OMC: For so many people that I know, WMSE is the only good FM choice in Milwaukee.

T.C.: At the same time, those people need to listen to other things to fully realize what we are doing. For instance, we belong to this group called The Development Exchange. It's a consultancy group, and it gives us information on small-market, nonprofit, college radio stations. I sent Jason Mohr, our development director, and Holly Emmer, our account manager, to their annual conference. They get off the plane and they've got guys from KCRW (Santa Monica) and KEXP (Seattle) in line to meet them, saying, "You guys are from THAT station? You guys are awesome!"

It was really eye opening because when you're sitting here, you only really have an idea of who you are or what you are like based on your immediate surroundings. You may be affecting people on a regional level, a national level, an international level, or you may be only affecting people in the room. It's not until you step outside of where you're at that you realize the impact that you have.

Still, some people who listen are ultra hypercritical because we're the only ones doing this here. We don't do news or sports -- there isn't anything else here to compare us to. Are we ahead of the curve? I say we are the curve. If you read "Rough Guide to Internet Radio," we're probably the fourth or fifth most listed radio station.

OMC: And you're going beyond just playing music, you're involved in the community as well. Tell us about the MSE project.

T.C.: Ever since it's first day on the air in 1981 WMSE has had this undying devotion to the local music scene. The MSE project was put together by Brent Gohde and one of our advisory committee members. We really hadn't received any grant money up until that point. We approached the Milwaukee Arts Board and we told them that we're making a commitment to launching a local music resource Web site and hosting a live band every week.

OMC: Have you been able to see the impact it's had on the local music scene?

T.C.: Yeah, it's brought bands to the radio station for a studio-quality performance and they walk out with a really awesome demo and no money changes hands.

OMC: So, now is our scene thriving like it never has before?

T.C.: It's thriving like it always has, in my opinion. There's never been a dull moment for me. If I hear you say, "Milwaukee sucks," I will correct you. A fight may ensue. I just think people shouldn't slag their surroundings. If you don't like it, then move. The only one who can change things is you.

OMC: And you've certainly proven that one person can bring about a lot of change for the better.

T.C.: And I won't stop. My whole long-term goal as manager is to create a full-on public access recording studio. There are very few in the country and we have to find the funds to make it happen here. It belongs in Milwaukee. People that are wealthy with artistic talent but not in economic means need to be able to record. We'll turn it into a live performing space, have state-of-the-art recording equipment, and because we're an engineering school, it sort of becomes a testing ground for electrical engineers. There's just so much opportunity here, it's crazy. I'm always going, "What's the next project?"

OMC: Would you ever leave this city?

T.C.: I don't think so. I like what I do too much.