This just out of Entercom:
________________________________________

Intern Promotions

Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of major station events, in addition to station sponsored sales appearances, concerts, live broadcasts and bar promotions. Assist with set-up of station equipment and interact with listeners. Learn the ins and outs of a major market radio station and have a great time doing it!

Outgoing, fun, and reliable students in good standing with a love of music or interest in radio/marketing encouraged to apply!

Send resume and cover letter to:

pdxintern@947.fm
________________________________________________

You know, there was a time when you'd get PAID for this stuff- and paid descent. Now, the only gigs are un paid. Rediculous. Unpaid, student interns. NRK: YOU GET what you pay for.

Since when did one get paid for being an intern? I certainly didn't. You had to bust your ass for free for a few months...and if they liked you enough...THEN they paid you. It definatly wasn't deCENT, but it was getting paid. Which works if your an 18 yr old kid out of Community college

Interns are nothing new. In truth they are a great way for newbies to break into the biz, and they help stations out too. Win-win.

decent not descent
ridiculous not rediculous
definitely not definatly
you're not your

These aren't typing errors. They're education errors. Maybe that's why you're having problems getting a gig. (With apologies to Mrs. M -- the official grammer and spelling police)

>>>"decent not descent
ridiculous not rediculous
definitely not definatly
you're not your

These aren't typing errors. They're education errors. Maybe that's why you're having problems getting a gig. (With apologies to Mrs. M -- the official grammer and spelling police)"


Beautiful post and so right on.

As a radio station management type I should KNOW the answer to this, but I believe it's not legal to use interns to REPLACE paid positions. That's
why the word "assist" is used. Excellent opportunity to be exposed to certain positions, but they should be supervised, taught and ONLY assisting.

deane is the new grammar cop here.

That should be Deane! Names are always capitalized.
Even if it was not a name it was the start of a sentence!

Knowing Twally's style, I think he may have meant "defiantly" instead of "definitely."

Interns are definitely nothing new.

In all honesty, it's against the rules for interns to get paid...just because the college usually insures them. The school can't insure them if there is some sort of fiscal compensation.

I would not have had an opportunity with the company I'm with now had it not have been for my internship. It's a great opportunity if you're not a total fool...and it really helped me learn exactly what I wanted to do in this business.

Learn the ins and outs of a major market radio station and have a great time doing it!

And then start in a major market when we have an opening........

It used to be that one started in a small market then worked their way towards the larger markets. Now, there are no talent jobs in the smaller markets, but it's easier to get a job in a larger market because the standards have been lowered.

I'm not sure what this means, just an observation.

"Learn the ins and outs of a major market radio station and have a great time doing it!"

Then, get into real estate.

Sorry I can't help it anymore.......I have been biting my tongue but can't anymore.
When you put certain items from these posts together it sounds like:

Excellent opportunity to be exposed to certain positions, but they should be supervised, (pimped). In all honesty, it's against the rules for interns to get paid. It's a great opportunity if you're not a total fool. Learn the ins and outs and have a great time doing it!

Interns have never been paid, 9 years with Entercom and not one internship was a pay internship. I don't know what kind of wacky world you live in but internships usually get you college credit. Promotion Cordinators get paid because they are employees. Thanks for bringing us up though, I hope your job hunt is going well since the intership caught your attention.

Thats it Cal...its a trade of for the credit. It is a win win for both parties then. At Clark college they have intern programs for the Cisco students to work at companies to gain actual on the job experience. Same deal work for the credit and experience and maybe slide into a job later on.

I was not knocking the program I just happened to read these threads and I thought it funny from a certain viewpoint......from the gutter! But I imagine there are a few interns that have messed around with the staff in the past....right? Or staff members messing around with the interns! LOL

Watch out DA is grammar cop and NOBODY is safe... Not even a good spheller like me!
If I was going for grammar I wouldn't be on a GD message board.....

Ding Dang Darn Trix...I donst knowz iz youiz talkin bout me oar DJ!

Tdanner typed: "These aren't typing errors. They're education errors. Maybe that's why you're having problems getting a gig. (With apologies to Mrs. M -- the official grammer and spelling police)"

Grammer? Are we talking about Grammer, Indiana?

First off, I type fast, am not as nimble as I used to be, and didn’t catch the grammar. This is a chat board, and not a spelling bee, remember.

And second, my discrepancy about the intern gig is because I believe once you get to the major market level, stations should step up and PAY for work done. This doesn’t seem to me like a simple gig, either:

“ Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of major station events, in addition to station sponsored sales appearances, concerts, live broadcasts and bar promotions. Assist with set-up of station equipment and interact with listeners. Learn the ins and outs of a major market radio station and have a great time doing it!”

A LOT OF WORK for ZERO pay.

It sounds like to me, NRK is being cheap and wants to fill , what would be a paid position – for free. Hell, why don’t they just have a whole station full of interns- that way you don’t have to pay anyone, and it’ll be a whole staff full of college students gaining experience!?

Third, I have 25 years in the biz. I'm a Former PD of 7 stations, and GM of 2. I got out, because my voice over biz became much more lucrative, and allows me to persue other interests, such as traveling ( never had time for it working 60 hours a week) . On the note of me being a former PD , and GM, it was always my policy to pay people who worked, and the “ intern” position that NRK has advertised, would have been a paying gig in any of my operations.

And Squid; your show sucks.

To me it depends on the situation. I worked on-air for $2.90 an hour for awhile (in the '70's) when I was starting out. I appreciated the experience and the station where I worked was small and just getting by. I think it'a very different situation when it's a big corporation just trying to shave more dollars off expenses.

KVAS?

Radioexpert: And that's why Mrs. M is the OFFICIAL grammar and spelling police!!! (I am only the lowly ratings and research police.) I should have waited for Merkie. Mea culpa.

CAL said it and I think is correct that you cannot pay an intern while working for you towards there college credits. But during summer break they should be compensated for their efforts if they continue with you during that time.

EugeneBob...the promotions intern stuff is very easy. I've done it.

Second off, interning is an integral part of major market radio. Promotions people are often the face of the radio station and don't require much experience since they are doing prizes and stuff. It's a very important part of the station, but it is much like customer service.

The intern gig is much different than the promotions coordinator gig. They are both typically part time. The difference is that usually the intern is only required to work 10 hours a week and then one or two events on top of that. They still have the paying gigs, they just have an ample supply of trained people to hire from within those unpaid gigs. Had I not have interned in the promotions department...I wouldn't have gotten all the chances I've had today.

They are pumping up the position like any other "employer" tends to do...making it sound like there's a lot more to it then there is to attract quality candidates. Interns who are slackers are just as annoying as employees who slack...

I'm very happy that interns are a part of portland radio...it's what got me started, I'd love for other people to have that opportunity.

Copernicus, my dear, I don't need you telling me what the job description does. I've hired many a person for entry level promotions, and paid them to do so. I hate the " I've been in this biz_____ years" montra, but, I've been in the game a long while, and I've watched the biz dry up to the point where even people who ARE employed are paid like sh*t, and stations are looking to get way with paying as few people as possible.

If this is in the middle of Iowa, at a mom and pop radio station- I'd understand. It's not. It's at NRK- a VERY well known radio station, in what is considered a major market. I believe that if you work- you should get PAID. What's wrong with that?

I am not for " interns"- but rather entry level employees, that are compensated for the time they spent helping to make the station money.

And no offesne to you, but what opprotunites have you had? From reading your posts, I gather you went to MHCC- and are now board oping some shows at the CBS group.

I do more than board op'ing. Granted I just entered the business when I was 18...a mere 5 years ago, as an intern and then solely a board op...I've done other things since then, but still I feel that I can still contribute my views and opinions on the industry.

And in all honesty...interning is a great thing if you get with the right company. Some in this market treat their interns like slaves. This is unfortunate and should be an issue.

However, as for questioning what I know about the industry...I would direct you to several people if I wanted to discuss my employment over the internet. But alas, I have mentioned several times that I prefer to separate these things from one another. There's a good reason for this. There are plenty of people who have worked with me in the past and present who know how hard I work and my abilities. Those are the people I care to discuss work with, as they know where I'm at.

There are still entry level positions, but the entry level positions are frequently hired within the pool of interns. I started out in the studio in what would be, an entry level position...from being a promotions intern. It gave me that much more knowledge about the industry...and that is pretty cool in my opinion.

Also, it weeds out the people that wouldn't make good entry level employees. Or the people that aren't that into the industry.

Like I said, some companies abuse their interns. That's not right. But there are many good things coming from interns. Especially if you're a college student in any industry (see engineers, doctors, scientists, electricians, architects, advertising, most business) It's quite popular in many fields, not just radio.

A lot of people have gotten into radio by just hanging around and helping whenever they can.

When I was in high school, I hung around a radio station in a small single station market, doing grunt work whenever I could. One day, one of the "announcers" (as they were called in those days) got killed in a car accident. Guess what. I was on the air in his place the next day. The show had to go on. The rest is history.

In my opinion Dean, the dirty grunt work proves that you're not there just for a check...and that means the world in this business.....(I type 50+ words per minute now as a skill learned from my very first internship when I was 18)

Hey, don't be bitter at me or my show, I was just telling you the truth and not making up some lame topic on a message board that has seen better day's. Unless you don't like gossip and drama? Plus, it's not a lot of work, 90% is showing up and wearing the right T-shirt.

Internships in major or smaller markets are essntially the same. (However, their experience perhaps might be more "rich" in a major). Most stations use them, big and small. It's a great program and I have personally hired a good number of interns to paid positions.

Back in the Jurassic age...1975..in Eugene...I was an intern at KFMY for no money and glad to get the opportunity. They hired me to do weekends at the whopping minimum wage after my internship. It was what I did with the information during all the training that mattered later.

...and now, instead of coming home, home will be coming to you!

My internship was at KISN with Mike Tanner. Its like Radiowoman said the benefit was all you took away from it, not to mention how much fun it was! A great way to get into radio and get some valuable expierance. By the way Iris KGON sounds great!

My internship was at a Seattle station where I actually read the top and bottom-of-the-hour news on-air! Invaluable exposure to some top major market air talent. Being heard on the air at this big radio station made me the hero of my high school. This was in 1974. I'd already been on-air for 2-years on my high school 10-watt station.

EugeneBob, with all due respect, any manager with a policy of never using interns will miss opportunities to bond his station to his community, hurt recruiting for future paid positions, and fail to maximize his budget.

If you're still in Eugene, ask anyone involved in placement at the university how much value, in dollars, an internship is worth to the intern.

Think back to your own first job in radio. Be honest - which was more valuable at the end of your first 20 weeks, the industry knowledge you'd gained, or the paychecks? I'd bet that for most of us, what we learned was worth way more than the "pay".

In my years as a manager, I spent a ton of man-hours training interns to be effective, and that's every bit as much an expenditure as paying them dollars. Then, in a few weeks...that training you've invested in them goes with them.

If you calculate the value of the training received over a semester, I'll bet you're "paying" interns more than you're "paying" some of your weekday air talent.

An internship is about the only educational situation in which you can learn as much about the industry as you're willing to take on. Ambitious interns can become parts of morning shows, or at least get their first real-world airchecks. All this, for a one-semester commitment, is a great deal.

The hardest part of getting into radio is making those first few professional contacts, getting references, becoming conversant with the terminology, and learning what the real day-to-day workflow and challenges are. Textbooks are always a few years behind current industry trends and technologies, and many instructors are, too.

Formal, structured education can take you just so far. Then, it's time to go out and find a mentor. It's no wonder there's always a waiting list for internships at radio stations, and always jobs waiting for the good ones when they graduate.

I have just taken on a high school intern who is getting academic credit for her work. She is literally on fire for this business at 17 and has many relevant abilities (can't wait to hear what some posters on this board will be guessing they are).

I think back to when I first landed on the idea of working in radio. I would have given anything - paycheck or not - to get the kind of mentoring and on-the-job experience she is getting from me. No other radio stations wanted to take the time to work with her, and that's a shame.

It has also benefited the radio station in that her friends come to our events and listen to our radio station (the fact that they're listening to radio at all is in itself a coup, as young people are turning us off in droves). Doesn't matter that they're a little younger than our target - in a few years, they will all BE our target, and they will likely have a good feeling about radio because of this association.

Interning is an extremely valuable arrangement for both radio station and student, but it's gotta be done right. I can't help but think that many of those who are so negative about this business might be turned around by taking the time to work with an intern who's still enthusiastic about radio...

I agree whole heartedly CDOG! KGON is the BEST Classic Rock on the Dial!
Love the station and everything about it! I hope it will always be there....kind of a Portland tradition ya know!

ROCK ON KGON!

BTW...good to here from ya!

Im bored with KGON, same stale Playlist. Yes they play some Awesome rock, BUT its the same damn songs day after day! Talk about burn out!

The three week long A to Z program they have right now is pretty great! They are playing stuff you would normally never hear on the air! Kind of fun to listen to as you have no idea what they will dig up!

I mean how often to you hear "Driver's Seat" from Sniff'n'the Tears!

"I mean how often to you hear "Driver's Seat" from Sniff'n'the Tears"

Not enough! One of the coolest songs on the last 30 years, from a very underated band.

I thought you might comment on that one! LOL

Continuing the off-topic talk, I am also tired of KGON's playlist. Very little change since I started listening to it in 1994. Most stations have a playlist that is too shallow for me. When I hear the same 20 songs 5 times every week, there is something wrong.

For my money, the best rock music show on the radio is the Bottom 40: all things new and different. I wish 94.7 played this format full time.

I'll second that. Great show.

In complete agreement with you about the Bottom 40. Greg may've been met with critical indifference when he took over 94.7's morning show, but I think he's one of the best dj's in town largely because his knowledge of and passion for the music he plays is very evident on the morning show and on the Bottom 40.

Isn't the Classic Rock format a tough one to do. I mean as time goes by the playlist of what your demo wants to hear will shift from say the seventies to the eighties but will eventually run out of classic rock to play and will have to evolve into something different. I do not think what they laughingly call ROCK being recorded today will ever qualify as classic rock. Classic crap more like it!
Even with that it would be interesting to see who has the largest market share of the 25-55m and 25-55f audiences. I think KGON will be right up in the TOP of that list. So if you know what those numbers are please share!

I think what comprises the Classic Rock format will always be made up of songs largely from the late 60s to late 70s period. It is what is, just as music from the 30's and 40's can be lumped into "Big Band". Years from now today's music will probably be given it's own signature, identifiable to the ones listen to it now and 20 years from now.

Big Band era
Classic Rock era
Fifties era

How will today's music be classified tomorrow:

Forgettable Era

"Alternative" seems to be a label that is sticking around.

Ok...I won't bash it anymore.....it's fair to say to each his own. I just am stuck with liking the classic rock stuff. My High School years were right during the time when all of the great arena rock bands were in there prime. I think that day is also rapidly slipping away as well. Have you ever seen the DVD "AC\DC Live at Donington"? I would like to see any modern group pack in that many acres of fans for a concert. Man the guys in the back must have needed telescopes to see the stage! LOL

Dark, you hit the nail on the head. I've said this before: most people's musical taste gets frozen somewhere between high school and early 20s when life gets more complicated, and one's interest in music waynes. It becomes more difficult to stay current. Taste has something to do with it, too....I'm almost 40 and went to high school in the 80's. Maybe this is why I enjoy a lot of the new rock today. It takes a lot of effort to stay current, especially when almost nobody I know is current. Radio doesn't help much as they play something on the order of 1% of the music in your local CD shoppe.

Yep, I would agree with the alternative label. It's gonna stick for the longer term.

For most people, I think Larry has it right. A few of us branch out and explore new things, but only if that behavior was cultivated at a younger age. (exposure to music as an art form)

For older demos, or perhaps just demos stuck in a rut of whatever kind, there are newer tunes that do often fit the mold. IMHO, there should be a lot more research in this area as it would help to keep older formats fresher and might help transition those in a rut into new music --even if it's not very much new music.

On thing I find interesting right now is even though some styles dominate (hip hop, etc...), there is new music being made that does work well for older formats. The rip, mix burn generation brings something new to the table in this regard that was not there in any substantial form before.

We are rapidly growing late on our next big thing too. Normally, we get some distinctive new sounds every 8 - 12 years or so. Instead of that happening, we've got more of a slow progression happening now. IMHO, this is significant where the kind of research I wrote about above is concerned.

It may well be more possible to carry specific demos forward today than it was before.

Not only that, but we've just essentially tripled our room on the dial for such efforts to occur! Leveraging the HD2s, combined with internet streaming, AM simulcasts, etc... could easily attract older demos onto seemingly "new" formats that really are just established favorites with some solid researched tunes mixed in to gently pull people forward.

Sorry I've written on that too much, but dammit, it's something that could very well add a lot of value to the dial. Essentially risk free where existing station identities are concerned as well!

...so scroll me!

Ok...so triple the the stations on the dial. Great move. Now the stations, (corporations), will have even more oportunity to make deeper cuts and operate with bare bones minimum staffing. IMHO just on the std FM channels there is already way to much crap radio on the air. So let's push that out to even more channels. I think the main goal should not be the addition of more channels but to improve what is already there. MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER! More channels with less quality versus less channels with quality entertainment as a focus! I choose less with more! Right now more channels is just spreading current resources even thinner, IMHO. This corporate gotta have more, moe, mo will just accelerate the demise of what once was an entertaining medium and a benneficial service to the public.

My thoughts as a listener! 42m if it matters! I realize that times are changing and the current generation is more about just the music without the show but for the time being there may be enough of us "RUTTERS" out here that demand better quality programs and entertainment! So put that on your hard drives and "Format It"!!!!!

Bookemdono said "Alternative" seems to be a label that is sticking around.

Alternative means absolutely NOTHING TODAY, especially in music.
Alternative rock is now mainstream rock, so how the hell can you call it alternative if every single station is playing The killers, Oasis, Nirvana ect?? One thing that really annoys me with NRK is they try to fit the word alternative in every single talk break. "we're just finishing up your alternative work week and going to start your alternative weekend." I hear the dj's on that station say that on EVERY TALK BREAK! What the heck does that mean?? It holds no real relavance to the music you play or the lifestyle your listeneers live. Your MUSIC IS MAINSTREAM NRK!

"Alternative" became a label 10 years ago and was used by the mainstream. At that point it ceased to really mean alternative, and everbody knows that. Five years ago "indie" was the term, and that is pretty much meaningless, too.

Im ready to start my alternative weekend with an alternative partner every other night

TMI!

Author: Larrybudmelman
Friday, February 02, 2007 - 11:05 pm

"Five years ago "indie" was the term, and that is pretty much meaningless, too."


Any term that describes what is *Plonked* onto a CD and shoved in your face regardless of quality is as meaningless as the terms used to describe it as anything other than how it should be labeled:

"We're just finishing up your CRAP work week and going to start your even crappier weekend."

My Humble Opinion on the sorry state of Rock and Roll produced after the mid 90's! If you like this stuff then.....hmmmmm.....I am at a loss for words.....I guess you have my sympathy and can I offer you some advice on a good brand of hearing aids? LOL

You know, as we age we get more and more like our parents...I remember my parents telling me that what I listened to wasn't music, ie: Beatles, Stones, etc., etc., etc.,. I don't like alternative either, in fact I'm in the camp that believes that true rock music died a long, long time ago.

Every generation has their genre and it sounds like some of you who are dissing "alternative" are getting more and more "older parent like" everyday. I too don't like much of the music produced after the mid 90's but there is some good stuff mixed in with the bad that still reaches our sensibilites. It's all relative to our age and thinking.

Age is a state of mind....if you don't mind it don't matter.

But speak up next time sonny....us old farts lost their hearing in the last great concerts of the seventies and eighties ya young whipper snapper!

John J Rutt

BTW...I tried, I really tried to sample new music but when there is only one track on an entire CD I don't mind cranking up the volume to then it ain't worth it. I gave the "Alternative" CD's to my son and he likes them. My young 14 year old daughter thinks Pink Floyd is the best! Big from me on that one! I taught her right!

If it's not worth listening to loud then it ain't worth listening to!!!!!

Here is a thought for you: Classic Rock is the new Alternative.

So much new music just isn't very good. Much of what is supposed to be "alternative" is way too pre-processed and formulaic.

There's a significant number of younger people who like classic rock (music they're too young to remember when it was new), probably because it seems more honest and quality-based, and it resonates with their lives better than a lot of new rock.

Could classic rock be the new alternative?

There is a lot of great music these days. In fact, I think it's been years since there has been this much great music. For those who fall into the trap of believing that today's music is awful compared to the music of your youth - I ask: what do you think older generations thought of your music when it was new?

I seem to recall how disgraceful older folks in the 50s and 60s thought rock and roll was. People who grew up in the 50s and 60s thought the corporate rock of the 70s was pathetic. Now we celebrate it as "classic rock."

Of course, there will be exceptions to every rule. There will certainly be some youth today who love classic rock, and there are some older people getting into today's music. Those are the exceptions rather than the rule though. I recognize that I am one of those exceptions. I wasn't passionate about the music of my youth at all.

The problem with a format like alternative is that it's mostly a single-genre format, targeting an open-minded demo.

Pick up someone's iPod and scroll through the tunes. You'll see what I mean.

When it comes to younger audiences, it's time to program by demo rather than program by genre.

there is a lot of great music these days. In fact, I think it's been years since there has been this much great music. For those who fall into the trap of believing that today's music is awful compared to the music of your youth - I ask: what do you think older generations thought of your music when it was new?


Well its too bad RADIO IGNORES the great NEW MUSIC and continues to play the most worthless non talented hacks like Brittney spears ect.
I think Kids are listening to classic rock because they have no other alternative. Top 40 is no longer the biggest 40 selling albums selling, its just a bunch of pretty faces with no real music ability, BUT who cares because they look good, RIGHT?

"Pick up someone's iPod and scroll through the tunes. You'll see what I mean."

Pick up my Zune and look at the Tunes...hey that rhymes! Metalica is the most modern group on it.

Listen if you want....got enough classic rock on the thing for 5 24 hour days non-stop! Plus at least a day's worth of live concerts and video's from days gone by!

Jimi, Beatles, CCR to Metalica and everything in between (well not quite everything but the stuff I love)!

My grandfather thought "the younger generation is going to hell in a handbasket", based on their music and general lifestyle. This was in the 1930s! He died before I was born but I've always heard the story. There's a lengthy statement made about "today's youth" that sounds very contemporary. The only example I can think of right now is one about "sassing their parents". The statement was made in something like 564 BC!

I'd say the low point in quality and variety of music came in the hair band era of the late 80s, just before the grunge/alternative explosion. Since then there's been a large opening up of variety in "popular" music, with influences from genres like punk rock (and what had previously been referred to as "college rock") that, although they had been around since the 70s, were previously considered way too "out there" for popular tastes.

Beano (and Sutton)~

Indeed! When I was in High School (Evergreen, class of 2002) it seemed KISN, KGON and (to some degree) KINK were the big stations everybody listened to. True, 95.5 and 94.7 were really popular then as well but it didn't seem anywhere near the "Big Three" I mentioned before.

If you could have browsed many of my friends' (and even sometimes non-friends) CD collections circa 2000 or maybe even 2001--I-Pods were well introduced around that time but had yet to become popular, and MPEG3 CD players were barely even a sight in anyone's eyes!--you'd see a lot of the Beatles, Journey, Grass Roots, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, ACDC, lot of Bob Dylan or Mamas and Papas, maybe a bit of Weezer or Nirvana for ballast, but nothing like Paris, Brittney, John Mayer, GooGoos or Maroon-Five contaminating people's playlists!

I was even known to occasionally spin Airto's "Seeds on the Ground" or even Deodato's "II", on a few occasions.........

(Although, there was this one kid who listened to Brittney, *NSuks, Backseat Boys and all that other jazz, but he was also so out of touch with reality that I don't even really want to go there.......)

So yeah--Oldies and Classic Rock really are the new "Alternative" formats of this generation because there really isn't hardly any one any more who can write or sing, it seems!

Yeah Goo Goo Dolls and Maroon 5 are two bands i just don't get. Someone please explain to me why they are so great? And why they get so much undeserved airplay. The Goo Goo Dolls started off as a pretty hard Rockin metal band. Once their record company got a hold of them they made them turn into this sappy radio friendly CRAP! Same with matchbox 20, why do they get so much airplay? They are about the blandest thing out there. This generation has no rock, its quite sad. Even more sad is that you have these Movin stations bringing back all the CRAP that was never good in the first place. Who wants to be reminded that Jennifer Lopez is a horrible singer and can't sing? Who wants to be reminded that Paula Abduel put out some of the cheesiest pop songs ever recorded? I have never heard so much CRAP fill the portland airwaves in my life!

The best class ever came out of the school was "Plainsmen Class Act of 1982!"

Gee, I used to listen to KISN, KGON and KINK...in 1974!

I remember sitting in traffic on 1-205 when KNRK debuted. It was a hot sticky day and we were glued to the Beetle's seats, listening to the loop. Oh, the tingly suspense before finally hearing, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and saying in unison with my girlfriend, "No surprise there."

For much of the first hour, we crept along past the KEX towers with hundreds of other drivers on the highway. I looked over at all the people stuck with us, heard the latest flavors of corporate music pouring in unison and decided that there was no evidence of a "new rock revolution" at all.

After a quick spin of the dial, KEX was quick to explain that we were tied up behind a stalled truck. It wasn't very alternative, it was simply helpful. Helpful rocks.

I don't count Maroon 5 as a band really...boy group, yes. Goo Goo Dolls went for the bland middle, trying to sell to that pop rock crowd...the kids trying to be edgy but aren't exactly sure how to pull it off.

My highschool, of course, was filled with deeply stupid people who lived off of bad pop and worse rap. (I was in highschool until 01)

What ever happened to Greg's "CD Cellar"? I bought a dozen CDs because of that show. I had most of them on vinyl in the basement (hence the name of the show I guess) and just forgotten about them before he played them.

I going to make a prediction. NRK will change format within the next year. My kids, former NRK enthusiasts, ( 23, and 28 in age) mentioned the other day of how boring NRK has become. They also mentioned how restrictive the play list is, (Devo and The Police get played alot!) and how boring the dj's are. And is it me, or are they ALL reading off a script:

94.7 alternative Portland. that was ________ ,and before that__________. I'm _________ and this is _________ on 947 alternative Portland.

I swear, every jock on every break says the same thing. zzzzz..zzzz...zzzz...

" NRK will help you get your z's".

I have been sampling the morning drive and my stereo keeps winding up on 104.1. And go figure, I seem to wind up at work in a better mood on the mornings I listen to it instead of the usual morning boring talk shows or depressing news...you know stabbings, shootings, deaths, Anna Nicole, Britney, K-Fed.......etc.

Eugenebob, I have to disagree with you on the dj boring-factor. The script you write is Gustav's, but not everyone on 94.7 reads from it.

Greg (mornings) may be a little mono-tone and voice-tracked, but he is a wealth of information about the artists. The key is that you need to be interested in the artists, which I suspect you are not. Tara (mid-days) is great, completely off the cuff and a little on the nerdy side - as a nerd and music geek, I can identify.

94.7 has positioned itself as a new(er) music station for music lovers. The nerd angle is great, however the appeal doesn't appear to be very wide. It is very sad that most people are just sheep waiting to hear the next Justin Timberlake abortion, or listening to the same Bob Seeger song they have been listening to since they were 17 in 1978. This is a fact that I have accepted.

I do, however, agree, a little too much Devo and Police.

Larrybudmelman
You're kidding me, right? tara is off the cuff?! actually, the " script" I was referring to I started noticing was because of tara. listen to her today, I swear you can almost quote her verbatim to the " scrip" I wrote.

An alternative rock station can be VERY succsessful. I liked NRK before it became the wanna- be sophisticated station it is now. It reminds me of a jazz station, meets college radio.

Well, you may be correct, but Tara reads the script more convincingly than anyone else.

94.7/NRK went through several changes over its 10 years, including a foray in to KUFO-land, which ended in disaster. I think the concept they have now is good, but execution needs some work.

Agreed. IMHO, it's in a bit of a rut right now.

I'm ok with the overall music selection. They could be digging a bit deeper with a lot of the artists they play, but it's not bad right now at all.

Comparing it now to the recordings I made two years ago, there is less overall energy on day parts, but more special segments.

They could expand on the special segments and put a little more spark in the day parts and end up improved from where they are right now.

The Program director at NRK is asleep. The station is sounding very STALE!! Gustav sounds like he is reading off a scrpit! He says the same thing on EVERY TALK BREAK! Notice how at the end of every talk break he say "on 94.7 alternative Portland." He needs to mix things up a bit and change his style because it really sounds monotone. Tara needs to lay off the jokes because SHE is the only one that is laughing. The jocks on NRK need to take the scripts they are reading and throw them away! BE NATURAL! Reading off scripts does not sound natural. They also need to quit using the Alternative angle to their talk break because they say it on every break and it means NOTHING! "Finishing up your alternative workday" Joe blow spends his alternative workday working at ,.,...." Its like they need to slip the world alternative into every talk break, WHY? Alternative means NOTHING! I also don't understand why they use the saying "ITS DIFFERENT HERE" How is that so??? You play the same Police Divo Ect that everyone else is in portland.
I just don't get that station. That stationn has gone down the tube. THey have lost their pulse, nobody knows what to expect from them.

I can tell you that none of the jocks on 94.7 read from scripts.

They just sound like it...

I'm not sure which is worse.

KNRK's music is great. But whoever said that the imaging & jocks have got to go was right.

I understand what Mark is trying to do, but his experiment has failed miserably. What a dreadfully dull station NRK has become since the big switch...

Blowout the Brit and have someone repackage the product for American ears...

Please?

94.7 alternative Portland. that was ________ ,and before that__________. I'm _________ and this is _________ on 947 alternative Portland.

Generic linercard radio. Somewhere someone decided that this passed for "tight and bright", "less talk, more rock" "short and sweet",
"no usless dj talk to bog down the music".

What it actually is, is lifeless commentary which bores the listener. For every ONE person that you tell what they are listening to, you bore the hundreds who already KNOW where they are tuned. These auto pilot reminders are what makes the station sound lifeless and boring. No connection with the listener, no interesting take or thought offered, just boring and repetitive.

Really, this is from the Generic Radio Pd book. first and last when the mic is open station calls.

Not necessary! once in a stop set is effective enough without sounding canned.

If the air staff is professional, give them a loose guideline and let them go.

Why is it Alternative anyway. It is for sure not classic rock, it is current music (uses term loosely) so would it not be as previously suggested Main Stream Rock? When I hear alternative Rock I think back to the eighties and the "Punk Rock" or "Techno Rock" of the time that were considered alternative music to the then Mainstream Rock which is now todays classic rock. If what they play is alternative what is considered main stream then?

Enquiring Minds Want To Know!

I think "New Rock" is probably a good descriptive term for most of what 94.7 plays.

"Alternative" is a meaningless term anymore (whoa, deja vu).

www.myspace.com/raizinradioshow

New Airchecks and Webisodes up today!

Damn, I miss Portland.

Raizin

I think Hamilton has done a great job with 94.7 and turned it from being a KUFO chaser into a unique, progressive modern music station.

Yeah, it's alright, I guess.

I (and many others I work with) do tire of hearing Talking Heads' "Once In A Lifetime", into Frampton's live version of "Baby I Love The Way, into "Every Breath You Take" into Green Day's "Broken Dreams" into that "Jezebel from Hell" song that one girl sings (don't know her name), usually in the same time slots they were in the day before, day after day after day after day after day after frickin' day...........

(yup, heard it so much I have the set memorised.)

Of course, there's always a CD player in the very top of that radio and lately it's been taunting me almost demonically.

Pink Floyd into Deodato, into Emerson, Lake and Palmer, into Jimi Hendrix, into Paul Oakenfold, into the Beach Boys anybody??

“I think Hamilton has done a great job with 94.7 and turned it from being a KUFO chaser into a unique, progressive modern music station.” Huh?

NRK was never a KUFO chaser. My complaints, are that :

The jocks sound mono tone, and scripted. They read off the same script EVERY break. It sounds like a smooth jazz or classical station that plays alternative.Wierd. All the jocks sound dull, and wanna be sophisticates. Which is funny, because my kids ( who are wanna be sophisticates) , who used to be adamant NRK listeners, can’t stand the station now.

The music has become very reparative. Yes,
“ Angry Johnny” – by Poe , Talking Heads, and Blvd of Broken Dreams by Greenday are just a few of the songs that get overplayed.

So, boring, dull, jocks; mixed with a limited and boring playlist= crap.


I’ve known Hamilton for a while. He is a good programmer. This experiment was interesting and worked for a little while, but is failing rapidly. KUFO is sounding horrible too . The new PD there hasn’t done anything, and probably won't . If I were Hamilton, I’d pounce all over this. Portland NEEDS a good, all around rock station. Time to change it up, Mark.

NRK became very aggressive with KUFO when Marconi was in the afternoons and Craig the "dogface" and Porkchop were at KUFO afternoon drive.

KUFO even started adding some of the currents that NRK was playing. There was definite competition there and attacks were thrown both ways. So yes, I'd say NRK, at one time, was aggressively pursuing KUFO's audience.

As for the new PD at KUFO, he's been there for a month. And features have been added. Give it time my friend, give it time.

I think the station needs tweaks, and I posted those.

Just want to be clear, it's a solid offering right now. The morning show often plays great music, has the right amount of interesting music related talk. The contest is nice and simple, song trivia and snippett related stuff. Nicely done.

The only issue I have is the main daypart. IMHO, they could use a little bit more energy there, with said energy being in the tunes played, or letting the staff play a bit more of what they want and having them tell us why.

The lack of "noise" type energy is a great thing and appreciated.

Late nights, and the evening special segments and shows are excellent. They could add more of this and I would not complain, but there is enough of it right now.

Either you like a station with some depth, or you don't.

An all around rock station is not what KNRK is currently about. It's more like the KINK for those of us who are a bit younger and who lean alternative where wider music tastes are concerned.

Over time, the formula has proven to be fairly consistant, so the core audience is mostly there. Now it's all about small changes to bring in more people while not diluting that which is working nicely right now.

Yes, NRK agressively pursued KUFO in 2004. It ended when the Marconi/Nick Berg debacle occurred. The station did a major turnover in airstaff, and completely repositioned. At the time Hamilton made a comment that they were going to move away from "Muppet Rock" referring to bands like Korn that they were playing at the time. It took a while for it to solidify, but it has.

Assuming that most people on this board are in the radio business, I find it hard to believe how out of touch radio people are. Radio does not equal music. 94.7 is about music, not radio. There are no pukers, personalities are low key, there is very little banter, just music....and if it fits your taste, this station is pretty good. KINK has a similar approach (actually, they did it first) and they kick some serious butt.

In contrast, stations like The Buzz, Jammin, etc., Charlie are not very much about music - they provide background. If the people really listened to the music they would realize how horrendously repetetive those stations are. These stations are easy to listen to, that's why people listen to them.

Agreed, 94.7 needs to broaden their playlist a bit.

When I want to listen to music, I turn on my iPod. When I'm looking to discover new artists, I go to myspace.

I listen to local radio to be entertained and to find out what's happening this weekend. That's really all radio has to offer anymore.

You will see, in the next 5 years or so, music becoming less and less a part of what happens on the radio dial. Mark my words.

NRK is moving in the wrong direction...

That's you.

There are plenty of others you know.

Something to think about.

True that! I guess my last line should've read "NRK is moving in the wrong direction if they want to attract listeners in their target demo".

The +34 crowd will perhaps never grow accustomed to researching music on the internet, or newfangled mp3 players. So, stations that cater to that group are probably safer than stations that target a more youthful one.

As a 27 year old with 3 younger brothers (all under 25), I have probably a better understanding of the situation than, say, someone who's still lamenting the loss of a station that I've never even heard of...

"The +34 crowd will perhaps never grow accustomed to researching music on the internet, or newfangled mp3 players. So, stations that cater to that group are probably safer than stations that target a more youthful one. "

I beg to differ with you! 42M here! Have a ZUNE and not afraid to use it! Step up to the plate and entertain me or i'll bean ya with a fastball right were it hurts...in the ratings!

I think older people are more demanding on quality and will pursue other venues if bored....and because this generation typically has the cash flow to afford other options!

Darktemper:

You're totally right on. But, I wasn't meaning to imply that nobody over the age of 34 could own an iPod. I know plenty who do. I'm just saying that people over 34 might be less likely to completely change the way they experience music like those of us in our 20's already have. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that.

I may be old...compared to you young un's but I still dig my rock and roll! Most of all how it is served up to me on radio. Got a couple of favorites and if they ever change then I will as well. I can just throw the little box and shuffle and have tunes...just not the depth of a station and as I can't even sing in the shower my own intro's would not be very good! My new software should be here any day....maybe i'll record some intro's from my favorite DJ's and tack them on the front of the MP3!
Anyway don't write of us jerryatric's as people who will settle for mediocre entertainment.....I think my gen is more particular to quality on air talent and entertainment. We have the disposable income to purchase other forms of entertainment whereas and no offense to the 25 gen in that money is not of the disposable type for them.....!

"I'm just saying that people over 34 might be less likely to completely change the way they experience music"

I think this is true, but not universally true. I'm 39 and know plenty of people that totally grok what the under 35 crowd is doing. I also know a fair number that largely ignore it all too.

Many of us like KNRK.

I'm curious how you would expand on "what's happening this weekend?" and entertained.

As for the station you've never heard of, part of that was about the overall quality of the broadcast. FM can sound a whole lot better than it currently does! The other aspect was the overall music selection and willingness to take some risks. Got the "wow" factor quite often.

As for disposable income.....

Speaking from someone in their early 20's...

do you have a mortgage? I don't.....

Kids? None here......

Pets? Nooooooooope.

I may make less than someone in their 40's. I may very well possibly make less than someone who chose another career. (It is radio!)

But, I have less responsibilities. I don't have the house payment, the kids, the anything really. My bills are low and my income is medium. And I really like shopping!!

Also, supposedly, people my age don't have the brand loyalty that other people who are older have. At least that's what the research shows....and I do notice that the older I get, the more of a creature of habit I am.

Just some observations.

I've heard that particular research is about 30 years old. There's some question as to whether or not it still applies today.

Yeah I figured it's outdated. Hence the supposedly....but until I see something that is fresh and proves otherwise, I'll continue to reference it.

94.7's format is superb. I listen all day. Something not possible a few years ago.

How old are you Dale?

NRk is unlistenbale! It is so BORING, I fall asleep every time Its on. I find MUCH better Music on Charlie than I do NRK.
I love stuff like Johnny Cash, James Brown, and Charlie is the only station that will play that stuff. Nrk plays the same crap every day, how many times do we need to hear OASIS, seriously! The jocks on NRK are bland, the music is nothing to brag about and the station needs some energy! I just turned 30, I was a HUGE NRK fan when it first came to portland in the mid 90's! Rock was also at a much better state than it is currently. As far as personality goes, I could download NRK's entire playlist in one hour to my ipod, so why would I want to listen to NRK over my ipod???? They don't have any personality on that station, NOTHING TO KEEP ME TUNING INTO THAT STATION!!! Radio willl not survive untill personality becomes a major part of the format. There are far too many other outlets to get your music, so the only advantage Radio has is personalities that people enjoy listening to. Nrk is going in the complete wrong directions, and they have been for a while! Personality radio is where its at.

Justin_timberfake:

Right said! It amazes me how management can ignore the fact people our age aren't tuning in like we used to. Rather than make real changes, they just broaden their target demo in attempts to snag any remaining listeners.

They must know, that among 12-20 year olds radio is thought of as a poor-folks technology; a hold out from their parent's generation. This is the out-of-touch radio programmer's fault, not technology's...

Radio is quickly falling by the wayside as a viable medium. It's not unsavable. But if something isn't done soon, it will be.

That said, I think KXJM is doing a decent job. KUFO, to a lesser extent. Even if I hate the music on these stations, I'm still listening for other reasons...

I remember when the "fall out" happened while I was at NRK. When they decided to change the station to what it is now, they used a "107.7 The End" playbook. In the past few months 107.7 the end has a new PD and the station sounds better than ever! It reminds me of the good old days when NRK had attitude, and energy! It seems that when somthing is done up in Seattle, it's not very long untill NRK follows suit. I wouldn't be suprised if you heard a change in NRK soon!

Raizin knows what's up. Somebody should steal him away from Tacoma and bring him back here...

Unfortunately, he now smells like Tacoma, and that is a risk we can't take.

bwahhh!! snap!

Couldn't be worse than being downwind from Camas!

Whoa! Back up this discussion for a moment. KNRK is playing Peter Frampton's "Baby"??? (see Motozak comment of 2/19 above). I challenge anyone (especially NRK's PD) to explain what's "alternative" about that.

I think it's an attempt to bring some older listeners forward to the newer stuff they are playing.

That would be a good move on their part. Might be enough to dig someone like me out of the rut i'm in to take a listen. I'll say it again NRK is or should not be considered "Alternative" I think "Today's Rock and More" would make a good station tag!

19

How about "NRK: the best rock of today ... and yesterday!"

(admittedly I'm no pro when it comes to writing positioners)

I like alternative. It reinforces their approach, which is an alternative to the majority of stations.

This also gives them considerable latitude as to the music they choose to play.

Dale: I don't believe you.

There are 2 things on this thread I don't believe:

1) Dale is 19.
2) Peter Frampton's "Baby I Love Your Way" is in any kind of rotation on 94.7.

Periodically, one of the jocks will highlight a theme, an artist and their influences, or something similar as a special interest feature - these are typically very interesting for music lovers. That is the only occasion Frampton would be heard on 94.7 (prior to the imminent format change).

If something is hard to believe it is probably not true, and people on this board knee-jerk too often on this board. It leads me to believe that people in the business are gullible. Check this stuff out for yourself.

Its quite easy to tell Larry just go on yes. com they have the entire playlist. Whats alternative to Robert palmer??? I heard him the other day on NRK. What is alternative about that??? Someone please let me know.

Author: Nitefly
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 4:55 pm


How about "NRK: the best rock of today ... and yesterday!"

(admittedly I'm no pro when it comes to writing positioners)

"Whats alternative to Robert palmer???"

OK - I'll take a stab at that one - and admittedly, I had to reach - but not terribly far;

Hit his peak during an era of MTV culture. Got associated with 80's pop. Created a hook and look that has been embedded in pop culture. Played with members of Duran Duran. Wore nice suits.

I, for one, look back at Riptide fondly in the same manner as I do Tears for Fears and Duran Duran. While the sound was not the same, the era is. Plus there is some crossover appeal that doesn't conjoure up dirty hippy music of the early 70's. ( Another genre that is deftly avoided by KNRK - but they cherry pick the glam stuff [ Sweet, Bowie, T-Rex, Lou Reed ] that is an influence on some of today's current bands ). I would guess that the reason why Robert Palmer is a comfortable RARE track on KNRK is because he has a reputation that, if you just let it wash over you, it kinda fits.

As far as Peter Frampton, I have to reach further for a possible explanation. The closest I can come is that " Baby..." has been covered by a band that get's some rotation on NRK. That doesn't excuse the original getting played. But I do hear some logic behind the seemingly random picks. Even if it's to establish the root from where a song came that " the kids " are liking or think is an original.

Or you may have heard either of those songs during one of Squids Mash-Up/Bootleg shows.

I don't know. I'm very high right now and sometimes I see things that aren't there.

I don't get NRK at all! I was a huge fan of the station when it first came on the air because it was a freshing blast of great rock that other statiosn were not playing. Today when I turn on that station I have to laugh, its so mainstream its not even funny! Ive taken NRK off my presets. Ever since NRK switched over to a more wimpy rock station the ratings have droped!

They are still the only station that offers a listen to new songs that I like more often than I do not. Just heard two new ones today...in an hour, no less.

Duran Duran used to be considered alternative at first. Perhaps, that's the connection.

The Peter Frampton song was played on a holiday that no one was working. The computer log wasn't working and an engineer was plugging in music from his house without a music log until I could get there and fix it. Get over it. It was one song. We also played Cheap Trick that hour. Yes a computer runs the station on holiday's, it's sad because back in the day a human had that job. Well, it's 2007, things change. The song was in our computer because either, the morning show had it for an 8 at 8 or Gustav's perfect playlist or because it was relevant at the time.

bonus info... we don't follow 107.7 The End, our music is different, our station is different all because our listeners are different.

*this in no way was written on a liner card.

Well Cheap Trick I would like. I could be high and find the degree of separation with them NO PROBLEM. I never even heard Frampton, so I have nothing to get over. But thanks for the info.

I would actually listen to NRK if they started playing Cheap Trick. Old Stuff, not "the Flame" Crap!

Then you probably need to listen to KGON.

Yeah, but then you night have to wade through a Kansas song. And with that I cannot hang.

Nothing wrong with Kansas! (in moderation)

"You've always been able to get back to Kansas."

Well Dorothy seemed to like it..."Theres no place like home" Isn't that were Toto lives to?

Oh, are they playing Toto on 94.7, too?

I have no idea...I was just being a smartass!

Me too.

(Does anybody play Toto anymore?)

Lets hope not! id rather stick a fork through my eyeball than listen to TOTO.

I'd listen to Toto over Tool all day long!

Ick Toto is the worst, even worse than Tool and Korn put together!

Would that be "Torn" or "Kool"?

mainstream? knrk? that's not a word i would use to describe them at all. and i happen to like not knowing what to expect from them when i tune in. you get more of the unexpected from 94.7 than you do from 97.1

NRK should give up now. Charlie will take away all of their listeners.
Sorry to state the obvious!

sorry justin, but that is just dumb. there isn't a whole lot on charlie that would lure a 94.7 listener away. people that want to hear arcade fire, modest mouse, and the fratellis are NOT interested in hearing old journey, tired nickelback, and the theme to scooby doo.

well, maybe the theme to scooby doo. but not the other two.

KNRK has people on it, most of the time. They are interesting people that sometimes say interesting things. They like the music they play and it shows in both their presentation and selections.

Charlie has....

Oh, a computer and a PD working their ass off...

No contest.

Why does KNRK play three or four songs by Bob Marley every day but doesn't dare play a single song by any other reggae artist?

Bob Marley is at the top of my list of " Tired Artists played on KNRK." Considering what mood Marley is SUPPOSED to set when I hear it, it actually makes me angry. Then again, I wasn't asked to test a song for KNRK. Others must have been.

Scowl: Probably because they think he's the only reggae artist in the world, or they borrowed KINK's complete Reggae library, or they think we're stupid.

And it could be worse: UB40's "Red Red Wine". That was either played to death on KINK or KBBT. Ugh.

It's about as reggae as Eddie Grant's "Electric Avenue" which I axe DJfrrrresh to spin mon. He no ansa me tho.

I love Bob Marley and am Glad he is overplayed! Compared to most of the overplayed Crap on top 40. Bob Marley is a breath of fresh air.

Reggae just FEELS so played out right now. I can't change the station fast enough when I hear Marley. But since we're ( I'm ) taking guesses on why it's played - and I'm high, again - I'll give it a shot;

I think KNRK likes to acknowledge roots every once in a while. Marley offers a great bit of crossover appeal - and it's safe. It's a GREAT place to start. Almost every person has Legends in their collection - so it's a touchstone. Perfectly acceptable and understandable.

My " problem " with hearing Marley on KNRK is many-fold:

#1. It's lost it's meaning as a classic when you hear it so often. They are 30 year old songs for cryin' out loud. They've been played consitiently for 30 years too. No breaks.

#2. It all stops and starts with Marley on KNRK. I mean, yes - he was the man. Be those 3 or 4 songs have gone from a bonafide hit, to a recurrent, to influential, to novelty. What's left?

Well #3 is what's left. KNRK, while acknowledging roots, has failed to take us any further. No suitable Marley contemporaries get played.

And #4 didn't help things: Ska. We were overloaded with it in the early to late 90's. Some truly terrible results of influences of Marley became popular again. Those proved to be a fad. And instead of just moving upward ( or even laterally ) KNRK just fell back on Marley again.

I'm not even knowledgeable about what would make a good Reggae song to hear on the radio. And you know why I'm not? Because KNRK doesn't play anything but Marley. Yeah, you can talk about The Clash or The English Beat - but they are different enough to note that, well, they are different enough.

Im not even clammoring for some new reggae. I don't think I would miss it if I never heard it again. But every time I hear Marley on KNRK, I think " OK - I get it. He was the man. Who was #2 at the time? I bet I could like that too." Or " Does KNRK REALLY need to expose a new generation to reggae THIS way? It's got such a quick burnout factor."

Now if you'll excuse me, I think my hair is on fire.

Well, there was that one song by Stevie Wonder.

KNRK should sound more like KNDD.

Ska has been around since the 60's/70's. People like Prince Buster, Toots and the Maytals...Dandy Livingstone...these guys were the first ska bands.

The wave of ska in the 90's was third wave. It's had two hay days in the past, once in the 60's with the British Mod and Skinhead subculture (which is really funny since the originators were Jamaicans) The two tone era in the 70's where The Specials ruled the grounds was the genre's second popularity wave...and the stuff you're referencing is the third popularity wave.

Which actually started in the 80's with The Toasters, The Uptones and Bim Skala Bim. So, in reality, ska has been popular up until 2000. It's like the genre just disappeared.

Forgot the Skatalites! Bob Marley's first big hit was "Simmer Down" a song he recorded with the Skatalites.

I don't mind KNRK playing an occasional Bob Marley song, but three, sometimes four times a day and no other Reggae artists makes me wonder how this kind of song selection happens. Decades ago we would just assume the clueless DJ had just discovered Bob Marley and felt it was his duty to inform the world about this obscure artist.

Thanks Twally! I just skimmed over some of the greats...there's plenty more.

And I will always hold a special place in my heart for Less Than Jake for a more recent Ska reference.

This morning I heard "No Woman, No Cry" on, of all stations, Movin' FM.

Does playing Bob Marley count as a PSA or something? I'm not complaining really but this is getting weird. I'm almost expecting to hear him on Disney Radio and KKAD.