why aren't local artist on the radio no more?

[datfireman]

from 2000-2007 i heard local musician on power 107.5 and other stations. it was a weekly showcase of artists from the city and state. but now all of it iz gone? how do they except for Columbus to become a tourist attractive city if nobody gets a chance to display there god given ability. Like Atlanta GA tourism exploded when
T.I.
dem frachise boyz

soulja boy

lil john and the east boyz came on the scene. georgia radio and tv stations always supported there local musicians and local business. my point iz if georgia radio and tv stations didn't support them then they wouldn't be as famous. So once local talent T.I. soulja boy ect.. became famous they were able to make there city and state a household name.

bringing in millions of tourist, residents and money to the state. I'm tired of all these southern artists getting all the spotlight and money. cause at the end of the day Ohio, Illinois Detroit are hurting the most. and Georgia, north Carolina, Florida and Texas are doing the best! you never know that columbus artists might be the next T.I. lil Wayne jay-z or dream, usher keri hilson or ciara!

 

[dplantz]

Besides blaming radio stations, it's also likely that a lot of local artists simply don't fit a format, don't want to 'fit a format', or just aren't good.

I haven't followed hip hop as much, locally, but what I've noticed is that local musicians tend to get airplay if they're more of a novelty act or a cover band. IE - Saving Jane doing Hang On Sloopy as well as those artists that do the Buckeye raps... That seems to be what makes most of the "mainstream" local radio stations today. A lot of stations used to do some local stuff. I think the Blitz did. I know CD101 and Radio U still do local stuff.

There have been lots of discussions about a "Columbus sound" for years in the indie rock community but it's pretty much went nowhere except some regional buzz in the late 90s / early 2000s. Honestly, I think the internet is changing the way artists emerge anyway. Owl City is only the most recent artist to blow up online before signing a record deal. It might well be that the idea of discovering the next geographic sound (Like Seattle grunge, Brit rock, or West Coast hip hop) is almost a dated concept these days. I also think a lot of it is just good marketing by the record labels, MTV, and the tourism groups.

 

[jakej]

The best shows on WCRS for strictly local music are "Local Pop" (Wednesdays, 9-10pm) and "SoHud Sound" (Thursdays, 7-8pm). Lots of the station's other shows, including my own, occasionally mix selections in from local groups/musicians. 98.3/102.1 FM, and streaming at www.wcrsfm.org. Full program schedule is at www.wcrsfm.org/schedule.

 

[alans613]

I'm pretty sure Hot 102.9 in Dayton still spotlights local talent.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

I'm pretty sure Hot 102.9 in Dayton still spotlights local talent.

HOT LOCAL TALENT SHOWCASE - Sunday nights

 

[datfireman]

I'm pretty sure Hot 102.9 in Dayton still spotlights local talent.

HOT LOCAL TALENT SHOWCASE - Sunday nights

what about columbus ohio

 

[lovejamminoldies]

No, but HOT 1029 covers most parts of Columbus.

 

[nmoore6676]

No, but HOT 1029 covers most parts of Columbus.

Based on my experience when I lived in the Grandview Heights area with a good receiver and antenna they are receivable, however further east likely not. I also looked into the Radio Locator map for WDHT (in my day WBLY then WAZU) and it confirms my impressions. Furthermore during most of my period of time living there it was prior to them moving up the hill and while they were still in the valley at the more AM friendly site next to the river so I needed a directional outside antenna to receive them at all.

However today local bands or performers are not featured much in any market whereas in my day many stations had regular broadcasts from local venues. Before that some even had in studio shows but there are lots of reasons I suppose for not doing it now. First and foremost the expense but also not that many people in radio today would know how to produce a live broadcast.

You would think though that with the technology to produce recordings by anyone with a computer and a little practice that there could be some kind of weekend show featuring local talent. But that might take local stations, locally owned and actually involved in the community.

 

[jakej]

You would think though that with the technology to produce recordings by anyone with a computer and a little practice that there could be some kind of weekend show featuring local talent. But that might take local stations, locally owned and actually involved in the community.

You mean like WCRS? Then we've got it! And there ought to be a celebrating that it exists instead of a pretending that it doesn't.
I don't understand a lot of the moaning and groaning on this board. I say make the most of the station's existence, tell others about it, and use it to help bring down the people and the frequencies that you hate. That's what I'm doing.

 

[knowbetter]

You would think though that with the technology to produce recordings by anyone with a computer and a little practice that there could be some kind of weekend show featuring local talent. But that might take local stations, locally owned and actually involved in the community.

You mean like WCRS? Then we've got it! And there ought to be a celebrating that it exists instead of a pretending that it doesn't.
I don't understand a lot of the moaning and groaning on this board. I say make the most of the station's existence, tell others about it, and use it to help bring down the people and the frequencies that you hate. That's what I'm doing.

And hopefully soon, the two stations, WCRS and WCRX can finally work out their time share issues, if that is the case, I know there is a large block of late nite time that is proposed for a whole lot of underground and local music, plus some live programming from a local recording studio.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Anyone remember that when 106.7 moved into the market they promised that it would be showcasing local artists at some point? Don't think that ever happened, even though they were around quite awhile before going to the CC national list.

 

[KevinFodor]

You would think though that with the technology to produce recordings by anyone with a computer and a little practice that there could be some kind of weekend show featuring local talent. But that might take local stations, locally owned and actually involved in the community.

You mean like WCRS? Then we've got it! And there ought to be a celebrating that it exists instead of a pretending that it doesn't.
I don't understand a lot of the moaning and groaning on this board. I say make the most of the station's existence, tell others about it, and use it to help bring down the people and the frequencies that you hate. That's what I'm doing.

Jake:

I totally stand by you as it regards your station offering an opportunity for local artists to get their music played on the air. That is, one of the things which a low-powered community radio station can do. And that does fall under the general category of serving the "public interest, convenience and necessity".

The only area I would chide you a bit about...is that radio, especially community radio, is supposed to be about just this type of programming. NOT about "bringing down the people and frequencies you hate." Because with 100 watts, I got news for you - you ain't gonna do it. But, you can provide a service that gives exposure to deserving local acts. And perhaps, if some of those acts start developing a buzz locally, you might be able to influence a playlist or two in town.

It's the people who try to program their LPFM stations as "anti-radio" who are, most often, the ones who fail. (Don't believe me? Look it up on the internet.) Take a more positive approach about what you're doing. Push your "unique selling prospect", as opposed to conducting a 24 hour hate campaign against stations who, frankly couldn't care less whether you're on the air or not. At best, you might pull a "zero point something" in the Arbitron's with your peanut power. BUT - that's not bad considering what you have. At least it would mean, you have measurable audience.

I am well aware from your posts you have a burr up your behind about status quo radio. And yes, you and I have some pretty measurable differences on programming philosophy. But, I am not going to criticize ideas such as these as it relates to an LP-FM. You're on a station at which you CAN experiment. Making a mistake will not cost WCRS millions of dollars, as it can with a commercial station. Now, go find a unique way to do something, get a decent audience with it and you might make a commercial station stand up and take notice.

Good luck.

 

[knowbetter]

Kevin

Glad you said this, there are so many people in the LPFM community who feel it is their right and opinion to bash, tear down, and be anti radio...

They also feel that they matter too much, and that thier opinion, and point of view is the only correct one, so they in turn become the thing they hate so much in the first place. I too feel that a who lot of them really feel that their peice of real estate is so much better and so prized by them and their community, that they can't see the forest from the trees..

Don't get me wrong, I love low power radio, I consult a few, and can honestly tell you that most don't realized the asset they have, and most of them feel they know everything...they seems to like to do things the hard way, and the folks here in Columbus are real hard core, on both sides

they probably should all learn to relax

 

[datfireman]

You would think though that with the technology to produce recordings by anyone with a computer and a little practice that there could be some kind of weekend show featuring local talent. But that might take local stations, locally owned and actually involved in the community.

You mean like WCRS? Then we've got it! And there ought to be a celebrating that it exists instead of a pretending that it doesn't.
I don't understand a lot of the moaning and groaning on this board. I say make the most of the station's existence, tell others about it, and use it to help bring down the people and the frequencies that you hate. That's what I'm doing.

Jake:

I totally stand by you as it regards your station offering an opportunity for local artists to get their music played on the air. That is, one of the things which a low-powered community radio station can do. And that does fall under the general category of serving the "public interest, convenience and necessity".

The only area I would chide you a bit about...is that radio, especially community radio, is supposed to be about just this type of programming. NOT about "bringing down the people and frequencies you hate." Because with 100 watts, I got news for you - you ain't gonna do it. But, you can provide a service that gives exposure to deserving local acts. And perhaps, if some of those acts start developing a buzz locally, you might be able to influence a playlist or two in town.

It's the people who try to program their LPFM stations as "anti-radio" who are, most often, the ones who fail. (Don't believe me? Look it up on the internet.) Take a more positive approach about what you're doing. Push your "unique selling prospect", as opposed to conducting a 24 hour hate campaign against stations who, frankly couldn't care less whether you're on the air or not. At best, you might pull a "zero point something" in the Arbitron's with your peanut power. BUT - that's not bad considering what you have. At least it would mean, you have measurable audience.

I am well aware from your posts you have a burr up your behind about status quo radio. And yes, you and I have some pretty measurable differences on programming philosophy. But, I am not going to criticize ideas such as these as it relates to an LP-FM. You're on a station at which you CAN experiment. Making a mistake will not cost WCRS millions of dollars, as it can with a commercial station. Now, go find a unique way to do something, get a decent audience with it and you might make a commercial station stand up and take notice.

Good luck.

okay could you tell something i can do to make what your telling me become a reailty!

 

[datfireman]

Kevin

Glad you said this, there are so many people in the LPFM community who feel it is their right and opinion to bash, tear down, and be anti radio...

They also feel that they matter too much, and that thier opinion, and point of view is the only correct one, so they in turn become the thing they hate so much in the first place. I too feel that a who lot of them really feel that their peice of real estate is so much better and so prized by them and their community, that they can't see the forest from the trees..

Don't get me wrong, I love low power radio, I consult a few, and can honestly tell you that most don't realized the asset they have, and most of them feel they know everything...they seems to like to do things the hard way, and the folks here in Columbus are real hard core, on both sides

they probably should all learn to relax

it's are first amendment! Atlanta Georgia, Miami Florida and Houston texas are doing what i propose and look how sucessful they are. ohio is doing what you got propose and How successful is ohio radio again?................. NONE! even the out of towners and the three people on the site from Kentucky, Louisiana and GA admitted it. 

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Don't get me wrong, I love low power radio, I consult a few, and can honestly tell you that most don't realized the asset they have, and most of them feel they know everything...they seems to like to do things the hard way, and the folks here in Columbus are real hard core, on both sides

they probably should all learn to relax

Not sure I understand what you mean by, "the folks here in Columbus are real hard core, on both sides." It's an intriguing comment, and I'm really curious as to what you meant. I think it's fairly clear for the LPFM side based on your comments, but who is the other side and in what way are they hard core? I have some guesses but I could be way off, so I'd really appreciate it if you could elaborate just a bit. Thanks.

 

[knowbetter]

Not sure I understand what you mean by, "the folks here in Columbus are real hard core, on both sides." It's an intriguing comment, and I'm really curious as to what you meant. I think it's fairly clear for the LPFM side based on your comments, but who is the other side and in what way are they hard core? I have some guesses but I could be way off, so I'd really appreciate it if you could elaborate just a bit. Thanks.

Couple of things...the LPFM folks, in general, are usually "too Political", or "too interested in promoting their agenda" to really get a grasp about just how to make a functional radio station. The are generally intelligent people, who in a lot of cases, lack street smarts!

The local artist, in a lot of cases, unfortunately, is soured by the "mainstream media" and usually seem quite aggressive in their approach on getting there music played. Sure, the LPFM's are looking for programming, but that programming usually has to conform to what they think is right...and as I said before, they have strong ideas about what is right,..thus even stronger opinions about what they think is wrong!

Datfireman...Go ahead and make your music, make it radio friendly..(since you commented on a lot of rap artist, and the first amendment, I am going to guess you are talking rap here), so you need to drop what's offensive, b words, n words, women and other bashing words, then present a professional sounding product, in a professional presentation to the radio stations. I recommend wav files, or a CD, a lot of people will convert it to mp3, but you should not do that, since it may not be the best sound quality, or compatible with the playback system the stations use. PS, mail it in, then do a polite follow up call in a few weeks..and although your artist name is on the record, use your real name and information for contact!

Treat your tape and presentation like a resume, since it actually is, and find out the show host, or programming committee member to send it to...then make polite, casual contact, don't force your way in, and don't be street aggressive...that wont get you played..

figure your LPFM, and local musicians need each other, and if you develop you respect for each other, you both will reap rewards.

 

[jakej]

Boy, is this going to be fun!

You would think though that with the technology to produce recordings by anyone with a computer and a little practice that there could be some kind of weekend show featuring local talent. But that might take local stations, locally owned and actually involved in the community.

You mean like WCRS? Then we've got it! And there ought to be a celebrating that it exists instead of a pretending that it doesn't.
I don't understand a lot of the moaning and groaning on this board. I say make the most of the station's existence, tell others about it, and use it to help bring down the people and the frequencies that you hate. That's what I'm doing.

I totally stand by you as it regards your station offering an opportunity for local artists to get their music played on the air. That is, one of the things which a low-powered community radio station can do. And that does fall under the general category of serving the "public interest, convenience and necessity".

The only area I would chide you a bit about...is that radio, especially community radio, is supposed to be about just this type of programming. NOT about "bringing down the people and frequencies you hate."

Sorry, maybe I overdid it a little bit on the hatred. Maybe I've been listening to Rush Limbaugh too much. But an integral part of "Yesterday's Top Secrets" HAS to be my railing now and then against all of the other stations, because they're the ones that made the songs "secrets" in the first place! So yeah, maybe actually I should be THANKING them -- their past stupidity is what now makes the show possible!

Take a more positive approach about what you're doing. Push your "unique selling prospect", as opposed to conducting a 24 hour hate campaign against stations who, frankly couldn't care less whether you're on the air or not.

Not sure exactly what we're pushing to who here, but if it's the music that we're pushing to the public, then I don't have to push too hard cause it's so great that it pretty much sells itself. The listeners already know and love most of the bands and now they get to hear more stuff by them, simple as that. And I know for a fact that some of the other stations are glad that I'm on the air and are very happy for my success, because the small number of them whose people bothered talking to me when I was shopping the program around all wished me the best of luck before they escorted me out the door and locked it behind them.

Now, go find a unique way to do something, get a decent audience with it and you might make a commercial station stand up and take notice.

I HAVE found a unique way to do something, I've gotten a decent audience with it, and there's no radio station that is going to react positively to it in a public way because they're all like our former president and vice president and are never going to admit to everyone that they made a mistake. I have completely given up on these people and their inevitable replacements, who will be even dumber than they are.

Don't get me wrong, I love low power radio, I consult a few, and can honestly tell you that most don't realized the asset they have, and most of them feel they know everything...

Low-power FMs use consultants? Are you kidding me?? They should be ashamed of themselves!!!

okay could you tell something i can do to make what your telling me become a reailty!

If you're talking to me, then contact WCRS through the volunteer page at its website (www.wcrsfm.org) and let them know that you're interested in producing your own show. That's the first step.

 

[knowbetter]

Boy, is this going to be fun!

Don't get me wrong, I love low power radio, I consult a few, and can honestly tell you that most don't realized the asset they have, and most of them feel they know everything...

Low-power FMs use consultants? Are you kidding me?? They should be ashamed of themselves!!!

I wonder why you say that, even though in your first statement, you confirmed that LPFM people know absolutely everything about what they think they are doing...

Actually, many LPFM's use consultants to find and build their radio stations, especially the transmitter ends. Broadcast stations are fairly complicated to do right, and could be fairly expensive to build correctly, especially if you don't know what you are doing..Using someone knowledgeable is the best way to build one right the first time, without having to make duplicate filings and change antennas midstream... I know your station needs to change their antenna, perhaps if they used a consultant, they could have done it right the first time?

Some also use programming and FCC advice, there are pitfalls that arise occasionally, and consultants and lawyers sometimes are handy people to have in your corner, when push comes to shove.

I equate it to giving a kid the keys to a semi, because he did so well with a tonka truck. I wish you well.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I wonder if any of the LP pirate stations that do pretty well (and even have advertising) ever use consultants?

(Lest that be taken the wrong way, I should point out that I am definitely not "anti-consultant." A lot of the great, successful stations I hear in other markets owe much of their success to their consultants.)