Brenda Tavakoli
Staff Writer
Enterprising University of Houston students are bringing new musical notes to the masses via the Internet.
College of Business Administration students Nancy K. Worthington and Howard Ransom took second place recently at the national Enterprise Creation Competition.
Their project, "Radio Free Texas," is Worthington's brainchild. The Internet-based radio station will feature Texas-born or based artists who receive little airplay.
Artists like Jerry Jeff Walker, Shawn Colvin, the Hollisters, Kelly Willis and the Old 97's are some of the bands that will be showcased.
"I'm a big music fan and not really satisfied with the offerings on the radio," Worthington said.
Rather than complain, Worthington merged her expertise for creating Web sites and her passion for music into the project. Recently, Worthington worked three years in the music industry where she learned how to design web sites.
Worthington and Ransom, both entrepreneurship and innovation postbacculaureate students, teamed up to take the project past the classroom assignment level. Worthington said she chose Ransom to join her on the team because of his abilities as a public speaker and presenter.
The idea for Radio Free Texas, Worthington said, was born in a business planning class project last fall.
CBA Assistant Dean Thomas N. Duening entered the students in and accompanied them to the competition.
Worthington and Ransom submitted the business plan to the judges at Ohio's Miami University. The two said they were excited to learn they had made the final cut.
Once in Ohio for the competition, they vied with eight other teams for a place in the final three. Competitors included students from Xavier, Oklahoma State and Georgia State Universities. This was the first time UH has entered this particular competition.
The UH team placing second in the finals, winning a $3,500 prize. Both students also won a Hewlett-Packard computer system.
Worthington said she wants to turn the project into more than just prize money and a new computer.
Though the company's structure still needs substantial work, she said she plans to launch the site commercially. The demonstration the judges viewed was only a prototype.
Worthington will not pursue her dream alone. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation consultants and advisors are helping her finalize and construct the business.
Ransom is also "seriously considering becoming a part of the business," Worthington said.
Worthington said the site will support itself through advertisements, merchandise sales and digital music file sales. The only thing lacking to develop Worthington's ideas into reality is funding.
"The Web site development is actually near completion," she said. "We still need to get streaming audio technology in order to play the music, but that takes money we don't have."
Those interested in the site can go to www.rftx.com and leave their e-mail addresses. When the site is up and running, those who have registered will be alerted by e-mail.