promotion of your trad CDs in US

Subject: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 12:11 PM

I am sitting here listening to my one and only Celtic radio show of the week on a public radio station. I t occurs to me that I never hear anything new on this show, possibly because the DJ plays what she has, and would play additional material if it were available. If anyone would like me to see if she would play some of their material, I would be happy to. I am sure others in the States would do likewise in their areas. Let me know if this idea has merit.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 01:54 PM

Great idea, Jimmy. Do you know the DJ? What area are you in?

I'd be glad to send you a CD of my band Greenhouse (or two: one to pass on and one for your good self).

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 02:14 PM

Michael, I am located in Dalton, Georgia, but the station is in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The show is a 2 hour weekly show called Celtic Connections and airs Sunday 11-1Pm I do not know the DJ, but I will get in contact with her and see what her response is. I may be terribly niave, but I cannot see why she wouldn't be thrilled at airing some new material. Give me a couple days to see what I can do! Jim

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Amos
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 03:06 PM

Jim:

Tell hin abouyt those Mudcat CDs, man!! Maybe we can start a big fad!!


A

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Tweed
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 03:22 PM

That's right! Mudcat goes Public Broadcasting. What an idea, that'd be just the right venue for it. Give it a try Jimmy, you ain't bein' naive and I expect she'd be glad to get some new materials. Doubt if they give her much of a budget these days. Give it a try, mebbe email the station for info.

Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Porky the Buffet Slayer
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 03:28 PM

I know several folk, Celtic, blues and bluegrass radio DJs and they all say they're constantly being inundated with more CDs than they can possibly use. So, if that Celtic DJ is just playing the same stuff over and over again, it's probably because she's lazy and/or uncreative.

That being said, the DJs that I know are all open to receiving good music and will play unknowns alongside the "stars" if the music holds up. Of course, they're all on community, college and public stations.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Mudlark
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 04:00 PM

Those Mudcat CD's are a vast repository of trad music that "holds up." I will notify my local PBS folkie program, see if I can generate some interest there...

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 05:24 PM

As a program host of two radio shows, one would be defined as "folk" and the other "celtic", I would go out on a limb to say that most program hosts welcome material.   I find it hard to find good trad material unless I search for it. I have also found that most (but not all) overseas artists welcome an opportunity to have their material heard in the U.S.   However, some artists don't feel that it is worth their expense to send a CD over to an area where they probably won't be doing live concerts and the sales will be minimal.    I find that is more of the exception, most artists will see the potential of opening up new markets. I've also added links pages to our website and on my playlist. This gives the listener a chance to track down the artist and get a copy of the CD.   (You can check our website at www.wfdu.fm . Click on THE SUNDAY SESSION button on the left side for my Celtic show, and the TRADITIONS button on the left side for the folk show.)

I've found my listeners enjoy having their horizons expanded, and we've helped to build some audience base for future apparances in the NYC area.   I hope the program host of your show will have the same experience.

Ron Olesko
WFDU-FM

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 05:29 PM

thanks for the kind words and info Ron. I will let you all know what I find out

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: InOBU
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 06:06 PM

Hi Jimmyt... PM me an address and I will send you a copy of my CD. It helps if you ask for spesific songs from artists, Cheers Larry (InOBU)

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: khandu
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 06:48 PM

Celtic Connections website is clicky here

k

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 09:35 PM

iInteresting website Khandu, but not related to the station in Chattanooga Tennessee with a program of the same name. Purely local programming I think as they are running a fundraising effort now and if you give a large donation you can DJ for an hour, and today a guy was guesting on the show and played the worst Irish drivel I have ever heard. Kind of the Lawrence Welk of Irish music!

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Jim Krause
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 09:43 PM

This sounds interesting. I'd like a little more airplay of my CD as well, even though I don't fiddle in the Sligo or Shetland style and I don't sing like Andy M. Stewart.
Jim

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 09:58 PM

Ron Olesko -- if I send you my CD will you consider playing it?

Porky the B.S. -- if I send you my CD will you pass it on to those DJs you know?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Jim Krause
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 10:32 PM

Uh, y'know, it just occurred to me, why not post the address, and we could all send our recording directly to the radio station and the DJ in question.
Jim

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 10:36 PM

will do it after telling her to expect CDS

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Porky the Buffet Slayer
Date: 16 Dec 02 - 03:33 PM

MichaelR,

The DJs that I know are in several different states and in Canada. Although I've met a couple in person, I have e-mail relationships with the others that have developed after listening to their shows over the web. I'm not in any position to act as a go-between.

I found the radio shows I listen to by lurking on the FOLKDJ-L e-mail group. I'd suggest you might want to lurk on the group. By paying attention to the playlists, you can figure out which DJs would appreciate your music and make contact. If you don't want to subscribe to the group, you can read the archives on the web.

The URL is: http://lists.psu.edu/archives/folkdj-l.html

At that site, you can read the archives or subscribe to the e-mails.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 11:17 AM

FOLK-DJ is a superb source for "getting to know" SOME of the radio shows that are out there. I post playlists for my two shows, WFDU-FM'S TRADITIONS and THE SUNDAY SESSION. If you read the shows you will get an idea of what people are playing. Some shows, while they put "folk" in their title, do not touch traditional music. It is always in the best interest to check first.

For the record, my program TRADITIONS is very eclectic. My co-host Bill Hahn and I try to explore the diverse music that can be recognized as "folk". I do feel that we put an emphasis on traditional music. In addition, I have been including more English folk into the program. The audience reception has been wonderful and there aren't many shows here in the U.S. that are playing much of it. Keep it coming!!    My other program, the Sunday Session, focuses on Irish and Scottish music - under that dreaded and inaccurate word - "Celtic". WFDU-FM broadcasts to the NYC/Northern NJ area as well as on the internet at www.wfdu.fm.

I welcome recordings to sample for the program. You can send them to:
WFDU-FM
Ron Olesko
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 0766

Sorry for the shameless plug (and I'm sure most of you have read this information in the past!). As a non-commercial broadcaster, I do have to look for any opportunity to spread the word. Please forgive my non-commercial commercial!

Ron

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 12:04 PM

Ron, Do not apologise for the "shameless plug"   You are opening doors for many of our folk musicians that would have remained closed otherwise. The reason I brought this up is to try to open some play opportunities for folks, and so far, you have been gracious enough to help. By doing this you are helping the musicians but you are also opening your listeners to a new and untapped resource of this wonderful music. Thanks! ( I just hope I can do likewise, bur so far, my DJ has chosen to ignore my request, just wait til pledge time!)

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 06:41 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 01:30 AM

The U.S.A. is covered with Celtic CD's

They sell in the supermarket bins for 5.00 and in the discount outlets at the price of 2 for 99cents.

Forget the promotion - you can't raise a commotion - when known names have a severe demotion.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 09:18 AM

Far from true guest.   Sure there are lots of "bargin bin" CD's, but the quality of the artist usually matches the price. This happens for ALL types of music. You can go into that same bargain bin and find tons of Jimi Hendrix CD's as well. They are usually cheaply produced and often bootlegs. Let the buyer beware!

Don't discourage artists from finding LEGITIMATE markets for their music. Contrary to your opinion, the American audience will find QUALITY material once they are exposed to it.

Your complaint would be like saying don't bother to sell smoked salmon or any other delicacy to the U.S. because they have McDonalds.   

Ron

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Deni-C
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:02 AM

That's true enough about the bargain bins, gargoyle, but then music is very personal and i and probably most of you have lots of favourite performers that no-one has ever heard of. I actively seek people out that I have heard on a compilation or whatever and the harder it is to find material the more determined I am to get it. It makes me feel 'good' that I'm not following the trend and at the same time supporting artists that have real merit while not being mass-marketable.

I'm going to send you a CD Ron. There a few trad.tracks I'm dying to try out.

Thanks for opening up another possibility....
cheers
Deni

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:36 AM

Let me apologise for failing so miserably at what I thought should be pretty easy, getting some play time at the local Celtic show. I have sent numerous Emails to the producer and have gotten polite but noninterested responses. GO figure?

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:46 AM

Thanks Deni! I look forward to seeing it.

Good luck to you too Jimmyt!   Not knowing which show or the producer/host you are listening to, I can tell you from experience that it isn't as easy as it seems.   Radio shows can get deluged with CD's, and sometimes the music just doesn't fit the format. Some radio hosts do have a hard time telling artists why they don't like something.   I try to be honest, but I always remind the artist it is just one opinion and one show.   

I just came back from the Folk Alliance conference in Nashville. I was overwhelmed with the number of DJ's/Program hosts who attended - shows from Alaska, Hawaii and most states in the U.S. were represented - at least 50 attended a Folk DJ luncheon. There were also over 1000 performers at the conference all trying to catch the attention of a presenter or media type. I really feel for them.   I was glad to hear a number of artists that I can't wait to play on my show. I only wish I were on 5 days a week!

Ron

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Deni-C
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:57 AM

Ron
I remember years ago playing at a showcase run by an agency. All the bands set up around the walls, and one by one they went on and gave it their best shot, while a number of potential clients walked around ticking off points. Very far away from the atmosphere most of us normally play in. A real meat market. We got offered a cruise ship booking, but in the end turned it down....

The agency experimented with videos for a while. Boy do I wish I had a copy of ours. I'll never be that thin again!!!!!

but on the whole while I sympathise with us poor musicians struggling to market ourselves, we do get a lot on the plus side too and no-one's making us do it...
Cheers
Deni

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: radriano
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 11:56 AM

jimmyt:

The last two albums I produced (both trad) got little airplay. I obtained a list of radio shows that play traditional music and sent each one a cover letter along with a stamped postcard with my address on it. The idea was that if a radio station was interested they would mail back the postcard and I would send them a copy of the new album. Out of an initial mailing of about fifty stations I got about ten postcards back. Out of that ten I have only received confirmation that three stations ever played my recording.

I think part of the problem is that the term marketing means reaching as many people as possible. Most radio stations out there that will play traditional music want music that they think will appeal to most people. In general that means accompaniment and as upbeat as possible and as short as possible. The reality is that radio stations want big numbers (how many listeners) to justify programs and traditional music doesn't give you big numbers.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 12:09 PM

I agree, Radriano, but the station I am referring to, WUTC in Chattanooga, Tennessee, seems either to repeat the same few CDs over and over again, or when they branch out it is the (IMO) worst "Lawrence Welk "type of very commercial Irish music that I can't begin to call traditional. Seems the producer would have jumped at the opportunity to get some contacts from this website that could improve the play and help themselves a bit too, but again, I am sometimes a bit optomistic about such things. I will keep trying, however

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: radriano
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 04:03 PM

Yes, jimmyt, your point was taken. The folkie radio stations here in the San Francisco Bay Area have taken to doing theme shows. Just about once a year there's a "new albums" show and the rest of the time you can hear the same recordings over and over. Occasionally a live performer is featured and then you hear their latest album but overall the programs are pretty predictable. And I totally agree about the "commercial Irish music" thing.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 08:46 PM

Jimmy T we are on the same wave length.. I have been gathering cds from my faverite people in the north of England and just sent a package off to a friend at Green Linnett. Who knows.
    Ron i will try to put together a box of these for your show. Oakly's band Cara should be heard over here and i love the music of Jon Loomes (English Jon) and the Tompkin's. Have you played our mudcat friend Bill Sable on your show ?? Or SamPirts band 422.. All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 08:48 PM

Thanks Guy! I think I have played Bill Sable, but I'm not really sure. I welcome anything new!! No guarantees, but my taste is pretty broad. Thanks again!

Ron

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 02:34 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: yrlancslad
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 12:40 PM

Hi I am a DJ with a program of traditional music from the British Isles and Ireland on public radio here in Santa Cruz, California and pride myself on playing lots of new material which I gather primarily by anual visits to the UK and Ireland. I would welcome additional CDs to play and if you contact me at [e-mail] I'll tell you where to send them. Thanks Malcolm

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST,Claire
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 03:41 PM

Interesting that this should come up again.

I spent a lot of time this fall trying to get my band's new cd some airplay on folk/celtic shows. I found the radio station web sites to be very frustrating. Most are not set up so that you can find the correct person to write to. I felt strongly that I didn't want to send cds out unsolicited.

After extensive searches, I wrote e-mails to about 35 different celtic or folk show hosts, or station managers around the country.
Several hosts did write me back and asked for the cd, including you, Ron, so thank you very much and I hope you liked the cd. However, many did not write back, so I never found out if they wanted one. I am about to send out a flurry of follow up e-mail, but I hate feeling like I am badgering people.

I guess my message is that this work takes a huge amount of time and anything that can make it easier would be appreciated. So, if you are a host, please consider just saying no, if you don't want to receive the cd, or yes if you do. It takes about three seconds. If you know of other shows that might play the cd, or if you especially like the cd, you might provide feedback to the artist. Most of us are performing in a particular region and would really appreciate feedback from outside that region.

Also, do you think it is appropriate to send a follow up e-mail to see if the cd was played? It would be very good for my band to have a list of stations that have played us around the country. I could use that in our promotional materials.

Thanks, Claire

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 04:07 PM

yrlancslad: what is you radio station called?

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 04:52 PM

Claire,

First off, I would like to apologize for not getting back to you after I received the CD. I did receive the CD and I have played it on my show.

Your points are really good and I recently had the honor of sitting on a panel at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance about what artists should do to help receive airplay.

Sending out CD's blindly is a hit and miss situation, and it can be an expensive one. Those of us who do radio shows can receive dozens of unsolicited CD's each week. Many of us only have a few hours of airtime each week, so it becoems harder and harder to "crack the list". Most of us have other "day" jobs and families that take up time. I'm not complaining, but it is a challenge to find time to listen to new CD's. The rewards however are worth it!

Instead of sending out CD's blindly, I recommend targeting specific shows.   E-mail the host and see if you get a response. Speaking from experience, it sometimes takes a few days to respond. In addition to the ton of spam mail that all of us seem to receive, I receive a handful of e-mails from artists each day. I also spend a lot of time on Mudcat (as you can tell!). Be patient, and if you do not receive a reply in a week or so, send a POLITE e-mail inquiring if they received the original e-mail and if they have any questions or need additional information. If you don't hear back, don't push it - and don't take it personally. There are additional steps you can take.

Finding out which radio program will air your CD requires a bit of homework. One place to start is www.folkradio.org - known by the name FOLK-DJ. This is a website where many (but not all)of us post our playlists. Reading through the lists, you will find out which shows play music that you think is similar to your style of music. If you play Irish trad and see a program that only plays contemporary American singer-songwriters, you might have a tough sell. You can also check websites of the individual stations to see if there is information about the show and/or DJ that will help you decide whether to send a CD blind.

E-mail is great. I try to read posts at FOLK-DJ where in addition to Folk-DJ's posting playlists, many artists will post information about their CD - and most of us read them!. We are all consumers. I do not have to read how Billboard Magazine called you (I speaking in the wider sense, not you directly Claire) the best thing since sliced bread or how Bob Dylan worships your music. We can read through the hype just as anyone can. A few notes about the type of songs, instrumentation, etc. will suffice.    If you've managed to raise our curiosity, we will contact you.

When you e-mail a Folk-DJ, remember to be polite. I've received notes from artists that literally insist we go to their website to listen to their music. Be subtle. Include your webaddress in the salutation at the end of the note.

IF you fail to reach a folk-dj via a direct e-mail or a post on Folk-DJ, then you can decide whether you wish to send a CD. IF you do, include brief but important information. I always recommend adding a small card, about the size of a CD booklet, that lists your songs, the duration (always important - we often scramble to find a tune that will fit a certain length, and if you do not include times, your CD won't be considered), and a few brief descriptive words that describes the song. "trad song about xxx", "original song with banjos", "upbeat", "slow air", etc. On the flip side of the card, add a few bullet points about you. Perhaps a few competitions that you may have won, some festivals you've played, where you are from, etc. A few bits of information give us something to talk about on the air.

These are a few items that come to mind. I would be happy to give anyone additional information or answer questions if you PM me, or I can post here.

All of YOU who have the talent to make music are the ones that enable us to have radio programs. Thank you!!!!

Ron

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 04:54 PM

P.S. - you can also use FOLK-DJ to help track your airplay. If you go to www.folkradio.org you can type in your name in the search box and you will find all the "hits" that are on file. An easy way to track what stations are playing your music.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 07:15 PM

As I have a new CD out (Ron, you'll be receiving the new Greenhouse CD "One Last Cold Kiss" in the mail), I'm wondering whether a big shot like Fiona Ritchie of "Thistle & Shamrock" would be receptive to small-label releases? Does anyone know how to contact her?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST,Claire
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 12:28 PM

Michael,

After receiving the go-ahead in response to my e-mail, I sent ours out to Fiona Richie at the Thistle and Shamrock. Just do a google search. Also, I recomend that you send it to NPR open mic. I sent ours and it was selected for inclusion on the website open mic show. It was really fun to have it on the website: it was good for our band and our family members got a kick out of it.

Ron,
Thanks for all your advise above. I included a small bio sheet with our cd, which was intended to help the dj have info about us to talk about on the air. Did you find it useful? However, your your suggestion to include a track list with hints about each number is excellent. I never would have thought of that.

As usual I really appreciate this forum.

Claire

PS just for info our band is "Round the House" out of Tucson.
http://roundthehouse.com

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 01:20 PM

Claire -

Bio sheets are great, but I think a condensed version that can fit in a CD jewelcase can be more valuable. One sheet bios tend to get separated from CD's. It is easier to slip in a one sided card that fits into the booklet as opposed to folding a sheet of paper. With the card in hand, it becomes easier for the DJ to talk about your group.

Borealis Records uses a card that is just perfect. One side lists the songs with a one line description and the duration, and the other side of the card has a few sentences about the artist (bullet points, not PR quotes). It makes our jobs so much easier.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST,Claire
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 01:47 PM

Hi Ron,

That is pretty much what I did. The sheet I included was the same size as the cd and I mailed it on top of the cd. It had a picture and basic information on the front: instrumentation, web site, simple PR paragraph, contact info. The back had bios on the band members - but I will change that for a track listing as suggested. The sheet could be folded and slipped into the cd, but maybe I will decrease the size, so it can be slipped inside unfolded.

Do you prefer to receive unwrapped cds, or does that look unprofessional?

Claire

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 02:20 PM

Claire - I don't have it in front of me at the moment, but I do remember the information that your sheet contained was good. It gave me something to talk about when I played the CD!   Trust me, most of us love having something like this because it ends up making us sound intelligent when we talk!   The truth is out!

One more item - it really helps to include pronunciation guides if you have an unusual name or if the title of the song is in another language.   I've had discussion with my peers at the Folk Alliance and when people come across a name that they cannot pronounce, they will avoid playing the piece on the air. Those of us who do shows realize that our audience is knowledgeable and we do not like to look stupid.   Because I host a Celtic show in addition to my folk show, I do make the extra effort to try and find the proper pronuciation if it isn't included, but most hosts won't bother.   You will be surprised at how much additional airplay you will receive with this "extra" effort.

I've always felt a bit embarrased because I do not speak Irish.   I felt better one day when I had a guest who is with a prominent Irish band and asked him (off mic) about the pronunciation of a particular tune. His answer of "I have no idea... I just call it xxxxx" made me feel a lot better! It isn't just me!

As to your question about wrapped or unwrapped, I don't think it really matters. This question was asked at the Folk Alliance and the response was mixed.   I do think it looks more professional to have it on.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: GUEST,Claire
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 04:41 PM

Excellent suggestion about including the pronunciation. I will add that to my list of additions to the card. Thanks for taking the time to help all of us out.

Claire

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: yrlancslad
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 09:05 PM

Hi Gregand everybody on this thread, my station is KZSC and we cover the California coast from south SF to Big Sur also stream at KZSC.UCSC.edu. My program currently airs 4-6 pm local time on Mondays. I'm away on8th and15th December but will have subs on doing the show.
I always aknowledge CDs received and can usually e-mail you when I'm going to play your stuff, at least the first time. People like Mary Humphries, the Threlfalls and Mark Dowding I"ve played the grooves off over the last 12 months or so since they've all sent me 2 CDs in that time -and I liked ém a lot. So all you traddies out there e-mail me at [e-mail] and I'll give you the address to mail to.Malcolm

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Nov 03 - 12:04 AM

There was a Country Pop song a little while back that had a line I liked, "some girls don't like boys like me, ah but some girls do!"

I second the comments above about targetting your DJs and radio shows carefully. Some folks won't give your music a second look and others will love it. If you take the time up front to figure out which shows/hosts are most likely to enjoy your music, you'll have much better results.

FolkDJ is a good tool - but there are many many shows/DJs who don't participate so you'll just have to find their station websites, read up on the show's info and playlists (many don;t report playlists) and consider if your music is a good fit. I guess by who else they're playing - or how they describe their programs.

I've begun to know who does play my stuff and who doesn't. I use the FolkDJ sparingly for announcements, but I review the playlists more carefully. The playlists of non FolkDJ programs are harder to track. I consider FolkDJ to be a representitive sample.

Getting airplay is a tough nut to crack, even if your music is damn good. There's just a lot of damn good music out there; new and old. BUT it is worth the effort.

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 12:56 PM

Ron's remarks are right on the mark, but of course they would be. Taking his counsel is smart advice to anyone interested in trying to increase airplay.

Were Rick feeling better, he would also advise that you include a track listing and times on the CD as well as in the liner notes. This is something many DJ's look for. Often they are looking for a song to fit in the remaining time, and that is the criteria they use. Keeping the folks happy who play your music, this includes the engineer, is mighty important. And that is precisely why my CD's have this information in both places.

Ron, thanks for sharing your unique insights with us.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: promotion of your trad CDs in US
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 05:39 PM

Thank you for the kind words Mick. Everyone should remember that the suggestions I made are not set in stone, nor are they "standard" in this industry. The notes I posted are based on my tastes AND the general feedback I've heard from other hosts on Folk-DJ and at the Folk Alliance.   Some program hosts have different tastes and needs so it is always a good idea to contact the host you are targeting and ask them some questions.

Do not let a lack of response be the final answer, but do not become a "pest". If you've done your homework and are 100% convinced that your music will fit on that particular show, send the CD anyway. You will only lose the cost of postage and CD. Remember that program hosts are consumers, and if you feel comfortable with the package that you are presenting, you've done your best.   If you are worried about rejection, you probably shouldn't be making CD's in the first place!

I know of one folk DJ that thought a particular artist was too "pushy" in the way she contacted him, yet I felt the same artist was just doing their job and was very polite. I also felt that her music was wonderful and my audience responded in kind, yet the other DJ never bothered to open her CD because he was put off by her approach.

I can also tell you about one particular promoter who represents "folk" artists that are far from my wide definition of the music. He will send me e-mails asking why I do not respond and continue to make requests for "feedback". While I completely understand his need to promote his artists (he is getting paid by them to plug their CD's)it bothers me when it is obvious that he never took the time to figure out what I do and what I require - even after I explained it to him. He still seems to disregard the way I compose my show, so I end up ignoring him.   That can happen. I'm glad this is a rare exception rather than the rule.

Most of us are only on the air for a few hours each week.   I have three hours, plus one that is for a "Celtic"-based show. I also do interviews that can take up to an hour out of my alloted time. I must receive a minimum of a dozen CD's each week. During the Folk Alliance, that number can literally become 100 or more. I was on the formal showcase committee for NERFA, and I had the pleasure of receiving over 250 CD's. If a new artist is decent, they might receive one or two airings a month. I try to offer as much diversity and new artists/recordings as possible, but I also have "favorites" that I love to play and my audience expects.   What I am getting at is this - artists should understand the amount of airplay that they will receive. While it may seem small, it actually can make a difference. A number of clubs and coffeehouses personnel listen to my show in the NYC area and it can lead to bookings and new fans.

Sorry for being long-winded, and I hope I am clear when I say - nothing is set in stone. We are all different and the suggestions I share are just a few that appeal to me as well as what I've heard from SOME of my peers. There are a lot out there... do the homework. Above all, keep making such great music! I've been doing radio since 1975, my folk show since 1980, and this is beyond a doubt the most creative period I've witnessed.

Ron