This actually happened a couple of weekends ago and I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to post it. Obviously, I've come to the conclusion that it is worth sharing. Part of my reluctance has been that I have just grown tired of the business of radio. In my own personal experience, I have come to believe that a lot of what many of us say on these boards amount to spinning wheels and little more. This board appears to be different from a lot of the local ones in that I do believe many of you will "get it." So here goes.
A couple of Saturdays ago I had to go into work in the morning to catch up and I thought I would treat myself to a nice lunch on the way home. Near where I live there is a classic old time diner where pictures of the early rockers such as Buddy Holly, Elvis and many others literally cover the walls. The atomosphere is just as good as the food. Anyway, the jukebox began to play "Ain't Too Proud" and almost on cue the cashier began singing along with one of the guys in the kitchen. It became contagious. A group of workers from the super market who were there got up and started singing too. I really can't do justice here to explain the experience.
I suppose I should have gone into marketing because I love talking to people to find out what makes them tick. Virtually everyone who participated in the sing-a-along were folks in their 20s and 30s. After thanking them all for the "show," I asked how they knew the song so well. The universal answer was that their parents or older sibblings played that type music regularly as they were growing up. I smiled and I felt validated once again that those who are running things in radio have no idea what they are doing. A good deal of the music of the 60s and even the 70s was so popular that it transended generations, gender and race. Whether you lived in the inner city or the burbs, the music was universal and even to this day, it has a special place for many.
There was a time this particular establishment advertised on what was the local oldies station. Now the radio is off and the CD jukebox has replaced it. Obviously, they no longer use radio as part of their marketing plan. In this same strip shopping mall, I can recall two other establishments who had on occasion advertised with the local oldies station. They have taken their business elsewhere as well and I might add, the radio is off when I step in these places.
Radio where I live is in a word, pathetic. In my humble opinion, if local business can't relate to what is on the air in the way of format and the overall quality of the product, they will take their business elsewhere. In my little strip mall example, three businesses have gone elsewhere and have turned the radio off. Multiply that across an entire market and it's easy to see why radio is where it is. Yeah, it's a lousy economy and a lot of business does not have the bucks to advertise. But there has to be an incentive to both listen and to do business. It seems radio, in general, has just given up. Sure, there is a lot of competition but we need more fight and not just going through the motions. That is not how to ensure your survival.
On a positive note, I listen to a lot of internet radio. I celebrate those who work very hard to be the best they can be and who offer something different to the listener. Obviously I can't listen to everything but I really like what I hear on WCBS-FM (NYC) and WOGL in Philly. By a mile, they are my favs and apparently the audience feels the same way. With all the competion the format is thriving in those markets. WOGL is currently playing over 2000 songs from their library. I love their emphasis on soul and Motown. They represent the market very well. Why we don't see more of a fight to grow listeners and develop creative programming, I don't understand. The format is viable, if done right. Nothing is perfect but I like how the format has evolved. We need more people to put away their prejudices and become more inclusive of their markets.
So, there it is. In the meantime where I live, we will eventually have 3 AC formats. We currently have 3 country stations and a few rockers and that's the extent of local music radio. It makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Anyway, thanks for listening. I love radio but I remain so damn frustrated at the continued stupidity of many who are in charge.
A couple of Saturdays ago I had to go into work in the morning to catch up and I thought I would treat myself to a nice lunch on the way home. Near where I live there is a classic old time diner where pictures of the early rockers such as Buddy Holly, Elvis and many others literally cover the walls. The atomosphere is just as good as the food. Anyway, the jukebox began to play "Ain't Too Proud" and almost on cue the cashier began singing along with one of the guys in the kitchen. It became contagious. A group of workers from the super market who were there got up and started singing too. I really can't do justice here to explain the experience.
I suppose I should have gone into marketing because I love talking to people to find out what makes them tick. Virtually everyone who participated in the sing-a-along were folks in their 20s and 30s. After thanking them all for the "show," I asked how they knew the song so well. The universal answer was that their parents or older sibblings played that type music regularly as they were growing up. I smiled and I felt validated once again that those who are running things in radio have no idea what they are doing. A good deal of the music of the 60s and even the 70s was so popular that it transended generations, gender and race. Whether you lived in the inner city or the burbs, the music was universal and even to this day, it has a special place for many.
There was a time this particular establishment advertised on what was the local oldies station. Now the radio is off and the CD jukebox has replaced it. Obviously, they no longer use radio as part of their marketing plan. In this same strip shopping mall, I can recall two other establishments who had on occasion advertised with the local oldies station. They have taken their business elsewhere as well and I might add, the radio is off when I step in these places.
Radio where I live is in a word, pathetic. In my humble opinion, if local business can't relate to what is on the air in the way of format and the overall quality of the product, they will take their business elsewhere. In my little strip mall example, three businesses have gone elsewhere and have turned the radio off. Multiply that across an entire market and it's easy to see why radio is where it is. Yeah, it's a lousy economy and a lot of business does not have the bucks to advertise. But there has to be an incentive to both listen and to do business. It seems radio, in general, has just given up. Sure, there is a lot of competition but we need more fight and not just going through the motions. That is not how to ensure your survival.
On a positive note, I listen to a lot of internet radio. I celebrate those who work very hard to be the best they can be and who offer something different to the listener. Obviously I can't listen to everything but I really like what I hear on WCBS-FM (NYC) and WOGL in Philly. By a mile, they are my favs and apparently the audience feels the same way. With all the competion the format is thriving in those markets. WOGL is currently playing over 2000 songs from their library. I love their emphasis on soul and Motown. They represent the market very well. Why we don't see more of a fight to grow listeners and develop creative programming, I don't understand. The format is viable, if done right. Nothing is perfect but I like how the format has evolved. We need more people to put away their prejudices and become more inclusive of their markets.
So, there it is. In the meantime where I live, we will eventually have 3 AC formats. We currently have 3 country stations and a few rockers and that's the extent of local music radio. It makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Anyway, thanks for listening. I love radio but I remain so damn frustrated at the continued stupidity of many who are in charge.
indeed the music crosses generations.