June 21, 2016

I love radio.

Even though I can play cd's and cassettes in my car, I almost never do. Instead the radio is on. The presets are all used, for our national broadcaster, to local stations and stations a town or two away.

I remember when radio was king when you were in your car, the deejays your friend, entertaining and informing you. Talking to you, in fact. And bringing you music. In the days before smartphones and streaming apps, it was not uncommon to sit in the car, waiting for the song to end.

Music was the commodity - and great music. Each announcer got to pick what he played, so you listened to the ones that played the most music you liked.

But not anymore. Now, it's computer generated playlists with the announcer allowed to talk occasionally. No more free-form radio. No more songs and artists you may never had heard of before. Now radio is about musical nostalgia. And announcers are more likely to be spending time on social media, reposting links from other websites - pretending they are producing content, while they read from Wikipedia.

There is a local announcer who considers himself to be a real music buff, and knowledgeable about music and the bands. But most of what he says is straight from Wikipedia, and even then he can get things pretty mangled. Last week I heard him talk about famed violinist Stephane Grapalinni. Really? Maybe he meant Stephane Grappelli? That was after he also talked about the all-girl group from Europe - the Cherry Bombs featuring Joan Jett. I'm pretty sure he meant the Runaways from America. But, hey, he got Joan Jett's name right!

Announcers don't seem to have the passion for the music anymore, or the knowledge. And if you're going to give out wrong information, why should I listen? I can stream music without interruption, or get satellite radio and listen to someone who at least tries to get it right.

I miss radio with talent.