For the love of radio...

Another great blog from a radio pioneer and watcher of the culture of broadcasting.

by Eric Rhoads

Spreading Radio Fires
What's Looming For Radio

As I sit behind my desk, I can smell and see the distant smoke of nearby wildfires. The fires are only about 10 miles away, yet I sit here smugly and safely, with a sense of confidence that someone will get those fires under control and they won't spread to my neighborhood. Instinctively, I know the fires could spread here in a matter of hours, but part of me is in denial: "It won't happen to me. It can't happen here."

Sadly, those fires have destroyed the homes of many people who didn't think it could happen to them. No, they couldn't have stopped the fires, but they could have been better prepared for the moment when they were given 10 minutes to grab whatever they could carry.

My complacency over the nearby fires makes me think about a fire spreading across the radio landscape, destroying our "normal" way of life. As we hear of spreading fires elsewhere, we hope things will remain stable and not affect us. It's human nature: Most of us are in denial about what we know will change our lives and the way we do business. So we remain unprepared even as we think, "I'll deal with it when I'm forced to deal with it."

We know instinctively that being prepared is the best thing, but life, business, time, and budget pressures get in the way.

The flames that are spreading across the media landscape are those of digital media. The statistics don't lie.

• 16.2% of all LOCAL ad dollars have shifted away from legacy media and are now online. That's expected to jump to 24% by 2015.
  
• 43.5% of every ad dollar spent online goes to Google.
  
• In 2011, retail e-commerce will grow 13.7%, to reach $188 billion. More local retail is disappearing.
  
• 71% of Forbes 500 companies consider Facebook and Twitter CRITICAL to their media mix.
  
• 85% of companies consider Facebook to be a successful tool.
  
• Facebook has now surpassed Google (66%) as the most widely used marketing method among local merchants.

Sources: Forbes, Wall St. Journal, American Business Journals, Ad Week, Ad Age


Begging Radio To Pay Attention

In 1999, I begged the radio industry to pay attention to trends that I believed would impact business. While most companies ignored my call for action, a few invested without evidence, based entirely on faith. Those companies today lead the Internet revolution in radio, and the others have never caught up.


It Won't Happen To MeThe digital revolution is upon us. Today most of my friends running radio stations think digital is something that will happen to someone else, think that there isn't enough money in it to invest the time, feel the returns are low, and believe digital is overly hyped. Most have the attitude that they will learn it they have to, and that they can always catch up.

But when the CEO of WPP Group, the largest agency in the world, says that virtually all advertisers are demanding digital options from traditional media and those who don't offer them will be left in the dust, you need to listen. Just because it hasn't hit your station yet does not mean it's not going happening.

Will these same women and men awaken one day with no cash flow because demand has shifted, and clients now require deep digital solutions before they'll buy radio? Will there be time to learn, get up to speed, and train your people? The wildfire of digital media demands from LOCAL and national business is about to engulf all media, and those who have not prepared themselves will find themselves badly burned.


A Well Kept SecretIn my consulting practice, I have seen under the tent at many companies that are quietly developing digital alternatives, which they package with radio campaigns. They're getting business others don't even know they're missing. I'm seeing a significant growth in revenues (approaching 20%) coming from digital strategies.

Meanwhile, other companies pretend digital doesn't exist and that radio as a standalone will always be strong enough. Which companies would you bet on? Will they hire you if you're not tuned in, with a deep understanding of digital media paired with radio?


This Is PersonalThe world is filled with uncertainty. Who would have predicted this year's radio acquisitions? Who can predict who will own your company next year, or what your company will be seeking once they realize how much they missed when the digital world caught fire? Are you confident? Do you have a deep understanding of digital? Are you willing to invest in yourself so you can remain employable when the flames hit at your station, or at your next employer?


The Two-Day TuneupYou can fly from anywhere in the United States on Wednesday, May 18, and be back in your office by Friday, May 20, having spent two days in what most consider the most informative, most cutting-edge, most intelligent, and most radical conference in radio. Convergence 11 is filled with visionary thinking and practical applications, and it's the most important step in being prepared for the digital fire that is sweeping over radio as we speak.

You'll learn what radio is doing successfully -- what works, what fails, and why. We will stretch your brain, make you squirm in your chair, and probably make you angry. Then suddenly, it will all come together at the end of day two, and you'll walk away with a deep understanding of concepts you probably didn't know existed. Our speakers are outsiders, not radio insiders. We've all heard the "insider stuff" for years. Our goal is to bring an exterior perspective.

Every attendee at every sold-out Convergence conference gives us high marks. We offer a money-back guarantee, and only once since 1999 have we had to refund a ticket (and that person didn't request a full refund). If this conference doesn't open your eyes and change you deeply, you have our money back guarantee.

With spring here and summer/fall budgets upon you, the call for digital will be loud. Some stations won't be ready for 2012. Will you?


Radio Ink Convergence 11May 18-19, 2011
Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus
Mountain View, CA


PS: Our hotel discount rates at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara expire on April 25, which means that if you wait, you'll have to pay a whole lot more for the host hotel. Plus, there is still time to grab great airline rates into San Jose, and our advance registration rate expires on April 29. Now is the time to save.


PS2: Lots of people have been asking if we have arranged for employee discount prices in the Microsoft Store at the Microsoft Campus. We have. As a registered attendee, you can buy software and other MS goodies, like Xbox and accessories, at the employee discount.

The first Daffodils...

...are here, does that mean that spring is close by? It looked like it yesterday morning, but soon grey skies and rain took over again. Anyhow, these yellow little flowers make me happy and expectant!  
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Watch help

I have been going crazy over MK watches for a while now! The gold, the rose, the tortoise shell, the pink! So many choices, so little time (and money ha!). I'm not good at choices, ask N. I struggle to decide the smallest thing, what to eat? what to do? not easy trust me. This means that I still haven't decided what to get with a gift certificate for Shopbop I won at the Alternative Wife (it's been months!). Help lovelies! Which one? There's even a little poll below, please help. 

Let the vote begin!

The weekend!

Happy weekend lovelies! the weather has been pretty horrible these last days here in London and even though this week hasn't been as busy as last I'm glad it's over. I was very lucky to attend a great design bloggers event this past Thursday where I met some great great bloggers (more about it next week) and also had the fantastic pleasure to finally meet my fab new friends Lauren from Aspiring Kennedy and Will from Bright Bazaar! Cool huh?

And now I'm off to enjoy the weekend, enjoy too lovelies!

Ps: How gorgeous is this bright table setting? 

Via: 100 Layer Cake

These boots are made for walking!

Some time ago, the fab Erika from Urban Grace Interiors posted all her boots, I kind of liked the idea and decided to shamelessly copy it. 

From left to right: 
Black tall: From a shop in Barcelona in suede. I have been wearing these for a couple of years now. Very comfy and go with many outfits.
Hunter: Green for the rain. 
Grey metallic: these have been my to go boots for years, from the same store in Barcelona. Absolutely love them.
Black: Steve Madden, the classic one that many of you have. Bought them recently for a steal, like really!
Suede brown: from Massimo Dutti, lined in sheepskin, cozy and comfy!
Booty from Topshop


*************
And for the first time ever I have done a mclinky thing so if you fancy sharing your boots too go ahead and link back (no necessary to line them up, any boots post will be fun!) I cant wait to see what you all wear. Let's interact!!

For John's 70th birthday...

Happy Birthday, John....
We all love you and miss you here on Earth. Humanity needs you and your message of peace, now more than ever.
Ask God, that if he doesn't mind too much, to please send you back to do your work and see your family...
Happy Brithday, John....

My son plays his first Bluesfest!

I was in Cedar Rapids Saturday night for a Bluesfest known as Bluesmore (a non-profit fest) ! It's on the grounds of the National Registry's Landmark Museum known as Brucemore Mansion (also a non-profit organization).


Not a bad shindig at all! I'm a bug fan of the blues as is most of my family. I grew up hearing it played on teh stereo from my dad, but also hearing it performed by my father and mother as well.

I play some guitar, but my 12 year old, David, is quite good for his age. He was asked by Gary "Bubba" Gibson to play at the fest on the Brucemore porch stage with another young man named Ben Bollwitt, 14, from Monticello on drums!

(Ben, 14 yrs,on left, my son, David, 12 yrs, on right)

It was a blast to see these two young men, who'd only met at three o'clock that day, gig together for the first time and learn from each other. Both of them were paying special attention to each other, to keep the rhythm chugging along. very professional characteristics from these early teens. A back-up band helped them along and filled out the sound with keyboards, bass, horn and clarinet known as Krewe Osgood, a New Orleans style Jazz band.

(David with guitar and top hat)

(David and Ben discussing music before going onstage)

On main stage were acts from all over the blues world! The Avey Brothers, from the Quad Cities, are a blues trio that had some great blues covers such as Stevie Ray Vaughn's "WILLIE THE WIMP" (one of my all-time favorites).

(David with The Avey Bros.)

Next on the stage was a band out of Wisconsin with a rather large following called Reverened Raven and the Chain-smoking Altar Boys! Amazing band with a saxophonist that could make you shake it without worry of breaking it.... Did some covers of the late Albert Collins, like "TOO MANY DIRTY DISHES" and and some original tunes as well.

Headliner was Deana Bogart. A multi-talented blues-WOMAN that my parents have seen before... Great voice, amzing pianist, and sexy sax, or as some say SAXUALITY!

(David with headliner Deana Bogart)

All in all, had a blast Saturday night at Bluesmore and David.... You were awesome!

Facts about Meme..

Via Electronic Cerebrectomy

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)

5 bedrooms (have 4 kids who all deserve privacy away from one another at some point) and a man-cave...

2. What is your dream car?

1965 Mustang hardtop

3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog?

http://beatlesnumber9.com/

4. iPhone 4 or Droid, which do you want?

Droid

5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?

Listen to music ususally on vinyl or now that I have a reel-reel deck, on tape!

6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.

Trivial Pursuit?

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A Rock GOD!!!!

8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?

Um.... if it's not Gene Simmons Family Jewels, NO!!!!

9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up. (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)

Mr. Haan - High School Choral Director

10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?

Rob a bank. I'm petty and materialistic. Then I'd have money to do with whatever I wish.

11. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Working at Sam Goody as Ass. Man. ;)

12. By this time next year, I ...

hope to have lost 50-60 lbs

13. Do you think the United States will elect a female President in your lifetime? Do you think this would be a good thing?

"Yes, I think so, and it depends on the person. If it's Sarah Palin, we're all totally fucked." Thanks Samurai Frog! Couldn't have said it ant better!

14. Which fictional TV show character you would shag anytime?

Audrey Bingham (Megyn Price) from Rules Of Engagement OR Claudia Finnerty (Megyn Price) from Grounded For Life - See the pattern here?

15. What is your greatest pet peeve?

People who say OFF-TEN instead of Offen for the worf often... T is silent according to Webster's. Learned it phonics in 1st grade. Why didn't anyone else?

16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?

Would have been Thanksgiving to my in-laws, I believe...

17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

Probably dictionary...

18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?

Shawn Foxxy.... Someone got my son to start saying my air-name with a "y".... HATE IT!

19. What are you dreading at the moment?

2 upcoming surgeries... Septoplasty and Tonsilectomy

20. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?

I don't really care about it.

21. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship.

Emotional survival

22. What were you doing this morning at 8am?

Sleeping... Got up late.

23. Do you have any famous relatives?

Charlemagne and President James K. Polk

24. How many different beverages have you drank today?

3: Mtn Dew - White Out, Coffee, Nestea Lemon Iced Tea

25. What is something you are excited about?

The month of July!

26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?

Just about every other night...I'm an on-air personality on Cool 105.7 FM

27. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

Need to get my head shaved again...

28. What were you doing at midnight last night?

Talking to one of my sons about lying and how the truth is AWAYS better than the lie. However, I think he WAS actually telling me the truth this time and one of my other sons was lying. I think I was snowed by the other, which is a flip from the norm.

29. What’s a word that you say a lot?

Goddamnit - because I probably really want Him (or Her) to....

30. Who is your worst enemy?

If you know me, you know. If not, why do you care? Wanna make a run at first place?

Chicago vinyl record stores survive digital music era.

Written by Katie Schweiker, Jeremy Mikula, and Leah Hendrickson

Audio Slideshow: Chicago On The Record – A visit to three Chicago Record Stores

In a world of iPods, Zunes, .mp3s, .wavs, .flacs, .aifs, .rms, .snds and other digital audio formats, 33 1/3 revolutions per minute still counts to some.


Despite Apple’s announcement that the 10 billionth song was downloaded from iTunes in February, many Chicagoans still listen to vinyl Long Play (LP) records from both new and old artists.

“.mp3s were really cool, and they still are,” said Dave Hofer, a new products buyer at Reckless Records’ Wicker Park location. “You could fit so many of them into a little thing, you know. You don’t have to carry a book of CDs in your car anymore, for example. But there’s just something about vinyl that draws people in.”


Reckless is a music store with three Chicago locations that sells new and used vinyl – LPs, 45s, and 78s – and used DVDs and CDs. In spite of the era of readily available digital media and an economic downturn, they still do a pretty good business, Hofer said.

“We have people who come in and only look for used DVDs and CDs,” Hofer said. “However, if we didn’t have vinyl, we’d go out of business. People come in with their old records because they grow out of stuff and are amazed that people are interested in [their old records]. I have people who come up and ask when we put out new stuff and I always say, ‘All day, every day, dude.’”

“No CD’s. Never had ‘em. Never will.” This sign hangs on the door to Dave’s Records in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. For owner Dave Crain, there is no other alternative to the sound of vinyl records. Dave’s, “will always be a store where vinyl is king,” Crain said.

Dave’s Records is one of the few strictly vinyl shops in Chicago with 40,000 titles to choose from. When you walk in you are greeted with the sweet, musty aroma of vinyl. The floor tiles beckon you further into the store with their checkered pattern. The walls are lined from floor to ceiling with vinyl. Each record in its spot is watched over by Crain as he sits at a raised counter.


These include new albums by new artists, used albums, imports, reissues and even albums that are out of print and difficult to find. Hand Crain a record and he will throw it on the store’s turntable for a spin to help shopper’s make an educated decision. Dave’s makes sure that if you can’t find what you are looking for in their store, they will send you to another local record store.

Crain said Dave’s is for “people who love records. They are part of the ever evolving and ever revolving world of record shoppers.”


Dusty Groove America is a hub for certain niche music lovers: jazz, soul and funk are what the store specializes in. Customers appreciate the specific target audience compared to other music providers.

“Best Buy is trying to cater to a broad audience,” said Phil Garrison of Chicago while he thumbed through a stack of records. “It’s going to be hard to find obscure items. That’s the main reason why I come to places like this.”


According to Nielsen SoundScan more than 2 million vinyl albums were sold in 2009. That is an increase of 35 percent from 2008.


While record sales are on the rise, CD sales continue to fall. Even though CDs cost nearly half as much as their vinyl counterpart, their sales have dropped 20 percent this year, according to Nielsen. However, vinyl record sales only account for about 1 percent of all album sales.

Statistics show that digital music formats aren’t going away, either.


According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the digital music industry grew internationally by about 25 percent in 2008, making $3.7 billion. Digital platforms now account for nearly 20 percent of all music sales, a five percent growth from 2007, IFPI said.

One reason for these figures is the ease and portability of things like the iPod, whose numerous models can store anywhere from 500 to 40,000 songs.


“iPods were a crazy new inventions when they came out, but I think the novelty of them is starting to wear off,” Hofer said. “.mp3s and digital music, even CDs, are functional but that’s about it. They’re like decorative buttons on a sport coat. Whereas something like an LP comes down to being able to hold it and having a thing, like buying a book that you really like instead of just reading it on the Kindle. If I were to sum it up in one word, I’d say ‘physicality’ plays a big part in it.”

But while the idea of having physical media is important to some, comparing things like audio quality and physicality is like comparing apples and oranges.

“Are [records] better? I don’t know,” said Stephen Sowley as he shopped in Reckless’ Wicker Park location. “For me they’re better, but for others .mp3s are better. ‘Better’ is a relevant term, you know? You can’t take a record player with you when you go jogging.”

"Dear Girls, Ladies, Women, Sisters, Wives, Mothers, Girlfriends, Daughters and all those of the Female Persuasion,

You are beautiful. Really. Not just in the ‘inside-that-counts’ way. You are beautiful in pretty much all the ways. You perfectly complement our strengths and weaknesses with yours. Your ability to love and relate keeps the world going round, and none of us would be half the men we are without you.

We think you are totally unfathomable and mysterious – our lives are so much richer for the complicated dance it is to try and figure you out.

We cannot imagine why you need so many shoes, or why you voluntarily carry half a metric tonne around in your bags all day. We don’t know why Robert Pattinson appeals to you so much, or what it is that makes you cry during that bit in Titanic. We can’t figure out where you learned to cook so well (or what drove you to incorporate tofu in your meals), and how you find the time to do all your hair and makeup every day. We have no idea how you make ordinary pieces of fabric and cloth look so good when you wear them, or what it is about you that makes you so hard to say no to when you do.

And we REALLY don’t know why you haven’t been told all of this a million times before. Why you don’t deeply believe this all to be true about yourself already. We can’t understand why your father, brother, boss, husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, boy who is a friend, grandfather, stranger you talked to on the train that time, fiancé or uncle didn’t tell you how profoundly you’ve affected them, and how much they love you.

Well. Actually, that’s not entirely true. We can understand a little of why they didn’t do that. We men are almost universally lame at recognizing the value of a well-spoken word, and how important one is to you. We’re not as naturally gifted as you are in connecting to our own hearts, thoughts and feelings, and translating them for you. We might pretend to be cool, calm, collected and tough, but we can also be pretty scared of you too. Not that you’re scary, but it’s just that we can’t understand you, and fear is all about the things unknown.

But this is no excuse. And the point is that you should have been told and shown all of this, and much more, throughout your life, but you weren’t. Sometimes we just figure you already know and don’t want you to get a big head. Sometimes we fear the rejection that could come with being so candid and open-hearted. Sometimes we’re just not man enough to take the plunge.

And so we’re sorry. For the we have treated you – or, more probably, not treated you. You deserve better and are worth more. Some or us read your letters here, and our faux-macho hearts break a little bit inside, and want to correct this, if it’s still possible. If you haven’t lost faith in us completely.

You inspire and amaze us, you dazzle and intrigue us. You are worth the lifetime it takes to get to know you. You are the princess in the tower we are willing to climb to reach you. You are all the fairytale heroines you thought you weren’t allowed to think you were. You are God’s gift to men, and you don’t know how much we love you.

I would like to say that we will do better from now on, and always remind you of your value, but let’s be honest – you know how we are. If we forget in future, please give us a smack on the head or punch in the arm. We can take it. We just can’t take hints very well.

Yours sincerely,

Boys, Gentlemen, Men, Brothers, Husbands, Fathers, Boyfriends, Sons and all those of the Male Persuasion"

An explaination of the world's religions...

Shawnism: Life is full of shit.

http://calvinscanadiancaveofcool.blogspot.com/

Shawn Phillips

I saw Shawn Phillips for the 2nd time last night in Davenport, IA. He noted that 45 years ago, he had his 1st gig as a professsional musician IN Davenport, IA! MY BACK YARD! I'm originally from the Quad City area, so this was a surprise to my whole family as I was named after this man.

Here's a great interview I found on him.

Pics on the way!

His creation... A Les Paulocaster.

Dad, Mom, Shawn and Myself

Lovely Sunday

Monday again... I know I said that Sundays are lazy days and usually they are, but yesterday was so gorgeous outside that we decided to actually forget the lazy Sundays motto and go outside. We spent a great few hours with friends enjoying the beautiful weather in London, strolling in the park, drinking yummy Pimm's on the canal, smelling the prettiest flowers ever and eating pizza by the metre. Loved it! oh and watched New Moon, yay!!

And the best of all? Today N and I are celebrating 2 years together. I love you baby, you are my sunshine, s'agapao gia panta. 

How was your weekend? what did you get up to? Hope you had a lovely time. Have a great week lovelies!

Longest post ever, I know. If you made all the way, thank you, you absolutely make my day (every day) and if you haven't already don't forget to enter the Spread the Love print giveaway here . xo

The "What If..." Meme (survey about me)

1. You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up?
Her (that's all I can say)

2. You can flip a switch that will wipe any band or musical artist out of existence. Which one will it be?
Nickleback

3. Who would you really like to just punch in the face?
Her husband (see above)

4. What is your favorite cheese?
Smoked Cheddar

5. You can only have one kind of sandwich. Every sandwich ingredient known to humankind is at your immediate disposal. What kind will you make?
Heated corned beef on white toast spread with bacon ranch dressing with melted baby swiss. My own invention a few years ago...

6. You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie celebrity of your choice. We are talking no-strings-attached sex and it can only happen once. Who is the lucky celebrity of your choice?
Katherine Heigl

7. You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who do you pick?
Katy Perry - OH YEAH!

8. Now that you’ve slept with two different people in a row, you seem to be having an excellent day because you just came across a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. Holy shit, a hundred bucks! How are you gonna spend it?
Get somthing pretty for my wife.

9. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?
Liverpool, duh...

10. Upon arrival to the aforementioned location, you get off the plane and discover another hundred-dollar bill. Shit! Now that you are in the new location, what are you gonna do?
Buy a Beatles something as a keepsake from my trip, duh!

11. An angel appears out of Heaven and offers you a lifetime supply of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. It is…?
Gonna have to say Sam Adams Winter Lager...

12. Rufus appears out of nowhere with a time-traveling phone booth. You can go anytime in the PAST. What time are you traveling to and what are you going to do when you get there?
February 8, 1964 - the day before The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. Get tickets to see the show and then live from then on....

13. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?
There will be peace here, always!

14. You have been given the opportunity to create the half-hour TV show of your own design. What is it called and what’s the premise?
In My Life...
A story of the actual events of The Beatles told by Mal Evans - long-time friends and road manager. He was a gentle soul that did anything and everything with and for The Beatles.
In the early 1960s, Evans was employed as a telephone engineer, and also worked part-time as a bouncer at the Cavern Club, where The Beatles performed. Manager Brian Epstein later hired Evans as their assistant road manager, in tandem with Neil Aspinall. Evans was tall and heavily-built, and Peter Brown (one of Epstein's staff) later wrote of Evans as "a kindly, but menacing-looking young man". Evans contributed to many Beatle recordings, and appeared in some of the films they made. The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, but Evans carried on assisting the band and working with them in the studio.


Evans was killed by police on 5 January 1976 at his rented duplex in Los Angeles. Officers were called when his girlfriend phoned the police and told them that Evans was confused and had a gun. The police believed that the air rifle Evans was holding was a rifle and shot him dead. Evans was cremated on 7 January 1976 in Los Angeles, and his ashes were sent back to England, but were first lost in the postal system, before being found and given to his family.

15.What is your favorite curse word?
Fuckin' Fucker!

16.One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do?
Go back to sleep. If they're not doing anything, why do something that might MAKE them do something?

17. Your house is on fire, holy shit! You have just enough time to run in there and grab ONE inanimate object. Don’t worry, your loved ones and pets have already made it out safely. So what’s the item?
This is not a fair question.... probably my renters insurance policy so I can replace all of the very important things I collect, like Beatles albums, and KISS action figures, and CD's.....Oh, man! Now you making me think about moving all of that out of the house into a flame resistand storage structure...DAMN YOU!
 18. The Angel of Death has descended upon you. Fortunately, the Angel of Death is pretty cool and in a good mood, and it offers you a half-hour to do whatever you want before you bite it. Whatcha gonna do in that half-hour?
Watch porn and...well... you know. IT'S JUST A HALF HOUR! What else am I to do?

19. You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What’s it gonna be?
Have complete control over all women. YES ALL WOMEN!

20. You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?
My wedding.

21.You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?
Spending a night (about 20 hours) in jail for something as stupid as trying to talk to my kids while under a no contact order with my ex.

22. You got kicked out of the country for being a time-traveling heathen who sleeps with celebrities and has super-powers. But check out this cool shit… you can move to anywhere else in the world! Bitchin’! What country are you going to live in now?
England

23. This question still counts, even for those of you who are under age. Check it out. You have been eternally banned from every single bar in the world except for ONE. Which one is it gonna be?
Cypress - Cedar Falls, IA - best prices on great beers.


24. Hopefully you didn’t mention this in the super-powers question…. If you did, then we’ll just expand on that. Check it out… Suddenly, you have gained the ability to FLOAT!!! Whose house are you going to float to first, and be like “Dude, check it out…I can FLOAT!”?
My mom and dad's.


25. The constant absorption of magical moonbeams mixed with the radioactive vegetables you consumed earlier has given you the ability to resurrect the dead famous-person of your choice. So which celebrity will you bring back to life?
John Lennon

26. The Celestial Gates of Beyond have opened, much to your surprise because you didn’t think such a thing existed. Death appears. As it turns out, Death is actually a pretty cool entity, and happens to be in a fantastic mood. Death offers to return the friend/family-member/person, etc. of your choice to the living world. Who will you bring back?
George Harrison - see where I'm going with this?

27. What’s your theme song?
Imagine

Happy New Year to all!!!!

2009 was supposed to be a year of hope, ended up being the year to cower to the REAL powers that be, The Corporations! So much for REFORM and REBUILDING, huh?
Here's hoping 2010 is better and that Obama and his fellow Dems grow balls.....

Interesting news about the future of radio.....

...that is, if anyone with any decision making roles in the radio biz is ACTUALLY listening!
(courtesy or Eric Rhodes, Radio Ink Magazine)

Liberating This Chained Industry


The Good and Bad News About Radio and the Coming Renaissance


A message from Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads


First, the bad news.

• Radio will be down 18-20 percent in 2009 and is expected to finish the year at $15.5 billion, down from $21.5 billion in 2006.
• Radio has lost over 10,000 jobs, and that number could increase.
• Several radio companies are facing bankruptcy.
• High fixed costs (much of which is debt), perishable inventory, and overcapacity are creating a deflationary spiral in rates, which continue to fall.
• We have commoditized the radio business because it's easier to stimulate demand through price than to train people and hold them accountable for selling value.
• Much of our industry has been forced to eliminate valuable localism, strong sales organizations with accountability, and much-needed promotion.
• We face low-cost competition from online media, which is seducing advertisers with brilliant technology that makes offerings highly targetable and attractive.
• The likelihood of increased federal regulation appears to be looming, with deeper controls on content and potentially increased costs through performance royalties.
• None of us is immune. Every station owner, operator, employee, vendor, and supplier is impacted.

Now, the good news.

• Unlike print, newspapers, and television, radio listening is alive and well, and radio continues to have a strong hold on audiences. Our audiences are not eroding.
• New data suggests that radio has not lost its grip on the youth market and remains relevant with 18-34-year-olds.
• Independent broadcasters and many small-market operators have been able to prevent severe declines in business with strong localism strategies.
• Some radio companies are starting to wake up to the fact that digital media plays a significant role in our future and are integrating it deeply into their organizations.
• Desperate times spawn great innovations. New plans seem to be emerging that will change the very nature of how we operate our business.
• Bankruptcies and further consolidation will weed out many of those who have had a negative impact on radio.
• There is money to be made even in a declining industry, and most industries cycle back eventually.
• Breakups of some larger groups will spawn more independent, true-to-the core broadcasters.

The Best and Worst of Times

Historically, the worst of times bring the best of times. When things appear their darkest and coming storms create further disruption, we must stay focused on the idea that with storms comes a cleansing and dramatic change.

The Radio Reset Button

It won't be long till we see a massive reset in this industry. Though flushing out equity and handing companies over to lenders won't solve our problems, it might, at the very least, open eyes to the need to focus on sound business principles that have been ignored, and to simultaneously focus on true innovation. This innovation will be disruptive, will create further job losses, and will bring a true reinvention of how every radio station is operated.

One thing is for sure: Returning to the past won't work. Though elements of the past that have been ignored will become critical to continued survival and success.

Liberating This Chained Industry

We, the people of radio, are living in an important time. Those of us who remain committed to the radio industry will see days ahead in which we thrive. Those who understand that we must reinvent the way we create programming, the way we offer it to the marketplace, and the way we sell it, and those who are willing to challenge every assumption will thrive. Those who possess the important heritage skills, many of which have been ignored, will again have the opportunity to prove how radio can thrive with the right tools.

But this won't be your father's radio industry, or even the industry we knew pre-consolidation. The past won't return, no matter how much you pine for it, and you'll need to remain flexible and open-minded. Actions that may at first seem like bad ideas may in fact liberate this chained industry. It will be a different industry than we know today, but those willing to adapt their skills will see very bright days ahead.

Refusing to Repeat Our Foolish Mistakes

For decades I've watched this industry from the perspective of an industry publisher. My gut tells me that radio is about to experience a renaissance. No one can predict what it will look like, what the outcome will be, and who will emerge to lead it. I can almost guarantee it will be different from anything most of us can anticipate. With it will come great hardship, great change, and, sadly, many more of our industry brothers and sisters will be sacrificed. Yet this industry will emerge stronger than ever.

But only if we refuse to repeat the foolish mistakes of our recent past. Radio's future lies with debt holders, equity investors, and board members, whom we can only hope will demand higher levels of accountability from their CEOs and be willing to invest back into this industry, which has been stripped of its natural resources. We must have strong, accountable boards and stronger CEOs, who are willing to battle the whims of investors who not broadcasters and who will not be puppets or yes men.

We need experienced operators who can not only implement the core basics that have been removed from our industry, but are open to dramatic change in the way everything is done. Unless these debt holders start to understand that, in some cases, they've bought into the tricks of fools, and unless they begin to surround themselves with experienced people who have earned their stripes on the streets of radio rather than pretenders, we'll simply enter into phase two of a radio experiment gone bad. Yet somehow, I sense the bad eggs will be thrown on the grill, and the domino effect will be like bringing down the Berlin Wall, with the hope of returning this industry to great days ahead.

Are you ready to commit to the coming renaissance? It will be a wild ride, but well worth the effort.

Best,
Eric Rhoads
Radio Ink

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