Okay, I didn’t do a blog post last week because I was being a busy little bee in Atlanta, Georgia for the majority of last week. I was one of the many radio professionals attending the annual National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show. When these events happen, it’s something of a barrage of information and vendors pushing their wares. I didn’t mind all of the hoopla because I basically signed up for it. I must admit that it can be overwhelming to the senses. The only thing that might trump the Radio Show is the NAB Convention in Las Vegas each year. There’s a lot of noise, lights, cameras and drones all over the Vegas Convention Center. Vegas is whole other world of its own but to add a bunch of crazy broadcasters from all areas of the industry, it just takes the senses on a trip without the intake of stimulating chemicals. This I digress.
I did find myself on a mission to look for some upgrades in equipment/software for WDNG and I was successful in finding more information than I really needed. One thing I am very grateful for is I didn’t have to buy an airplane ticket to the destination. I was fortunate enough to be able to drive to Atlanta. I’m not sure I liked spending so much time on Interstate 20 but it was an easy drive for the most part. I suppose having satellite radio in my car helped tremendously. I find myself at the age where I don’t like trying to drive and search for a local radio station like I once did. I did find out that there weren’t enough news/talk formats to suit me. I tend to be a talk radio junkie.
I stayed at the Atlanta Hilton but I wasn’t privileged enough to see Paris or any of her siblings while in Atlanta. I was able to see Steven Tyler, The Band Perry, Charlie Chase and Lori Ann Crook. They were in attendance for the finale on Friday morning. It was known as “Music and Mimosas.” I didn’t make it for the mimosas but I did make it to see the videos from several of the music labels. I wasn’t impressed with a lot of the new music. I suppose I’m jaded because I grew up listening to the likes of Billy Joel, The Eagles, Charlie Daniels Band, .38 Special, Lynard Skynard and the list goes on. There was a lot of techno pop music that seemed they were all cookie cutter music. The only ones that seemed to be really good were the Country Music artist, Don Henley and Jeff Lynn’s ELO. I did fall in love with “The Band Perry” after their 3 song performance. They’ve got a great sound and their talent is phenomenal. They are working their full potential where many of the other artists that were being highlighted were only taking advantage of part of their talent. There is talent out there. All of their potential isn’t being used, only a fraction is. That to me is sad. I hate being potential being wasted. I may just have higher standards than the young new artists that are out there. If it weren’t for people like me, who own a radio station, they are at our mercy. We are the decision makers as to the format we use and if we choose music, we can discretely pick the music of our choice for our listening audience. I don’t mean to sound pompous but it’s just the nature of the industry. There are a lot of things to consider when programming a radio station.
Now that I’m home from the Radio Show, I now have more than enough items and paperwork to filter through to last me the rest of the week and then some. I still feel somewhat tired from the going and doing but that will fade as I sleep in my own bed and eat my regular diet. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to experience all that comes with my job but there is quite a bit of responsibility that comes with the job. I do my best to make the right decisions for WDNG and our listening audience. I hope I’m doing a good job where I’ve been placed. If not, call me. I can be contacted at 256-236-8291 or at charlene@wdngmedia.com. Let me know any ideas or suggestions you may have.
Thanks for reading and God bless you real good today!