Andrew Kiser is in the business of helping lost objects find new life. Owner of Audio IPA (It Plays Again), Andrew and his wife, April, moved from Tampa to Williamson County in recent years, to be closer to his parents. Radios have always been Andrew’s passion, stemming from childhood memories of his parents, who, as home missionaries, relied on ham radios for cost-effective communication with his grandparents. This sparked his fascination with the power of radios.

While working as program director at a cluster of radio stations, some of the on-air hosts would come in at 5:00am and complain that the clock timer was incorrect and would not make the coffee on time. Instead of just fixing the timer, Andrew found a way to program the coffeemaker to turn on as soon as the broadcast began. From then on, motivated by his inventive spirit, he loved finding ways to make broken things work.

Growing up, Andrew collected antique radios he found at flea markets and had amassed an extensive collection by his early twenties. In 2017, he began modifying the radios to have Bluetooth capabilities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew restored and sold a few radios he had found on Facebook Marketplace, which financed he and April’s move to Williamson County more than two years ago. In August of last year, Andrew discovered a collection of over 500 antique radios for sale on Facebook. He called his father, who Andrew describes as his “rock,” to ask for his opinion on the purchase. His dad thought it was such a good idea that he offered to split the cost of the collection with him. It turned out that the collection, which had been languishing in a storage unit for decades, was a treasure trove of vintage console, tombstone, bakelite and other style radios.

Today, stepping into Andrew’s home feels like entering a museum dedicated to the history of communication. Currently, he is in possession of 350 antique radios spanning sixty years - and Andrew has made it his life’s work to breathe new life into these old objects. He showed us a radio from 1962, which he was able to connect to his iPhone via Bluetooth and - with the push of a button - the once forgotten relic started playing Post Malone. Andrew’s personal collection boasts many rare gems, including phonographs by Edison and Victrola, but his prized possession is the 1936 Marconi tabletop radio. Guglielmo Marconi invented the AM (amplitude modulation) band, which created the foundation for modern wireless communication. Marconi’s company created radios that enabled real-time communication, transforming communication around the world. “It’s highly rare to find this radio in general, let alone one that works,” says Andrew; “but I did.”

Besides equipping antique radios with modern technology, Andrew  also restores pre-loved pieces for those in the community. “I feel like I can take people back to their childhood,” he says. “About two months ago, I was called to a guy’s house to fix a radio that belonged to his wife’s grandfather. She had not heard it since she was a little girl. When I got it working and turned it on, it was a feeling like no other. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. To see the wife break down and cry over the sound of the radio, I know that I am helping bring back memories to that person.”

When he first bought the collection, Andrew never thought it would be anything more than a restoration project. But now, he has country music artists and movie producers asking to use his radios on sets. “Now, I’m seeing that vintage look is really coming back. There’s a need for that authentic look.” Andrew is excited to continue restoring these vintage treasures and connecting with folks through the power of radio. As he continues his journey in Williamson County, Andrew remains grateful for the supportive community that has embraced his passion.

 

To learn more about Andrew’s story, his process and services he offers you can visit audioipa.com.