How do you start your own radio show?

Subject: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 08:56 AM

All help would be appreciated.


Yeah, yeah, bring on the Radio Lizzie jokes, guys.. :0) LOL

It's just that this year, I've decided I need to get the music OUT in another way.

I've looked on the internet and it all seems so confusing, but...other people do it, so it *can* be done.

But how, what's the best way..and...does it cost loadsa money?

I just thought I'd ask and see what happens..

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 09:19 AM

Can't offer much in the way of streaming audio. But check-out copyright and PRS.

But content and delivery - they are very important once you get the techie bits sorted.

The tone of the programmes are better consistant. Think about how you want to be though of, once you tell yourself that - it is easier to be consistant. Listeners - if regular - will key into that and stay (or go) because of it.

As for content - I would say do what you know. Add background info - but be careful, there is a lot of falsehood out there. And opinions (IMHO) are fine in moderation - all lubby dovey and no caveats makes for a style, but an impoverished one.

In NZ when I did my programmes I once played tracks from a Blues LP specialising in Gay blues songs. I pointed-out that there was scant material and it was repeated often - but the music was archetypal blues.

I also did topical jokes eg I came after a Russian Programme so I started by saying "did you hear about the Russian who gave his sons a yatch, he wanted 'Red sons in the sail set'". Inocccuous & light - but then that was my style, along with knowledgeable Folk.

Good luck and post the details here when you have them.

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 09:48 AM

You could, as an alternative, create an mp3 soundfile which blended your radio commentary with the music you want to play, much like DJs do here and there, and mount the file on your MySpace page. I don't know whether there is a limit to mp3 files on MySpace pages, but it's a possibility.

Whether you do that, or go for the more sophisticated web streaming option which you see on internet radio stations, there's the question of paying for the use of the music. Of course, if the podcast/broadcast/sound file doesn't use music, just chat - then no cost.

The free "Audacity" software will allow you to record two channels. You can create a master vocal track from a script, open up a second track on which to record the music tracks, then blend the two. Having placed your sound/voice segments in the right order, save as an mp3 file - upload the file to MySPace, and Bob's your uncle.

Just a thought.

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:14 AM

Thank you, lads. Much appreciated. I've got loads to learn and puzzle out, and with my confooooosed brain, that could take some time! :0)

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: GUEST,Girl Friday
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:17 AM

Don't know where you live Lizzie, but Romford based Link FM were involved with Fab Club who used to host a weekly Folk programme. It involved going into the studio and recording the show onto mini-disc. Approach yourlocal independant station and ask if they want a show.

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 01:16 PM

There are lots of community radio stations all around the country who will play a folk show if you can convince them you can do it.

Start a one hour programme with a tune that people will probably be familiar with. I use "Music for A Found Harmonium" it's been a film tune and a background tune for an Ad and thus played a lot on TV. (MFI - so it wasn't all that good!!)

Then I play something folky but not too folky so the stray listener stays with the programme. Then I play something fairly hard line folky because I want to retain the folk listener.

After that it is a matter of judgement. Try not to play material in the same key following each other. You can contrast (man/woman - tune/song - modern/trad etc....or you can follow like with like.

You need a big (if not huge) record library. Minimum (I'd say 250 CD's). Week one you can play your favourite records - week two you are running out of material, by week five you have played all the tracks you own. Unless you are repeating.

(You must realise not all tracks on a CD are suitable for playing on radio. Too long, too short etc etc.)

Playing straight music with intro's you need about 12/14 records per hour or thereabouts. You need CDs, MP 3s are not very good by the time you get to the listener. My radio station refuses to use them.

You need to be able to write a script with each track - even if you don't use it. I use Excel to time the show and make a PRS Sheeet out.

Finish with a tune for each hour, you can fade a tune much easier than a song.

Learn all the jargon you can.

Do you want to give up one day each week (without preparation) to put the show on?

Be prepared to play music you are not especially fond of. Unless you believe that everyone ought to like all the artsts you like and no others.

Can you manage the technical skills? It is a bit like rubbing your head and patting your stomach at the same time. The radio station I work for uses this as a test:

Sit squarely in a chair and lift your right foot off the floor. Move that foot in a clockwise direction. Keeping the foot moving in the same direction and draw the number 6 in the air.

Can you do that? That's what it is like "driving" a desk.

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 02:02 PM

Think podcast

~S~

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: open mike
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 02:04 PM

do you mean terrestrial or internet?
there may be a station near you that
has a time slot for a programmer. I
have a monthly show on a small community
station. they have all the equipment and
the listeners and a good library of music
and offer training on how to use the board.

licesensing and permits have become prohibitive.
in the u.s. there is an attempt to return
royalties to performers whose work is played.
The fees for this can break the bank as far as
a small non-commercial station is concerned.

most of the music i play comes from independant
recordings done by the musicians themselves, and
they are pleased to get their music out there...

and heard. but the musicians who have labels and
agents and managers all those middle-men are looking
for a piec3e of the pie..and that is when the
payments become more important.

i have streamed my land-based radio show over paltalk.

and others use 365 live or live 365 as a "conduit"

GOOD LUCK

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: peregrina
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 02:05 PM

You can hear Dave's show on Sheffield Live
here (follow the link then choose schedule and Friday Thank Goodness its Folk--very good it is too!

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 03:03 PM

Thanks Peregrina!

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 03:26 PM

Thank you again, for all the new information. Really interesting.

Dave...

"Can you manage the technical skills? It is a bit like rubbing your head and patting your stomach at the same time. The radio station I work for uses this as a test:

Sit squarely in a chair and lift your right foot off the floor. Move that foot in a clockwise direction. Keeping the foot moving in the same direction and draw the number 6 in the air.

I can rub my head and pat my tummy. No problems at all.

But...my foot goes in the opposite direction when I draw the number 6. I've tried it over and over, even with my left foot (being left-handed), but it whizzes round the other way.

That is so sooooooo weird!

Does this mean I could only ever get a job on Radio 1? ;0)

I can cook 10 things at once, is that any good?

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 05:59 PM

I can cook 10 things at once, is that any good?

Only for Masterchef. Totally useless for presenting folk.

Subject: RE: How do you start your own radio show?
From: Cllr
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 07:29 PM

To start with your best bet IMHO would be to see if you like the DJ'ing side of it using other peoples Equipment

I started doing folk radio shows at brunel university (B1000)the campus license and internet meant 10,000 students weren't listening to me, when we had a FM license for a month it meant 250,000 people weren't listening to me.

I did have a large cd collection (there was virtually nothing in the stations collection) but to vary it i did have live music and some guests who brought their own favourite tracks. After a while some groups sent cd's to get air play also i used to advertise local folk clubs by playing the guest CD's a week or so before.
one word of warning be vary careful that you know really well any track you play as inapropriate word could cost a hefty fine.

A big thank you to Folk Roots "FROOTS" who sent me some back issues of there compilation editions provided some very up to date and varied music.


Admittadly this isn't much help if you aren't taking any courses but doing an evening class in web design at bedford college a couple of years back meant i was able to do a show when they had an FM license. If you cant find a local college that has a station the otherway to get experiance is to go to local hospitals. Most used to provide a inhouse service and it used to be a common way to get unpaid experiance in radio not sure if it is still around much.

YOu can approach local radio stations but obviously check to see there not mainly phone in radio or whatever, and be prepared to work some very inhospitable hours prime time slots are unlikly to be available and dont forget as much as we all love folk in its many varied forms it is a relatively small genre. that can be used as a bonus because not many people can bring specialised knowlege which might make the approach more attractive,

Good Luck. and let us know how you get on.
Cllr