My First Year as New Journey Manager

[Rockindeano]

Hey Yak-

You like how Sony immediately cooperated? Yeh, I wonder if their hand was caught in the cookie jar, and they wanted the gov't to go easy on them?

[Angiekay]

First of all, how and why did this conversation turn to payola? That was never an issue. Record companies send radio stations records to play. Guess what? It's been that way since the beginning of time. Sure, some jocks back in the day would play b-sides or just cuts off their albums(that's how Lady by Styx first got played in Chicago). But things are different in radio today, especially in our market. Radio and Records pulled out years ago because we were under 120,000 people. Well now we are 150,000 and they are still nowhere to be found. We are an unrated market as of two years ago, so that hampers things too. However, the "evil conglomerate corporate empire" that owns us has opened the door to other avenues of getting promotion items, giveaways and records to play. Not that we get that many new records. We are a CLASSIC rock station, the basis of that is OLD music. But that does give us room to play new stuff by old artists because we aren't in a position to have to chose between so much new music. These old artists don't pump out a new album every year like the CHR's and the Top 40's. So, it's not a matter of 'payola', it's a matter of "get the damn thing to us".

[Rockindeano]

Hey Angie,

By evil empire, do you mean those bastards, Clear Channel?

After the shit they pulled on Howard Stern, I was in agony buying Journey concert tickets because CC is doing the tour..

I hate CC.

[Angiekay]

Whoa. Not with this band. Perry went on his little solo tour, and the guitar player was shit compared with Neal...You have to be careful muttering that on this site.

For the most part, it's true. I saw David Lee Roth a couple years back and he had a guitarist that was Eddie if you close your eyes. Yeah, that might be blasphemy too, but it happens!

[yak]

Hey Yak-

You like how Sony immediately cooperated? Yeh, I wonder if their hand was caught in the cookie jar, and they wanted the gov't to go easy on them?

Yeah, how about that? Of course the fools got caught.

[Fernando Ramirez]

When you accept payola, you are BREAKING THE LAW, it has nothing to do with being biased. I don't give a damn about the NY state attorney general. HE isn't the one on the phone when we call Journey managment asking for a copy of Generations and he wasn't the one saying, "sorry, you can't have one". HE isn't the one making my playlist. When he does then I"ll care whether his name means two squats to this conversation.When Journey's managment decides radio stations are good enough to play their new songs, then they will be played on the radio again. OR, by then program directors are going to say, Thanks, but no thanks, too little too late. [/color][/size][/b]

You don't make your own playlists. The way it is now, your program directors TELL you what you have to play. It's all decided in focus groups. Eliot Spitzer will relieve you of your shackles, so you SHOULD give a damn what he does. Oh, and he won't tell you what to play, just that you shouldn't accept money for it.

But, let's face it... radio today is DEAD. It's on it's way out. Why do you think ipods are so popular? Because people are tired of being told what they can listen to. I can't even THINK of the last time I heard some great melodic rock on the radio.

[Rockindeano]

But, let's face it... radio today is DEAD. It's on it's way out. Why do you think ipods are so popular? Because people are tired of being told what they can listen to. I can't even THINK of the last time I heard some great melodic rock on the radio.

I would say TERRESTRIAL radio is dead..NOT satellite radio...The wave of the future.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I was in agony buying Journey concert tickets because CC is doing the tour..

They also did the one last year, too.

[Angiekay]

Hey Angie,

By evil empire, do you mean those bastards, Clear Channel?

After the shit they pulled on Howard Stern, I was in agony buying Journey concert tickets because CC is doing the tour..

I hate CC.

I hate CC too, THEY are evil evil bastards. We are owned by Cumulus media out of Atlanta GA. They are second behind CC as far as stations owned and it's still half as many. So far, they are ok. A lot more stupid ass rules and paperwork, but it could be worse.

[Angiekay]

You don't make your own playlists. The way it is now, your program directors TELL you what you have to play.

Really? You sit in on my radio show? You know that for sure? I'd check that before I go shooting off my mouth. You have NO IDEA how our station runs. We have a lot more freedom then you'd like to think.

[Angiekay]

But, let's face it... radio today is DEAD. It's on it's way out. Why do you think ipods are so popular? Because people are tired of being told what they can listen to. I can't even THINK of the last time I heard some great melodic rock on the radio.

Here's an idea. What were you doing ten years ago when Larry Pressler and the rest of the burecrats were passing a law to conglomerate radio stations and make way for corporate radio? Did you have your headphones on, thinking nothing would change or did you speak up and write your congressman? Nobody told you what you can't listen too, you failed to act and say what you DID want to listen too.

[yak]

Here's an idea. What were you doing ten years ago when Larry Pressler and the rest of the burecrats were passing a law to conglomerate radio stations and make way for corporate radio? Did you have your headphones on, thinking nothing would change or did you speak up and write your congressman? Nobody told you what you can't listen too, you failed to act and say what you DID want to listen too

I'm not speaking for Fernando, but I DID write my Congressmen, and guess what? They don't care either........they receive their own form of payola!

Chill out sweetums.

[Angiekay]

Chill out sweetums.

Anything you say, snoookums

[Rockindeano]

Having fun in here, Angie?

After all, since I did reach out and grab you, went after you, and got you in here, I would love to sit in your radio station and spin tunes. I will bring the new CD Generations, and we can talk it up.

Do you just play records, or can you talk all the time likeHoward?

Either way, I want in!

[Fernando Ramirez]

Here's an idea. What were you doing ten years ago when Larry Pressler and the rest of the burecrats were passing a law to conglomerate radio stations and make way for corporate radio? Did you have your headphones on, thinking nothing would change or did you speak up and write your congressman? Nobody told you what you can't listen too, you failed to act and say what you DID want to listen too.[/color][/size][/b]

I'll tell you what I was doing. I was buying CDs of bands that I cared about, and directly supported the music I believed in with my hard earned cash. Same thing I continue doing today. That's what I listen to instead of radio.

And I keep up with websites like melodicrock.com that help me find more bands I enjoy. I can't do either of those listening to the radio.

[Angiekay]

I'll tell you what I was doing. I was buying CDs of bands that I cared about, and directly supported the music I believed in with my hard earned cash. Same thing I continue doing today. That's what I listen to instead of radio.

And I keep up with websites like melodicrock.com that help me find more bands I enjoy. I can't do either of those listening to the radio.

It's like bitching about a president when you didn't vote. If you don't support radio, don't bitch when you don't like what is or isn't played.

[jrnyman28]

I gotta say that Angie, you know how to hold your own! Bravo. Also, outstanding avatar!:D

I understand you have a copy of "Generations" on the way. Did Journey give you an idea of what song they want you to play? (A single, perhaps?) Or did they say 'play what you want'?

Do you choose all the music you play during your show, or is it a balance of playlist and your choice?

And you mentioned that your radio station is a very small market so it is left alone. I have mentioned before that there are two ways for Journey (or any other CR band) to get on radio: A) Get in bed with corporate radio or B) Go to the small markets, such as yours. Which do you think would be more effective?

Thanks for your input Angie. I am saddened by radio nowadays, but I have always held a special place for it in my heart. I have wanted to get into radio/music business somehow but it just doesn't seem like a good place to be anymore. And from what I understand, the pay ain't great either...

[Angiekay]

I gotta say that Angie, you know how to hold your own! Bravo. Also, outstanding avatar!:D

I understand you have a copy of "Generations" on the way. Did Journey give you an idea of what song they want you to play? (A single, perhaps?) Or did they say 'play what you want'?

Do you choose all the music you play during your show, or is it a balance of playlist and your choice?

And you mentioned that your radio station is a very small market so it is left alone. I have mentioned before that there are two ways for Journey (or any other CR band) to get on radio: A) Get in bed with corporate radio or B) Go to the small markets, such as yours. Which do you think would be more effective?

Thanks for your input Angie. I am saddened by radio nowadays, but I have always held a special place for it in my heart. I have wanted to get into radio/music business somehow but it just doesn't seem like a good place to be anymore. And from what I understand, the pay ain't great either...

LOL...thank you on both counts.

CJ paged me last night and I ran down to my mailbox and there were two copies of Generations, so thanks again to her for getting them too me. I haven't had a chance to listen to it outside of what I heard at the concert, but I really liked Faith In The Heartland. That is the one I would like to play. We'll see how the program director feels. He is still a bit sore about the concert here last week. It IS a balance of playlist and choice. Unfortunatly, the business is nothing like when I started. I remember playing (*gasp*)albums at my first radio job, although even that radio station was behind for the times. That was back in 1989. Radio is sad these days and it does make me wonder about my future, but there is nothing else I would rather do. Unless you get into a big market, no, the pay isn't great, but I'd rather do something I love and look forward to getting up everyday to do it then getting paid craploads of money and being miserable. The perks are nice! Concert tickets, event tickets, bar promotions with free drinks, meet and greets. I think it all works out in the end! lol!

Seriously, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Radio gets in your blood. I grew up with a radio in every room of the house. I never watched tv in high school. I was glued to the radio every waking minute. I knew in 8th grade this is what I wanted to do. I've been very lucky in finding the opportunites to do what I do. I've been told I'm good enough to be in a big market and maybe some day, I'll venture there. Right now, there are six stations in our group and we have brand new 3 million dollar state of the art studios that rivial Minneapolis stations. We were aquired by Cumulus a year ago April and we are among their top ten markets now, in talent and in sales. Not bad for an unrated joint in South Dakota, huh?

Personally, I'd love to have something like Sirius in my car or house, just for the fact that I do work in radio day in and day out and get a little tired of the music I play and like to hear some of that old old stuff. However, I don't think radio will ever disappear, nor do I think XM and the like will ever take over radio. I think people will always want to hear a voice, a personality and local radio.

"You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour"

Radio Ga Ga.

[jrnyman28]

I really liked Faith In The Heartland. That is the one I would like to play.

So no 'direction' from Journey?
That song definately would be good on radio.

It IS a balance of playlist and choice. Unfortunatly, the business is nothing like when I started. I remember playing (*gasp*)albums at my first radio job,

Yeah, can you believe that!?
We have a station here that plays album sides but I still wonder how much control the station has over which album sides they can play. Unfortunately, that station is the BIG CR station. There are a couple smaller ones but the sugnal is pretty weak. So we get stuck with what they want to do...and their morning show plays NO music anymore! This is the same station that promoted the Arrival Tour as Peter Frampton with Journey! That PISSED me off!

I'd rather do something I love and look forward to getting up everyday to do it then getting paid craploads of money and being miserable..........Radio gets in your blood. I grew up with a radio in every room of the house. I never watched tv in high school. I was glued to the radio every waking minute.

That is how I feel, I LOVE music and the radio that I grew up with. If I ever won the lottery I would either work in radio or (more likely) BUY my own radio station!

I knew in 8th grade this is what I wanted to do. I've been very lucky in finding the opportunites to do what I do. I've been told I'm good enough to be in a big market and maybe some day, I'll venture there.

That is a wonderful thing. If you ever make it to Denver, I'll buy ya a drink!

Personally, I'd love to have something like Sirius in my car or house, just for the fact that I do work in radio day in and day out and get a little tired of the music I play and like to hear some of that old old stuff. However, I don't think radio will ever disappear, nor do I think XM and the like will ever take over radio. I think people will always want to hear a voice, a personality and local radio.

I agree. Sattelite is going to get huge, and it is going to affect broadcast radio, but there is something to be said for the LOCAL feel. Sattelite has the appeal for far more choices and NO commercials. But I can live with some commercials. I read an article where the writer was discussing how to compete with iPods and sattelite. Some think you will hear more varied playlists. Some say JACK-FM is a no-playlist feel and that is where radio is headed. But this writer feels radio should return to it's roots more. Have a well-educated, passionate DJ spinning the discs. Have him talk about the music he is playing. Create a relationship with the listeners. Play more 'deep cuts' but talk about them. Another radio station here in Denver has a DJ that knows something about almost EVERY song he plays. He usually sets up the story before a commercial and it makes you wait for the commercials to end so you can hear what song he was talking about! It is a perfect scenario...except I don't care for a lot of music they are playing.

Anyway Thank you for your insights. Now go listen to "Generations"!!!

"You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour"

Radio Ga Ga.

I hope you still believe that...

[Fernando Ramirez]

It's like bitching about a president when you didn't vote. If you don't support radio, don't bitch when you don't like what is or isn't played. [/color][/size][/b]

You sure are dense. I don't support radio BECAUSE they don't support great melodic rock music. If they did, then I would support radio. Clicked on today, and ... nope, no melodic rock music.

Anyway, it's more important to support the bands, because without music, radio is nothing. And the people are finding a way with ipods, satellite radio, and other things that give them choices.

But let's face it... I'm not going to change radio. You aren't, either. Your bosses have the power to change it, but they don't. So why don't you go bitch at them!

[Angiekay]

But let's face it... I'm not going to change radio. You aren't, either. Your bosses have the power to change it, but they don't. So why don't you go bitch at them! [/b]

Because it's easier to pick on people who are obvious idiots. Aren't you glad you're good for something?

[Angiekay]

So no 'direction' from Journey?
That song definately would be good on radio.

Well since we couldn't even get them to send us the damn album I doubt they will care which tune we play! lol

That is how I feel, I LOVE music and the radio that I grew up with. If I ever won the lottery I would either work in radio or (more likely) BUY my own radio station!

Oh, man, I've been saying that for years! That would be a whole lotta fun!

That is a wonderful thing. If you ever make it to Denver, I'll buy ya a drink!

You're on!!

I agree. Sattelite is going to get huge, and it is going to affect broadcast radio, but there is something to be said for the LOCAL feel. Sattelite has the appeal for far more choices and NO commercials. But I can live with some commercials. I read an article where the writer was discussing how to compete with iPods and sattelite. Some think you will hear more varied playlists. Some say JACK-FM is a no-playlist feel and that is where radio is headed.

Jack's are unique, but i think they are fly by night. People listen to a certain genre for a reason and while hearing a whole bunch of difference stuff is fun for a while, you're going to get sick of Alice In Chains into the Bee Gees pretty quick. The other problem with the Jack format is that most of them have no jocks! There is one that just started up in Minneapolis and one of their liners actually says, "Don't bother calling in, we don't play requests"!

Anyway Thank you for your insights. Now go listen to "Generations"!!!

*saluting* Yes sir!!

"You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour"

Radio Ga Ga.

I hope you still believe that...

I certainly do.

[Rockindeano]

I am guilty as anyone..

News says "The Place in Your Heart" going to radio the week of Aug. 22..

Hmm

[Fernando Ramirez]

Because it's easier to pick on people who are obvious idiots. Aren't you glad you're good for something? [/color][/size][/b]

Thanks for that insult. I really appreciate it.

I don't agree with you or your viewpoint. That's the way it's going to be.

[yak]

Thanks for that insult. I really appreciate it.
I don't agree with you or your viewpoint. That's the way it's going to be.

Great, Fernando, for sticking to your guns! Especially since you can look beyond the avatar and know what you're talking about where radio's concerned.

Kind of saucy, even for a DJ, dontcha' think Miss Angie?

Maybe you need to check out that thread about catching more flies with
HONEY, rather than vinegar.

[Angiekay]

Great, Fernando, for sticking to your guns! Especially since you can look beyond the avatar and know what you're talking about where radio's concerned.

Kind of saucy, even for a DJ, dontcha' think Miss Angie?

Maybe you need to check out that thread about catching more flies with
HONEY, rather than vinegar.

Yeah, I'm sure Fernando has more then 18 years of radio under his belt to be flinging HIS insults about something he's READ about instead of lived. More like fire with fire. If he shoots off his mouth about something he knows very little about, he's not getting honey.

[Fernando Ramirez]

Yeah, I'm sure Fernando has more then 18 years of radio under his belt to be flinging HIS insults about something he's READ about instead of lived. More like fire with fire. If he shoots off his mouth about something he knows very little about, he's not getting honey.
[/color][/size][/b]

It's called being informed. I was informed about our recent war in Iraq, and I don't have to be in the trenches to have an opinon about it. You, however, spouted and spewed with anger against me. You basically want people to AGREE with your viewpoint, then you'll be happy. You are not going to get that here. I have no problem with you believing what you believe in, but don't expect me or anybody else to. If you have some personal vendetta against JOURNEY, then fine, don't play them on your station.

Let me tell you how it works here, and in the REAL WORLD. If you criticize something, then you are opening yourself for criticism. You slag something, then others will slag you. THAT's how it really works both ways.

[Angiekay]

It's called being informed. I was informed about our recent war in Iraq, and I don't have to be in the trenches to have an opinon about it. You, however, spouted and spewed with anger against me. You basically want people to AGREE with your viewpoint, then you'll be happy. You are not going to get that here. I have no problem with you believing what you believe in, but don't expect me or anybody else to. If you have some personal vendetta against JOURNEY, then fine, don't play them on your station.

Let me tell you how it works here, and in the REAL WORLD. If you criticize something, then you are opening yourself for criticism. You slag something, then others will slag you. THAT's how it really works both ways.

Oh, I see. So, when we were just talking simply about radio and you come blazing in about how much you hate radio now and just listen to cd's because radio sucks, blah blah blah, that's not shoving YOUR NEGATIVE opinion down everyone's throats? Gotcha. Apparently the rules don't apply to your great and holy opinions(and really, that's all they are).


"Yes, Fernando, you're right, radio sucks, you rule and know all, I bow down before your greatness"

How's that?

[NealIsGod]

You thought what happened to Journey in SD was bad? Read this!

http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net ... emID=40691

Poor Maiden.

[Monker]

Well, this is an interesting thread. Wish I had read it earlier.

Angie,

Here's my question...

What do you expect to happen for Journey under Sanctuary that didn't happen when they released their own album, "Red 13"?

I can understand what people are saying about getting the album to radio, etc. But, you know what? I HEARD RED 13 ON THE RADIO. My local station (KGGO in Des Moines) is probably in no different a sitation then yours...not being owned by Clear Chanel, and not a 'huge' market (although, I think KGGO may have some sorta respect, since they have been so popular for so long). So, what is Sanctuary going to be able to change between LA and New York...all those stations that ARE owned by Clear Channel?

I doubt it will make much difference at all.

How did being on Sanctuary help Styx? I don't recall hearing ANY Cyclorama on the radio...But, I have heard a LOT of "Big Band Theory"...released by Universal.

I'll say that being on Sactuary is good in that they don't have to handle distribution, getting the CD to retail, as they would on their own...and MAYBE John Kalodner can do SOMETHING to help. Styx said they had a lot of freedom in the studio when the recorded Cyclorama (no JDK's dictating song choices, etc). However, in the big picture of things, I don't think it's going to make much of a difference in radio play.

Finaly, why do YOU think Big Band Theory got so much airplay early on?

Also, were you ever on the Indra Styx mailing list?