Starting new bluegrass radio show; need inputs

[jjboone101]

I'm starting a new bluegrass/Old Time/Americana radio show on our local community radio station (which of course will be heavy with mandolin content!) and I'd love some inputs from my fellow Cafe members. #

Assuming you listen to local bluegrass show in your area, what do you like best about the show? #What makes you tune in each week? What do they do really well and not so well? In your view, what are the key ingredients for a really great, compelling radio show?

Appreciate the inputs everyone!

[Crowder]

I like that you're not going to try to nail it down to just one of those styles, because it would severely limit your playlist--better to stay out of the discussion over what is/isn't bluegrass, etc.

One of the best stations for that kind of music is WDVX in Knoxville, and they simulcast their signal on the web so you can check it out anytime.

If I had my own show, I'd be tempted to copy the idea behind Dylan's XM show: having a theme for each program. That could be fun and could help you stay focused as you build the set list for each program.

[mandroid]

my local , is : http://www.coastradio.org (http://www.coastradio.org/,) north-est west-est, Oregon.

asking some of the folk music show programmers there will get answers, of process.

In addition to NPR affiliates,[you can find national programming archived at NPR.org]
On the Left side of the dial, online access too, KPFA.org and streaming KBOO.fm

[mandoplyr70]

I dont listen to radio at all I just play CDs and the reason talk talk talk. I,d love a staion that concentrated on playing music like FM was when it first started before all the advertizing ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[offduty]

Here in Madison WI we have a good station that does a great job with bluegrass. WORT FM 89.9. I am a comity board member for a Bluegrass festival that is held in a small village outside of Madison and WORT has done extremely good helping us build are festival every year since it has started (3 years ago) The host of the Bluegrass program would most likely give you some helpful advise.
www.wort-fm.org/programming-music-folk.php
His name is Chris Powers. Also Bill Malone with WORT has been a great help with us and would most likely help you out.

Also if I was you, I would call up a another Bluegrass radio station (WORT) and get advise from them.

Good luck to you.

[poymando]

Here you go. This should help connect you with knowledgeable radio folks.
http://www.folkradio.org/

[jjboone101]

Great. Thanks all for the suggestions/links!

[Mandojulie]

Play music. I don't want to hear some nob talking about his summer vacation! Music!

[mandopickin4Him]

I preferably like all typs of mandolin music but some people are just streight up bluegrass. I would have a show thats all bluegrass and some that are all typs.

Josh

[JeffD]

Just play the music. The music has its own integrity, you don't have to talk between each tune, or give the set list or yammer on about how great something is or isn't. Just play the music.

Thats my opinion anyway.


Jeff

[MandoSquirrel]

Tunes & artists should be acknowledged, other than that, shut up & play! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandopete]

I do the Bluegrass Ramble show on KBCS (http://www.kbcs.fm) here in the Seattle area. #We are a community radio station and I have always made it a point to keep community (local) bluegrass in the mix. #As a public radio person I think this is truly the strength of our format. I'm lucky in that I live in area (Pacific Northwest) with many great bluegrass bands.

Food for thought.

[JEStanek]

From my time in Köllage Radio (WUVT FM91 Blacksburg, VA), what made my show funl was playing lots of music talking as little as possible and playing a request if I got it and had it (and acknowledging if the stacks didn't have the request). Try and get a rythm and flow of music styles and tunes going too. That takes practice and is fun.

I'm with MandoPete on playing as much local scene music as possible too. That's a good service.

[Nolan]

I do the Bluegrass Ramble show on KBCS (http://www.kbcs.fm) here in the Seattle area. #We are a community radio station and I have always made it a point to keep community (local) bluegrass in the mix. #As a public radio person I think this is truly the strength of our format. I'm lucky in that I live in area (Pacific Northwest) with many great bluegrass bands.

Food for thought.
I really enjoy Pete's show on KCBS. #That's some good advice.

The reason I didn't sign up for another year of sirius was because it seemed like the bluegrass station didn't have enough variety in their show. #In my opinion, even if all you stick to is bluegrass, there shouldn't be any reason to play the same songs day after day... there's just too much good material out there to get stuck in that rut.

[Jim Rowland]

Suggestions here seem to be very similar to those I got for 35 plus years in commercial radio..personal opinions based on self service. The "just play music and shut up" line is probably the most common of all. If that is the trail you follow,Boone,just program your show into the computer and push a button. You will never be able to divine a playlist that will make consumers generally happy,so why not just put it in the can and smoke cigarettes for a couple of hours? There are hundreds of such shows playing as I type this,all over the country, most of them having their brains knocked out by a good disc jockey with a nearby signal. You should accept some input from listeners but not too much. It's too easy for a small group of people to surrepticiously take over your programming and make you think you are serving the masses. Choose your talk carefully,keep your audience apprised of local and regional events as they appertain to your music. Be bright and good humored. One of your main jobs is to purvey the feeling that somewhere,not far away,someone is actually feeling good and happy. Study the artists a bit and read about them when you can. Tidbits of factual and amusing information about them add spice to your show. Try to attend as many music events as you can and introduce yourself to the players,and while you're there,talk to the producers about helping out onstage with between act continuity etc at that and future events. Be as smart and courteous as possible. No good can accrue to you,your station,or your music from sounding like dolt or a boor. There's a lot to learn and this is just a jot of it,but if you care enough,you'll figure it all out.
Jim