'Dream Job' Operating Ramona's Radio Station

Jon Hasz has an easy, open smile which must contribute to his success as co-owner of and operator of Ramona’s radio station.

“I’m in my dream job,” Hasz, 25, told Ramona Patch recently. “You can only achieve it in a small town like this.”

He clearly loves being the hub of the local music scene, offering a recording studio and music lesson space, as well as instruments and accessories. He has been constructing his own electrical guitar body for months, as time permits. He teaches bass guitar.

Hasz also has built a following for his online music station, RMC Radio, and it’s paying off. Up to 150 people log in each day. (Update: the station is now found at http://ramonaradio.com/)

They come from as far afield as Boston and even Italy to hear music by Ramona soloists and bands or bands with Ramona residents in them.

The station offers a broad cross section of genres, including rockabilly.

“Ramona is a big ska town,” Hasz said. He offers songs by Merissa Jones, 19, who has performed at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

“We also have Roy Rapid,” Hasz said. “It’s this band of all licensed barbers and they all have their hair in pompadours. They really get into it.”

RMC Radio also features Aja.

“She’s got an amazing resume,” Hasz said. “She used to sing with Billy Ray Cyrus.”

To see a You Tube video of Aja Alycean singing with Hasz at Ramona Music Festival click here. To see a video of her singing with Cyrus, click here.

Hasz has played guitar since 4^th grade. He started recording when he was in 7^th grade.

“I started working here and eventually bought the place in 2007,” he said.

His co-owner is Baylee Strayer, whose family previously owned the store.

Hasz said musician Aaron Rowan changed his life.

“He died at 30,” he said sadly.

Hasz went to and graduated from .

Why does he think Ramona has produced so many successful musicians?

“The great music program (at Ramona High) has to be part of it,” he said. “Also, in the backcountry, you have to find something to do. When I was in school, there were 20 to 30 bands among the kids there and each one inspired me.”

His radio station plays not only current music by Ramonans but also what he calls “throwbacks.” The music plays 24/7.

“We’re getting requests now, by Facebook or email,” he beams. “So we can play the songs people want to hear. Sometimes, I’ll play a whole album of someone’s work. I just do that once or twice so listeners can see if they want to buy it.”

The station could have another application besides music.  Ramona’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) group has approached Hasz about using the AM transmitter he has on the roof of Ramona Music Center.

“I could go AM,” Hasz said, “but right now, we’re just leaving it online. There are huge fines, like thousands of dollars per minute, if you accidentally encroach on someone else’s frequency. We would have to keep it low wattage, which would mean we’d just cover Ramona.” Hasz can see the possible application of his station in the event of a disaster in town.

Meanwhile, he’s enjoying his dream job.

RMC Radio is currently affiliated with Ramona Music Center but the owners plan to get non-profit status for it to make it more of an independent operation.