I remember many years ago when I was just starting out as a Disc Jockey, people would ask what I did for a living. After I proudly said that I was in Radio, several would respond: "Oh, you’re a parasite...a whore!" Meaning, that I made money off the talents of others. I always resented that remark. Still do. Sadly, many in the Recording Industry have felt this way, some still do.
Now, after decades of reflection, Wisdom-which comes from experience and age-has caused me to rethink my chosen profession. Especially today, when the Recording Industry is calling for more royalties to be paid to them for play...where ever it may occur. This is the same Industry which has invested untold millions into promoting or obtaining "free" air play, then turn around and demand "performance" pay for each play. Let’s go back. There used to be a recording contract between the record company and the artist...spelling out how much they would get paid on records SOLD, not PLAYED. When Radio became a force for attracting audiences, at some point, the Record companies and Recording Industry decided to replace their overhead costs with revenue from the source of their promotion- Radio stations. They cleverly called this once-recorded session, a "performance". And as such, wanted money for their artist they signed, to be paid for each "free" play they got on Radio.
I never understood how any Radio Station could agree to this arrangement.
How is a recorded anything a "performance" once it has been "performed"? Well, it’s not! No more of a performance than listening to the playback of a voice mail. My how the tables have turned! (Or should I say hard drives?) We pay THEM for "free" air play. Chutzpah? I guess! Sort of reminds me of Credit Card Companies charging over 20% to use their "free" card! How often has the Record Industry wheedled, prodded, & cajoled DJ’s, PD’s and Music Directors to play their songs? Too often to even guess. How often has the Recording Industry(i.e. Record Labels) offered free this and free that to get their "performers" heard and/or played? The numbers would be staggering if known. Ever hear of "Payola"? Why, we also were given copies of records that were marked: "For Radio Station Play Only-Promotional Copy"- remember??
I would often tell the more aggressive Record Promotion people that I was not in business to "sell" records for them. I was in business to attract a large audience for my station to sell air time. Besides, it wasn’t just their music or song I was using, it was many things: News, personalities, contests, dial position, transmitter power.....in other words, we had overhead too. Furthermore, we made our play list largely from record store sales, and the public demand. At least that’s the way it should be. I’m all for writers, composers and artists to be paid for their work. But it should be based more fairly, and on sales... sales created by the exposure from air play. The Record Industry should be grateful for the free air play. Instead, they want to penalize the purveyors of play! Not Nice! Now, who’s the parasite? Now, who is the bloodsucker? Now, who wants money off the work of others? Today they're
after the Internet, tomorrow it'll be terrestrial Radio. Be forewarned! In that regard, I propose the following: If the Record Industry wants paid for each recorded "performance", perhaps those in Radio should receive a 15% "booking fee" for exposing their artist on our "stage". They want 16 cents, Radio should get a 15% commission. OR, maybe a due bill should be sent for the air time that their "performance" took. Imagine what dollar amount that would be in New York? Lastly, Radio could spread the air play more evenly, that is, play songs less...adjust it's programming to cut down the frequency that any song is aired. Something has to be done to make the various profiteering Recording Industry groups and organizations know that they’re "cutting their electronic nose to spite their face". Parasites Vs. Bloodsuckers? Perhaps we’re all in these categories. I hope not, because you can only leech, and suck the blood from a dying carcass so long before it’s DEAD!!
That’s my RadiOpinion, what’s yours? gary.allyn@gmail.com
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