Featured Spotlight Station: Rock 98.9

Michelle Ruoff -

Live365's "Featured Spotlight Station" this week is Rock 98.9! We spoke with Brian Paul ("B.P.") 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?

We came to Live365 just before the re-launch and at the behest of some radio colleagues who recognized we were looking for a new licensing group and platform to stream on. We also believe in the mission to support the lesser-known and lesser-heard musicians that corporate radio has overlooked in our genre.

What's your studio like?

We have a multi-location studio setup using SAM Cloud as our primary automation software. I use the Blue Yeti USB mic along with some classy AKG over-the-ear headphones when in my personal studio. When we're in our main studio, we use a more typical setup with XLR mics in our Behringer mixing board. We also have a great in-house audio engineer that helps us sound superb.

What can listeners expect when they tune in to your station?

Listeners can expect to hear what they're not hearing elsewhere on the FM dial. But while we're one of several like-minded online rock radio stations who play the same or similar artists, what makes us different is our casual and fan-centric approach to band interviews, music reviews, and promotion of local Jacksonville, FL shows. We're fans as well as music journalists and tastemakers and we feel that sets us apart from other stations.

What has been your favorite moment as a DJ/Station Manager so far?

I wake up every day fired up to log in to the console and see what's playing. I also have enjoyed my live show "Backyard Rock" and getting out in the scene to discover the new and emerging rock artists in our state and region. I'm also blessed to have our station begin sponsoring events and financially supporting the music economy in Florida.

What is the best concert you've ever attended, and why?

The Smashing Pumpkins in St. Augustine, FL during their Oceania tour. I am a HUGE Smashing Pumpkins fan and it was the first time I got to see Billy Corgan live. Although the original members weren't there at the time, it was worth the trip and driving through a rainstorm to see it. Fondest memory of that show? Billy destroying a guitar that stopped working in the middle of playing "X.Y.U." about 2/3 into their set.

What artist (dead or alive) would you love to see live, but haven't had the chance to see?

I would love to see Tina Turner with my mom. She saw her on the Private Dancer Tour in 1984 here in Jacksonville and I've always had an affinity for 80s music. We've already seen Culture Club and The B52's together and Tina has been on my list for one last concert with mom.

We asked for some favorite songs. Here's what they had to say!

  • I Of The Mourning - The Smashing Pumpkins
    The line "Radio please don't go" has always been a driving line in my work, but the whole song was a coming-of-age anthem for me.

  • Giving My Life - I-Exist
    This is a very personal song for me about servant leadership and selfless service to others. While this has been a passion project for me that's turned into a business, the impact it has had on others is unmistakable and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

  • Bury My Demons - New Dilemma
    This is from one of the independent bands we support in Florida and it is a powerful song about dealing with mental health and the importance of the fight to overcome: "Refuse to give in to my mental prison/It's time to bury my demons."

  • Stellar Cartography - The Valley Ritual
    A recent earworm from one of our area metal bands with a very progressive and almost melodic touch, this song has been an emotional release track and a really good workout motivator.

  • Bones - Gold Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM)
    My favorite girl band and their hardest driving song ever. These ladies are dear friends of mine and they are a shining example of the future of modern rock. In addition to that, Maggie English is one of the best scream-to-clean vocalists in our scene with elements of Lacey Sturm and Hayley Williams and just a pinch of Avril Lavigne for good measure.


Listen to Rock 98.9 on Live365.com, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram!

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