For local, up and coming bands, exposure is the name of the game. Getting the band names out there, getting people to come to shows and getting their music heard. If there were a place where local bands could submit their music to be heard by the masses, grab on-air interview time, meet and talk shop with the bands that have made it past that point and just have a great time, they would be smiling from ear to ear.

Guess what? There is a station that does this. Not just an online station, CNEU has recently opened a studio in Lowell and will cover not only music, but include sports, pop culture and live talk shows.

Lowell-based CNEU Rock Radio is taking a new and innovative direction in true music support. New station manager Melissa Beaudet envisions the station not only pouring out great music to listeners but seeing the local music community truly come together, give support and be supported.

“I would like to see harmony within the scene, where everyone supports each other. We want to pack shows, so all these bands are heard, and we want to spread the fan base from one band to all the bands on the bills. We want fans walking away from shows with love for new bands they might not have had the opportunity to hear before. I have spent countless hours finding new bands from all over the world and putting new music into the station rotation. Examples might be Losing September from Indiana and Another Lost Year from North Carolina. We also have had music submissions from bands like Shagging Ponies from the Netherlands and Two Faced from Australia. We have music from all over the world. My main goal for CNEU is to be the biggest local and worldwide supporter for all of these unsigned bands. I want CNEU to be a stepping stone for them on their journey to becoming signed,” Beaudet said.

So what can we expect from the station, on top of the music and becoming the new band hub?

A lot.

CNEU has its hand in several projects, including sponsoring several shows throughout August, live broadcasts and branching out and adding to its rock and metal repertoire with country and hip hop choices and some talented on-air personalities.

Along with all this, there are beautiful girls … wait … what? Oh yeah. The sexy CNEU Rock Radio girls help promote the station, mingle with bands and fans at live shows, take part in car washes ~ as well as other fundraisers and charity events ~ and may be available for hire as guests at local shows to help promotions in the near future. CNEU is looking for more Rock Radio Girls, a position which can be applied for online.

“To become a Rock Radio Girl, one has to simply go to CNEUradio.com. Within the site, there is a submission tab for the Rock Radio Girls. All they have to do is fill out the quick form, add a few pictures and hit submit. The interview process consists of filling them in with what the Rock Radio Girls do and what direction we are looking to head in. We are interested in normal, everyday type girls who love the music scene. There is no specific look for our girls; we want a variety. The only requirements are that you are dedicated and love the music scene,” said Kerry Keaveny, who heads the program.

Brad Auricchio, part of the station (along with Keith Bosivert) and DJ in his spare time, credits the level of support given to the community and local bands for helping CNEU to get ahead of the pack.

“As a supporter of local artists, CNEU airs the local bands’ music in rotation on the station. We promote any shows we know that are coming up, as well as attending the shows if we are available. We put bands in touch with other bands if they are looking to fill a bill for a show. We share band pages and/or websites to gain likes and exposure for them. We have what we call the ‘Band Wall’ on our website. On this wall, it shows band logos, and when you click on the logo, it brings you right to the band’s Facebook page or website,” Auricchio said.

CNEU, which was nominated for a Worcester Music Award this past year, might just take that coveted bronze microphone home in 2015. From contests to local coverage, live shows and concerts to the girls, CNEU certainly is ramping up to explode in the industry.

In August alone, CNEU will sponsor the Rock the Boat Cruise in Boston on Aug. 21; celebrate The Raven owner Christopher Bettencourt’s birthday at The Raven on Aug. 22; and attend two events Aug. 23 ~ the Affliktion Bitch’s Pig Roast in Fitchburg and Rocks Outdoors at Drafters in Dudley.

To check out more of what CNEU is working on, see show schedules and hear some great tunes, visit cneuradio.com or facebook.com/CNEURadio.

By Jennifer Russo