I want to make a fake radio

[diy]

Basically, I've got an old radio case and thought it would be interesting to put something in it to play somewhat random MP3s in it.

By somewhat random, I mean a track wouldn't repeat within 5 songs of its last play and there would be random intermittent MP3 of the station host played.

What I need is for someone to point me in the direction I should be going with this. The easiest and least flexible way that I can think of is to take an MP3 player and make a playlist on it and hook that up inside the radio. No randomness there, though. Are there any guides online to making a controller for an MP3 player? Am I going totally the wrong way with this?

I am a hobbyist, but I am capable. I just tend to need to do more research before I start buying and soldering.

Please, give me any and all suggestions you have!

 

[Sceadwian]

Most MP3 players have a skip/backup button. Hit it randomly, you might interupt what's being played though. You could interface it to a micro controller, but that depends on how capable you are.

 

[tcmtech]

Apparently I am missing the point.
This sounds just like normal public radio station activity to me. Just pick a few songs and repeat them over and over and over again while occasionally tossing in a station ID and some advertising.

Just tune the radio to some station and let it go. You will get the same results but probably with less song selection though.

 

[flat5]

This might be useful:
MP3 Mini Board
Futurlec also has controller boards and such that will be useful, I guess.

 

[Dragon Tamer]

i think that i understand what he's saying, he should look into audioguru's fm transmiter. google it, it'll show up.