ON AIR: Coffee Caboose debuts localized radio show

Published 12:31 am Monday, January 25, 2016

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE: Coffee Caboose Radio Show streams right out of the  coffee shop, and the show incorporates some of the customers who stop by.

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS
FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE: Coffee Caboose Radio Show streams right out of the coffee shop, and the show incorporates some of the customers who stop by.

It’s a little, warm spot for friends and laughter.

That’s the kind of location — and the inspiration — behind the new Coffee Caboose Radio Show, streaming online once a month.

The DJs are from right here in Washington: consultant John O’Neill, Coffee Caboose owner Mary Anne Nunnally Foy and the Caboose’s creative designer of sorts, Jennifer Skvarla Alligood.

O’Neill said the idea began when he was talking with Alligood one day about a year ago regarding the prospect of a radio station, and they decided it was worth a try.

“She perked up, as she usually does, and said, ‘Let’s do it,’” O’Neill said of Alligood.

He then began searching for an online streaming service and downloaded the appropriate software to use it. Once those mechanics were in place, the group then came up with a script for the radio show and discussed the kinds of topics to introduce.

The Coffee Caboose radio show had its first official show in December, although the first one wasn’t recorded. It garnered one listener, Foy said with a laugh, a listener who just happened to also be her daughter.

But come the second show on Jan. 12, interest had been sparked in the community.

O’Neill said they decided to incorporate a Washington History Moment for each show, drawing stories from a book written in celebration of Washington’s bicentennial celebration.

One of the featured stories detailed the life of John Cotten Tayloe, Beaufort County Hospital’s first chief of staff. Upon reading that Tayloe delivered more than 8,000 babies, O’Neill asked the customers at Coffee Caboose if anyone knew of the doctor �� to his surprise, one of those 8,000 babies was in the room that day.

O’Neill said that the people in the community have helped to make the radio show something special. He can read the words on a page, but it’s the personal stories that “give it color.”

“I’m at the point where I’m starting to think about retiring or at least cutting back,” he said. “This has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

The radio show also features local artists, including Justin Ferrari, the “talented mailman,” news items from the paper and jokes. O’Neill said they’re keeping it all clean and avoiding any political leanings to preserve the friendly atmosphere.

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS ORIGINAL WASHINGTON: One of the main parts of the Coffee Caboose is its  emphasis on Washington’s history and residents. Pictured are Coffee Caboose owner Mary Anne Nunnally Foy (left) and John O’Neill.

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS
ORIGINAL WASHINGTON: One of the main parts of the Coffee Caboose is its emphasis on Washington’s history and residents. Pictured are Coffee Caboose owner Mary Anne Nunnally Foy (left) and John O’Neill.

“I think the sky’s the limit for where we can go,” Alligood said. “I think it’s a good service for the community.”

“The people who are listening to us are enjoying us. … I work with the best people in Washington and I’m sure we’ll be successful,” she said.

O’Neill said he hopes to start having two shows per month by the spring, as well as reach out to more and more listeners.

And more importantly to him, it’s promoting the Coffee Caboose.

“I’m having fun. It’s helping Mary Anne and Jennifer,” he said.

“John is a natural DJ. It’s like his calling or something,” Foy added. “Washington is the original Washington, and we have original people.”

To listen to the next radio show on Feb. 9 at 8 a.m., visit www.myradiostream.com/coffeecaboose.