The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #109433   Message #2287843
Posted By: Bob the Postman
13-Mar-08 - 07:58 PM
Thread Name: Tips for getting airplay on folk radio?
Subject: RE: Tips for getting airplay on folk radio?
I'm an active member of a small radio co-operative in the B. C. backwoods (CJLY) which is not listed at folkdj--nor are some other small co-op stations. There is an association of Canadian campus and co-op stations which you can find by googling.
I recommend the braces and belt approach--mp3 via e-mail plus CD in the mail, followed up with more e-mail enquiries with the mp3 attached. We receive a lot of promo CDs, so many that we have a winnowing process to select what goes into the library. When you're sending out a CD, include some very grabby literature--funny pictures, outrageous graphics, whatever makes you stand out from the herd. CDs that do make it have to be in a regular jewel case because of the reading-the-spine thing. A CD or mp3 sent to the station itself could easily be lost in the undergrowth, even though your song would be appropriate for several music shows as well as the breakfast magazine/variety show. It's best to make contact with the actual programmer. In our case, if you PM me I will be able to get your Anne song on the air where dozens or even scores of people will hear it(and I would like to learn it myself, I love St. Anne's reel). As to quality, quality is a good thing but not the main thing for co-op radio. After all, most listeners are tuned in on less-than-hi-fi car radios, clock radios, and the like.
Lean heavily on the anniversary factor--we love centennials almost as much as we love Anne. Myspace is a good idea. And how about you in an Anne Shirley get-up with braids and freckles and middy and pinny and all singing the song on YouTube. Could go viral.