That is because the 57-year-old Sterling Heights resident is an on-air personality from the comfort of his own basement. Thanks to the Internet, he hosts his “EZHelp, You & More” radio show every Sunday using a computer and a Java applet program.

His two-hour radio show can be heard worldwide at www.ezhelp.org and he regularly gets calls from listeners from Chicago, New Jersey, the United Kingdom and Australia.

“First, I offered a software program to broadcast a radio show, and it started out as a computer help show,” says Redys, whose on-air name is Big Bob. “There was something missing. I couldn't interact with anybody, and I had to talk for two hours, so it wasn't my cup of tea.”

“Now it is a variety show — we have humor, real live guests, and sometimes we have fictitious guests. Our theme is: It never is what it appears.”

Redys launched the show five years ago with the help of four close friends who are known as The Stars of the Green Room. On-air personalities Daisy of Warren, Mystery Tramp of St. Clair Shores, Wacky Lud of Jensen Beach, Fla., and Justaguy of Little Rock, Ark., are his co-hosts.

Each host is responsible for their own segments, which include topics like religion, relationships and politics.

Internet radio shows escape the strict guidelines of the Federal Communication Commission, but Redys said his show is for the whole family.

“We don't use any vulgarity. I have nothing against Chris Rock or (Andrew) Dice Clay if they have to use that type of language to communicate humor that is fine, but we don't have to do that,” Redys said. “Because of that, we can increase our listening audience because we can have teenagers to 80-year-olds listening to us.”

Redys, who works full time as a fleet manager for the American Red Cross, said he spends about 12 hours each week preparing news segments and commentary.

John Jaczkowski goes by the name Mystery Tramp on the radio show. His biggest role is recording and editing the audio stream that is sent out over the Internet. He also does promotions and talent scouting for the show.

“It is really interesting, and it is something unique to the Internet,” said. “You get a chance to meet, talk and exchange ideas with people all over the world. The differences in humor are exciting.”

Jaczkowski, 51, who got his stage name from a Bob Dylan song, said radio shows launched over the Internet have more independence.

“Using the Internet allows us to be more creative: we are an independent entity, and we don't have to answer to any advertisers,” Jaczkowski said. “Content decisions are made by us, but that doesn't mean we are vulgar. We walk on the razor's edge of wholesome.”

In the radio show's five years of existence only one network dropped the “EZHelp, You and More” show when they decided to get rid of host talk radio.

Listeners can win prizes for winning the “Name Dat Song Contest,” and other games. Redys and his co-hosts use their own money to purchase prize items like T-shirts, magnets, computer software and desktop clocks.