Radio Review

The local radio stations seem to have gotten their heads around Twitter particularly well and used it to build the profile of their DJs (fair comment?) and stay in contact with their audience.

Most importantly I think they have the buy-in of the DJs to use the technology to liaise with their audiences and that I think is a big differentiator - if your DJs buy-in then the value-add to listeners is there.

Almost everyone I know who is on Twitter follows Gareth Cliff (5FM) and Ryan Seacrest (Highveld amongst others).

Others I follow include Kate Kearney, Erica Elle, Koula, Christina Knight.

Anyone else you follow who stands out?

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Filed under: Uncategorized tagged 5FM, Christina Knight, Erica Elle, Gareth Cliff, Highveld, Kate Kearney, Koula, Ryan Seacrest, Twitter

Eish - sad news for the SA music scene:

Bassist and backing vocalist for local band Mean Mr Mustard, Fred Hayward, has died on Saturday night.

He was rushed to the Kirkwood Hospital where he later died.

Source: Eye Witness News

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Filed under: Uncategorized tagged Mean Mr Mustard

Maybe a bit of an aimless post, but a loose strategy piece / thought that could make for some interesting debate.

One of the interesting facets of radio (in fact most “new” media channels) will be around talent retention in the coming years. Your presenters and journalists are likely to become an increasingly important asset for the organisation.

But if you flip it around and you ask yourself - “how do I actually get into radio?” - you will find a new challenge emerging.

Previously you were only competing against local presenters for that 2 or 4 hour slot on any of the local radio stations. Now suddenly you have syndicated radio shows from guys like Ryan Seacrest and most of the major “Top 40″ or “Top 20″ countdowns.

Personal opinion - The traditional work route through a radio station is likely to become an increasingly harder way to get into the game. Instead you are going to need to focus on developing a brand out of your show and having something to take to the stations.

Of course the flip side of THAT is that while your audience was previously limited to South African radio listeners, the world is now your playground and THAT should serve as some serious inspiration for those serious about getting into the game….

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Filed under: Uncategorized tagged Ryan Seacrest, Syndicated radio shows, syndication

As I mentioned in my previous post I was listening to Koula on 5FM this afternoon and caught the tail-end of an interview on the Mahala Surf & Music Festival.

It sounded like a really good initiative and she was kind enough to forward me the link to the Mahala website.

Anyway I checked out their site and the info on the festival is below. However I recommend you go and check out their site simply to see the wicked poster they’ve got up - it’s really cool!

“Join us on Friday the 12th of June at the Beach Club next door to uShaka Marine world. The purpose of the gig is to launch Mahala. Whoop Whoop! And collect second hand surfboards for the Mahala Surf Co. Mahala’s non profit surf company that exists solely to empower underprivileged groms through the culture of surfing. If you’ve got a second hand surfboard you’re not using, bring it to the gig and we’ll distribute it to grass roots surfing initiatives in Durban central, Umzumbe, Port St Johns, Mdumbe, JBay and Muizenberg. We’ll also give you free access to the gig, which promises to be a cracker.

Jay Bones, the irrepressible front man of Fuzigish, is performing his solo act Rambling Bones along with the City Bowl Mizers, Tree Houses On The Sea (THOTS) and Pocket Change and Manuvah to Land are collaborating on a impromptu set we’re billing Pocket to Manuvah, or is that Manuvah to Change. We don’t know, but it’s gonna be righteous!

Hell, we’ll have giveaways and booze specials. There will be big screen surf videos and a special guest performance by Nikhil Singh from the Wild Eyes. One night only. Gig kicks off at 8pm

12th of June 2009
The Beach Club (next door to uShaka Marine World)
8pm - R50 bucks or a surfboard to donate

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Filed under: Uncategorized tagged 5FM, City Bowl Mizers, Fuzigish, Koula, Mahala, Nikhil Singh, Pocket Change, THOTS, Tree Houses On The Sea

As usual on a Sunday we highlight the best selling video games on the various online retail platforms…. Interesting to see that the Jason (of “newfound” Idols fame) single is on the top of the Take2 sales list.

Amazon
1.    Waking Up Is Hard to Do - Neil Sedaka
2.    21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
3.    Songs Around The World (CD + DVD) - playing for change
4.    Together Through Life - Bob Dylan
5.    Soul - Seal
6.    Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) - Yusuf / Cat Stevens
7.    Quiet Nights - Diana Krall
8.    Within My Walls - Idan Raichel
9.    Together Through Life (Deluxe Edition) - Bob Dylan
10.    Relapse - Eminem

Green Day rocks baby and a new Eminem is out!

Amazing to see Bob Dylan just keeps chugging along…

Take2
1.      Jason - Break the Silence (CD Single)
2.     Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
3.     You’re The Inspiration - The Music Of David Foster & Friends - Various (CD/DVD)
4.     Phil Collins - Finally: Farewell Tour (2 DVD Set) dts
5.     Metallica - S and M Live (DVD) - Metallica
6.     Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted (CD/DVD)
7.     Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life
8.     Sasha-Lee - True Believer (CD Single)
9.     Twilight OST
10.     Eric Clapton - Cross Roads 2: Guitar Festival 2007 (DVD) dts

Kalahari.Net
1.    Now 51 - Various
2.    Koue Vuur - Die musiek van Koos du Plessis - Theuns Jordaan
3.    Uit Die Diepte Van My Hart - Kurt Darren
4.    10 Jaar - Platinum Treffers - Juanita Du Plessis
5.    You’re The Inspiration - The Music Of David Foster & Friends - Various
6.    Platinum Collection (3CDs) - Tina Turner
7.    All I Ever Wanted - Kelly Clarkson
8.    Live In Australia - Andre Rieu
9.    Met ‘n Knippie Stout - Nico Nel
10.    100 Oorspronklike Afrikaanse Treffers - Various

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Filed under: Uncategorized tagged Bob Dylan, Green Day, Music