Covid-19 Radio Ballad

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: Mysha
Date: 26 Jul 20 - 02:49 PM

So, how many production companies were not involved with RB, but would welcome the idea? (And what did the one person say?)

Bye,
Mysha

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: GUEST,SB
Date: 25 Jul 20 - 06:53 PM

All involved with previous RB productions have been emailed. Only one person respnded. The idea is dead, like what's the point? Sad really.

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: JHW
Date: 24 Jul 20 - 05:35 AM

Some songwriters may be looking for work too

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: Mysha
Date: 21 Jul 20 - 01:03 PM

SB,

Note that "Please note: BBC Radio does not accept programme ideas from individuals unattached to a production company." does not say that they want you to also do the work. The only requirement is that they have someone to talk to. What happens beyond that probably depends on selling the idea.

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of production companies in the UK, and I could imagine some having less projects going at the moment than they would like. It shouldn't be impossible for one of them to attach themselves to you.

Mysha

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: GUEST,SB
Date: 21 Jul 20 - 09:15 AM

Derek Schofield posted links to the Polio and HIV / AIDS Radio ballads on a forum:

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The Body Blow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK65LJvUCCU

The Enemy that Lives Within
Available on Spotify and the CD is for purchase here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radio-Ballads-Enemy-Lives-Within/dp/B01MY18IHW

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Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 20 - 08:01 AM

There was a COVID-19 ballad at the Worldwide Singaround on the Zoom meeting on Monday - I mentioned this thread as a place to post those lyrics and/or a link to a performance if you've put it on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: JHW
Date: 21 Jul 20 - 05:42 AM

Silence surprises me as the BBC are clearly stuck for what to put on, replaying lots of old series (which is ok by me)

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: GUEST,SB
Date: 19 Jul 20 - 02:48 PM

All likely to bring this to fruition have been contacted with a deafening silence in return. But Peggy Seeger did respond and thought that it could be a good idea; but did point out that in the 'old' days there was a budget for the Radio Ballads she and Ewan MacCol were involved in.

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: Bearheart
Date: 19 Jul 20 - 10:27 AM

I think it is needed. People need a way to process what is going on, and of course many people are writing songs about it. I was thinking just this morning about the feelings that set this crisis apart from everything we have experienced as humans to date. and how I might put them into a song.

I think the thing is to track down those people who might be in a position to make it happen, and see if they would take it on. Don't let this idea die!

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: GUEST,SB
Date: 18 Jul 20 - 04:42 PM

Tried to track down a contact method for suggesting a new programme. But then was gobsmacked to find this statement:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4fC4NcVXqkZntJv8ZHpClD8/pitching-ideas

"Please note: BBC Radio does not accept programme ideas from individuals unattached to a production company."

So that's that I guess.

SB

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: JHW
Date: 18 Jul 20 - 08:48 AM

Good idea. Zoom and such are beyond me but I still listen to Radio.

Subject: RE: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Jul 20 - 08:47 AM

I think I would prefer John Tams & company.

Subject: Covid-19 Radio Ballad
From: GUEST,S Byers666
Date: 18 Jul 20 - 08:22 AM

Covid-19 Radio Ballad

Seems like it would be an idea to create a Radio Ballad (or more) about Covid-19 and its affect upon the lives of folks in the UK.

Ewan MacColl and Charles Parker created one about Polio:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/original/index.shtml

* The Body Blow
The psychology of pain - people with polio.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/original/bodyblow.shtml

And then in 2006 another raft of RBs came along including one about HIV/AIDS:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/2006/index.shtml

* Enemy That Lives Within
Modern stories of people living with HIV/AIDS.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/2006/hivaids/index.shtml

Could a Radio Ballad about Covid-19 be written?

It could include interviews with NHS 'Hero' staff, those who lost loved ones, attitudes towards the Government's mishandling, the lack of PPE, deaths in care homes, living in lockdown, schooling at home, affects of relaxation of lockdown, re-infections after lifting of lockdown, searches for a vaccine, slave workers in Leicester's cheap clothing sweat shops, Sir Captain Tom, etc., etc.

Perhaps if anyone is in touch with Peggy Seeger she might be involved. Ditto the MacColl family

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