Country Shack Radio

The station is a pioneering online radio broadcaster dedicated to exclusively American music, claiming the distinction of being the first of its kind in Catalonia. Operating as a non-profit cultural and musical initiative, the broadcaster focuses on genres including Country, Blues, and Jazz, with a commitment to promoting popular North American music. The station utilizes AAC+ encoding to deliver high-quality audio and is accessible through various online radio platforms such as Radio.net, Radio Garden, MyTuner Radio, and TuneIn. The broadcaster also previously incorporated short, licensed news bulletins from the Voice of America (VOA), though these are currently suspended due to a decision to cease the public service. The station’s online presence is further extended through podcast platforms like IVOOX, accessible via the Ràdio Sitges Online channel. The station’s programming is extensive, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. A key feature is “Music City,” a 55-minute radio program also broadcast on FM radio, produced by the broadcaster and presented on weekends at 10 PM, with repeats on Sundays at noon and Mondays/Fridays at 6 PM. Marta Balaguer presents a weekly segment featuring new music from Nashville, while Joe Fields, a music expert and former Baladeer of the Year award winner (Texas Sounds 2022), provides commentary on classic country music. Frank Colom hosts “Tot Country” and leads the Catalan Style dance choreography section, briefly highlighting a popular dance and its corresponding music. Joan Balaguer, an expert in American music and radio enthusiast, presents and edits “Music City,” and also contributes to SitJazz. The station also features corporate voices from radio personalities and voice actors Eva Lluch and Ramon Hernàndez, the latter holding the radio amateur callsign EB3GHU. The broadcaster’s history is marked by its commitment to providing a unique musical offering. Initially conceived as a cultural and musical project, it has grown to encompass a wide range of programming and distribution channels. The station’s studio is known as “The Shack,” which also serves as the name for the broadcaster’s social media presence. The station’s dedication to American music is evident in its programming and the expertise of its presenters. The inclusion of “Music City” demonstrates a broader ambition to reach audiences beyond the online platform, extending its reach through FM radio and podcast distribution. Technical aspects of the station include accessibility via Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Joan Balaguer, holding the radio amateur callsign EA3WR, manages the technical aspects of the station's operations. The station's team, including Joe Fields and Marta Balaguer, are integral to content selection and curation, operating from “The Shack.” The broadcaster's commitment to quality is reflected in its use of AAC+ encoding and its presence on multiple online platforms, allowing listeners to access the station in various locations and through different devices.