Free Radio?

What is the value of Rock radio today? Early Rock radio was so alluring because of the fresh sounds and rebellious nature of the disc jockeys that played them. During this time, those without access to new music saw Rock radio as a beacon, and radio played facilitator in promoting bands and music that might have not been heard otherwise. Still, even in that period where disc jockeys became heroes and asserted their influence with conviction, there were bands that were not going to ever be heard simply because of one persons taste.

The business goals of radio today are the same, but the dollars are bigger, and there is much more music today than ever before. Out of all the music available, radio will only focus on a couple dozen songs that their audience almost unanimously agrees they like, and almost without exception these songs come from major label recording artist. This model ensures listeners, but leaves out a lot of musicians that make music at the same quality level, and often times at levels above major label recording artist.

The once laudatory praise directed at radio, has been replaced by the feeling that radio has gotten stale and predictable. The best disc jockeys and programmers do their best to try and fight this notion, but the bottom line of the business makes it incredibly difficult. The rest of the DJ’s buy in to the idea that a song has to be a “Hit” to make the cut. But what is a hit? Isn’t Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” a hit? How about The Red Hot Chili Peppers “Scar Tissue”? Where is the correlation between those two songs? They have a good melody? Lets say that’s it, why don’t they play M83’s “Kim and Jessie”? That song has a great melody. Maybe the problem is that with only a couple dozen slots available in the rotation, The Red Hot Chili Peppers get played because people know them, but people know them because at one time some disc jockey played them on the radio. I love the Chili Peppers, but I love M83 also.

So what is the value of Radio? It depends on the taste of the radio stations and disc jockeys you like, but overall I think the value of radio is drastically diminished in terms of credibility even if the value of radio in terms of dollars remains high. I would love it if they played more songs and took more chances, but I guess when it comes to making money, you go for the sure thing, and take as few risk as possible. One thing I know for sure is that one person’s musical taste + position of power does not make a song great. Great songs are still going to be great even if they aren’t played on radio.

What do you think?