Roll The Dice Radio Proves Terrestrial Radio Is Alive And Well

Terrestrial radio is alive and well, with big stations and small. In a world flooded with streaming media, podcasts for every subject--whether or not it's worthy of a podcast--and 24/7 social media, one can still click on a traditional radio, tune in, turn on and enjoy great content as has been done since people setup their first radio sets.

Unlike in the past, traditional radio is no longer limited to local audiences, as most stations simulcast their broadcasts online, on their websites and live streaming on social media, like Facebook Live. For small stations with modest transmission power, the ability to broaden the reach from hyper-local to worldwide adds incredible value.

While terrestrial streams online along with the myriad podcasts, YouTube channels and other online sources, the difference is the presence of a gatekeeper. Anybody can gin up a podcast with little to no resources and experience and nobody to qualify and accept their show ideas. Radio stations have program directors. Radio stations have formats. Radio stations have standards and regulations. Some mistakenly believe these are unnecessary obstacles that hamper creativity and limit access to a valuable medium.

One of the few independently owned radio stations is Evanston based 1590 WCGO. The 10,000 watt station, located just north of Chicago, features a mix of programs, from informative business shows, to purely entertainment. The overall mission of 1590 WCGO is to be Chicago's SmartTalk radio.

A recent addition to the lineup is Sunday evening's Roll The Dice Radio hosted by Steve "The Diceman" Levin. Prior to developing his own hour show, Levin, of Highland Park, Illinois, was a recurring guest on The Mancow Show, The Geoff Pinkus Show and Open Road Radio.

Roll The Dice, sponsored by Chicago area businesses, strives to offer a fun yet valuable combination of business talk--Levin is a mortgage broker by trade--and levity. He accomplishes this each week by inviting in-studio and call in guests that bring varying perspectives on the world of business and the world in general. The result is a fun, fast-paced conversation.

The most recent edition of Roll The Dice featured Levin as host, and in-studio guests, software engineer and entrepreneur Steven Elster of Buffalo Grove based www.shopelster.com and comedian Larry Bloom of Highland Park based Funnier By The Lake Comedy. Previous editions included a raucous Mother's Day special, and call-in guest, famed Chicago ballplayer Ron Kittle.

Roll The Dice broadcasts live on 1590 WCGO each Sunday, 8pm to 9pm, and can be viewed and heard streaming online at the 1590 WCGO website and via the 1590 WCGO Facebook page.