Bless me Father (or Mother) for I have forgotten this blog

Well, well, well.

I am sure you all know how life gets in the way when what you really want to do isn't what you end up doing.  Such is the case with this blog.

I can't even remember the last time I felt compelled to write here (lazy, really, could just check the postings) but I am sure there has been at least one membership drive, a bunch of cohosts on the show and countless hours spent trying to pull together playlists. Anyway, here I am at least for a little while checking in with the lot of you.

One of the most gratifying thing about community radio is that artists who have not had airplay at this point in their careers can reach out and know we will be supportive. I can only imagine how amazing it sounds to hear something you put your blood, sweat and tears into coming out of your car radio or streamed in real time online. If I ruled the airwaves and had a much much longer show, everyone would get a run at this experience. Unfortunately with only an hour, despite trying my hardest, there might only be one tune played per band and maybe only once. It's not ideal but it's a start.

So if you are interested in being on the show, there are a few things to consider.

The production level of the track should be as clean as possible. Not saying you have to spend big bucks on mastering and such, but with all the tools available on home computers, please make sure it will translate well to radio airplay. Unless it's the effect you are looking for  make sure the lyrics are not buried in the track by much louder instruments. Ditto with making sure the instruments are in tune. Live recordings are OK as long as the music is at a level that isn't drowned out by crowd noise and clinking glasses. I will do my best to give you a spin, but I also don't want listeners to tune out because it's hard to hear.

Don't assume because your track didn't get on the air immediately that it won't. It can be hard to find time for everyone but your turn will come. And when it does, please help the station out with spreading the word about your part in the playlist on social media. If we both do it, we will reach a lot more people.

When sending emails to the station, try and send to as many shows as you can that play your style of music. That info is on the station website and means that you value the contribution community radio makes to independent music. We all won't be able to air your cut, but generally someone will. I have met and played the music of some really amazing people through this kind of outreach. We are all working for a common goal and that is to offer an alternative to commercial radio.

And finally, I try to answer all emails. If after a while you don't hear back from me, poke me with another one. Sometimes life gets in the way (see the beginning of this post) and things get missed.

Glad you stopped on by. Hope to post to this blog again sooner than later.

In the meantime, support your music scene and remember to support your community radio as well.

Thanks for listening.