Why I Love Radio!

From the time I think I could walk, back in the early 1950’s, I was listening to the music on radio. Growing up in the great metropolis of Philadelphia, I listened to the music and jocks on AM, namely WFIL–Famous 56 and WIBG—Radio 99. The radio on my nightstand was on loud and constantly. And when I was out, my transistor with its single-pole earphone was plugged into my right ear. The sounds that came out of my radio were magical and captivating. Doo Wop, Motown and (classic) Rock and Roll. Commercials and jingles galore. I memorized every lyric and melody of the songs and ads. Radio into my 50’s, the turn of the 21st Century was predictable and steady as Gibraltar on both AM and FM. Then something hit like a nuclear bomb. Formats changed like crazy. Radio started to stink and become unlistenable. The music was programmed from way out-of-town. What has happened to radio is a crying shame. Forgive me for being sentimental,
but broadcast/pedestrian radio is now a shadow of its former self.

Thank goodness for satellite. I followed Howard Stern to Sirius in 2007, the unabashed,
unbowed, uncensored “king of all media”. The diversity on satellite is astounding–talk, sports, music of every stripe. I still love the potential of advertising on radio. It is a great media filled with great potential for creativity. I still love going into the recording studio, after all these years (more than 30 since I recorded my first spots) I still get goose bumps. The prospect of using various voices, sound effects and music can be magic in promoting a product or service. Imagination can literally run wild. Writing jingles is my passion. I often write the lyrics and sing the melody I have in my minds ear, then turn it over to the professional musicians to make it come to life. Radio truly rules as an advertising medium for local, regional and national products and services.