At this moment, in a modest radio studio on the coast of Maine, computer servers are connecting listeners around the world to music by the band Phish and related artists.

BAR HARBOR 93.7 FM 'The Wave,' Maine's fastest-growing radio station, continued its rapid expansion this week when the Federal Communications Commission approved the purchase of legendary Bangor radio station WGUY 94.1 FM, as well as WGUY 1230 AM, WNZS 1340 AM, and WWNZ 1400 AM.

ORONO - WMEB 91.9 is the college radio station out of University of Maine in Orono. It is student-run and non-profit, allowing the station the opportunity to operate however it wants. With that freedom, they have decided to try to make a radio station that plays music that you wouldn't hear on a commercial station.

As a frequent listener, I love being able to turn to 91.9 having no idea what I will hear. Will it be an underground hip-hop track that is only a few days old or jazz odyssey from the '60s? You could find yourself listening to club music in the afternoon followed directly by a block of funk in the evening.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Full disclosure in case you didn't know, both Mike Dow and Deb Neuman write columns on a freelance basis to The Maine Edge. However, we still think it's cool that they have their own radio show together. If you are a DJ with a new radio show, we'd love to write a story about you too. Drop us a line (seriously!).

BANGOR Hearts were broken when 'The Mike and Mike Show' ended, but we were assured that the shows would go on in their respective studios and they are. Mike Elliot joined Kat Walls on The Bear, and Mike Dow headed up the stations for Big 104 FM. He is now being joined by Deb Neuman in the mornings for one big morning show. Mike Dow gave us the skinny on what listeners can expect.

When Maine Edge assignment editor Katy England asked me to submit a favorite column from the past year, I didn't need to think about it for very long.

Putting together my cover story featuring George Hale (June 20, 2012, click here to read part one) was an extraordinarily fun but somewhat difficult experience. The first draft was nearly three times the length of the story I ultimately submitted.

BANGOR After 15 years of filling the airwaves with witty banter, laughs, good will, and the occasional interesting radio moment, Kiss 94.5's morning team Mike and Mike aired their last show as a team on Friday, Oct. 18. (They swear the show ending has nothing to do with the list of Zumba Johns that was released recently.)

I was able to sit in on one of their shows during the final week as they reminisced about good times, good people and a great experience that was 15 years of 'The Mike and Mike Show.' We can't possibly fit it all in one small space, but you can go to our website and listen to the interview.

Since late July, millions of classic country music radio listeners across America have wondered what happened to their friend, Rowdy Yates, longtime host of 'Country Gold Saturday Night.'

The hugely popular syndicated show - a staple of Saturday night radio for nearly 25 years airs on 150 radio stations around the country, including Brewer's WQCB Q 106.5. The show underwent a surprising shakeup when Rowdy was replaced by country singer Randy Owen, lead singer of Alabama. With 42 number one country singles and more than 60 million albums sold, there is no denying Randy's country pedigree - but as a radio personality, Rowdy he is not.

The end of an era

Making fun of celebrity foibles is certainly an enjoyable pastime; it is what has made this space one of the more popular ones in our publication since its inception. Gentle (or not-so-gentle) mockery of the misdeeds of the rich and famous oftentimes makes for great entertainment.

However, sometimes an opportunity arises where we can celebrate the celebrities among us rather than debase them. This is one of those times. It was recently announced that The Mike and Mike Show, a longtime staple of area morning radio, is bringing its 15 year run to an end.

  George Hale in his own words

Everyone at Blueberry Broadcasting will tell you the same thing one of the best parts of our day is when we interact with George Hale. Sometimes he'll cross the hall to visit The Mike and Mike Show and flirt with one of our female guests or rail against the New York Yankees. We still have his famous 2004 'Take that you Yankee bastards!' quote ready to play at any time. Some mornings, I sneak into the GHRT studio, sit on the floor like a little kid and just listen while they do the show.

Even before I sat down to interview George for this story, I knew I wanted to present it as a first-person narrative. Nobody could tell George Hale's story better than George Hale. All I needed to do was ask questions and then step out of the way. With only a few tweaks from me, what follows are highlights in George's words - from two interviews recorded over the last two weeks. This barely scratches the surface we're talking about a man who has been a broadcaster in seven different decades. George's full story could only be told in a book. Mike Dow

Bangor radio show expands to three new markets

BANGOR Radio's Downtown is growing.

The Bangor-based radio show 'Downtown with Rich Kimball' is expanding its reach. Starting on June 25, the show which currently broadcasts on WAEI AM 910 will also be heard on three other Fox Sports Maine radio stations. WFAU AM 1280 in Gardiner/Augusta, WRKD AM 1450 in Rockland and WIGY FM 97.5 in Madison/Skowhegan are all joining the 'Downtown' family.

'Downtown with Rich Kimball' has been on the air for nine months now. Airing from 4 to 6 pm Monday through Friday, the show aims to be something a little different. It's a sports show, yes, but it isn't just about sports. There's a whole lot of community-oriented stuff; the arts are especially well-represented.