The Peru Gazette

Aaron Ishmael following his visit with the Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – It’s a safe bet that very few people know that Peru, NY has three new radio stations operating within its boundaries. 103.7 FM and 1070 AM (WPLB) are operating out of the old WEAV building on the Lake Shore Road and 97.9 FM “The Moose Real Country” is transmitted from the Terry Mountain tower once utilized by WPTZ television. Aaron and Jessica Ishmael are co-owners of all three stations. When the Peru Gazette spoke to Aaron today, he and his wife Jessica were loading a truck at their Bristol, Connecticut home. In a few days the Ishmaels and their 3-year old son Henry will be North Country residents.

Aaron Ishmael is pursuing his lifelong dream of being a radio station owner. His father, a program director at a northeastern Colorado radio station, exposed him to all phases of broadcasting ranging from being a D.J. to news and engineering. He finally concluded that the best career opportunities would be in broadcast engineering. Starting out in Denver, Aaron’s career has taken him to the States of Washington, Georgia, Wyoming, New York and Connecticut. His last two jobs were with ESPN, first as chief engineer at WEPN in New York City and then as chief engineer for the ESPN Radio Network headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut.

The Ishmaels are coming to a very competitive radio market. Thirty-five stations serve northeastern New York. Aaron Ishmael believes that his stations can find a niche. He explained, “I believe in radio as a medium. I’ve seen too many cases of it not working for the people. I want to see it work for the people. We will emphasize the Champlain Valley with a focus on Plattsburgh and Burlington.” Ishmael has signed a lease for studio space at 29 Clinton St. in Plattsburgh. He said, “ Even though today’s stations are very automated, I want people to walk by and see the station in operation.”

The stations can be streamed online at www.TheMoose.fm and www.1037WPLB.com. The Moose 97.9 has a 80s and 90’s “real country’ format while WPLB 1070 AM/103.7 FM features late 50’s and 60’s rock and roll, early country and early R&B. 1070 AM and 103.7 FM also broadcast SUNY Plattsburgh women’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball. Local marketing consultant Herman Downer has also been doing live remote broadcasts from local businesses and events.

The Ishmaels are seeking more local sales representatives. Aaron can be reached at 518-490-9790. Anyone who would like to learn about advertising on the stations should contact Herman Downer at 518-257-0716.