When I think of the part 15 radio stations I picture a playlist with thousands of oldies that rarely repeat, as if somehow more listeners will tune in if songs don't repeat. These same stations have microphones that are never used because the owner isn't inclined to say anything on the air. Oh, maybe if there's a storm he'll go live to tell the audience, "There's a storm." But otherwise, as the world spins closer and closer to nuclear war or climate catastrophe he withholds comment and doesn't make the approaching apocalypse part of his schedule.
Meanwhile opportunities to monetize the station are missed. You could lease time on your microphone to people who might want to say something, even if it's something you yourself would never say. It's amazing how a handful of money can excuse even the wildest conspiracy theories, political extremes or religious zeal.
Wouldn't you rather die rich than be paid nothing for spending so much effort counting oldies?
I've thought it over and will soon offer access to the microphone at reasonable rates but no way will I let the paying clients into the house. I will carry a wireless microphone out to the curb so they can spew their message from the car while I stand there with a pocket full of cash.
My motto has always been turn on, tune in, drop out, and leave all the other stuff behind.
If people want news/weather they can turn to any commercial station and get all the bad things that happen and hear about the latest shooting and other crime news.
Plus there's no way I could go live and talk. I don't know how the talk show hosts do it. Just keep talking for 3 hours in a room by themselves to the wall. With a producer behind the glass signalling a break and on air. How do you think of what to say and never have dead air, stumble over words or at a loss of what to say next. They have a great talent. Even when I make a 10 second voice recording in an MP3 to get on the air it takes several try's to get it right without stumbling.
I run Artisans Teenage Dreams shows with him as DJ and I could never put a show together like that myself.
Lease time? Who would pay me to talk on the radio? Even if I went to the street and randomly asked for someones opinion on something with a mic and then said you will be on the radio and you have to pay me for the spot.....don't think it would work.
Is there a way for a part 15 station with 2 or 3 listeners across the street to make money?
Would be interesting to hear if any do.
@ Mark But you do have a microphone.
Everybody has the best idea. I know I do.
Many years ago, just after the invention of radio, I programmed a show everyday. Things went well until a new manager decided to put his imprint on things. He issued a memo saying: "From now on write down all the music you play and it will be everyone's job not to play the same piece within 30-days." I completely ignored his new rule, but I think I got fired. I just remember that he only ruled by memo and was shy about facing people in person. The listeners had no way of knowing how silly things were behind the scenes.
Mark said "If people want news/weather they can turn to any commercial station..."
I donno.. I think periodic news and weather should be a staple regardless if it's part 15 or commercial.
@carl-blare Well, I was thinking more about turn on(the radio), tune in(the station) and drop out(a time machine to the past, your own world of memories)
@ Mark I like your definition, Mark, and think it's a fair life style. Of course you are tuning into music music music. One little newscast could alert you if the bombing is getting close, but eventually you'd find out anyway because of the booming noise.
@carl-blare Don't forget the OTR shows also. Mystery dramas and tuning out the world. I don't know how I'd even do a news cast in real time. And if a disaster comes, weather or bombs, well at least I keep going when the power goes out, till the back up dies.
But in this part of the world, other than the local crime stuff the bad parts of the world are not here. We are quite safe here. Not many disasters happen in central North America.
@ Mark I was thinking about all this and came to realize that many Old Time Radio mysteries are centered around crime. That's OK to talk about on this Forum. But mentioning crime in the real world is out of bounds because it's 'political'.
I know I'm a pest always pointing out shortcoming, but I am resolute that comings should not be short.
Just to push the issue...
Let me ask you...
Is this song political, or is it of interest to all pet lovers.
Ooops. Can't trigger the song in that story.
Stand by
The paint is wet all around me and I'm stuck in a corner...
I'm stuck here until the paint dries, can you maybe link to the actual song?
@carl-blare Couldn't hear the song at my end but I have heard it on Facebook. Just a satirical bit to be humorous but is also a form of political opinion. So yes to your question that song *could* be also a political opinion....in my opinion.
Yes you are right that a large number of OTR shows(not all) and TV shows(not all) are about crimes. And importantly the bad guys never win.
Songs have always been political, at least a lot of them.
Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Arlo Guthrie, even more mainstream artists such as the Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary have all written and performed songs that commented on then current politics. It hasn't stopped them from being played on the radio. Well, maybe right at the time, but eventually they got there.
Speaking of songs, I wondered what Randy Rainbow was doing these days (the atmosphere is particularly fertile for his type of parody) and found his latest: Here it is.