Out of control

[cptsparkle]

Hello all. I need advice and guidance.

 

The station that I broadcast with is bent out of shape at me for my dogging requests. I am suppose to broadcast tonight but judging by the emails I have, they'll want me to play the requests that come in. As those of you who know, I HATE REQUESTS!!!!!!

 

Please allow me to expand upon that statement. I'm definately not a pro at this. I do this as a hobby and this is a hobby that is not cheap, if you want to sound good and stay legal. I also entered the hobby to learn and have fun, the operative word there being FUN. I'm nothing but an old retired soldier who likes broadcasting using a "personality radio" style broadcast. I do not play mainstream music. I do not expect an audience from the mainstream genres to listen to me. I'm attempting to find and fill a niche in internet radio for new music by basically...unheard rock artists.

 

Like a number of DJs, I only broadcast two times a week. This allows me to obtain (legally) music, the rights to play the music, comedy bits, formatting my show and adding what I can to the show to make it unique and exciting. My show is programmed from the beginning so all I do is hit play and sit back. I get on the air every three to four songs and let the audience know who we are, what the song was and who the artists were. I also then will talk about articles I researched within the music industry and radio industry. The articles that I talk about are not of interest to all. I try and only speak of issues and items that the people who listen to my music would have interest in. I believe to be successfull you have to offer something unique and fill a void that exists. This will give you your "in".

 

As I have found out since my post of "I HATE REQUESTS", our audience apparently consists of nothing but people who have nothing to do but hang out in these "chat" rooms and BS all day. The other jocks on our station do play mainstream and a couple play country. Our request line is filled with people making requests all day. Our jocks merrily will find the tune and put it on almost immediately. Our request line also reflects were a few listeners make over 10 requests in a day. We even have listeners send us files of songs they want to hear and get mad if we don't play them.

 

I have several dilemnas that I'm fighting in my head. First, DMCA compliance. Does anybody comply? I'm relatively certain the terrestial stations do. I'm unaware if the majority of internet stations do. We broadcast through SWCast in order to stay legal on the royalty side. In fact, the DJs all split up the costs twice a year so we can all stay legal. I don't think our station managers are aware of the DMCA compliance.

 

Second, I'm very aware that listener requests can make a station. It helps the listener perceive they have a voice at the station. The requests are also suppose to allow the the listener connect on a personal level. I totally understand that concept and it's payouts.

 

So what if you play a show that is a show? All my broadcasts are shows that I put together complete with intros, outros, comedy bits, etc. My intent is to entertain, not be the inner workings of a jukebox. A person who listens to my show would have to have an ear for the music I play. I got requests on my last Sunday show while I was playing Technocolor Void, The Futureheads, RA-RA-Riot and Hollywood Undead for an Elton John/George Michael duet of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me". WTF? That is 180 degrees the opposite polarity from the music I play. Why would anybody who enjoys that type of music be doing listening to my show? On top of that, is it fair that a listener demands certain music from me after I paid for the music I play?

 

Ok, now that I've said all that I'm certain that a great deal of the "more experienced" folks on the forum have been through all this before. I'm curious how you handled it. What you did. How you did it.

 

Any suggestions or guidance would be more then welcomed folks.

 

Also, who needs a hobby jock with good equipment, all legal music and the desire to do nothing but get better? Oh yea, and someone who will not play requests.

 

Thanks much and sorry for the length. I do appreciate you reading this. I'm in a quandry on how to approach this.

 

Thanks.

 

Wayne aka: Cptsparkle

[cptsparkle]

Hello all. I need advice and guidance.

 

The station that I broadcast with is bent out of shape at me for my dogging requests. I am suppose to broadcast tonight but judging by the emails I have, they'll want me to play the requests that come in. As those of you who know, I HATE REQUESTS!!!!!!

 

Please allow me to expand upon that statement. I'm definately not a pro at this. I do this as a hobby and this is a hobby that is not cheap, if you want to sound good and stay legal. I also entered the hobby to learn and have fun, the operative word there being FUN. I'm nothing but an old retired soldier who likes broadcasting using a "personality radio" style broadcast. I do not play mainstream music. I do not expect an audience from the mainstream genres to listen to me. I'm attempting to find and fill a niche in internet radio for new music by basically...unheard rock artists.

 

Like a number of DJs, I only broadcast two times a week. This allows me to obtain (legally) music, the rights to play the music, comedy bits, formatting my show and adding what I can to the show to make it unique and exciting. My show is programmed from the beginning so all I do is hit play and sit back. I get on the air every three to four songs and let the audience know who we are, what the song was and who the artists were. I also then will talk about articles I researched within the music industry and radio industry. The articles that I talk about are not of interest to all. I try and only speak of issues and items that the people who listen to my music would have interest in. I believe to be successfull you have to offer something unique and fill a void that exists. This will give you your "in".

 

As I have found out since my post of "I HATE REQUESTS", our audience apparently consists of nothing but people who have nothing to do but hang out in these "chat" rooms and BS all day. The other jocks on our station do play mainstream and a couple play country. Our request line is filled with people making requests all day. Our jocks merrily will find the tune and put it on almost immediately. Our request line also reflects were a few listeners make over 10 requests in a day. We even have listeners send us files of songs they want to hear and get mad if we don't play them.

 

I have several dilemnas that I'm fighting in my head. First, DMCA compliance. Does anybody comply? I'm relatively certain the terrestial stations do. I'm unaware if the majority of internet stations do. We broadcast through SWCast in order to stay legal on the royalty side. In fact, the DJs all split up the costs twice a year so we can all stay legal. I don't think our station managers are aware of the DMCA compliance.

 

Second, I'm very aware that listener requests can make a station. It helps the listener perceive they have a voice at the station. The requests are also suppose to allow the the listener connect on a personal level. I totally understand that concept and it's payouts.

 

So what if you play a show that is a show? All my broadcasts are shows that I put together complete with intros, outros, comedy bits, etc. My intent is to entertain, not be the inner workings of a jukebox. A person who listens to my show would have to have an ear for the music I play. I got requests on my last Sunday show while I was playing Technocolor Void, The Futureheads, RA-RA-Riot and Hollywood Undead for an Elton John/George Michael duet of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me". WTF? That is 180 degrees the opposite polarity from the music I play. Why would anybody who enjoys that type of music be doing listening to my show? On top of that, is it fair that a listener demands certain music from me after I paid for the music I play?

 

Ok, now that I've said all that I'm certain that a great deal of the "more experienced" folks on the forum have been through all this before. I'm curious how you handled it. What you did. How you did it.

 

Any suggestions or guidance would be more then welcomed folks.

 

Also, who needs a hobby jock with good equipment, all legal music and the desire to do nothing but get better? Oh yea, and someone who will not play requests.

 

Thanks much and sorry for the length. I do appreciate you reading this. I'm in a quandry on how to approach this.

 

Thanks.

 

Wayne aka: Cptsparkle

 

 

Quick update: I just had it out with the station. They insist that I play the files the listeners send to me and play it immediately. NO WAY!!!!!

 

Then, to put up with this as a unpaid hobbyist who pays his own royalties is ludicrous.

 

So...I'm looking for a station that would want a packaged show and not someone who will emulate the innerworkings of a jukebox.

[GKIye]

Hi Wayne,

I looks to Me all very easy ...

Switch from station ...

I have the idea that your format don't fix with the format of the current station

If a station allows requests "during" the broadcasts of sets, its logical that all jocks / members follow that format

I agree with you that you can't play during a "rock" set a request, such as Elton John ft George Michael, for reason that you are making a complete radioset including a typical genre, info and updates about projects, artists etc

If your set has a good quality and content I'm sure other stations such as Rock orientated stations gonna have interests in what you are making and can shedule your set during their daily broadcasts.

Anyway, enjoy "your" way of doing things ...

Happy 2010 !

[Unkle B]

If you are doing an Indie show why couldnt the station let you or help you to play requests for Indie artists during your time slot? If it were me that is what I would have been pushing for.