Other Forums & Part 15 Broadcasting

Yesterday, I went around the Internet in an effort to determine what kind of footprint Part 15 broadcasting has.  In addition to here, and HB, there used to be a number of other discussion and resource sites, such as Radio Reference and Radio Discussions.   No more.  Of course, these websites still exist, but appear to have removed their Part 15 areas.

Over at Radio Discussions, I found an interesting thread which I thought I'd share here.  The Original Poster had just joined that forum, but was bemoaning the types of responses that his (and other's) questions elicited.  Questions such as why listeners aren't taken more into consideration in the world of commercial radio.  Responses that included everything from sarcasm and condescension to outright ad hominem attacks.  Of course, that led to more of the same.

But what I really got out of it (all 6 pages of the thread) was how much the veterans of the music industry appeared to hate what they're doing.  How they all agree that current radio sucks, but it's driven by the advertisers, and appeals to the lowest common denominator of their listeners.

I don't think that Part 15 practitioners realize just how good of a thing we have going.  We're not at the beck and call of advertisers.  We don't have to appeal to the lowest common denominator of listeners (if indeed, we have any).  We can effectively do what we want.

So what should we do?

One thing that was brought up in that thread (and immediately shot down) was that radio at its best is performance art.  Perhaps the radio of today is a commodity, but in the past, at its height, it was indeed art.  It wasn't only music, although that played a major role, but also drama and comedy and variety (I'm going back to the 30s-50s here).  And in the 1960s until the 1980s or so it wasn't only about the music, but about the DJ and their personality and how the two (or more) interacted.  The DJ was an integral part of the listening experience.

When I recall listening to CFNY out of Toronto (actually Brampton, a suburb) in the 1980s, it isn't primarily the music they played I remember, but the morning duo of Pete & Geets.  The music was OK as well, but almost incidental to their banter and role playing.  Today, the few times I listen to radio, I head over to AM650 to listen to Halford & Brough here in Vancouver.  I don't really like talk radio, but just listening to them makes it worthwhile.

Even when I want to listen to my own station, quite often I'll replay shows that I've produced and hosted.  I'm certainly not great in the DJ role, although to some extent that depends on your definition of great.  I don't have what I would term a great radio voice.  I'm not a naturally great public speaker.  But I try and that's the main thing.  I have to give what is perhaps a somewhat belated shout out to Carl Blare, for inspiring me to try.  Sometimes something magical happens when you combine any voice and good music.

I'm kind of rambling, aren't I.  Back to the point.  Yes, there is one.  As Part 15 broadcasters not beholden to advertisers, we can do pretty much anything.  Certainly, play music.  But try doing a show, hosting it.  Believe me, you won't be any worse than me when I first started doing it.  It does get easier, and it does (hopefully) get better.

Play Old Time Radio.  If you don't like the shows of the 30s to the 50s, there are more modern ones from the 60s to 80s & 90s from the BBC and the CBC and others (South Africa for one.

Play audio books.  Short stories fit in well with hour long programming, and even public domain renditions can be surprisingly professional.  In particular, I refer to some of the Sherlock Holmes performances over at the Librivox website.

Take advantage of the fact that Part 15 broadcasters can be different.  In the end, you're not going to lose any listeners.  And you may gain a few.