stuart@ssc-vax.UUCP (Stuart Lewis) (06/07/84)
Well folks, here I go. Just give me a moment to load my cylinder and prepare
to drop the hammer on this guy! "Go ahead punk, make ..." well, you know
the rest.
No matter what "dya's" opinion of the music wheel is, the fact remains that
nearly every major radio station uses it. Period. I don't need his kind of
bull**** telling me how screwed up I am. As I recall, my article mearly pre-
sented a little insight in to the workings of radio - that's all. I wasn't
making any statements pro or con about the way things work - and what I wrote
IS THE WAY THINGS WORK! From all of the mail I've received, it seems that
everyone enjoyed what I wrote. All but "dya" that is, who apparently wanted
to show everyone on the net what a radio expert he is. Well, he must be.
That's why he's the no. 1 jock in the morning drive slot in his market. His
article presented nothing but opinions; I presented nothing but facts. And
although I myself do not claim to be an expert on radio, at least I worked as
an "on the air" personality for 4 years - not some button pushing, reel chang-
ing, 'read the meter', chair warmer at an "automated" station. DAMN! I feel
better already!
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>>>> Here is a fine example of how radio station programmers have assumed that
"regular as the effect produced by Ex-Lax" programming is what people really
want. Of course, they have been conditioned this way. Of course, I must
disqualify myself, having worked in major market radio too (before deciding
that you can't make money at it...as a jock.)
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O.K., let's look at the key word here : MONEY. Why do performers write/play
music? Contrary to popular myth, it's not to satisfy some deep burning urge
to express his/her innermost soul and feelings to the world for their approval.
They do it to make MONEY. Why do record promoters sign rising stars to record-
ing contracts? It's not because this kid he happened to see in the local bar
shows promise and he wants to help his dreams of stardom come true. Hell no!
He's going to exploit him for every dime he's capable of making off of him.
(remember Colonel Parker and Elvis). MONEY. And of course, why does a radio
station operate. Well, it's not just so you and I can listen to the Emergency
Broadcast System the next time Mt. St. Helens blows up. THEY'RE THERE TO MAKE
MONEY!!! What makes money you ask. By playing the hottest, best selling ar-
tists and records to as wide an audience as possible in a given passage of time.
And of course dya didn't make money at it - station owners can hire anyone off
the street (and usually do) for minimum wage to sit and push buttons and change
reels on the tape machines in an automated station.
End of part I. Pass Go. Collect $200.
Stuart Lewis
ssc-vax!stuart