I, Gabrielle Riel, would like to inform our listeners that Radio Riel presenter and technical director Elrik Merlin has announced that he will be ending his 13-year association with the station, effective November 30. Elrik joined the station just a few months after his arrival in Second Life in 2007, and since then he has presented a combination of regular shows and special events. His voice has also become familiar to listeners on station idents and sponsor messages.
“I am sad in many ways to be leaving Radio Riel”, he said, “but after over a decade with the station I think it’s time for me to move on. There are some things I’d like to explore in the realm of broadcasting in the virtual and real worlds, notably which include an emphasis on spoken word-based content and other new directions. It has been a great pleasure to support my friend and colleague Gabi on the Radio Riel project over the years — in fact it’s been a major part of my life both in-world and out. We are parting on the best of terms and I wish her great and continuing success going forward.”
Elrik’s new broadcasting project will be titled “Virtual Community Radio”, or VCR, and will begin test transmissions in the near future, based at vcradio.org. “Initially I will be continuing the Wednesday and Saturday daily programming that I produced for Radio Riel, with playlist-based programming the rest of the time,” he says. “But in due course I intend to include additional content that will take us in a rather different direction. I have no intention of competing with Radio Riel,” he says, “and ultimately our paths will be very different. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we collaborated on some joint projects in the future,” he concluded.
We at Radio Riel wish Elrik the absolute best as he moves forward with his exciting new project. He was integral to the development of the station and we would not be what we are today without his contributions. Thank you for all you have done for Radio Riel Elrik and good luck with your next broadcasting chapter!