Post by Ozone Express Radio on Sept 8, 2011 20:09:41 GMT -6
I usually don't rail too much about folks who earn their living on the airwaves, but after my experience this evening, I have to at least voice my displeasure.
I was listening to a local "oldies" station. I say "oldies" because they play anything from late 60's to early 80's.
Anyway, every weekday evening, from 10PM to Midnight, they have a call-in request show. Normally I just listen and its the same thing they toss into their daily rotation, just shifted around a little, with one or two songs that bounce in from out of left field maybe every week or so.
Tonight, they played Blood, Sweat and Tears, followed by Alive and Kickin', then a little Chicago. All mainstream hits. Just for kicks, I decided to call the DJ and request some Yardbirds. Nothing specific. I simply asked in these words: "Can you play some Yardbirds?" There was a pause of about 5 seconds, then came: "Um..................let me see...........maybe.............let me see what I can do."
Needless to say, no Yardbirds of any variety were played. I know for a fact this station pulls all of its selections off the satellite, so variety isn't a problem. What is then? PD? Lazy DJ? Scared to lose his job DJ? If I'd requested some obscure side three unheard of song I might understand, but really, is anything Yardbirds considered too unusual for the air anymore?
This is exactly why I now have a transmitter at my command.
I think all stations get their songs from a list of about 300.
Program directors of two local stations say every month they get a list of "240 approved songs" they're allowed to play..... because it's what the latest rating guide tells them to play.
Request lines are a thing of the past.
Radio isn't about people anymore, only ratings. It's why every slot in the Vancouver-Seattle radio corridor is filled with Classic Rock, Pop or 24/7 news and sports. The only Jazz station is run by the Lutheran Church!
Other than hourly news in the car, I haven't turned an AM/FM radio on in over two years.
Post by Ozone Express Radio on Feb 27, 2013 22:34:48 GMT -6
Radio is a business, and it needs to turn a profit, but I swear, if I hear one more station owner or employee whine about how they are running on the razors edge of profit, then I will go down there and shred their copy of Arbitrons offerings.......
They cling to that like a life preserver. I'd bet if they went out on a limb, they might see a buck or two more in the coffers. They might also please a few listeners in the process too.
In response to Ozone Express Radio....RIGHT ON! I started doing this because the "oldies" stations gradually as time went on weren't "real" oldies anymore, and the only way to keep this on the radio was to do it myself. Just ask ANY oldies station to play, just for example, "I'm gonna knock on your door" by Eddie Hodges, a national #1 hit in 1961 yet that would be off of their stupid beaten path of 250 to 300 songs and they have a problem with going back that far! My signal covers a neighbourhood around me and my coverage is from the early 50s to the late 70s and an equal number of songs are played from each year in the time period covered. And, everything is played from Do-Wop to Disco, with 1000s of songs...not 300! I offer a real alternative on the radio.
Same reason for me mark - I discovered old 40's stuff via the net in the mid 9's stuff like Vera Lynn/Boswell Sisters/ and a little later stuff like Teresa Brewer (thank you Scour & Napster of the 90's for pointing to so many oldies I NEVER KNEW ABOUT (thanks for nothing radio Helecom).
I discovered Kate Wolf and Sandy Denny (Fariport Convention) - WTF weren't these folks played in the 70's for fook sake - they are TALENTED (sandy and kate have been long dead now sadly).
If I have to hear another Lead Zepplin from some lamearse "classic" rock relic of a station for the quadlillienth time I WILL PUKE - play Tam Lin you sorry arses
.....................
wow - now I feel better ;-).
when I broadcast I played some of the above - but 90-percent was OTR (oldtime radioplays) - a lost artform worthy of life support and recognition (and REVIVAL!) - which I provided in my meager way.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 8, 2018 20:53:12 GMT -6
Amen to all that everyone commented on !! AM/FM radio in this region is a wasteland of clones, clones of clones, et al until I puke.. I don't ever use the tuner in my car radio, just the USB memory slot.. I WISH there was something worth playing on my vintage Marantz 2226B receiver but, alas, there isn't, except for what surfaces from the ilk of US ! I just LOVE hearing Dinah Washington "Cry Me A River" emanating from that old classic receiver when the transmitter is up and running ! Keepin' REAL radio alive and well ! Keep on keepin' on brothers and sisters !
Spooky..
"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
