Summerlin-based Internet radio station looks to draw listeners

Summerlin has a new radio station that's closing in on its second anniversary, and you can access it on your computer. Vegaskool.com began broadcasting March 13, 2010.

Aaron Phillips, co-host of "Vegas Unwrapped," a show that debuted Oct. 5, estimated he has an audience of 50,000 on any given day. Listeners stretch around the world.

"People want to know all about Las Vegas," he said. "There's a curiosity there."

"Vegas Unwrapped" airs from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Phillips and co-host Ricky Cash "unwrap Las Vegas one show at a time" by sharing their insights and recommendations about what is happening in Las Vegas, all done in a positive light.

Gabe Ginsberg is in charge of operations for Vegas Kool. He said Internet radio is in touch with listeners "because you know exactly what people want because they're telling you ... they're tweeting, they're Skyping in, they're emailing and then, of course, there's Facebook."

He said as many as 20 people will contact the host during an hourlong show.

While some radio hosts may find themselves at a loss for words, Phillips has never had that problem.

"When you have a passion for what you do, it's easy to talk from the heart," he said.

Phillips, a Summerlin-area resident, has a passion. His career began in his 20s in New Jersey. He was hired as on-air talent by WCNJ 89.9 FM in Hazlet, N.J. Eventually, he headed to Las Vegas and worked on Fox Sports Radio KBAD AM 920. Sports, he said, was a way to keep himself marketable.

"From a DJ's perspective, you don't want to be pigeonholed into one thing," he said.

With that in mind, "Vegas Unwrapped" includes everything from dog whisperers to authors and sprinkles in the news from around the globe.

For now, the Internet radio shows are void of a live picture feed, what Phillips called "behind the wizard's curtain, so to speak." That will change in January, when cameras come into the studio, which is near Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive.

Internet radio can be downloaded to an iPod for play later. Being able to dig instantly into the archives is another plus. And an advertiser's commercials play along with content every time the show is played.

"You don't have to hope people are listening at that moment," said Phillips. "It's a phenomenal benefit for advertisers."

The station has two interview-style shows: an entertainment show called "Tony Martini: My 50 Year Journey" and "A House Party Tonight with Don Hill." Hill is one of the legendary Treniers. Other programs include "Dining with Debbie," which has a food review format, and "Image Strategies" with Laura Rubeli.

By this time next year, it expects to have programming around the clock.

To listen to the station, visit vegaskool.com. For more information, email info@vegaskool.com or call 331-6044.

Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.