Ten years ago Bagel Radio was just a brainchild in the mind of Ted Leibowitz. After expanding to reach listeners in 150 countries, the San Francisco-based online radio station celebrates it’s 10th anniversary on February 1.

Bagel Radio Founder Ted Leibowitz.

No one was more shocked by the expansion than Leibowitz, who never thought his indie rock station would explode so quickly. The rapid growth started in 2003.

“At that point it was just a hobby,” Leibowitz said in a statement. “The station was only playing artists whose names began with the letters A through J because I hadn’t yet digitalized half my music library.”

Leibowitz has since gained many accolades, including an award for best live show by Best of Live 365 Awards, hew was twice honored with the College Music Journal (CMJ) Specialty Music Director of the Year Award and he has been featured in the New York Times, Wired Magazine and ABC News.

He teaches a class at San Francisco State University called “Blogs, Podcasts, and Internet Radio,” and DJs his own show on Bagel Radio called, “480 minutes” every Friday from 9am-5pm.

Bagel Radio recently teamed up with SomaFM, expanding their goal of promoting live in-studio performances and live music shows.

“For years we’ve been trying to figure out a way to make Bagel Radio a part of SomaFM,” said founder Rusty Hodge. “Ted is extremely independent and he’s not willing to work with broadcast groups that might control or restrict what he does. That’s our mantra here at SomaFM; we’re fiercely independent. We’re also super-selective about new programming, and Bagel was a perfect fit with the depth and variety of his music mix.”

Leibowitz is celebrating Bagel Radio’s anniversary February 1 with station favorites Mister Loveless, Churches and Birdmonster at Bottom of the Hill. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and the show starts at 8:30 pm.

• Tag: Bagel Radio, Birdmonster, Bottom of the Hill, Online Radio, SomaFM