ROOTS IN RADIO. Cullen Ryan (pictured above in a comedy set with Clear Water Comedy at The Brickhouse) is the new station manager of Converge Radio 101.9 FM. But, he has had his roots in radio for longer, as he has been a longtime member of the Converge Radio board and even hosted his own radio show in college.

You might be looking at this guy and thinking, Gosh. Where do I know him from? I know him from somewhere ...

Or, you might immediately recognize him as that super funny dude that hangs around The Plus. Or, you might have this inkling that he has something to do with the local radio show “This Must Be the Place.”

As of this October, Cullen Ryan is the new station manager of Converge Radio 101.9FM.

“A lot of producing and ‘making stuff’ is building relationships,” Ryan said. “I am thankful and lucky to call some of my favorite musicians in the entire world my friends. It has enabled me to listen to others, understand their perspective, and really consider how to best serve the community.”

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I Am an absolute firm believer in the power of art. 

I don't want to get all hoity-toity and high falutin', but it fosters compassion and empathy and understanding of humanity – even the dark or aggressive stuff. It all matters, and it connects us all. I take the responsibility of connecting people through art very, very seriously. While hopefully not taking myself seriously.

Cullen Ryan

Station Manager, Converge Radio 101.9 FM

Ryan has lived in Eau Claire for almost a decade, though his roots in radio began in his college years when he hosted his own radio show. Since then, he has performed theater and stand-up comedy and most recently worked as the events coordinator at The Plus. His show, “This Must Be the Place” focuses on how music becomes such an integral part of our lives and our memories.

His move into a leadership role at Converge Radio comes amid a rollercoaster past year and a half, in which Converge Radio left its original frequency and call letters in December 2020, only to announce a new home on 101.9FM later that same month.

Now, Ryan said, there’s new opportunities to highlight the kind of stuff that Converge Radio has always been about: good, local music from western Wisconsin.

“We have an opportunity to showcase and celebrate regional and local music,” Ryan said, “and providing a place to hear that stuff publicly is super cool. It inspires more people to make stuff. And art saves lives. It really does.”

Keep an eye out for new programming that celebrates and showcases local artists, Ryan said, which is on the horizon, as well as the return of live events.

“I am an absolute firm believer in the power of art,” Ryan said. “I don’t want to get all hoity-toity and high falutin’, but it fosters compassion and empathy and understanding of humanity – even the dark or aggressive stuff. It all matters, and it connects us all. I take the responsibility of connecting people through art very, very seriously. While hopefully not taking myself seriously.”

Check out more about Converge Radio, and watch out for new shows, at convergeradio.org or at their Facebook page.