SDCXTRA RADIO

Friday, May 6, 2022

SDC Digital Streaming Picks for May 6 2022

 

We've also got a Spotify playlist of the popular chart that gets updated daily here.

Friday, January 14, 2022

Podcast VS Radio

 

Podcast VS Radio

Podcasts and radio are very different in their styles and platforms aside from the similarity of the two being audio programs. Podcasts are recorded, edited, and published onto a streaming or on-demand website to be listened to by the audience whenever they desire. On the other hand, broadcast radio is a scheduled live audio program that allows the listener to tune into the station at any time, even though some may have missed a part of the show. Because of this fact, radio broadcasters have found the need to reintroduce themselves, their guests, and the topic from time to time to ensure everyone listening has caught up.

Audiences listen to podcasts online using one of a streaming service or podcast aggregator, whereas broadcast radio is listened live from a radio station. Radio shows are almost always produced and recorded by more prominent companies, but any group, organization, or individual can record podcasts. Individuals with no experience who want to share information with or entertain their audience often opt to register and post free podcasts online to publicize on other social media platforms for their audiences to see.

Radio stations appeal to a much larger group of people as compared to podcasts which are more niche. Radio shows are planned according to the locality, city, or country’s interests and requirements. By contrast, podcasts can be listened to by anyone in any part of the world that shares the same views and interests as the podcaster.


I've got some experience with this. In 2009, I was the manager for the Hunt Life Outdoors Show. I put together the show, worked with the distributor, and served as the affiliate liaison.

When we decided to attempt syndication, we first had to decide whether we were going to record it or do it live. Because we wanted to be current, we chose to go live. In hindsight, I believe it was a bad decision, because it's very expensive….you have to book satellite time. We also decided to enlist the help of a distribution company. That decision, or rather the company we chose, turned out to be a bad one as well. We spent a ton of money and maxed out at about 35 affiliates.

About a year later, I decided to start my own show. I recorded it at home, got it on two stations myself, but decided to stop because a solid job opportunity presented itself. Were it not for the job, I would definitely have continued.

This question is rather ambiguous about the show itself - is it daily, weekly? Talk, music? How long is it? I could give a more specific list if I had more info. As a hypothetical, here is a list of “"must-haves” for a weekly show:

  1. A solid product. It needs consistently good content with quality production. Consider the length of the show, and if it actually justifies the time you're giving it. To succeed, every minute has to deliver.
  2. A track record on one station. Testimonials from Program Directors are vital, especially in the beginning.
  3. Good market analysis. Is there anyone else doing a show that even remotely covers the same ground your show covers? Find every potential competitor and tear their show apart to find out how you can appear different and better.
  4. Smart options. If you really want to do the show live, try to offer stations replays or a recorded version. Offer a 2-minute daily version of the product as a “starter”. Selling two minutes is much easier than selling sixty.
  5. A quality USP. Before any station will agree to give up one minute of their airtime (the only thing they have to keep them in business), they need to know they can make money off of you. You must have that information ready to present immediately, because they're much more interested in that than the content of your show.
  6. A network. Remember that PD from the first station that loves your show? They know other PDs, and those connections can get you in the door. Rarely will these connections directly result in a new affiliate, but at least the conversation can start.
  7. A big wallet. You will need marketing, so you will need to find sponsors - the bigger, the better. Grow them as you grow your affiliate base. Build that network, too….they all know each other, and it's a big feather in your cap if you can hand-deliver local sponsor leads to your affiliates.

This, of course, is if you're solely interested in terrestrial radio. If I were to do a show now, I’d opt for a podcast or an internet radio station instead….take it straight to the people.


Congrats on your radio show! Many radio shows are just music, with a presenter, (under pain of death!) doing links of between 20 to 40 seconds. Not much meaningful info you can squeeze in to that slot!

You can squeeze more speech in by “talking up the intro”. Some song intros are as long as a minute! Most are much shorter. This requires quite a lot of skill and practice. I spent hours and hours practising.

Or you could talk over a “music bed” this has the advantage that you can talk longer and to the listener, it won’t seem as long as “dry” speech.

Olly Murs hails from Witham in Essex, which is 10 miles from my radio station. Does someone know him, went to school with him? Prerecord this person’s reminisicences and include in your show.

Have a guest who belongs to an Art Club. Ask him/her what her favourite music is. Play it for them on air. Look up songs that have “picture” in the title and play them. You can search these easity online.

Listen to what other radio presenters do. You’ll soon learn some ideas yourself. Ask other people at your radio station. They will be delighted to help, I assure you!

Have a good show! (and shows!)

Zight & Sonna Rele - Fly Away

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Shaza Leigh

 




HEAR THE ANGELS

Shaza Leigh

HEAR THE ANGELS is musical magic, capturing the true essence of Christmas.

 

Shaza Leigh OWB has penned numerous country hits throughout her incredible career and her very first original Christmas song now stands tall amongst her outstanding body of work.

 

You can feel the depth of the woman, appreciate her spirituality and connect with her inner beauty through this intimate performance.

 

The raw emotion and passion, revealed in the sincerity of this beautiful song inspires you to connect with your own core beliefs regarding the spirit of Christmas.

 

HEAR THE ANGELS also celebrates the importance of our guidance to conscientiously retain and preserve our peace and freedom for all humanity.

 

Shaza has personally always considered Christmas an extremely special time - family time! She has always celebrated the significance of a blessed Christmas by taking an extended break over the holiday period, shutting down all her business interests, making time to reflect on what is and who are truly important in this lifetime; to relax, laugh and share the simple things in life at home, spreading love with those nearest and dearest.

 

Lindsay Butler OAM, Peggy Gilchrist and Shaza are amongst the best and most experienced country session players in Australia and to hear them adapt to and interpret this beautiful Christmas arrangement is divine.

 

It is rare to unearth an inspirational new song about Christmas and Australia’s First Lady of Song has lived up to her title, delivering a track worthy of inclusion in any Christmas collection.

 

Merry Christmas, take care of you and please spread the love - HEAR THE ANGELS!


Lyrics

HEAR THE ANGELS
(c) Shaza Leigh OWB (2021)

For weeks we’ve all been running ‘round, preparing our own way
It’s that special time of year, it’s more than just a day
Presents glow ‘neath lighted trees, and laughter fills the air
The true spirit of our Christmas, it’s time for love and care

I can hear the angels, voices on the wind
I can feel the magic, full of love within
And I’m truly grateful, I was born to see
And thankful for the joy of life, the gift of being free

I always take a moment to, reflect upon afar
The children of this world and just, how lucky we all are
To live in peace forever more, through learnings of the day
Believe we’re blessed and guided, should we choose to live that way

I can hear the angels, voices on the wind
I can feel the magic, full of love within
And I’m truly grateful, I was born to see
And thankful for the joy of life, the gift of being free

Can you hear the angels, voices on the wind
Can you feel the magic, full of love within
And be truly grateful, you were born to see
And thankful for the joy of life, the gift of being free
Yes be thankful for the joy of life, the gift of being free

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Mike Hatfield

Mike Hatfield



An American, Singer, Guitarist and Songwriter.  Is Releasing His Debut Solo EP.   "Rock n Roll Show"

Produced and mixed by David Prater. Whose credits as producer and engineer include, Dream Theater, Firehouse, Night Ranger... Just to name a few of his many endeavors.

It's filled with straight ahead guitar riffs, piano licks. street wise lyrics and vocals and female background singers that add up to a classic rock sound.

The Title track and "California" prominently feature the ladies on backup vocals. While "Bleed" and "You Don't Know" are searing guitar riffs with a "burn the house down" organ solo on "You Don't Know"

As a debut performance "Rock n Roll Show" has got the hooks and the energy to Rock Your World !!!



A recent interview with Dan Warren of Warren Media in Family Beautiful Magazine states Mike's current situation:

After banging thru the mid-west in pursuit of the perfect rock sound, American guitarist/vocalist Mike Hatfield is ramping up for the 2020 Summer Release of his Debut EP: “If You Wanna Rock n Roll…”. I had the opportunity to sit down with Mike before he headed out west to attend the 2020 Winter NAMM Show (National Association Of Music Merchants) in Anaheim California and we discussed his efforts and approach to this ever changing music market and “Do It Yourself” (DIY) age.

DW – Greetings Mike, You seem very clear on your priorities and what you want this next chapter of your life to look like, so what are the changes to come?
MH – At this moment, I am on the hunt for the perfect creating environment and it all starts with temperature. I spent too many bone crunching winters in Michigan and I want this whole new effort to be part of that creativity as well. Once I find a warmer location, I’ll finish preparing for the debut release and assemble the “Rock n Roll Show” Live band. I just need some warm weather and a great vibe to create more music, I love Michigan, but this is a new chapter, I do like California and the warm weather of Florida and Texas…

DW – Why is your main focus on your guitar sound?
MH – I feel like the integrity of Rock and Roll is at stake. It’s about time that someone put there foot down and played some guitar riffed rock and roll again. I mean, let’s put it back on the map. We should never loose site that some good O’l Rock n Roll riffs will always cut thru all of the senseless noise out there.

DW – Can you describe the guitar sound that you are looking for?
MH – We’ll it’s a Chuck Berry, Keith Richards sound with a little more distortion, it’s Bluesy, It’s Riffy… I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, it’s all been done before. It’s just repackaged and you have to nail it with the right feel and attitude… You know it when you get it and I’m just trying to fit my slice into the musical pie!

DW – When did you get the music bug?
MH – I’ve always had it. I can’t remember when I could walk into a room and keep my hands off any instruments that might be laying around. Always coming up with melodies on old pianos and organs that a lot of people have sitting around collecting dust. I’ve written many a tune/song on beat up out of tune piano’s! Lol… But when I came across the guitar, all other ambitions fell to the wayside. Head over heels in love! Really had no choice after that, I couldn’t help myself.

DW – Who were some of your musical influences?
MH – My first influences were any kid in the neighborhood who would show me the guitar riffs he knew. I spent a lot of time walking with a guitar from one house to the next looking to learn another chord or song. I had blisters on my fingertips and feet and it was all worth it, cause I learned how to play!

DW – What was it like growing up in Michigan?
MH – Due to my father’s enlistment in the Unites States Army, I grew up as they say, a “Military Brat”. We travelled a lot and lived all over the United States. Two of my brothers were born in Italy and I’m a Georgia peach myself. Always the new kid in school and hated it back then. I actually appreciate it now days. Regardless, Michigan became home where the winters can be brutal, but it has the best summertime of any place. The “Great Lake Michigan” is very similar to the ocean, with nothing but endless water over the horizon and beautiful white sand beaches.

DW – What are your future plans for your music?
MH – As you know there are a lot of components needed when assembling a musical product. The first and most important piece is the song and that’s the ticket! But the branding and marketing are essential, since there is so much clutter online. The media team and myself are working on that at the moment. I’m planning the release of “Rock n Roll Show” in February 2020. This is an excellent track to set the pace of what’s to come and it will also serve as a little sneak peak as to what’s in store for this summer’s Debut EP Release of “If You Wanna Rock n Roll…”.

DW – What model guitars and amplification do you play?
MH – Les Paul Guitars and Marshall Amps are the coolest of all the combo’s, a real monster tone and drive, really over the top if you want and cleans up well for any occasion. But my Fender – Stratocasters and Telecasters are a big part of my sound also and are used a lot when I’m recording. A brighter sound that really cuts thru when needed.

DW – Where can we find Mike Hatfield online?
MH – You guys can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and at: MikeHatfieldMusic.com

I had a great visit with Mike Hatfield. Please remember to pick up his Digital Download Single of “Rock n Roll Show” this February and his Debut EP Release of: “If You Wanna Rock n Roll…”  this summer! Available online and at most digital outlets and streaming services.

Dan Warren – Warren Media And Marketing. com 

Link to Family Beautiful Magazine Article :

https://familybeautiful.com/mike-hatfield-the-quest-of-sound?fbclid=IwAR0_ASldL8pFw_OhzI1kBESucZywydw2vBI3K_4mDpPPoTJz7ms3OoW-bkI