Taking to the airwaves Local guys launch radio show

      Michael Martino of Lynbrook is the owner of a public relations firm, an accomplished musician, a freelance writer, happily married and thrilled to be a new father.
      The two are longtime friends, and as of Monday night, they are also the hosts of a new cutting-edge radio talk show, the first of its kind.
      The two friends are the on-air hosts of Longislandmusicscene.com Radio, a show focused on and promoting the music scene on Long Island. With mutual friend Joe Chojnacki, a media and communications wiz, as producer, they took to the airwaves on Monday, broadcasting an hour-long show that featured live music, an interview with local band Vaeda, music news, calls from fans and the personalities of the hosts.
      Just listening to Paul and Michael would be hilarious, said Chojnacki. But we do have a format. Paul is the brainchild of this radio show, and when he told me about the idea, I was so excited, I said I would do whatever he needed.
      Cuthbert-s business acumen has already paid off with his digital media company, Li1st.com, launched three years ago with business partner and friend Ray Kopeck. That inspired Longislandmusicscene.com, a comprehensive Web site for the region's music and entertainment industry. It is the first full-service Internet site to offer a portal for marketing strategies, free classifieds and complete music services for musicians, businesses and fans.
      The Web site has proved to be the perfect marketing tool for local musicians who want to learn about music venues, how to promote themselves and even advertise for other musicians. The site currently gets more than 10,000 hits per month from all over the world. The radio show is a natural extension of the services and information offered on the site.
      The Long Island music scene has changed dramatically in the last year, said Cuthbert, founder of the popular band South of Sunrise. It has the potential to be incredible, and I-m just trying to bring a little respect to it.
      Cuthbert said that when he became aware of the opportunity for airtime, he thought it would be a great way to promote the Web site, Long Island bands and the music scene in general. Michael was the first guy I called to host the show with me, said Cuthbert. And then it was the logical thing to get Joe involved. Ray is the ultimate overseer, and that-s our core team.
      The way this team came together is a story in itself. Six degrees of separation is too broad for them -- these guys have lives that intertwine in layers. Cuthbert, Martino and Chojnacki grew up in either Lynbrook or East Rockaway, and Cuthbert and Chojnacki still live there. All three attended St. Raymond-s Elementary School, all are, or were, volunteer firemen, and each is a musician in his own right.
      It was just a matter of time before we all worked together, said Chojnacki. I bounced ideas off Paul when I started my band. He's always been like a big brother to me.
      The friends have signed on for 13 weeks of radio time with WLIE-AM 540, with plans to extend their contract. The show is broadcasts from the Deer Park radio station on Mondays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
      "With the station's digital capabilities, it allows anyone with an Internet connection to listen and actually see the show live," said Martino. "The radio show is in a good position because of the amazing property that Paul and Ray have created in Longislandmusicscene.com. It's a proven entity, and has become a guiding light for musicians around the world. The radio show is a perfect complement to an already flourishing venture."