Skowhegan Radio Station Calls Former Jail Home

A couple of Skowhegan radio DJs are in jail, but only because they work there. For the last three years, HooSkow Radio has operated from inside a cell block of the former Somerset County Jail.

"When we first came in here, there were bunks, there were two men to each cell, there were bars on the window, everything echoed,” said Music Director Annie Stillwater Gray. “We still do have the slamming doors."

"It's a little intimidating at first, but now it feels like home," said General Manager Tom Hamilton.

A home nestled inside a jail isn't the only thing that makes HooSkow special. The volunteer DJ's have a free format to play whatever songs they want.

"The music is all over the place,” said Hamilton. “You never know what's going to be coming up next. That's part of the fun of it."

All segments are prerecorded, so every hour promises a fresh and unique playlist each day.

"Every 15 minutes, it's a different DJ,” explained Gray. “People come in here and they produce their 15 minutes, and it's always people who are knowledgeable about the music. They can talk about the artist, so it's just great."

The work space may be a little cramped, but these DJ's don't mind. Their love of music and community makes it all worthwhile.

"We get a lot of positive feedback either on the street or with emails, and people are just very positive about it,” said Hamilton.

"This is nice, it's cozy,” said Gray. “I mean, right down the street they have us playing in this store, that store. Everybody's radio has us on. It's great!"