Record Promotion-Top 40 Days

[Mr. Songplugger]

Don't know if anyone remembers, but for a walk down Top-40's memory lane, check-out this pleasant story recalling the good ole days of radio.

http://phillipraulsphotolog.blogspot.com/

 

[Mr. Songplugger]

Dang,

Nobody loves me. Thought I'd name-drop a few radio legends and then a week goes by and....nadda....nobody leaves comments.

Huh. Guess I'll go back to the Star Trek chat line where it's always
friendly atmosphere.

Mr. Songplugger

 

[Tynosaur]

Make it so.

 

[Mr. Songplugger]

MAN, TOUGH AUDIENCE

 

[Noiseboxxx]

i don't think you get too many record promoters or people who actually know them on this board.

i've been on both sides of the fence as a promoter and a programmer - it IS a tough crowd.

;-)

 

[Mr. Songplugger]

I agree. Plus, I notice that you've been on both sides of the media fence so perhaps you have a better appreciation for the team work in the development of establishing a hit record.

I have an enormous amout of respect for broadcasters from that era who were the trailblazers for many recording artists.

 

[Noiseboxxx]

That's one thing I miss (well, I wasn't old enough to be a part of it, but watching from the 'sidelines') - how certain programmers would actually WANT to be 'first on a record' as opposed to waiting to see how the sales are going to be, or how many other markets are on a song, etc. - you know, all the reasons (excuses?) for not adding a record until it's already a hit. I recall scenes "just like in the movies" where a PD would actually rush to the broadcast booth wanting to play a record / song that he just heard because it was "that HOT." Where are those days and those types of programmers in the current scene? Some people know that I'm quite opinionated about how things work any more, and think of me as just a babbling idiot or "not all there." Whatever, you know?

On the other side of the coin, a lot of programmers don't think um...highly...of promoters (of recent note that I can relate to) because of things like when the promoter is either out of a gig or looking for one for whatever reason, some people just don't have the time of day for 'ya or completely ignore you since you're "not working". Worse if you're "out of the biz", some that you've worked with for years have absolutely no idea who you are. I know I'll get in trouble with some people for saying these things or smacked down a little, but that's what I know from experience. There are many who are the complete opposite and will be on your side 'til the day either of you perish from the planet - which is comforting. But I haven't seen a lot of that lately.

Anyways, good luck with your adventures. What I've read looks like it's been a hoot so far!

 

[hwg901]

Thank you fo rthe compliment Mr. Songplugger.

I must point this out...the role of a ppromotion man today is far different from what it was in the '60's and '70's. I was taught by Mike Powell that promotion people were the folks who brought us our tools...tools necessary to do our job. There was so much product out ther that it was physically impossible to listen to everything. The promotion men guided us through what were the most relevant of their products.

The smart ones, like Mr. Songplugger, made sure that every person on the air had a copy of all important/relevant albums. A personal note was attached to each telling us what he or she thought would be most beneficial. (I'll bet you forgot that PR)

To get to the point, today the few promo men that are around bring money.

 

[Mr. Songplugger]

I gotta tell you...if the truth be known, in my 25+ years spread over 4 decades, I never saw a single penny being exchanged from a record promoter to a DJ for the task of playing a record. I would hope the long and successful association that exsists between the two industries would not tarnished by a single rotten apple.