Radio host Bill Eby sees the airways as a path to spread his faith while sitting at WCRD 91.3 FM booth at 11 on Sunday night.
Eby, a 32-year-old non-traditional student, describes his show SOAR, which stands for Standing On the Almighty Rock, as a one-hour rock opera of Christian music. He said he plays mostly upbeat stuff, like alternative, grunge and some metal.
"I never thought of having the opportunity to work in a radio station had I not gone to the super party (a sort of open house for incoming telecommunications students)," Eby said. "But I can remember being a kid and always wanting to do that."
Eby said there are two things he does with the radio show. The first is have fun, which he said he is doing. Secondly, Eby recalls advice a friend once told him.
"My friend went to an Amy Grant concert and she met another woman there who wasn't a Christian, but went because she liked the music," he said. "They met and became friends, and the woman became a Christian because she went to the concert."
Eby sees the show as an opportunity to not only gain experience, but to spark an interest in people.
"It's a great opportunity even though I know I'm not getting out to very many people," Eby said. "I wish I could do more. ... I would have liked to get into the management part as well."
This is Eby's fifth semester at the radio station. He said he has learned a lot about the radio station at Ball State, but he still has a lot to learn about the industry as a whole.
"I still don't know a lot about what goes on behind the scenes at a real radio station, but I've always been good with gadgets," Eby said.
Although Eby said he's not sure of post-graduation plans, he is interested in working with sound editing after graduation in December. He credits his interest in the field to the teachers in the Department of Telecommunications.
"There's a whole lot more to do after this, I don't think I'll do this as a career," Eby said. "There are so many different things."
For now, Eby sits in the radio booth every Sunday night, playing the music he likes to play. Eby said he plays about 60 CDs which he compiled from online discount clubs and record clubs.
"The four most popular artists, are - in this order - DC Talk, Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline and Newsboys," Eby said.
Eby said it is his Christianity and love of Christian music that drives the show. He said he doesn't think he could have done the show any other way.
Last year Eby put up flyers for his show and residents from Noyer Complex occasionally called in to request songs. All radio shows are accessible via the Internet. Because of this accessibility, Eby has had people listening from California and even as far away as the Netherlands.
Because Eby is not allowed to talk about his personal beliefs on the air, he lets the music speak for itself, and he said he would love to answer any questions people have about Christianity.
"If you listen in, like the music, buy the music and it changes you, then it's become a ministry," Eby said. "If I can make an impact on one person because of the show, then it's a success."
SOAR is accessible through Eby's Web site SOARwcrd.tripod.com, where there is more information about the show and Eby's views.
"When you know you have someone listening, it's encouraging," Eby said. "That's the really fun part."
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