As 2008 winds down...

[JohnParker]

what was your:

Favorite Dance Song:

Favorite Dance Album:

Interesting moment, as it relates to Dance Music:

and what are you looking forward to, for dance music, going into 2009?

 

[Dancerev889]

Song: Lady Gaga - Just Dance. We knew the first time we heard the song, it was a hit, Saw her perform at the New Kids Show and she performed the original version, which is a straight up dance track.

Album: unsure

Interesting Moment: DJ Times convention. More people this past year that want to see things through. However, there are still a few that need to leave their ego at the door and realize that they are only one small piece to the puzzle.

What Im looking forward too? Besides more great music a more collected effort to bring the music to the masses.

 

[Prais]

what was your:
Favorite Dance Song:
Tommy Dorsey - Tea for 2 Cha Cha

Favorite Dance Album:
A Swingin Christmas featuring the Count Basie Orchestra

Interesting moment, as it relates to Dance Music:
When I ac tually TRIED to e STOMPIN at the Savoy, but they arrested me for making too much noise.

and what are you looking forward to, for dance music, going into 2009?
2009? Sorry, I thought this was 1957. Can't you tell?

Happy New Year

 

[TonySantiago]

Favorite Dance Song: Ercola feat. Daniela - "Every Word"

Favorite Dance Album: Hard to say since we're not as strong in terms of album material as we are single driven....just my opinion!

Interesting moment, as it relates to Dance Music: The DJ Times Expo in Atlantic City, met a LOT of good people!

and what are you looking forward to, for dance music, going into 2009?:

Moving forward with the coalition and despite a rough economy, seeing radio corporations open their eyes and consider contemporary dance as a viable format.

 

[instigator]

F d s Every word ercola HON Mention Stefanie You Never Said You Loved Me
F D A Maybe David Guetta"s
Interesting moment is easy : after dance music has been ignored for years seeing 4 tracks appear on CHR at the same time Calabria, Love Is Gone , Cry For You, Let Me Think About It while rihanna neyo and Chris Brown had dance tracks out as well, thats 7 dancey tracks at once on CHR thats like unheard of

I look forward to seeing if hip hop and r and b artists continue to put dance tracks out and if CHR supports dance artist this year...do they pick up Lady Gaga Pokerface...do they recognize more strictly dance artists

 

[instigator]

I forgot to mention Plumb In My Arms and Kim Leoni Again...i feel these 2 tracks could have sounded great on CHR

 

[cartman1964]

My favorite of the year was "Infinity 2008" by Guru Josh Project.

I also like Ercola "Every Word", Desparacidos "Ibiza", Kid Cudi's "Day And Night", Fragma's "Memory" and right now I am listening to an instrumental/techno version of "Baker Street" (that old 1970's song by Gerry Rafferty). I have no idea who does this song but I love it. It's playing on Fun Radio France at the moment.

(modified to add, "Dilly Dally" by Hackimackli to my list of favorites)

 

[theedger]

Plumb "In My Arms" came from Christian AC. It had a little action on Mainstream AC and CHR.

 

[TonySantiago]

What Im looking forward too? Besides more great music a more collected effort to bring the music to the masses.

When you say a more "collected" effort Brett, what do you mean? Better marketability in terms of artist exposure? Pushing more roads into the mainstream?
My attempts aside, what is it going to take from the recording industry point of view? And what will it take from the very few radio programmers out there to help make progress occur here? Forget the DJ Expo for a minute......let's get down to some "grit" here.

I know the economy is bad which makes our challenge even more tough. How can we "sell" what is out there to a very "scared" corporate that more than ever wants to play things "safe"? Can this thing known as dance in the US BE sold????

Granted, you may not think much about me or the coalition (based on my "reaching out" to you in the past)....but we DO want to push further and NEED to...whatever it has to take. 2008 has winded down to an improved year all around for dance music. We need to parlay that into 2009 with the fact that we HAVE that bad economy.

I'm trying to find that road somehow. Just saying "support what we have" is good but definitely not enough.

 

[Dancerev889]

What Im looking forward too? Besides more great music a more collected effort to bring the music to the masses.

When you say a more "collected" effort Brett, what do you mean? Better marketability in terms of artist exposure? Pushing more roads into the mainstream?
My attempts aside, what is it going to take from the recording industry point of view? And what will it take from the very few radio programmers out there to help make progress occur here? Forget the DJ Expo for a minute......let's get down to some "grit" here.

I know the economy is bad which makes our challenge even more tough. How can we "sell" what is out there to a very "scared" corporate that more than ever wants to play things "safe"? Can this thing known as dance in the US BE sold????

Granted, you may not think much about me or the coalition (based on my "reaching out" to you in the past)....but we DO want to push further and NEED to...whatever it has to take. 2008 has winded down to an improved year all around for dance music. We need to parlay that into 2009 with the fact that we HAVE that bad economy.

I'm trying to find that road somehow. Just saying "support what we have" is good but definitely not enough.

Tony,

like I said before I apologize about the Expo. I got hit with some news the day before that put me in a fog. Hell I missed most of the conference because of it. I respect what you are trying to do but I think your approach at times comes off more as a fan, which isnt a bad thing because I think we all are fans. But when it comes to talking to labels, artists and stations, that has to be put aside. Its almost like Giant fans after getting their butt kicked yesterday, playing armchair GM on what needs to be done. ( I had to do that! Go Eagles)

What I mean by a more collected effort is absolutely more artist exposure. But we need to expose good artists with good records. We need to make the genre more respectable. Of all the good things that have come out this year, this is one area that continues to hurt. We saw on here what one DJ can do to others in the genre. We need to get more stations on the mediabase and BDS panel. The labels need to push that. WMPH, WBZC, Music Choice on both, Ipartyradio, Energy 98 and B91 get them on there. More stations more spins which makes the panel more important.

I think we also need to spread the word to non-commercial stations especially college stations. This format is right in their demo. Its an untapped market. A commercial station wont flip but a non-com could.

I think the other thing is we need to embrace the other genres. Flo Rida's new single is off the hook and samples a dance track. Pitbull samples 75 brazil st. Kevin Rudolf is a rhythmic track. They all work in this format. We cant be too cool for the room.

 

[Morpheux]

I think the other thing is we need to embrace the other genres. Flo Rida's new single is off the hook and samples a dance track. Pitbull samples 75 brazil st. Kevin Rudolf is a rhythmic track. They all work in this format. We cant be too cool for the room.
[/quote]


Amen to that. For too long the dance community has thumb their nose up to anything urban or street sounding even if it was rhythmic. Lady Gaga is a perfect example of how a dance song thats rhythmic leaning can succeed on radio.It's not your 4/4 beats but its still dance. And it hit #1!.

 

[TonySantiago]

Brett,

Before I begin, let me say that I DO remember what happened at the DJ Expo and I DO understand.

To start now, in one aspect I actually like the position of being "the fan" when it comes to talking about dance music. However, in all of the years I have done this, I have done my best to not only just keep my approach in that manner but to study all aspects of dance music and see what could be done. I will be the first to admit, based on my blogs, that a lot of times I go VERY "left field" on my thoughts in the sense that I want to take "roads not taken" or "roads not yet built" to see where the dance music industry in this country, as a whole, can go.

You have brought up a lot of good points, and one of the points I am starting right now in terms of getting more college radio outlets to consider dance (as WE know it, not just the electronica aspect of it) as a potential format. Of course the big problem being faced here is that artists and labels WANT to make money and of course, getting exposure on college radio means NO money since stations below 92 (not counting 87.7) are non-comms. Of course, not all artists and DJ's are like this and are happy to get whatever exposure they can regardless. I do think a "revolution" like this should start in order for the "big guys" to pay attention.

Regarding embracing other genres....ABSOLUTELY! As I've witnessed during the Star & Buc Wild parties here in NYC there is a potential audience, that at one time favored hip-hop, that has embraced dance as of late. I also think it's due time for hip house to make a comeback. And judging by the latest track by Tune Brothers feat. Tyree Cooper "Make Your Body Pop", it is coming back, slowly but surely.

I'm going to be doing things in the next few months that hopefully can "blow up" more positive exposure to dance music as a whole. Despite the bad economy, I think in due time things will take notice again like it was during the late 80's as well as the disco era.

So...should I try reaching out again?

 

[Dancerev889]

You have brought up a lot of good points, and one of the points I am starting right now in terms of getting more college radio outlets to consider dance (as WE know it, not just the electronica aspect of it) as a potential format. Of course the big problem being faced here is that artists and labels WANT to make money and of course, getting exposure on college radio means NO money since stations below 92 (not counting 87.7) are non-comms. Of course, not all artists and DJ's are like this and are happy to get whatever exposure they can regardless. I do think a "revolution" like this should start in order for the "big guys" to pay attention.

What are you talking about making no money from non-coms? Artists make money through non-coms just as easy as they do with commercial stations. Just because they are below 92 on the dial means nothing. These stations can make money as well. WRTI and WXPN in Philadelphia make millions of dollars a year alone in underwriting. C89.5 makes over 100,000 dollars in a pledge drive each year. NPR which a lot of non-coms run is super expensive but they still run it.

C89.5 had a very successful concert recently and it gave the artists tons of exposure. Our concert put 2000 people in the building and the local record shops were all raving that their sales went up for dance records especially the ones that performed. I think you might want to research the world on non-coms before making a statement like that. You are supposed to talk on a panel at a college conference, which I know am also speak at. Making those statements will not help the cause one damn bit.

 

[TonySantiago]

You have brought up a lot of good points, and one of the points I am starting right now in terms of getting more college radio outlets to consider dance (as WE know it, not just the electronica aspect of it) as a potential format. Of course the big problem being faced here is that artists and labels WANT to make money and of course, getting exposure on college radio means NO money since stations below 92 (not counting 87.7) are non-comms. Of course, not all artists and DJ's are like this and are happy to get whatever exposure they can regardless. I do think a "revolution" like this should start in order for the "big guys" to pay attention.

What are you talking about making no money from non-coms? Artists make money through non-coms just as easy as they do with commercial stations. Just because they are below 92 on the dial means nothing. These stations can make money as well. WRTI and WXPN in Philadelphia make millions of dollars a year alone in underwriting. C89.5 makes over 100,000 dollars in a pledge drive each year. NPR which a lot of non-coms run is super expensive but they still run it.

C89.5 had a very successful concert recently and it gave the artists tons of exposure. Our concert put 2000 people in the building and the local record shops were all raving that their sales went up for dance records especially the ones that performed. I think you might want to research the world on non-coms before making a statement like that. You are supposed to talk on a panel at a college conference, which I know am also speak at. Making those statements will not help the cause one damn bit.

So fine, I stand corrected! I never said I knew everything.

And regarding talking on a panel at a college conference, why do you think I want to "touch base" with you before hand. I'm trying to get as much as I can from as many sources as possible. Believe me I want to get it "right".

Geez...so harsh. Come on! ???

 

[Dancerev889]

You have brought up a lot of good points, and one of the points I am starting right now in terms of getting more college radio outlets to consider dance (as WE know it, not just the electronica aspect of it) as a potential format. Of course the big problem being faced here is that artists and labels WANT to make money and of course, getting exposure on college radio means NO money since stations below 92 (not counting 87.7) are non-comms. Of course, not all artists and DJ's are like this and are happy to get whatever exposure they can regardless. I do think a "revolution" like this should start in order for the "big guys" to pay attention.

What are you talking about making no money from non-coms? Artists make money through non-coms just as easy as they do with commercial stations. Just because they are below 92 on the dial means nothing. These stations can make money as well. WRTI and WXPN in Philadelphia make millions of dollars a year alone in underwriting. C89.5 makes over 100,000 dollars in a pledge drive each year. NPR which a lot of non-coms run is super expensive but they still run it.

C89.5 had a very successful concert recently and it gave the artists tons of exposure. Our concert put 2000 people in the building and the local record shops were all raving that their sales went up for dance records especially the ones that performed. I think you might want to research the world on non-coms before making a statement like that. You are supposed to talk on a panel at a college conference, which I know am also speak at. Making those statements will not help the cause one damn bit.

So fine, I stand corrected! I never said I knew everything.

And regarding talking on a panel at a college conference, why do you think I want to "touch base" with you before hand. I'm trying to get as much as I can from as many sources as possible. Believe me I want to get it "right".

Geez...so harsh. Come on! ???

The reason I am being harsh is making statements like that is a slap in the face to all the non-coms that support this genre. You have an issue with stations under 92 on the dial and they have been some of the biggest supports of dance music. A lot of the key people at the labels worked at college radio. Ask John Parker about his involvement. Or Will Calder about what he did. Then you are going to speak at a college conference about dance music, how can you justify being there when you have repeatedly made comments on radio-info that basically say what a non-com does is not good enough for your coalition? College students read these boards. Nick is a Rutgers student that is passionate about this format and has a dance show. You have to understand college stations get little to no recognition because they are thought of as play toys for students. Ask Kris Henderson what the two of us had to go through to get record service from some labels back in the day. If it wasnt for Frank Murray at Robbins, Harry Towers and Cary Vance, we would not have the label support we do today. Non-commercial radio is making an impact in major markets and will continue.

 

[TonySantiago]

You have brought up a lot of good points, and one of the points I am starting right now in terms of getting more college radio outlets to consider dance (as WE know it, not just the electronica aspect of it) as a potential format. Of course the big problem being faced here is that artists and labels WANT to make money and of course, getting exposure on college radio means NO money since stations below 92 (not counting 87.7) are non-comms. Of course, not all artists and DJ's are like this and are happy to get whatever exposure they can regardless. I do think a "revolution" like this should start in order for the "big guys" to pay attention.

What are you talking about making no money from non-coms? Artists make money through non-coms just as easy as they do with commercial stations. Just because they are below 92 on the dial means nothing. These stations can make money as well. WRTI and WXPN in Philadelphia make millions of dollars a year alone in underwriting. C89.5 makes over 100,000 dollars in a pledge drive each year. NPR which a lot of non-coms run is super expensive but they still run it.

C89.5 had a very successful concert recently and it gave the artists tons of exposure. Our concert put 2000 people in the building and the local record shops were all raving that their sales went up for dance records especially the ones that performed. I think you might want to research the world on non-coms before making a statement like that. You are supposed to talk on a panel at a college conference, which I know am also speak at. Making those statements will not help the cause one damn bit.

So fine, I stand corrected! I never said I knew everything.

And regarding talking on a panel at a college conference, why do you think I want to "touch base" with you before hand. I'm trying to get as much as I can from as many sources as possible. Believe me I want to get it "right".

Geez...so harsh. Come on! ???

The reason I am being harsh is making statements like that is a slap in the face to all the non-coms that support this genre. You have an issue with stations under 92 on the dial and they have been some of the biggest supports of dance music. A lot of the key people at the labels worked at college radio. Ask John Parker about his involvement. Or Will Calder about what he did. Then you are going to speak at a college conference about dance music, how can you justify being there when you have repeatedly made comments on radio-info that basically say what a non-com does is not good enough for your coalition? College students read these boards. Nick is a Rutgers student that is passionate about this format and has a dance show. You have to understand college stations get little to no recognition because they are thought of as play toys for students. Ask Kris Henderson what the two of us had to go through to get record service from some labels back in the day. If it wasnt for Frank Murray at Robbins, Harry Towers and Cary Vance, we would not have the label support we do today. Non-commercial radio is making an impact in major markets and will continue.

And now you are twisting my words Brett.

My OWN PERSONAL issue was about college radio following formats based on my own experience being blocked from doing dance because of a paranoid institution that felt I was "ghettoizing" the college...this back in the mid 80's. The campus station was "new wave", I wanted to do house. Others had specialty shows not catering to format, but they wouldn't allow me that opportunity. THAT was my issue.

Yes, doing a format is a way to learn radio (and that can be any format). However, if a person felt strong at doing a "specialty" show that wavers off format, then that person should be able to pursue that. For those on college radio that have dance music specialty shows, that is fantastic! Nick, Myke and others know how I feel and I encourage them to keep going with it!

But dance (as we know it) as a format on non-comms? I NEVER had a problem with that....heck I ENCOURAGE IT! Let's not get the Philly battle I had on that forum confused as a block to what you and Kris are doing in the region. I DO think the music has commercial value, but I'm glad there's exposure SOMEWHERE!

I've just learned about the panel conference today and I AM going. If anything, I'm trying to rally up the dance labels and artists to submit material for consideration on college stations that are open to doing such a format. You're going to be there? Great! Hoping to see Kris there and others on this board as well!

BTW, IBS IS going with my idea that I proposed last year, "Dance Music....when is commercial NON-commercial?" I brought this up because at the last discussion, I totally felt out of place because I knew very little about electronica.

So let's get things straight now. I'm going to rally up as much material as I can for this. I do understand others will be speaking on the panel and if you're one of them, great!

I don't mind arguments and if I am wrong about something, I do not mind being "called out" on it. But I'm certainly not going to allow anyone to twist words around...that won't fly. Sorry.