Radio's Past and an idea!

[NightAire]

I'd argue your listeners can be on Twitter and / or Facebook AND be listening.  Mine do it every afternoon.

The dialogue continues on the air as well as on the social media sites...  comments about this song or that story, and I respond at that moment to the listener / surfer.  If something's good enough, it makes it into the next break on the air.  It's much faster and allows me to be much more responsive (more like a conversation) than just sending an email to the station.

People are starting to really enjoy this ability to "sit in the booth" with the DJ and jaw-jack about anything and everything.  They in turn are generating content for my show, and feel plugged in while we sound plugged in, too.

Radio left the long-form stories behind when television came, and went to spinning hits 24/7.  It does feel like radio should innovate again, but I've yet to figure out what that new style of radio is going to look like.

Will it be user-generated content 24/7?  Some have suggested it, but I haven't heard any success stories yet.

Somebody's got The Next Big Thing for radio simmering in their brain right now.  I wish it was me; I'd love to be rich!

[evolve991]

 I thought I'd chime in as "just a listener". I agree that radio and new media can coexist and thrive from the interaction. Listeners can choose to participate online or the old way on the phone. Having the choice doesn't mean a fan HAS to go to a website but they CAN if they wish. I've always enjoyed the DJs stories and opinions rather than just the music. When FM started out no one was sure what the future held but they embraced it quickly. Radio needs to keep evolving to compete with MP3 players. Anyone can program a playlist these days so radio has to reach out and give listeners more than just music or news. The piped in corporate methods are what is causing FM to stall out,no one is interested,radio needs DJs who know the area and the people. And advertising clients need to see that without loyal listeners no one is hearing thier commercials. I'm sure there are innovative thinkers out there but the board room keep thier ideas stifled.
Loosen up those ties Mr Number Cruncher....it was not accountants and execs who invented radio. Let those with the talent and skill do thier job!!

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

After reading many posts from "ghosts of radio's past," it makes me feel very sad to see how a business can make people so bitter. I come here to for interesting discussion on the CURRENT state of radio.

Can we all agree that 95% of the time, ANY CHANGE to a radio station or heaven forbid NEW IDEA is shot down and demonized before it even has a chance to succeed?

VETERANS: Much respect for what you accomplished in THE PAST. What should we do for the future?

I share your frustration that our conversations sometimes get non-productive because we all have our own view of what is interesting, what is important, what needs to be done.

The radio pros sometimes wish the "groupies" would just read and not post.

The radio fans don't understand why the radio pros have so many complaints.

The young don't understand why the "seasoned adults" have such weird observations about radio and about life and about values.

I am told that military officers go back and study the battles of old... even back to the days of the Roman Empire and even further back,  to understand strategy, planning and philosophy of warfare.  Even in the age of nuclear missles there something to be learned from the guys who fought with swords and catapults.  Rather than curse under your breath....  respond to some of the messages that irritate you with:  "And in view of what you did in radio in 1948...  how would you apply that principle in today's market, today's technology?