YOUR LOCAL SOUNDTRACK. Now through the new year, Converge Media will ask for funding to support its streaming costs, event production and original content. Locals might be most familiar with the nonprofit and its offshoot, Converge Radio, thanks to the music streamed throughout downtown Eau Claire and at regional arts events including the Blue Ox Music Festival. (Converge Radio studio at Pablo Center, pictured)

Picture it: You’re walking through downtown Eau Claire and the sound of music draws you from one block to the next. I often pause beneath the downtown speakers, waiting to hear a favorite track by a local artist – or a new sound I have yet to discover.

We owe downtown’s soundtrack to Converge Media, which now seeks community support to sustain its programming for local residents and those who stream around the world.

Now through the new year – with special mention to “Giving Tuesday” on Dec. 1 – Converge Media and its board of directors will ask for funding. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization – and its offshoot Converge Radio 101.9 FM – depends on grant monies and listener giving to cover streaming costs, artist interviews efforts and original video content.

Converge Radio produces a handful of original shows including Farewell Transmission, Floydian Slip, Gatefold FM, Grateful Dead Hour, See/Saw, The Rash, among others. Locals also have Converge Radio to thank for yearly live music broadcasts from the Blue Ox Festival and other events here in Eau Claire.

Cullen Ryan, longtime station manager for Converge Radio – and host of the show, This Must Be the Place – believes radio is just one key player in the local music scenes that deserve our attention.

Becoming a Sustaining Member of Converge Media begins with tier levels starting out at $5 contributions per month and can be increased to $10, $20 or $50 monthly, which comes with additional thank you gifts on behalf of the nonprofit.

Membership Benefits:

• Invitation to the Annual Converge Media Board of Directors Meeting and Social Hour.
• Monthly Newsletter.
• Invitation to Quarterly Events, with Member Presale and/or Discount Benefits to special shows and performances.
• Discount Code for the 2027 Blue Ox Music Festival and 2027 Campout in the Pines tickets.
• Converge Radio 101.9 FM Merchandise offers, including branded Apparel, Koozie and Sticker.

“It’s community radio – it belongs to all of us,” Ryan said. “Hearing local artists on air (celebrates) what makes this city so special and a unique place to live.”

As in years past, the team and board of directors behind Converge Media will gather at their Pablo Center studio space (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) on Nov. 27 to host an “open house” for area residents to connect with station personalities and fellow listeners. 

There, locals can also become Converge Media members. This donation tier includes discount codes to partnering music festivals in the area, monthly newsletter updates, invitations to board of directors meetings and more.

I for one (as a newly elected board member) will be on-site sharing holiday treats and listening to what locals hope to hear from our creative talents!

Consider this your sign to stop by with ideas – and financial contributions – and let’s discover where our shared investment in the arts will take us.

Visit the Converge Media webpage online, convergeradio.org, to learn more about how to stream its regular radio programming. Donations can be made online and in person at the open house event on Nov. 27 at the Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire).