Internet Radio Station's Anniversary

ST. PETERSBURG – Life Improvement Radio reached a milestone this month.

The pioneering Internet Radio station dedicated exclusively to wellness hit its one-year anniversary. With shows that include "Going Solo: Life After Divorce" and "Live, Laugh and Love with Laurie," the St. Petersburg station appeals to the huge global audience of folks who link wellness with living well.

The station's anniversary celebration was held at Nova 535. With its high end, yet laid-back appeal, Nova was the perfect setting for a group that thrives on improving lives.

"I can't believe it," said Erik Remmel, president of Life Improvement Radio Group. "It's been one year from turning on the switch for the first time and going live."

Officials at the station had set goals about where they wanted to be in two and five years before they ever went on the air. "In six months we met every single goal we had set for five years," Remmel said about the station's success when it launched.

Internet Radio is not a new concept but it certainly is not common. So both the themed health-and-wellness format and the platform of using the World Wid Web make Remmel and his crew adventurers in media.

They're having the time of their lives. The 30 shows, such as Family Matters, have hosts who have become well known to listeners, almost like family.

"Family Matters" host Jaime Armstrong said interacting with callers is gratifying work. She is looking forward to the station and its format continuing to grow as more listeners learn about Life Improvement Radio.

Remmel said that the biggest pleasure is hearing from the loyal listeners that the station is building, such as the woman who wrote an email to say the shows helped her leave an abusive homelife. He said other fans simply write to say, "Thank you," for hosting a wellness format.

Said Remmel: "This is what motivates me to do more."