iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893

iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893

Radio Talk

I don’t always talk about radio in my podcasts these days. However when something most noteworthy happens, I do. Learn more in iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893.

Displacements Or Firings?

Recently the biggest radio company in the United States unexpectedly announced it was firing over a thousand employees. Especially relevant is the fact that the company used such obtuse language in its press releases, it confused news writers and listeners.

You Got A Future?

Moreover this event has kicked off a lot of discussions about the ‘future of radio‘ in this country. In addition suddenly all my friends and clients are asking me to comment.

Not much

First of all, radio doesn’t have much of a future. At least not as we have known it. I’ll tell you why in iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893 and in a recent podcast I did about the history of top forty radio. You can find it here.

Content Creators Struggle Too

Furthermore all not rosy in the digital media world either.

It’s All About Revenue

While it seems like everyone who has ever worked in the radio business has an opinion about how iHeart ‘screwed up’, the bottom line is revenue. An industry that scaled to a certain point based on the old business model, simply can’t support that scale anymore.

Digital Marketing

In contrast various forms of digital marketing are all the rage, sucking all the revenue from ‘traditional’ forms of advertising as well as media production. Digital platforms are producing huge numbers while we haven’t quite figured out how to monetize individual content creators very well yet.

Disruptive Technologies Rule

Finally we’re living through an extraordinary moment in history. Due to disruptive technologies we’ve seen more traditional businesses destroyed and whole industries laid to waste. Broadcast radio and television are just two of them.

Tower of Babel

Even more, considering the tower of babel that is American Corporate Business Speak, I wonder how well other industries and businesses are actually doing.

On The Beach

In conclusion it’s tough to lose your job no matter what you do. Because of the realities in radio these days, I am afraid there will be many more people on the beach.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors

iHeartradio-Firings-Bankrupt-Media-Future-Bob Davis Podcast 893

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Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881

Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881

Radio’s Unique Museum

I worked in radio for years. Radio is still my first love despite podcasting for ten years now. Most noteworthy in this podcast is a visit to a unique museum. Learn more in Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881.

Top 40’s Roots

Top Forty radio’s roots are in the mid south and deep south. Now there’s a shrine to top forty radio in Chattanooga Tennessee. Even more, there’s also a working radio station there visitors can tour.

Small and Medium Markets

Especially relevant to the roots of top forty radio in the south, are the many small and medium markets in this region that spawned some of America’s great radio talent.

When Radio Was The Only Game In Town

First of all in the 1950’s, 1960’s, and most of the 1970’s there was no Internet, no social media, no cable television and no way for a generation to communicate except for radio. I’ll explain in In Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881.

Building Companies and Lives

Second, operators and employees of these radio stations in growing small and medium markets across the country could build companies and lives on the profits.

All About The Music

Above all the music made top forty radio and radio itself a phenomenon.

A One Off Moment In History

The events and situations that made all of that possible will certainly never happen again.

A slice of Architectural History Too

Furthermore during that period of time some of the most successful AM top forty stations were housed near their transmitters. Many in neighborhoods and developments.

Most Are Already Gone

Low slung period brick buildings and mid century architecture and furnishings were the order of the day. Most of those old stations are gone.

This Place Remains And It’s Worth Seeing

In contrast WFLI AM and FM remain exactly as it was through the 1960’s and 70’s, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Fun Fun Fun

Finally my friend and I took a tour and spent an afternoon remembering how much fun radio used to be. Thanks again to the National Top Forty Radio Hall of Fame and Museum.

In Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881 you’ll hear the story of the radio station and more.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881

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Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787

An old picture and a lunch sparked my thoughts for Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787. These days the word ‘authentic‘ is often used to describe people who seem real. How does ‘authenticity’ translate to creative work?

Do You Believe What You Say?

Especially relevant, my friend wondered if I “believed the things” I say “on the radio and in podcasts?“.

It’s Complicated

First of all yes. Second, it’s complicated. How can you be creative and ‘real’? Learn more in Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787.

What’s ‘Being Authentic’?

What does ‘being authentic’ mean? Do a little research and you’ll find plenty of articles about ‘being authentic’. Most noteworthy is this list of attributes for authentic and inauthentic people.

Starts With Radio

As a result of all these lists of attributes for actually being authentic I realized my focus is about being authentic or real in my creative efforts.

Above all I am a radio guy. When I started in radio I couldn’t get enough of the ways and means and the lore of the business. 

Creative Freedom

Moroever in those days we were working in the ruins of faded AM stations. Therefore unlike radio today we had a lot of creative freedom.  Find out more in Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787.

Consequently we learned our business by doing. Especially relevant we also learned by imitating. Above all I’d always tried to be real when I was on the radio. When I got better at radio as a craft I returned to the idea of actually being real and natural.

Being Real

After many jobs and now as a podcaster, one thing remained key for me. Being real. Check out Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787.

Podcasting Formats and the Cutting Room Floor

Therefore, as a result of experience and commitment, authenticity seems like it is easier. However there is always something left on the cutting room floor. Certainly even in podcasting.

Authentic Isn’t As Easy As It Looks

In conclusion Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787 is a bit of a tutorial for podcasters, radio people and performers. Being real isn’t as easy as it looks. 

Years Of Work

Consequently when we see a performance by a master we should remember it probably took years to create that authenticity within the medium. 

Sponsored by Water Butler Water Purification Systems and Reliafund Payment Processors

Artistic Authenticity-Radio Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 787

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