Folk Radio Shows

Subject: Folk Radio Shows
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 09:55 AM

A friend has asked me to distribute his new album in the US. Part of my plan is to send samples to shows that are likely to play tracks on the air. Anyone out there have show names, contact people and addresses?

This could lead to a current directory. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: songs2play
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:06 AM

Try Ali O'Brien (a fellow 'Catter) see thread.
A new Folk Program on GMR Radio, Manchester, UK. It's already got a very good following.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: songs2play
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:07 AM

OOPs, sorry, misread your thread, thought it was UK.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: Raggytash
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:14 AM

No send it over here, there is plenty of scope to listen to new talent

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: Burke
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:32 AM

I should think FolkDJ-L would be a good place to start.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: yrlancslad
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:27 PM

I have a radio show here in California playing music from the British Isles and Ireland and other places with musical roots back there. I like to play artists who are not well known over here.
If your man fits into this category and you want to send his CD write me at [e-mail]
Malcolm

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 06:16 PM

When my last CD came out we earmarked and drilled something like 800 CDs to go to folk radio stations. When Andrew Calhoun (at Waterbug Records) told me his plans I was simply amazed. I'd been away from the folk marketplace in this brave new millenium long enough that I had no idea that was what it might take to "push" the recording. If I ever do it again, I think it would be best to pick and choose those folk DJs who are likely to play revival-trad songs etc. like I used to sing. There are many DJs who only play singer/songwriter recordings these days. I still think 800 was too many CDs to skim off the top and write off.

Anyone out there have an idea on this???

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: simon-pierre
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:04 PM

800, that's a lot, indeed.

EBarnacle, as a radio programmer, I receive many CDs for airplay consideration that unfortunatly don't fit my format, so you should try to know the show before sending. You can do this by registering to the folkdj-l (link above) and see what's going on. Reading the "Getting Airplay on Folk Radio Shows" will help. You may want to send a mail to the dj before sending a copy.

In the Sing Out! Magazine, you will find a list of Radio Partners that could complete your list.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:30 PM

800 does sound like a lot, but there may be a method to the madness.   Some artists and publicists have a tendency to hit as many potential program hosts as possible. The idea is that some of it may stick.

I too get a number of unsolicited CD's that may or may not fit my program.   There have been a number of gems in those CD's, and a much larger number of duds. The "duds" usually wind up at my radio station because potentially they might fit another show. It is a lot like playing the lottery - you buy a bunch of tickets hoping that one may be a winner.

Of course, as suggested above, those that do their homework by going to places like Folk-DJ and researching shows that might appreciate the music will usually end up with better results. The problem is it takes time to do. You have to weigh the options - the number of hours you will spend doing the work or the shotgun approach of sending out massive numbers of CD's.   If you assign a figure to what your time is worth, the difference may be negligable.

Every host has different needs and tastes. I feel that I am very eclectic with a definite lean toward the traditional. That does not mean I won't play a GOOD contemporary singer-songwriter. (I avoid singer-songwhiners - you can tell the difference).   There are shows that are very strict about their requirements.   Learn about the show. Check webpages, Folk-DJ and send an e-mail.

Sing Out Radio partners is great (I'm proud to be one!) but you don't always get the feel for the show from that list. Folk-DJ is a wonderful resource.

Another thought - Many of us will listen, or at least do a needle drop, on every CD we receive.   I can tell you that there are hosts who will judge the CD by other critera - they may not like the cover, the instrumentation that is listed, etc. You really have to learn a bit about the host. An e-mail with a brief intro might help.

How you package your CD is important.   Your packaging for a "fan" might be different than what you want to send a DJ.   I've seen a number of very creative CD's - psychedelic artwork, song titles listed in a circle, strange font styles, etc.   I remember Dervish did a wonderful package where the booklet folded out like a piece of origami.   Great for a fan, but it can be a roadblock for a program host.

We need to be able to read the song titles, know exactly what cut number it is (take a look at your own collection - notice how many CD's do not include numbers), and duration helps.   Many of us who host radio show are over 45 years old - and our eyesite is not what it used to be. It really helps to have a clear track list so that we can program your CD on the fly.   Trust me, this is a consensus I've heard from a number of Folk Alliance gatherings with my peers.   I never want to limit an artists creativity, but you should also keep in mind that your "product" is a work tool that those of us use.

While I am on my electronic soapbox, I should also tell you to save the money that you spend on photos and glitzy press kits. Most of them wind up in the garbage. A simple one sheet with a brief bio helps. I don't need to know that the Osh Kosh Gazzette thinks you are the artist of the millenium, the next Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell or a that I will spend a memorable evening with your music.   Let us decide that. Give us some details about you that will help us program our show and include your music.

And now back to our regular programming... already in progess

Ron

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:35 PM

One more thing... if you are in the U.S. and Canada, I urge you to check out the Folk Alliance, both the annual conference and the every growing number of regional conferences.   Folk DJ's and program hosts like myself use these as a way of meeting and hearing new music. I can speak for NERFA, the North East Regional Folk Alliance - it is a gathering of around 800 musicans, presenters and media. It is a perfect place to meet and greet every November. Submit your CD for a showcase (there are radio hosts on the selection committee) and even if you don't get selected, go anyway. Bring a batch of CD's. You will find it worthwhile if you do your homework.

Okay, I will get down off this soapbox. Sorry for drifting.

Ron

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: DebC
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:44 PM

Well, that was weird. I posted and hit submit and nothing showed up except two posts from my buddy, Ron O.

As I was saying, I think 800 is alot as well. My ex. producer on my CD "Long Grey Line" earmarked 50 and he has since realised that in two years I have sent over 300 copies to DJs, reviewers, media and have done some trading with my fellow musicians. I hardly ever send the *official* CD in a promopack for a gig; I send a CD-R sampler instead. The *official* CDs cost me $$ as I have to buy them from the record label so I keep track of every unit that goes out.

As for the DJs, it's like Ron O said. I have learned an incredible amount from the DJs on Folk DJ. I had been reading that list for about three years by the time LGL was released and you can bet that I made sure that my CD had all the important stuff on it that made the CD *DJ friendly*. At least I hope that it is. No one has complained....yet.

Okay, if my other post shows up, just imagine it's just someone using my name.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:40 PM

I will vouch for Deb - she did the right thing with the CD-R's. It hooked me!!!

I should mention that I know of at least one nationally recognized folk show that won't accept CD samplers. The host's reason, which I understand completely, is that with all the CD's that are being released he does not have the room to store "incomplete" recordings.   While this may seem unfair, everyone should be aware of the volume of CD's that we receive. While it takes time to listen to the recording, finding space for a CD is even more challenging. Why use room for a 3 or 4 song sampler when he could fit an entire album that he might play more cuts from?

I've personally licked that problem by using Jewelsleeves (www.jewelsleeve.com) to store all my CD's. It cost me several hundred dollars to do, but I can now store 4 times the number of CD's and I can access them much easier.

The number of CD's being released opens up another issue to consider. When I started doing my radio show in 1980, we would receive a dozen or so LP's each month.   Now with the technology to make better cost effective recordings at home, I receive about a dozen CD's a week on average. Finding the airtime to play all of it is impossible, and I find myself rotating more artists but playing each one less frequently. I wish I had more airtime!!

It is actually a good dilemma. I am overwhelmed by the number of GOOD recordings I receive and want to share with my audience.   Mudcat alone has provided me with enough recordings to program the show!

The dilemma that I do face is trying to balance my desire to "help" promote artists with the desire to "promote" folk music.   I play a lot of music from musicians who have day jobs and do this for fun and a love of the music. THOSE are the people who keep folk music a living tradition.   The "professional" artists play an equally important role.   By presenting the music in a more formal setting, they help to inspire and educate the rest of us.

Folk music is probably the most challenging, and ultimately rewarding, genre to program for radio.   Unlike hip-hop or jazz or other genres, we have this important link to the song.   I remember a brief chat I had with Pete Seeger (I'm not trying to name drop here) when I first started doing the show. He told me that folk music was not something that you play on the radio - it is the music that a mother sings to her child. It took me a few years to understand what he meant. Of course I realized that folk music was something that came from people - not necessarily professional songwriters, but what about people like Pete who recorded and wrote music? Weren't they considered "folk" music? I think the answer is that "folk" music is meant to inspire others and develop a sense of community. Give people the tools to make their own music. That is what I've tried to do on my program.

Once again I am sorry for getting on a soapbox and for rambling on about my personal choices in programming a show. I usually don't like to talk about my experiences or thoughts about my show in public because I realize thay are boring and out of context of what we discuss on Mudcat. However, I felt that with this topic my examples might help others who read this into getting an idea of what ONE program host thinks. Forgive me for this airing of my laundry. I won't bore you again!!

I cannot stress enough that these are just MY opinions and EVERY host has their own set of standards and criteria.   Check them out!!

Ron

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: fogie
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 04:02 AM

I have found some really good programs on the BBC.CO.UK web site You can tune in to Scottish and Irish shows as well as English regional and nationwide ones, which is just great. Archie Fisher hosts one of the Scottish progs. There's just not enough time to check them all out, and thats just the folk- theres also many world music, avant-garde, and jazz sites. I used to be contented listening to the occasional show, now I've got too many to choose from. I need to join a self help group for those suffering from too much choice. I presume those of you in the USA can also pick them up, probably better than me, because here in the sticks I havent got broadband, and theres problems downloading the Irish progs.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 09:00 AM

Hey,

Just to clarify something Ron said above, the CD-R samplers that I send out are to venue owners when I approach them about a possible performance. In fact, if I can, I try to ask the venue folks what they prefer.

Radio DJs get the *official* CD, for all the reasons that the Honorable Gentleman from WFDU stated above. :-)

Best,
Deb

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 09:30 AM

I would also like to clarify something, because I do not want to discourage the use of CD-R's.

CD-R's can be very important tools. I've had instances where an artist will be coming on my show and their CD is still in production. By sending me a "sampler", I was able to prepare for the interview as well as have some additional tunes to play.

CD-R's can also be a way of getting new songs out to an appreciative audience. I also like to use MP3's - in certain instances. After 9/11 and before we invaded Iraq, a number of songs were written that would have a short shelf life. Being able to receive these songs, literally within hours of being written, enabled me to program some important topical material. Tom Paxton used this technology as did Tom Chapin & John McCutcheon.

The radio host I mentioned above is only one person, but I brought it up to emphasis the importance of checking with radio host. It is like being invited to someone's house for dinner and bringing a franks & beans casserole, only to find out that your host is a vegetarian. A simple e-mail or phone call will save you time, effort & money.

Ron

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: open mike
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 12:21 PM

I am a programmer on an f.m. station in northern Calif.
I would be glad to review and play your c.d. and any
other mud catters. (thanks to those who have sent material)
I can be reached at:
Laurel Paulson-Pierce
KRBS / Crossroads Show
p.o.b. 4400
Yankee Hill, CA, 95965
there was an earlier thread about thisl.
will try to find it.

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: DebC
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 02:12 PM

Whoa Laurel!!

How come I don't know this!!! :-) As you said there was an earlier thread.

I think that you already have a copy of LGL, but let me know if you need one for the show.

Hooray!!! Another folk music radio show in No. California!!!! Yipppeee!!!

Deb

Subject: RE: Folk Radio Shows
From: open mike
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 02:41 PM

thread
oops-no do not have long grey line..
but would be glad to share with my
listeners...
i see jim and janice will be hosting
paul kamm and eleanor mcdonald at
their house concert this weekend..
alas i am nerly 2,000 miles away
in NE so will not be able to attend.
see butte folk music society web site
for info...