THE RADIO TREADMILL...IS IT TIME TO GET OFF?


Recently, there was a 30 year celebration of the release of "Back To The Future". For some reason
that got me to thinking about the direction to where Radio was heading. It seems that most Radio
execs today are missing a most important direction, and that would, could, or should be:
Back To The Future. Radio, like a lot of industries, have always copied what was/is successful.
Scores of stations copied the early McLendon, Storz and Bartell formats. Later arose all those
"Fake Drake" or "Boss" stations. Why? Because they were winners. They were damned good.
They were winners...both in ratings and revenue. Today's "Deregulation Darlings" and their
corporate hierarchy, haven't even contemplated trying what has already worked. There has been
no consideration or thought of listening to tapes or recordings of what ingredients made those
stations of yesteryear so highly successful. Programmers today are afraid to take any creative
chances. The corporate overlords want to "play it safe". The format is one cleansed of any human
connection. Don't play or say anything that hasn't already been "scrubbed" first by research or
focus groups. What this leads to is banality, sterility and predictability. After all, just keep
something on the air that can produce the necessary revenue to pay off  the debt service on those
over-priced loans used to purchase that corporate armada of radio properties. It's hard enough to
run ONE radio station...running hundreds is close to insane! There's little thought about the
"product" on the air. There IS a lot of thought...usually the only thought... THE BOTTOM LINE.
These Bottom Line thinkers seldom think of people. Fewer people, less payroll. Less people,
more duties. Quite simple. One person can voice track for dozens of stations, right? Also, a
central music department can put the same music on a myriad of stations in many markets.
Voila! Radio has become a digital automation system, not too unlike the pre-programmed Shafer,
IGM or Shulke systems of the 1960's. Many of us feared then, these machines would someday
lead to our inevitable replacement. In the ensuing 40 years, not that much is different. If those
in control of broadcast operations today are searching for something "new", maybe they should
listen to Peter Allen's song lyrics and be reminded that "Everything Old Is New Again". Try
something! This treadmill radio has been on just isn't very good anymore. Time to get off!
That Fall day back in 1955 when I first hopped on board the Radio treadmill and uttered my first words on the air, I was 17 years old, naive, and full of excitement in joining this magical World
called RADIO. Somewhere along the way, the "magic" left, but the treadmill kept monotonously moving to a new software laden place where humans can be replaced quickly... just hit the "delete" button. That's MY RadiOpinion, what's yours?

                      The Times They Have Changed!

Yep, it's over. Radio is officially dull! Bob Dylan was indeed prophetic when he sang about
the "Times They Are A Changing".  The "Change" has happened to Radio. America came
plunging head long into the 1950's after a bitter World War. America was ready to explode
with optimism and futuristic thought. Radio was ready to join in this new modern World
of Studebaker, Corvette and T-Bird cars, cars with Rocket 88 engines, outer space Sputnik satellites and talk of putting a man on the Moon! It seems not too long ago, one could hear 
emanating from radio stations across America: energy, dynamism, superlatives, positive momentum...you remember, all of the things that made radio sound great and actually BE great. Radio was "Fabulous", "Futuresonic", "Color", "Big", "Funderful", "Rocket Radio", "Boss", "Heavy", "Super", "Magnificent", Top Dog, "Tigers", Big Apes"...would there be enough adjectives we could use to describe ourselves? Such were the days of "Top 40 Radio"
We had " Fab Forty ", "Sonic Sixty", "Pacesetter" and "Silver Dollar Surveys". Disc Jockies
were not just DeeJays, but were: "Swingin' Gentlemen", "Good Guys", "Magnificent 7",
"Hit Makers", "Star Makers", and "Boss Jocks". Weekends weren't two days at the end of 
a week, they were: "Wonderful", "Fun Lovin'", or "Million Dollar". Promotions were:
"Colossal", "Gigantic", "Winner's Wonderland","Car Loads Of Cash", "The Best", The
"Biggest"..and on-and-on it went. Oldies were "Golden","Souvenirs", "Flashbacks",
"Evergreen", "Forever Fabulous". Top 40 Radio Newscasts were: "Pulsebeat", "EarWitness",
"Pacesetter", some were "Intelligence Reports" all filled with that urgent staccato delivery
punctuated with a myriad of buzzers, bells, stagings, echo chambers and filters to insure the
listener could be given the World of information in 3 to 5 minutes. Now, toss in further
exciting contests & promotions consisting of big cash, cars or house giveaways, plus listener
involved "Treasure Hunts", and you have what I call The Second Golden Age of Radio!
It lasted for maybe 15-20 years...from 1955 to about 1975, but what a whirlwind of creativity
it was. From the mid 1990's to the present, radio has stagnated into a Sargasso Sea of over
regulated and researched programming that is so predictable and uninteresting to warrant
long term listener tune in. It's true, music tends to reflect the mood of a society over time.
Over the past 50 plus years, you can hear the change. From "At The Hop", "Teen Angel"
and "Betty Lou Got a New Pair of Shoes" to "Eve Of Destruction", "War( What Is It Good
For)", "Abraham, Martin & John" and "Woodstock"to  today's song lyrics about "ho's and killing cops", it's easy to see and hear where this country has come from and where it's headed. Radio seems to be following this same downward spiral. Optimism has been replaced with pessimism and confusion of purpose. Today, no news would be welcome good news!
I miss the days in radio when I heard the phrases: "We have plenty of audio radiance for 
our radio audience" and "The radio station you'd listen to if you owned all the stations in
the World".  Where did our radio pride and bragadoccio go?  Listen today, and you will
seldom hear "greatness". Not all "change" is a good thing. Maybe, just like our country, we don't feel that way anymore.   That's my RadiOpinion...what's yours? 

                                   WHEN IS TOO MANY, TOO MANY?


Are there too many Radio stations?  I have come to the sad conclusion that there are. Well,

let's see. As of July 30, 2015 there were 15,455 licensed full power stations in the U.S.A.

according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FCC. This is an ever changing

number, but the biggest increases are in LPM's (low power FM) - 1,149 in the past year!

Then added are 6,366 FM translators and boosters. However, AM stations DECREASED

by 4 to "only" 4,698. FM commercial stations had an increase of 7 to 6,613. FM educational

or non-profit stations stand at 3,989. If you add in all types of TV(UHF-VHF), the total broadcast

stations are at 30,465. Boy! That's a lot of licenses and frequencies being used isn't it?

When I entered radio in 1955, the number of AM stations were about half what there are

today...around 2,600 then. Back then-in the 1950's, I could listen to half of the United States

from my bed( in Ohio) at night:WLAC, Nashville & John R.,WLS, WABC, Jack The Bellboy in

Detroit, KDKA, WLW, Del Rio Texas and my personal favorite-Dick "Moonglow" Martin from

WWL in New Orleans. These are but a few of the fabulous frequencies found on a much less

crowded dial. I got to thinking about this the other night when I was not sleeping well, and turned 

on my trusty red bake-o-lite 1971 Archer AM radio to "listen myself to sleep".

Out here in Southern California with the mountains and rugged terrain, it's very hard to receive

much but static these days. FM is even more difficult. I can't hear any of the local stations without

much interference from afar. I always thought the FCC erred in the beginning by not making dial

space wider..to at least 20kc instead of 10kc. Same idea for FMs in megacycle spacing.

This would have made side band usage for today's digital HD much easier. AM radio doesn't

really have much of a chance as it's being "strangled" by too much frequency intrusion. After all,

there's only so much room on the dial-AM or FM. Only a span of 530 to 1700 kc to cram in 4,700

radio stations. This should not have ever been allowed to happen in my view. I can't figure out

what the FCC's end goal is. As an analogy, it's like over stocking a pond with too many fish-to

the point that very few can survive. OR, too many fishing licenses are being issued to "fish the

pond" dry. Whichever the case, neither scenario bodes well for the industry, the advertising

community or the all important listener(s). That's my RadiOpinion...what's yours?

                              ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN...THE BEAT GOES ON
                                                         
                                                   

As if society doesn't have enough law suits these days, now comes the latest to re-surface as it

regards RADIO VS. PERFORMERS RIGHTS ACT. Litigants such as Music FIRST Coalition,

FMA(Future of Music Coalition), AFTRA-SAG and various Recording industry groups are after

the "Deep Pockets" of terrestrial radio to obtain Fair Pay for Fair Play. They contend AM/FM

stations should pay for all performers on a record or on recorded music played over the air waves.

Naturally, the NAB and large corporate broadcast entities don't agree. Radio says that paying for

songs played on their stations would be unfair-especially to smaller(small market) radio stations.

Radio has always had a "Quid Pro Quo" association with record companies and artists. Free adver-

tising and promotion for the performers right to compensation for said air play and exposure. The

new fee structure would make it nearly impossible to stay in business. It would force them to resort

to "All Talk" formats, or close down all together. The NAB feels the record labels should pay their

artists. The pro performance people note the fact that Radio has already agreed to compensate digital

downloading on-line sources, as-well-as various Satellite Music outlets. They also say that Radio has

been paying composers and publishers since 1923, why not the performers?   It a two sided coin of

which I can see both sides. I don't know how all this started many years ago. It's  sort of a which

came first "chicken or the egg" scenario in the making of this "omelette", but both seem to be

arguing over the cost of the frying pan!  However, the various remedies proposed, are too complex  

thanks to all those lawyers who always have to complicate things more than is necessary.

Why there's even a new litigation campaign brewing on the back turntable from ABS Entertainment

 (representing Al Green's music and others) to stop the playing of  "Oldies" which were recorded  

before 1972... at least until the proposed language for a fee structure for the playing of these "Oldies"

can be determined..yet different for "newer" music played since 1978! Does that mean that these

pre -1972 "Oldies But Greedies" will now be found only on public, ethnic and/or college radio

stations? Will the Temptations, Elvis and The Beatles find their "niche" as the NEW Classical Music

right next to Mozart and Beethoven? Is it a case of re-biting the hand that fed you, or an overdue

overhaul of the the PRA-Performer's Rights Act?  Here's a proposal:

 If the "performers" wish fair compensation for each Radio station air play they get, then terrestrial

Radio stations should get fair advertising rate compensation for the duration of that "performer's"

music that was played. Maybe then, both sides will discover: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and

"It's All In The Game", that "It's Now Or Never"so "We Can Work It Out" and be "Happy Together"

if you want some "R-E-S-P-E-C-T .

That's my RadiOpinion....what's yours?  -   Gary Allyn

 

                                           RADIO LIVES MATTER (Too)

Every time I read of the passing of one of our Radio legends or Icons such as Gary Owens, 

George Wilson or a Casey Kasem, I often think about who will come along to take their

place. No one can replace their respective talents, but who will at least try to rise to their

level? Unlike other entertainment professions-Acting, Singing, Comedy etc.; Radio has

no "Farm Team", no outlet anymore where one can learn, make mistakes, or hone one's

ability to get better. Many years ago when "Movies" became the rage, I remember people

used to wonder what would become of the Vaudeville performer. Well, Radio appeared to

put many of them to work, and many of those went on to star in another "vaudeville"

- Television.

In my day ( '50's, '60's & '70's) there were plenty of smaller market"mom and pop" owned 

radio stations where one could get started in a broadcast career.

Since Deregulation, the allowing the massing of hundreds of stations under central control of

one owner, there is limited opportunity for anyone to advance as an on air talent. There is no 

Triple A "Farm Team" to go to. I see no talent pool of Radio lives to pull from who are trained 

in this special form of communication....who possess the fundamental elements to succeed. 

Radio, much like our Federal government, is diminishing personal achievement through

centralization of power OVER people. I see a steady erosion of an individual's pursuit of

The American Dream. Or even one's dream of a career in Radio. In the not to distant future,

I see the "Euthanasia" of  Radio and it's people, due largely from "Bottom Liners" in the

corporate ownership of broadcast properties, who see "talent" as an expense rather than an

asset. These are the same people who control an individual's pursuit of happiness. In recent

months there have been mass "layoffs" and firings...and no replacements in sight. I doubt if

the last Dinosaur knew when it died that it's species was now extinct. I hope it's not too late to

help save another potential extinction that's now occurring in American Radio. 

That's MY RadiOpinion....what's yours?  - Gary Allyn

                                AFTER 50 YEARS, I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS

Radio is much like politics, religion, & sports....everyone has an opinion on how it should be. Since I started in Radio in 1955 and to this very day, I still have questions about Radio....how it sounds, what format should be done, how many commercials per hour, what kind of station do we want to be and on-and-on. Many questions, naturally, bring many more answers. A lot of questions we had back then (the 50's &  60's) are still around today. Since the advent of Top 40 and it's many versions, these same questions are still around. Listening around the dial today, it sounds like very few owners, General Managers, Programmers and air talent have any unsolved explanations for their banal attempts at making a successful station. I have listed(below) some questions which maybe you have answers to:

FOR INSTANCE: 

1.   How many commercials per hour is the appropriate amount?

(a)   six     (b)   eight   (c)   ten   (d) twelve   (e) fourteen   (f)   eighteen-or more

2.   In a Top 40 Format, what is the best number of  current "Hits" to play?

(a)   30   (b)   35   (c) 40   (d)   50 or more

3.   What would be the best number in a station's "Oldies" library to play from?

(a)  300   (b)   600   (c)   1,000   (d)  1,500   (e) 2,000   (f)   3,000

4.   Which is more important in attracting an audience?

(a)   Music    (b)   Contests   (c)   Air Talent

5.   What is the most important department in a Radio station?

(a)   Engineering   (b) Programming   (c)   Sales    (d)   Traffic/Production   (e)   All
 
6.   Is record promotion and/or promotion people essential in picking music to play?

(a)   Very Essential  (b) Somewhat Essential  (c)  Not Very Essential   (d)  Only Danny Davis

7.   What does the phrase "Number 1 With A Bullet"  mean to you?

(a)   Columbia has bought another full page ad   (b)   Claude Hall gets his pay check

                                  (c)   Rick Sklar still won't put my record on 


There you have six "burning" questions that just might be a help in considering how to put
together a successful Radio station.  Then again, maybe not. I'd love your input answers so
that I and others can sleep at night.  Just email your answers or comments to see if you win
a traded out trip to Morris Diamond's house in Palm Springs!      Send those entries to:
                                                       gary.allyn@gmail.com

That's my RadiOpinion...what's yours?





    

THE BACK NINE

Well, here we are at the end of another year...a year which has gone by so quickly.
You know ... time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of
the passing years.  It seems just yesterday that I was young, and embarking
on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and
dreams.

But, here it is the “back nine” of my life and it took me by surprise.
How did I get here so fast?   Where did the years go?   Where did my youth
go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that
those older people were years away from me and that “I was only on the
front nine” and the “back  nine” was so far off that I could not fathom it
or imagine fully what it would be like.

But all of a sudden, the “turn” is behind me.   Here it is, I’m now on the
“back nine.”  I see an older person when I look in the mirror now.   Many
of my friends are retired and getting grey.  They move slower now.   Some
are in better and some worse shape than me, but I see the great change.
They’re not like the friends I remember who were young and vibrant.   Like
me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks.   The
ones we used to see and never thought we'd become.

Each day now, I find that things like getting up, doing the stairs,
running errands, are fast becoming goals for the day, not just the
sometimes annoying daily tasks they once were.   Soon taking a nap will no
longer be just a weekend treat, but mandated daily

And so...now I enter into this new time of my life, totally unprepared for
more of the aches, pains, loss of strength I know are coming.   Lost will
be the ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did.
At least I know, that though I’m now on the “back nine”, and though not
sure how long it will last, I firmly believe that when it's over on this
earth, a new adventure will begin!

Sure, I have regrets.  There are things I wish I hadn't done as well as
things I should have done.   That said, there are many things I'm happy to
have done.  It's simply called a lifetime.

So, if you're not on the “back nine” yet, let me caution you, you’ll be
there faster than you think.  Whatever you would like to accomplish in
your life please undertake it soon.   Don't put things off too long,
because life goes by more quickly than I would have imagined it would just
a few short years ago.   Do what you can do today, because you can never
be sure exactly when you’ve made the “turn” and you’re on the “back nine.
 One day you simply realize you’re there!

You have no promise that you will see all 18 holes.   Unfortunately some
never even finish the “front.”    So live for today.   Say all the things
that you want your loved ones to remember, and hope that they appreciate
and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the
years past!!

"Life" is a gift to you from God.  The way you live your life is your gift
to those who come after.   Make it a fantastic one.   LIVE IT WELL!
ENJOY TODAY!   DO SOMETHING FUN!   BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY!  Remember,
health and family are real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

LASTLY, CONSIDER THESE POINTS:
·       Your kids are becoming you, but your grandchildren are perfect!
·       Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
·       You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they
even knew you!!!
·       You realize you're never going to be really good at anything other
than what you earned your living doing.... especially golf.
·       The things you used to care to do, you no  longer care to do, but
you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
·       You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in
bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
·       You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and
"OFF" switch.
·       You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"
·       Now that you can afford expensive  jewelry, it's not safe to wear
it anywhere.
·       You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"? !!!
·       What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
·       Everybody whispers.
·       You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will
never wear.
 

·       But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of
all, OLD FRIENDS!! So, stay well, "OLD FRIEND!"   It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of  Life You Have Lived. Remember too:

TODAY IS THE OLDEST  YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY  WHILE IT LASTS..... That's my RadiOpinion, what's yours?