Dialing Up Success: How I Mastered Radio Contests Using a Simple Phone Trick

In the late ’90s, radio station call-in contests were the epitome of interactive entertainment, captivating audiences with the promise of winning exciting prizes. While each station had its unique approach, the essence remained consistent across the board.

Typically, listeners were urged to dial in and become “caller number X,” with X often correlating to the station’s position on the radio dial. For instance, if you tuned in to XYZ 96, you’d strive to be caller number 96. As the minutes ticked by, eager participants eagerly awaited their turn, while on-air personalities fielded calls, announcing caller numbers until the coveted number was reached. Then, amidst the anticipation, a lucky winner would be crowned, claiming their well-deserved prize.

Ah, the memories of April 1997 still linger vividly in my mind. As a young lad, eager to impress a certain someone from my elementary school, I embarked on a mission to call our local radio station and dedicate a song to her. But fate had other plans, as I was met with the incessant drone of a busy signal each time I dialed in.

Frustration gnawed at me, threatening to dampen my spirits. Yet, a flicker of recollection stirred within me—a friend’s long-ago lesson on the intricacies of phone systems and number tricks. Little did I realize, a radio phone-in contest was unfolding before my very ears.

Unbeknownst to me, our local station was hosting a giveaway for tickets to the No Doubt Tragic Kingdom tour, scheduled to grace Indianapolis in May. While I had harbored a fondness for No Doubt’s music, the contest had slipped beneath my radar amidst my quest for a simple song dedication that evening.

After encountering multiple fast busy signals, I resorted to a trick a friend had shared—dialing a code to access premium features without charge. Following this, I dialed *66 on my phone, initiating Busy Call Return. This feature not only signaled a callback once the line cleared but also expedited my connection by automatically dialing the number I wanted to reach so when I picked up the phone it was already calling the station.

My aim was simple: to reach the radio station during their afternoon request session. By this time, they’d compile a list for the evening shift, ensuring my message reached the airwaves. As the phone rang, anticipation built within me, until finally, I was connected.

This call deviated from the norm. Instead of the usual greeting, the voice on the other end introduced the station by name and call sign before requesting mine. It was a departure from the standard practice of answering with just the call sign.

I provided my name, but then the voice on the other end asked if I knew my caller number, prompting a sudden realization that I had stumbled upon a radio contest without knowing the details. Momentarily stunned, I hesitated to respond, perhaps appearing shocked. Without skipping a beat, the host declared that I was the lucky recipient of the No Doubt CD Tragic Kingdom (a CD I had been eyeing), along with a Coca-Cola Summer Party Pack filled with coupons, a twelve-pack of Coca-Cola, a shirt, and other goodies. But the best part? Two tickets to the upcoming No Doubt concert next month.

The excitement was palpable—I had never been to a concert before. In my enthusiasm, I eagerly provided all my information to the person on the line, who inquired about my age and explained that my parents would need to accompany me to claim the prizes. Amidst the excitement, I completely forgot to make my song request, the very reason for my initial call. The request I was meant to make, wasn’t made.

A short month later on May 20th, 1997 I got to head south with my parents and enjoy the No Doubt concert which was an absolute blast.

It wasn’t long after I returned that school let out for the summer, and I hatched a plan to try my luck at winning more radio call-in contests. The Coca-Cola summer party packs were a blast, each one a unique prize, and I was determined to collect as many as I could.

After confirming that the phone bill didn’t show any extra charges for using the Busy Call Return service, I knew I could use it again. While it didn’t guarantee I’d be the right caller, it certainly improved my odds.

Most of the radio stations in my area were owned by just two media companies, and I knew that the stations owned by the company I had won with previously were giving away the summer prize packs. I tuned in to the same station where I’d scored my first win and waited for the next call-in contest.

The first contest I tried required caller number ten, but I didn’t have any luck—they went through the first ten callers too quickly. However, the very next day, they asked for a higher number, and I decided to deploy my trick.

The first callback put me about twenty-five people away from being the right caller, so I tried again. On the second callback, I was connected, and I knew right away that I was the winner.

This time, I won a LIVE CD along with my Coca-Cola prize pack. The radio personality took down my information, and I asked my mom to drive me to the station to pick up my winnings. She couldn’t believe I had won again, and I didn’t tell her about my trick for getting through the busy signals—I simply said I was feeling lucky at that moment.

I wasn’t familiar with the band LIVE at the time, but after receiving their CD in the prize package, I gave it a listen, enjoyed it, and found myself drawn to their music. As I sipped on the Cokes, sported the shirt, and delved into their album, I developed a newfound appreciation for LIVE and became determined to win another party package.

I decided to bide my time before trying my luck again, waiting until after I had collected my winnings from the first contest. About a week later, I tuned in to the radio once more, eagerly anticipating the next opportunity. Although my first attempt didn’t yield success, I persevered, and the very next day, luck was on my side once again. This time, I found myself winning another party package, complete with a CD—this time, it was Mariah with her album Butterfly. I promptly gifted the CD to my mom, who was incredulous at my knack for winning radio contests.

While she didn’t seem suspicious, she jokingly remarked that she wouldn’t mind if my winning streak continued and brought home more concert tickets. Her encouragement only fueled my determination to keep winning.

After collecting my most recent party package, I wasted no time in trying my luck again the very next day. To my delight, I scored another win on my first attempt, earning myself yet another party package. I don’t remember what was included in that package.

When I provided my information for the win, it was simply business as usual. Excitedly, I informed my mom, and a few days later, we made our way to the radio station to claim my prize. However, upon arriving at the reception, we were informed that they didn’t have my prize on hand. It turned out that the official rules for contests had been altered, stipulating that contestants could only win once every two weeks.

I had inadvertently disrupted the system. Despite the change in rules, the receptionist was understanding and kindly offered us a Coke pack, albeit without the shirt, CD, or other goodies. Disappointed but undeterred, I resolved to wait out the two-week period and give it another shot.

I understood that contests were governed by official rules, having come across many such regulations in contests online. Curious about the rules for these radio contests, I visited the station’s website, only to find that the official rules had not yet been posted. Undeterred, I decided to reach out to the media company that owned the radio station.

To my surprise, the person who answered the phone was the same individual I had spoken to at the front desk just days earlier. I explained my inquiry about the official contest rules, and she kindly offered to email the Word document to me if I provided my email address. After specifying the station, she promptly sent over the rules, and I eagerly began reviewing them.

The contest rules clearly stated that a contestant could only emerge victorious once every fourteen days across any contest hosted by the station. However, undeterred by this restriction, I sought out other stations within the company’s umbrella, suspecting they might offer similar prize packages with different CDs.

Switching my radio to one of their other stations, I found myself immersed in a playlist of contemporary pop hits. As anticipated, a similar promotion was underway. Without hesitation, I employed my tactics and promptly secured another party package. This time, I was thrilled to learn that I could choose a new album from a selection provided by the station.

After providing my details to the on-air personality, I excitedly informed my mom about my latest win. Initially skeptical, she pointed out the rule and expressed doubts about making the trip to the studio if we weren’t guaranteed a prize. Despite her reservations, she eventually agreed to accompany me.

As we stepped into the radio station, the receptionist greeted me with a hint of recognition. Consulting the list of winners, she confirmed my status and directed me to a large filing cabinet beside her desk. Retrieving the remaining items from the Coca-Cola prize pack, she granted me the privilege of selecting a CD from the cabinet.

Opting for Robyn’s “Robyn Is Here,” a familiar title amidst the array of options, I hesitated to delve too deeply into the selection, wary of any potential rule infringement. Though confident in my understanding of the regulations, I couldn’t shake the uncertainty—after all, I was just a kid navigating unfamiliar legal territory, not a seasoned attorney.

After a two-week break, I cautiously attempted to win again, just to ensure I wasn’t overstepping any boundaries. Despite feeling confident in my loophole discovery, I decided to rotate between stations. While some music genres weren’t my cup of tea, winning those free 12-packs and other goodies made it worthwhile.

Returning to the original station of my previous successes, I learned that the latest prize package included a CD I had been eyeing but couldn’t persuade my parents to buy. Determined to snag it, especially for the coveted Chumbawamba hit “Tubthumping,” I entered and emerged victorious once more. As my mother and I embarked on yet another trip to the radio station, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was growing weary of these frequent drives.

As we departed the radio station, prizes in hand, I couldn’t resist the anticipation of my next potential triumph. However, fate had other plans. A few days later, while tuned in to the radio during a break, I caught wind of a significant update to the contest rules. The media group had decreed a new decree: winners were now restricted to one victory per month across all properties.

This alteration felt like a prolonged cooldown in a virtual gaming realm—agonizingly lengthy and filled with impatience. Despite the setback, the memory of my frequent wins lingered, sparking a sense of pride and speculation. Who knows? Perhaps my streak had prompted these rule revisions. While the truth may remain a mystery, the timing certainly seemed suspiciously close.