‘Bootleg Radio’ Goes National Via Satellite

“Bootleg Radio,” a homemade radio program with a local cult following, will go national via satellite at 9 tonight.

The hourlong show on KWNK (670) features unsigned rock ‘n’ roll bands. It was started last year by Lou Friedman and Rob Raino, two ragtag entrepreneurs who also run a 24-hour music service on cable television. They played local bands for several months and word spread--”Bootleg Radio” began receiving tapes from bands around the country.

Now Friedman and Raino have saved up enough money to rent time on the Playboy Channel’s satellite service every Friday night. Listeners nationwide can hear the show by tuning their satellite dishes to satcom 4, transponder 24, channel 6.2.

The first broadcast features bands from Los Angeles, Phoenix and Florida. Friedman said other bands who have been on the show have publicized it in their hometowns.

“We’ve had calls from Florida, Denver, New York,” Friedman said. “People are throwing ‘Bootleg’ parties.”

Los Angeles listeners can hear the program twice, at 9 p.m. on satellite and at 11 p.m. on KWNK.