The twenty first century has become an age of smaller is better. With digital music players that can hold well over 100 songs and are barely larger than a credit card why wouldn’t people want to make the change from the relatively bulky CD folder and player? Just like in days gone by when the smaller CDs took the place of the larger clumsier turntable and vinyl records, so has the digital age taken over the role of the CD.

Recently, record company executives have been bemoaning the decline of CD sales and the supposed loss of income; all the while they have been ignoring the increase of profit per song along with the increase in downloads from the digital music services. The lower price per song not only increases profit because there is less labour and supplies required; but also, the opportunity to purchase only those songs a fan wishes which also increase the chance of sales. One thing the record companies fail to understand is that for every fan who buys an entire album there is another fan or two who likes only one or two songs on the CD but is not willing to pay $15 or $20 for the CD just for that one song. By allowing fans the chance to purchase only the songs they like increases the overall sales by the artist; thus providing more money for all parties involved.

If the music business and record companies are to survive then enbracing the digital age and enhancing on it is essential. The CD like vinyl has its place. At one time retailers stopped carrying vinyl because they were convinced the CD was the wave of the future – and at the time they were right. Now it is digital that is taking over the age.

But the format used for the release of new music is not the only problem facing the music business. The record executives themselves are also an issue; as is the music itself that is being released. Instead of looking inside the industry it is easier for the executives to blame everything else, especially illegal downloading. Fans have been copying and passing around their favorite songs since the beginning of recorded music. The record executives seem to focus all their attention on a few artists, artists that have better looks than talent. By flaunting these artists on stage with heavy emphasis on electronic manipulations and very little clinching on the artist, the record companies then market said artist flooding the media with advertising trying to convince the public to buy what they are selling just like the snake oil salesmen of old hawking the next great cure all.

While physical CD sales are down and digital sales are up there is still a decline in the overall sale of music; but so has the overall quality of said music itself.

In recent years there has been a trend toward older bands making a resurgence especially among the younger generations. It is not uncommon to see two and three generations of fans – sometimes in the same family – at a concert by bands from the seventies and even the sixties. This is not a case of massive forced listening but merely music fans discovering some good music. Tween and teens think it is cool to be seen at a concert with their parents or even grandparents. Artists like The Stylistcs and the The Ohio Players stand the test of time because they made and continue to perform good music. Quite a number of the artists who are popular today will be gone and forgotten, unknown to the next generation of fans.

Perhaps record companies need to take notice.

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Hello media enthusiast, indie artist, and internet broadcasters. I am in the process of writing a book on the future of broadcast media and decided to post the draft of the introduction. I would like your input on the direction that the book is taking as well as solicit your suggestions as to content that you may feel needs to be addressed.

Any suggestion on content or information that you present will be noted in the final copy of the book. As you will read in the introduction, the book lays out the future of broadcast media by first establishing a foundation of it’s past. In this way, I hope to to frame the conversation within a context as opposed to speculating on what will develop.

The book will also contain documentation pertaining to many of the events that shaped AM radio which led to the rise of the media conglomerates. I am sure that you will find it an interesting read and am looking forward to the finished product.

The introduction chapter can be downloaded through the link at the bottom of this post. Please send your responses to DA Williams via freshtouch@woh.rr.com.

Thank you in advance.

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Stiring within the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl is a ocean of creativity.  Some find expression through writing, other through the musical arts or some other artistic expression. Some find release through humanitarian works, others through through various spiritual paths.

This dream, this vision, this pull of purpose causes the human spirit to be resilent in the face of the greatest challenges. It was this dream this vision, this sense of purpose that has caused humanity to survive againts unbelievable odds. Nations have been formed, people groups have settled untold differences, and people have found the will to survive.

Looking at our world today, I can only believe that our best days are just ahead of us. The turn-around may be one discussion away. Perhaps, one offer of forgiveness, one extension of a hand up instead of a smack down.  One more attempt to be less critical and more helpful.

I am truly convinced that within each person reading this is an answer to someone’s question. Within each and every one of  us is the solution to someones problem. Within each and everyone of us is a story someone needs to read, a song someone needs to hear, some encouragement someone needs to get.

So dream your dream, tell your story, sing your songs. In everything you do, don’t be afraid to share the real you.  In doing this, you will reach your highest heights, fulfill your loftiest dreams and discover your unlimited potential.

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via Urban Radio Nation – Urban Radio Stations, Internet Radio, New Media and Music Blog.

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In 1947 James “Alley Pat” Patrick began his career as one of Atlanta’s first black deejays under the name “Pat Alley”. It’s said he got the moniker by inviting his listeners to “go in the alley and drink some beer”.

Born in Montezuma, Georgia to a Baptist preacher and nurse, his family moved to Atlanta in 1931. Mr. Patrick graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. During World War 2, Pat was a member of the legendary Tuskeegee Airmen and after graduating from Morehouse College with a degree in Science and pre-med, he was set to go on to medical school.

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Here is where I need help. With all due respect to Mr. Joyner, there is nothing that he pioneered. Let me repeat the statement. There is NO-THING that Mr. Joyner pioneered. Before Mr. Joyner was in syndication, a number of on-air personalites were doing syndicated shows and I might add from their homes. Jocko Henderson for sure. Before Mr. Joyner and others were during traveling stage shows, Jack Cooper as well as Jack the Rapper were doing the same.

The thing that disturbs me about all of this is that Mr. Joyner and others know this and yet fail to make the historical correction. Why? That’s the question. If they are so concerned with the state of “African American Radio” why don’t they spend just a little time attempting to educate their listenerships about the history of Black Radio.

Black on-air personalities were always seeking to raise political awareness within their communities. I recall, watching as my father Kae Williams and another Philadelphia radio personality George Woods, were harrassed by police officers outside the Uptown Theatre while trying to calm the masses during one of their shows when DR. King was shot. Both my father and George Woods were very vocal during their tenure at WDAS and WHAT radio stations.

True, they may not shine as much as they do now because it will be understood that they also stand on the shoulders of the real pioneers. True, this may cause some damage to their popularity with the media conglomerates who control their syndication. But then again maybe that just might be what Black Radio needs. An injection of personalities who actually care about the industry.

How many local on-air personalities have to loose their jobs because of the big personality shows being streamed in with the playlist. How many independent artist have to continue in frustration because they can’t get airplay in the very cities that they live. The very stations that seek to draw resources out of the communities that they so-called serve won’t support the local talent around the corner.

Why are the Joyner’s, Baison’s and others not raising their voices and wielding the self professed influence in these areas. Help me understand. PLEASE.

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One of the most interesting technologies  that we have today is the internet. The more I look into it’s potential the more I discover that it is still an untapped resource for digital music music content. With advent of podcasting, the internet became a great medium for music content distribution.

One question I see arising time and time again is what is the difference between podcasting and streaming media. There are a number of sites that market themselves as streaming media which in reality they are upgraded podcasting site. Now, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with podcastind, I do it myself, but I think it is a good thing not to confuse the few.

As Internet radio continues to establish an online presence, I think the distinction will become more obvious. There are particular advantages to podcasting as well as streaming an much depends on what the goal of the developer of the stream or cast has in mind. The ideal solution of course, is to have an effective way to utilize them both.

Streaming vs Casting….

Simply put, podcasting is ” prerecorded content” which is made available for use either through downloading amd the various players.the major advantages of this form, for the user, is that the content is readily available. Since it is recorded and stored as a digital file, the user has the ability to listen when time permits, much like many of the recorders available for televisions now.

The draw back has to do with he live interactivity. Unlike streaming media which is more often than not live, the human element is missing. Remember the big concern that broadcast radio had when television began. It was a major concern whether or not television would replace the spontaneity of live radio. Well time answered the question. Radio continued to be a very effective means of information and entertainment and still is to this day. There is something about that person on the other end of that box.

This is where streaming media seems to be picking up the steam. It takes the purest elements of terrestrial radio, minus the abundant insertion of advertisements, and ports it over the internet. This becomes the primary difference between streaming and casting. Live vs recorded. One advantage of  a properly setup streaming site is that the recording aspect of podcasting will be incorporated on the back end ( check out http://www.wdkkradio.com). Meaning, the streams will be recorded for availabilty at a later time.

So as you are considering how to implement your online media, do some research into the options.

Just some musings again.

(D.A. Williams is CVO of Full CirKle Media Group, a internet based media convergence company)

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