Radio Station Idea – The Market on the Majors Is Cornered, Let’s focus on the Minor Leagues

January 23, 2011 at 4:13 pm (This was first posted at www.facebook.com/craig.nelson.hamilton and is edited here.)

(Note: I do not have the funds to start this, but would probably be interested in collaboration.)

1. It would be a good idea to make radio stations that broadcast local music focusing on music of local bands that play or will soon play within the range of their antenna.
2. This idea for a radio station that is essentially advertisements for local shows could include all types of music, profit and nonprofit.
3. Songs of a particular band would primarily only be played two weeks prior to the show, giving the radio station’s audience a chance to let their audience sample music that they could hear live.
4. Since on Cape Cod there are oodles of local shows, it would probably be best if a band selected a particular song that they wanted their audience to hear.  This song or two or three could come from a demo, or even a record label.
5. In fact, it is probably a good idea for every recording studio to start a record label of which the purpose would be to sell local music.  As an added incentive for this music to sell, the price of local recorded music should be priced competitively, and primarily be for the purpose of allowing audiences to sample the music prior to attending a local show.
6. Of course the radio station idea that I am suggesting would follow FCC rules, aiming to be completely legal.
7. Bands that become the house band for a particular club would be heard most often.  On Cape Cod though these bands are usually cover bands, this would promote local bands recording more music.  For example, a local cover band might have 7 songs that a DJ could choose from to play.  Some of it could be cover songs (A cover song is when a band plays a song originally written by someone or some people other than the band).  However, hopefully there would be some originals, even for the local acts.
8. Non-regular local acts should get slightly less attention, as really what this radio station idea is intended to promote local commerce.  For example, a band that was touring the USA or the region, and was not the house’s standard band could would get slightly less attention.  The reason I suggest that they should get less attention is that people would already be familiar with their music.  Thus, regional acts would get a moderate amount of attention.
9. National acts would get very little attention.  Stations such as WPXE and many others have the market cornered on the acts that play these major venues, so devoting time to them would probably be counterproductive anyway.
10. Thus, this radio station idea could include everything from major acts that might play something as big as Fenway Park or the Comcast Center, all the way down to local hardcore bands that play perhaps the American Legion, and even church worship teams.
11. The music does not necessarily have to be divided into category.  The shuffle button on the music player of the broadcasting radio station could simply be pressed.  Shuffle buttons generally randomize music played based on a number such as 23/7.  There could also be certain hours or programs dedicated to specific content.
12. Most venues already require a band to submit a demo, even the tiny venues such as local bars.  These demos and even professionally produced music could be played.
13. As a general rule, most songs/media would have to be 5mins or under.  This is like most radio stations.  Most radio stations don’t play songs that are excessively long.  That way if someone doesn’t like a particular song, they can feel assured that it won’t be on the air much longer.  As with any radio station, not every song is going to be everyone’s favorite song, such that it is a good idea to put a general restriction on song length.
14. Additionally, community updates could be given such as: Weather, Coverage of minor league games and college level games could be given.  Times of religious events could be given.  Broadcasts of sermons from local religious gatherings etcetera could also be given.  Coverage of local towns high school sports games could be given.
15. 15.  Non-profit organizations could be cut a break on price.  Profit organization would pay more.
16. 16.  Out of range?  If a band such as Phish was playing the Comcast center, but that venue was out of range, they could pay for an advertisement for a much more costly price for being out of range of the radio stations antenna.
17. 17.  Dues: venues and show coordinators might pay yearly dues to the radio station in order to be assured coverage.  Since, the motive of this station idea is to focus on non-national level works, it would thus be appropriate to charge more based upon the size of the venue, and the amount of profit it generates.
18. 18.  None of the radios station’s airtime would be free, such that if an act could only draw an audience in their living room, they would have to pay to be on the air.
19. 19.  If there got to be too much content, and there was interest in the station, stations could branch out.  For example, there could be one station that focused on local religion, one station that focused on local musical acts, and one station that focused primarily on sports.
20. 20.  Charity would be accomplished through promotional merchandise, where 10% of profit would go into freebies, such as t-shirts, stickers.
21. 21.  If enough money was generated preferably musical instruments, scholarships, and music lessons, would be donated, etcetera.  This would provide incentive for listeners to listen.  At first, people might not want to listen often, but if they wanted a musical instrument, an amplifier, or a microphone, getting familiar with the stations content would enable them to accomplish their goals.