Songs & Artists NEVER HEARD on the RADIO?

problem is the great bulk of fm radio stations these days are owned by a handful of conglomerates. in my market, denver, two companies own the top 14 (in ratings) stations. much of what you hear is downloaded hard disks with inner-cuts from other servers that replicate a "live" experience. my older son, who's a consultant to radio stations and music labels, puts together a nationally-syndicated radio show (i'll not divulge its name) in about 20 minutes, from his home. if you heard it, you'd swear he was in the studio when, in fact, he's watching the av's beat up the stars, from the $120 seats. -cfb

The mass majority of music that i grew up listening to as a teenager and in my early twenties rarely made it to any radio station. I'm primarily talking about "glitter", "avant-garde", "new wave", "punk" and later "death metal". While much of this may not be "music" to some of you, it is something that i will always cherish as i shared many of the thoughts and feelings of the writers / performers as i grew up.

Sure, there were a few college stations and maybe one large station that would venture into these areas for a short period of time, but nothing that dealt with these types of music on a daily basis. As such, i've always considered it "MY" music since it was not "commercial" or "produced for mass consumption". Considering all of that, my outlook was kind of "snobbish" or "elitist" at the time, especially since it was "snobbism" and "elitism" that much of the lyrics were protesting.

With that in mind, i've been listening to a local classical station now for a relatively short period of time (a few years now). I enjoy it so much i've become a supporting member and typically clock in several dozen hours of listening a week. I was never exposed to much classical music as a youth, other than in movie soundtracks and music class in grade school. Luckily, we have what is arguably the finest classical station in the U.S. here in Chicago, so i get to here "new music" ( at least it is to me ) on a daily basis on a very high quality broadcast.

As to "popular music" stations, they play the same songs soooooo much that it makes it repetetive and boring. I therefore try to listen to different stations that have different formats throughout the day. At least we can SOMEWHAT program what we hear on the radio by changing stations. Sean
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Well, I listen almost exclusively to "Listener Supported" radio stations. Some are college stations, some not. I hear a lot of great music. I've heard ALL of the artist you mentioned on WNKU (Northern Kentucky University). We have 3 good public radio stations here in Cincinnati and regionally, a good station in Columbus, Oh and Lexington/Georgetown, Ky. If you like the "Singer/Songwriter" genre, it's probably public radio or nothing.

BTW, WNKU also supports these artist Live shows in the Cincinnati Area. Support your local "listener supported" station and the artist by going to the Live show. It's win-win!

Enjoy,

TIC

Sounds like Reubent lives in a great area for better FM. It is great to live in an area with a good selection on NPR/public stations...esp. small college..and esp. several towns to draw from.

I live in Madison, Wi....and as hip as this town "thinks" it is, it just isn't. Public radio here..that is seen as "cool" is still Prairie Home Companion....kind of the NPR version of "Hew Haw" for college towns.

Even when I visit Cedar Rapids, Iowa..they have a Community College station that has a better sense of music.

Part of the problem in Madison...is that other towns are just a bit too far away...for decent FM reception....I guess I could put up a house on the biggest hill in town...with a 200 ft. mast...with stacked Finco FM-4 feed into an Marnatz 10B..that I don't mind re-tuning every 30 seconds..point the antenna towards Chicago after midnight..and.....naw!

Although quite popular here (NE OH), I don't recall ever hearing anything by The Tragically Hip. Different story, I assume, north of the border, eh?