right? We don't we don't we don't have a music budget. We rely entirely on donations. So, you know, it's it's piece by piece. I mean, in my my office. 

Terry Trouyet 11:14
Is. 

Paul Chuffo 11:14
Stacks and stacks of CDs that people have donated. And, you know, that's a great situation to be in. 

Rich Bennett 11:20
And you guys definitely play great music, too. And I love it. It's the only place, only station where you can hear Run-D.M.C. and then turn around. And the next song would be, I mean, you could be some heavy metal, it could be some classic. It's just it's awesome, you know? It makes me feel like. It makes me feel like I'm DJ in a party. 

Terry Trouyet 11:43
Or you go right. 

Rich Bennett 11:44
Usually where you know, you're just. And then when I see DJ in a party night kind of party where everybody wants to dance, the kind where people just sit back and enjoy the music. 

Terry Trouyet 11:53
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And one of the best things is, you know, there are memories. I mean, I sit here and I hear a song and I go, Oh my goodness, I was at blah blah radio station or, you know, I was doing whatever when the song was out or Paul, I'll tell you, I'll come by and say, You know what? I played that song when it first came out. 

Paul Chuffo 12:13
You know. 

Terry Trouyet 12:15
It's the memories that come along with it. And also like, you know, my my brother in law was saying to me when he was listening to the radio station, he says, Man, you can you can be sure you hear something that you're like, that's when you've got the listener right. And of course, for all the variety that we have here, too, you know, like you said, Rich, you're going to hear something. And yeah, I mean, we're kind of, you know, well, you know, coming out of a top 40 approach myself as a programmer where everything had to be, you know, the same and the levels and all kind of whatever this goes to counter to it, but it goes counter in a good way and that we know listeners like it. We have people in, listeners tell us that they like what we're doing. We had them tell us that they're not hearing anything around that sounds like that, that tells us we've carved out a niche and then we need to just expand that. And as Paul said, it's ongoing. We have music, he has tons. He's going to be snowed under with CDs in his office soon. 

Paul Chuffo 13:22
Yeah, I'll take it with you. And, you know, I mean, over the last 30 years, Triple A itself has become a format that to my ears, listening to a lot of the stations is narrowing and becoming a niche in itself. So, you know, we just tried to blow it up and like, you know, kitchen sink, you know, that's the throw, you know, YouTube theme songs. There's throw in video game music. 

Rich Bennett 13:51
Oh, that is awesome. What? You guys do that. I'm sorry. Yeah. 

Paul Chuffo 13:54
Yeah. So, like, like it's chaos, but it's controlled chaos. It's it's curated chaos. How about that? 

Rich Bennett 14:04
Yeah. I'll never forget. Me and my daughter were driving in the car and she was all excited because Greta van Fleet game. 

Terry Trouyet 14:11
That you go Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 14:13
She said, What station is it? I said, you know the college you go to. Yeah. I said, it's them. We're playing Greta Van Fleet. Yeah. 

Terry Trouyet 14:22
Oh 

right, right. 

Rich Bennett 14:26
But it's awesome because you guys play a great variety. And what I love even more, you actually have people there talking about it. It's like, you know, what do you call it? Well, it's not syndicated, right? You actually have the students and deejays, you know, that are part of the station, which makes it now great. And I know some of your volunteers do it remotely, but they've been there for God, I want to say, forever. 

Terry Trouyet 15:03
Yeah. Joyce, I think I was just. 

Rich Bennett 15:06
I was going to say didn't enjoy start the Stacey James, I love you. I love you, Joyce. You still look like you're 25. 

Terry Trouyet 15:14
And you go, right. You know, one of the things you bring up here is something that Paul talked about early on when we started started this and that for students, as well as those who have been here for a long time, to get more into storytelling, you know, let people know what your story is, What I mean, I hear it all the time where a student in the student learning, I will talk about. Yeah, well, I was at a concert down in Baltimore and, you know, I heard blah, blah, blah and or this guitar player is fantastic. Listen to this drummer here. You know, they're sharing all these stories. Or when I was in high school, like, yeah, that was like, you know, last year. But I, you know, it's like, you know, sharing those stories. So become storytellers. And that way, each day that you're on the air is going to be different because we will have different stories to tell each day. 

Rich Bennett 16:05
Yep. And it makes people more aware of the song you're playing too, especially when you say something. I remember the guitar player, and then when you're listening to that song, you're listening for the guitar work itself, which to me when you start doing that, you appreciate music even more, right? A lot more, yeah. 

Paul Chuffo 16:24
And you're more well in, you're more. It's there's a higher chance that you're going to turn around and share that with. 

Rich Bennett 16:29
Somebody exactly. 

Paul Chuffo 16:31
Like the more people that are excited about music, talking about music, you know, if the passion continues to grow. 

Rich Bennett 16:40
So it's the other thing is too, because Matt, you go out and do remotes a lot. Well, except for probably not now because it's too cold, but mean, how does it feel when people come up and give you a compliment about the station? 

Terry Trouyet 16:57
Now it feels great, Rich. I mean, you know, like we've just been talking about it. This is one of the only games in town to do this kind of stuff and to hear this kind of eclectic mix of music. It's a great feeling because that tells me that we're doing the right things. We're taking the right action and people are listening and that they're appreciating what we're doing here. It really is one of the best feelings in the world. I mean, Nate and I were both out a lot on remotes together. And, you know, when we hear people enjoying the music and enjoying the the educational features, we know that we have the right combination here at the station. It's just it's a phenomenal feeling. And we we love interacting with our public, with our listeners. 

Nasia Creamer 17:48
We do. And when we bring the students or volunteer with us. So like Havre de Grace, Yes, Fridays, things like that. When people come up to the table, it makes the students to cover like I do that. So like a couple of them have said that. And so when you give the WHCA, you're just really imparting it to our students and our volunteers and giving them that extra awesome push and encouragement and self-confidence. And that's also something that I appreciate about the way you and I sit and see the students and see how they've grown. Because some people start out with Mike Fries or maybe they know what music to play, but then when we start to hear them grow their voice and start to share their stories and they get comfortable, even with just the hands on experience of the board and things, it's just nice to see the kids or the students rather, just growing in your donations. Help us with that and your partying just like we are. 

Terry Trouyet 18:51
Yeah, absolutely. And we're seeing our students go off to places like 1057 the fan mix, one, two, six. And it's just it's a great feeling knowing that we're a part of their learning process here at the station. 

Rich Bennett 19:06
So now something very important to tell everybody, the website and how to donate. 

Terry Trouyet 19:14
Absolutely. Yes. They can log on to HFC 911. org and they can make a donation. They can do a one time donation or they can become a monthly donor. And you set the bar. You tell us exactly how much it is that you want to spend, or if you want to spend a little, spend a little, you want to spend a lot, spend a lot. But when you donate that w HFC you're helping us plan is what you're doing. You're helping us plan for the future, for future semesters. It tells us what we can afford for our students as far as new equipment, new software packages and new learning experiences. So that's really what you're doing when you're donating to HFC. You're helping us plan for the future. 

Nasia Creamer 20:01
I mean, HFC 9110. 

Terry Trouyet 20:05
RG That's the. 

Rich Bennett 20:06
Thing. How much do they have to do? Need to get an autographed picture of you? 

Terry Trouyet 20:10
$1,000,000? 

You know, I haven't considered that yet as as a fundraising option. But I mean, generally, you know, pictures of me, I don't know if people in 

my district log. 

Nasia Creamer 20:30
On to our Facebook and Instagram. You can see that. 

Terry Trouyet 20:33
Yeah, I'm I'm the bachelor at least. 

Paul Chuffo 20:37
Eight by ten glossy. 

Terry Trouyet 20:40
MILLER Yeah. All right. Maybe smaller pictures of me with autograph like the OC. I mean, I might scare people if I'm like, on the glossy 811. 

Rich Bennett 20:50
You know, they look at the bright side. Matt You don't break cameras like I do. 

Terry Trouyet 20:55
You know, I do. I'm usually the picture taker around here. 

Rich Bennett 21:01
I can't even do that right. 

Terry Trouyet 21:05
Oh. 

Rich Bennett 21:06
Is there anything any of you would like to add before we wrap it up? 

Terry Trouyet 21:09
Well, one thing, you know, we were talked about, you know, our music format and also has a show that features local music artist. Yes, Yes. Yeah. Fresh tracks. Very fresh tracks is a platform in the community for local musicians to get the word out about their music. You know, there's so much press surrounding, you know, huge names and there's just there's not enough for the local musician. And that's what Fresh Tracks is. And that's why we started fresh tracks. And I'm I'm having a nice influx of local artists come on to the show. I just had L, L.J., R Luke Roberts as a guest. I'm having Edward Ninan coming on soon and just so many more interested artists, and that makes me feel so good because I think word is spreading about what fresh tracks is. And, you know, it just adds to the mission of HFC to be a community service here in Hartford County. So Fresh Tracks airs on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. and you can tune in if you're out of the signal of 91.1 terrestrial, you can stream us at HFC 911. org. It's also the place where you can donate. I'll say that one more time. W HFC 911. org. He's laughing if I had to give what math. 

Rich Bennett 22:40
We'll get more to is when you actually have a man on your own fresh tracks do Brad Cox. 

Terry Trouyet 22:47
Yeah Oh yeah. Very talented on very talented artist, very veteran avenue. Yeah, very talented group. 

Paul Chuffo 22:55
Also reminds me of a few weeks back we had the Rachel Hall Band come and play live. Really? In the studios? Yeah, but yeah, doing an musical mystery tour on Monday evening. 

There was no we don't have the the equipment or the setup to actually do live band, right. Like in the middle room. Like it, I mean that's kind of one of the resources we're hoping to build up. Like as we go through the fundraisers is like, you know, connecting everything, you know, getting the gear to be able to bring bands in and play live in the in the rooms. We ended up having them in the live studio or people playing, and I sort of put a slightly strategic like placement of three mikes around, you know, at least I got Rachel's voice. You could hear everybody else. But, you know, like that's the kind of thing that we could actually have more of, have bands coming through, play play here, have local bands come and perform. And also like, 

you know, have some open mikes. Yeah. Have some, you know, find some new talent, you know, that kind of thing. So, I mean, that's the kind of stuff I'm really excited about. 

Rich Bennett 24:09
So combining the radio stations of old with new as well, Terry and I remember were old enough to read the old radio stations. You had that other room where the bands would sit up in front. 

Terry Trouyet 24:23
Of our studios have always been a part of radio and, you know, and one of my dreams also, which is to to develop perhaps a noontime concert series of local. Oh, you mean performing? Okay. So I mean, you know, we have these dreams, but, you know, we're going to need support and dollars to to do that. So you have the 911 dawg. Make your contribution right now. 

Paul Chuffo 24:50
Oh, yeah. And we are part of the college, but they are extremely supportive. But we are expected to be a business. We were expected to make our own money. When we want to buy something, we have to go out and earn it before. So that's why we're doing this. 

Rich Bennett 25:07
I was going to say, explain to everybody why it is that, well, you're unlike other radio stations, you needed donations, explained everybody, why that is. 

Terry Trouyet 25:19
Well, I think Paul pretty much, you know, nailed that that we we get a certain percentage of support from the college a very small percentage. But everything else has to be done from our underwriting, which is of course, public radio's style of of commercial or advertising. Then we have our on air fundraisers, which is necessary. And as I mentioned earlier, Rich, we are starting to see some good momentum with that so we can start averaging that ten grand. I can see 15, you know, behind it, which again, we'll get those dollars in that we need for expansion of the studios, the equipment, you know, being able to get out more in the community. You know, the LA concert series, the talk part of our programming and start to come into a division. So I mean, we we need donations. We need those dollars. You can, you know, basically say that probably 95% of what we get is earned by our on our fundraising and our underwriting. 

Rich Bennett 26:24
So those of you listening, whether you're here in Hartford County or anywhere else in Maryland, here in the United States or in one of the other 97 countries tuning in, make sure you make a donation and listen to them. If you haven't listened to them yet, you don't know what you're missing. Because I'm telling you right now, a lot of great music, a lot of great conversations. And you're just it's nice to hear real voices on there. And the variety of music played. 

Terry Trouyet 26:58
Yes. 

Rich Bennett 26:59
And to make that donation, Matt, go to. 

Terry Trouyet 27:02
See 

911. org. It's the place to be. It's your one stop shop. You can stream the station and you can donate. Well, you can have a have NASIR do her little style of show on that one Where where do you go for contributing? 

Nasia Creamer 27:19
NASIR 

W hsp 911 the OR that's the place to do it yourself. 

Rich Bennett 27:27
Sorry Matt She sounded better in re doing it. 

Terry Trouyet 27:31
No. What would you like me to use my movie guy impression? 

Nasia Creamer 27:35
Check out. 

Terry Trouyet 27:38
One way to work In a world where w HFC. 

Paul Chuffo 27:43
Listeners. 

Terry Trouyet 27:45
Can donate, they can donate at one place. W HFC 911 Dawg. 

Rich Bennett 27:55
She still sounded better. 

Terry Trouyet 28:00
Dry or dry than red. 

Rich Bennett 28:04
If I say thank you so much and everybody again, make sure you donate March 4th to the what is the ten March 4th to the 10th. And even after the spring drive is over, still donate. You make sure you keep, donate or don't stop because we're looking out for the students and we're looking out for the listeners. And I'm telling you, the students love it. And the listeners. I've been a listener for, Gosh, I don't even know how long. It's it's been a long time and it's definitely well worth it. Definitely the best station out there. So make sure you make a donation. 

Nasia Creamer 28:45
Check us out on our Facebook or Instagram. We're on social media. You can follow us there. You can see what we do here at the station. You can also donate on our social media pages as well. W h I've seen my one on one Facebook and Instagram. 

Terry Trouyet 29:01
If I could add something before we leave. HFC also has a monthly newsletter and I would love to have people sign up for HFC newsletter and it keeps people in the know of what goes on here at their favorite local college station. And it shows you right where your donation dollars go to, which is right into our students and our volunteers. So if you'd like to sign up, please drop us a line at HFC at Harford Dot edu and let us know that you'd like to be a part of our monthly newsletter. I love the. 

Rich Bennett 29:38
Site. It's good newsletter too. I know, I get it. So thank you. Thanks again, everybody. 

Terry Trouyet 29:44
Thanks for.