Way back in January SCRS hosted a ‘Getting on the Radio’ panel. It was awesome. It was also winter flu season, so a lot of people emailed and said they were sorry they could not make it. Here are the top things I learned as well as an audio link if you feel like listening.
Audio Link: http://www.scica.org/visual-arts/scica-music-lecture-series-how-to-get-your-music-on-radio/
We *hope* to find someone to help us edit down the video, but don’t hold your breath for that, right now, focus on reading. Featured Guest Panelists:
“Sleepy” John Sandidge [DJ - KPIG & KZSC] Lois Rosson [Program Director - KZSC Santa Cruz] Geo Warner [Volunteer Coordinator for Music Programming KUSP] Sandino Gomez [Free Radio Santa Cruz]
1. Getting your own radio show on Free Radio Santa Cruz is the easist way to get your music heard. They are also the only local station that will take digital files
2. If you send KZSC (and 99% of non-commerical radio) a CD in a paper sleeve, it will not make it on air. It must be a digi or a jewel case. If you have to, hand make a few of your sleeves into this format for radio.
3. When your CD arrives at KZSC it goes to a processing locker, it gets labeled and put into the air room for general staff to play for about 2 months. After that, it gets added to the perminent collection, or it gets purged.
4. For all stations, always list what tracks are not FCC compliant on a sticker on the CD.
5. Forget commercial radio for now, they won’t even look at it. Instead make a connection with a non-commercial DJ in your area.
6. Email is the best first contact. Introduce yourself, let us know to expect your CD.
7. Follow-up to break through the noise. Try not to be annoying but following up shows the station that the musician really cares about being played and that can shift you to the top.
8. If you are producing a CD - remember:
- Make sure the cover doesn’t suck. People DO JUDGE a CD by its cover.
- List times at the end of songs (radio stations do NOT like it when they don’t know the times, makes it hard for them to build thier set, etc.) AND numbers in front of the cuts.
9. If you are sending a CD - remember:
- Include a letter size flyer (ONE SHEET ONLY) with the CD - include name of artist (and how to pronouce if unusual), genre category, contact info, breif quote & descriptoin of music, list any gigs you are promoting or tour you are doing, use easy to read fonts. Make sure there is a picture of your CD on the flyer in case it gets seperated from the CD. Do not go into a narrative history of your band - it does not help and nobody will read it. Save that for your website bio.
- If you are sending a CD to promote a specific show - list that time sensitive show date on the outside of the package when you send to radio. TRY to send at least a few weeks in advance of the date. The earlier the better.
10. College and community based radio is poised to take over. They are the only station around that still have a real local focus and mean something to communities.