Robert Stukowski – Toon Radio

I forget how I stumbled upon Toon Radio but I was surprised to see that they were playing other things than anime. After a short tweet session with Robert Stukowski, I sent him a few questions by email and here are his answers. As usual, I’m going to put some videos of the best cartoon music covers that I could find.

Philip Tomlinson: Why did you create a cartoon music online radio station?

Robert Stukowski: Back in the late 90s, Toonami Digital Arsenal, a spin off site from ToonZone, operated a radio station called Toonami Radio. The radio station showcased music and content from that old Cartoon Network programming block. I liked what they did, and I needed something for my website. It was a few years before blogging, Facebook and etc. It only made sense at the time to start my own stream. I already had a nice collection of music, and the industry overhead at the time was mostly non-existent. For the record, I started Toon Radio back in 2001 as a hobby. In 2003, I incorporated it for legal reasons.

Thundercats Theme Song

The original Thundercats (1985-1990) were featured on Toonami.

PT: Who listens to the Toon Radio music stream?

RS:Though the number varies widely, mostly based on what else is going on in entertainment, I have about an average of 50 to 100 listeners listen every day. A few years ago it was a more anime-based listenership. These days it is often American cartoons that get the listeners. There are also about 50 people who download the Kool Kids Klub podcast, which Toon Radio hosts.

PT: What shows have the best soundtracks?

RS: It is difficult to pinpoint what my favorite soundtracks actually are. I enjoy watching the latest American cartoon as much as I like Japanese anime, both television and film. There are a few that I like more than others though. I enjoy the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, Big O music, Avatar: The Last Airbender music, and the Batman: The Animated Series soundtrack.

Batman: The Animated Series Theme 8-bit

PT: If you had to pick the best theme song, which one would you choose?

RS: I’d go with the Transformers theme song from the animated movie.

Transformers Movie Theme Song (1986)

Best Cartoons Ever Suggests

Like Toon Radio on Facebook
See what is playing @ToonRadio.