Help Please One For The Radio Listeners

[Guest soulville]

This is a plea to all the radio/web listeners out there and especially to the presenter who work on "community radio". The Offcom regs state that the shows must represent the community and the form asks us to say "how does the show connect with Leith", the local area. I'm struggling a bit with that one other than saying there used to be all-nighters in Leith and some of the club goers live there. A bit lam I know :o(

I'd like to hear from Eddie Mick and anybody else who managed to get a regular slot on local radio and how they answered that one.

I'd also like to know if you get much feedback/emails/ promo music so I can convince the station that there is an audience for soul music out there. On previous shows I mix up the styles as I feel it would be to specialist to just play soul but I might be wrong. The station board think soul is better as "pre recorded evening niche music" but I'd rather do it live. It gives me more of a buzz. The best timeslot for me would be Sunday afternoons. What time is best for you?

As for the muisc I'd love to play loads of ballads and deep soul and if I could get away with it I will. I'm amazed that Mick plays so many ballads and wonder how he gets away with it. Is their an audience for deep soul? What do soul source members think is the best format for a show? I'd be really interested in hearing your opinions so don't be shy. Tell me what would work for you.

At the moment they are not even going for an "archive" licence and I am trying to persuade them that a lot of listeners use the archives when they can't tune in live. They are not an easy bunch to convince.

Finally they don't even have decks at the moment so I will have arrange a night to bring some money in as decks are not a prioiity asl least not right away.

You can check out one of my old shows and get me on these cyber hangouts.

https://www.myspace.com/soulvilleradio

or

https://soulvilleradio.wetpaint.com

Looking forward to hearing from you please give me your feedback/opinion.

George

[Guest soulville]

This has been up for a few days now but no reply. C'mon guys please give me some feedback on what you what from a soul show. What time/day format/era archive/live.

George

[FrankM]

Offcom seriously don't give a F***. licenses are traded all the time. That's Saga turning into Smooth next week and we've lost the R&R show, the C&W show, the Fifties sixties show all part of a license application for a station targeted at the over 50's. the Soul show is being retained with a new presenter. Where were Offcom then.

You were part of the RSLs that won the license so what's got up the station manager's ass. Vegas has Saturday afternoon on Leith which of course reflects the great local interest in Gambling (greyhounds and Bingo) cabaret (the Hibs Social Club) and Showgirls.

You could point out the listener response to the the RSL, you experience of DJ'ing locally and the number of soul based nights in Edinburgh (including Motherfunk, Modern Lovers, the Jazz bar and the number of thriving specialist record shops which stock the music.

The problem is the station does not have decks, doesn't want them and does not need them for any other show. so pre record as live ( your argument for an archive suggests your show does not have to be live) and if a student radio station can live with your show it must have some attrction for a wider range of people than the committee see it. Who else has a specialist show and have a chat with them. you may find out you are being picked on.

[Guest soulville]

Hi Frank, Thanks for taking the time to respond and provide some positive comments. I've sent the form in but I think we are discussing them at the next meeting so I can change it. It sounds like they will get decks as one of the committee is involved with yoof groups and wants to have decks/ cd decks/mixer for any budding Mylos out there...... but they won't have them for the start of the broadcast.

The acrchive licenece sounds weird to me but that what they say. I think they may come around if the know that the likes of souldiscovery gets 3000 hits a day. Thats what Mick told me and I aksed him to send this to Leith as proof that there is an audience out there for soul music. So far no response.

What I really wanted from the soul folk on this forum is some idea of what they want from a show. I can tailor the show to suit most tastes and its great to be able to interact with listeners. Sadly it would appear that people are more interested in trivia nad the smae old threads abut favourite whatever than supporting a radio show that plays our music. Either that or you have to be a big name before anybody takes any interest in your post :o). I notice Frasers show doesn't get any replies either. You would think that it was FM and only Scottish people could listen :o) Maybe they don't understant our accent ;O).

I regularly listen to many web based radio stations and always try to support anybody who is playing good tunes. I even listen to Dodgers :O) which to be honest is a bit smooth for me. Still I like the odd new tune and always like the oldies. I have a great deal of respect for Dodger ( before he gets his fingers clacking) . He must have the best collection on post 2000 music on planet earth and a decent back catalogue/knowledge of the old stuff as well.

I have only recently discovered soul discovery which is a great show for real soul. I had a quick listen to some of that radio shows on here and I'll check out more later.

I never really understood the post about how to upload radio shows it went a bit too techie for me. Nevertheless I'll have a go at uploading a show when I get a minute. Most of my old shows are 72MB so I guess they would have to be split into sections.

Anyhoo thanks for the interest I'll see you on myspace for more Offcom chatter. Did you read the latest round of complaints re swearing on TV shows? Very funny.

Not sure I follow your first para. I'll see you on myspace for a natter.

George

[FrankM]

I met david Belcher today and he explained a bit more of what's happening to Saga. It becomes Smooth as of next weekend, and the R&R shiow isgoing however its presenter Mike Marwick is taking over the soul show which is OK by me. There will be less C&W and old time music. Glen Michael is retiring. Ofcom has blessed the change of ownership and format. So I doubt if Ofcom are particularly worried about Leith FM other than them wasting £50000 on the Ross Revenge.

[Soul Shrews]

Ever given Fingerpoppin Soul a listen George?

www.fingerpoppinsoul.nl

Every Thursday night 9 till 11 UK time

All sorts of soul without politics........well maybe some Dutch ones !

Cheers Paul Woosnam

[Guest soulville]

Hi Paul, Yes but not for a while H&H know their tunes for sure. Their site was down thae last time I tried it. Is it up again a now? Must remebr to check it out. To be honest there are so many great shows now we are in a golden time. I just hope that it remains that way and doesn't get all heavy and legal and folk get busted all over the shop.

As for Saga Im not up to speend with that Frank so I'll mail Py and get the lowdon.

Oh eck Dodger is reading this post. Better get me tin hat on :o)

You know I luv ya mate :o)

George

[Soul Shrews]

Hi Paul, Yes but not for a while H&H know their tunes for sure. Their site was down thae last time I tried it. Is it up again a now? Must remebr to check it out. To be honest there are so many great shows now we are in a golden time. I just hope that it remains that way and doesn't get all heavy and legal and folk get busted all over the shop.

As for Saga Im not up to speend with that Frank so I'll mail Py and get the lowdon.

Oh eck Dodger is reading this post. Better get me tin hat on :o)

You know I luv ya mate :o)

George

George, the Fingerpoppin site is back up "n' running

Cheers Paul

[Guest Dodger]

The acrchive licenece sounds weird to me but that what they say. I think they may come around if the know that the likes of souldiscovery gets 3000 hits a day. Thats what Mick told me and I aksed him to send this to Leith as proof that there is an audience out there for soul music. So far no response.

The fact and reality of it all George is that with a couple of notable exceptions, anyone who puts together a soul music radio show does it as a labour of love, the audience for a show of that nature in the grand scheme of things is absolutely minimal, even from the soul fraternity who for the most part just aren't arsed about listening to a soul music show, especially if it entails sitting at the computer listening to an internet only station or show, or unless they can mail in and hear their name mentioned. I've found that the archive/podcast scenario is the best way to reach a wider audience where people can listen at their own convenience - I've had my podcast going for two months now and the stream/download hit figures are way, way more than I expected so soon.

Same goes for the other internet stations, any claims of big listenerships is just rubbish because most of them only have space for either 25 or 50 listeners at any one time - they buy slots which equates to one slot per listener - and if you have means of seeing the url at any given time, as I found out how to do, then the majority of the shows broadcast don't even come anywhere near the maximum allocation in terms of listeners, some of them are as low as 9 or 10 listeners, it's no wonder the powers that be on these stations won't readily give out this information and it's no wonder some of the DJ's make these daft claims of listeners. I'm also sure that if some of the DJ's knew how few people bother tuning in then they in turn might not bother making the effort to put a show together each week.

What I really wanted from the soul folk on this forum is some idea of what they want from a show. I can tailor the show to suit most tastes and its great to be able to interact with listeners. Sadly it would appear that people are more interested in trivia nad the smae old threads abut favourite whatever than supporting a radio show that plays our music. Either that or you have to be a big name before anybody takes any interest in your post :o). I notice Frasers show doesn't get any replies either. You would think that it was FM and only Scottish people could listen :o) Maybe they don't understant our accent ;O).

I regularly listen to many web based radio stations and always try to support anybody who is playing good tunes. I even listen to Dodgers :O) which to be honest is a bit smooth for me. Still I like the odd new tune and always like the oldies. I have a great deal of respect for Dodger ( before he gets his fingers clacking) . He must have the best collection on post 2000 music on planet earth and a decent back catalogue/knowledge of the old stuff as well.

Thanks for backhanded compliment you big Jock throwback!! Seriously though George, the fact is mate, what you say in the first sentence above is absolutely right, feedback from any show is really quite minimal, but for me personally and I'm sure it applies to any other DJ who does it, even if only a few people give occasional feedback and enjoy what you do then it's worth doing if you like sharing the music you love. The majority of forum dwellers either don't bother to listen to internet radio and don't bother to give any feedback if they do, it's just how it is, and you're basically wasting your time asking what people want from a show because the majority don't care if they're produced or not.

I have only recently discovered soul discovery which is a great show for real soul. I had a quick listen to some of that radio shows on here and I'll check out more later.

George, I've got to be hoenst and say that claims of getting 3000 hits a DAY are dubious to say the least, not because I doubt Mick's ability or popularity, but just because it's the nature of the beast and it's unlikely that a specialist soul show, not even Richard Searling's, can command that kind of attention these days, but if it does then fair play to him, but I seriously doubt it. What is 'real soul' by the way??

What I'm basically saying here George is yes, do your best to do a soul music radio show and spread the word/faith or whatever, I know how much you love it, but don't expect too much back from it, because you'll be seriously let down.

All the best

Roger

[Guest soulville]

Hi Dodger, Thanks for that some useful pointers there I'll mull over. I'm surpriesd that people don't listen to soul on the radio but there again I'm surprised that some people don't dig deep enough for the tunes.

Mick said thats what he gets on the archive hits. So we will have to wait for his response. On Fresh air we had the s/w that told you how many people were listening on line I think the max I got was about 25. Which probably fell as soon as I started playing LOL. I sometimes got more response from the Norman Jay cratediggers forum where they could comment on each tune as it went out. I really like that even if they say the music is pants at least you know folk are listening and you are playing tunes that some folk have never heard and are spreading the word.

If I don't get any feedback I'll just play what I want and make sure I have at least one happy listener LOL. I record all the shows so at least I will have them as memories. Jellycast looks like good bet until Leith get their archive sorted.

I'll maybe upload some shows on this site if I can work out how to do it. The great thing about live radio is there is no faffing about with "files" and formats.

How many hits do you get? Reply on myspace if you don't want to reveal anything here.

Cheers

George

[Guest Dodger]

Hi Dodger, Thanks for that some useful pointers there I'll mull over. I'm surpriesd that people don't listen to soul on the radio but there again I'm surprised that some people don't dig deep enough for the tunes.

I don't think people rely on the radio these days as much as they used to because of the internet, it's all out there and available for any individual with a computer to source themselves via many outlets such as forums like this, EMS etc., artist websites, dealer websites, ebay etc. etc. so the reliance on radio shows is lessened compared to how it used to be.

Mick said thats what he gets on the archive hits. So we will have to wait for his response. On Fresh air we had the s/w that told you how many people were listening on line I think the max I got was about 25. Which probably fell as soon as I started playing LOL. I sometimes got more response from the Norman Jay cratediggers forum where they could comment on each tune as it went out. I really like that even if they say the music is pants at least you know folk are listening and you are playing tunes that some folk have never heard and are spreading the word.

Any feedback however small makes it worth doing and as I said on a related topic on EMS, anyone who takes the time to put together a show to spread the word on soul music in its various forms deserves a pat on the back. Although my show is pre-recorded some of us have a crack on the EMS forum as it's being broadcast on Fridays and that's good fun and good to know the selections are being appreciated. And regarding Mick's figures, if he IS getting 3000 hits a DAY then he's probably the most popular soul music broadcaster in the world!! As an example, the Sourmash Collective have been well into the podcast/streaming side of things for a long time now and broadcast their show on a few networks and are very popular worldwide, particularly in America, playing the more MTV r&b type of music that is way more popular than the somewhat limited 'real soul' indie music that Mick features, and their stream/download hits number around 9,000 a MONTH according to those lads so if Mick's getting 10 times what they're getting then let's just say I'd be extremely surprised.

If I don't get any feedback I'll just play what I want and make sure I have at least one happy listener LOL. I record all the shows so at least I will have them as memories. Jellycast looks like good bet until Leith get their archive sorted. I'll maybe upload some shows on this site if I can work out how to do it. The great thing about live radio is there is no faffing about with "files" and formats.

Jellycast is a good site and for a one-off tenner payment it's exceptional value.

How many hits do you get? Reply on myspace if you don't want to reveal anything here.

Three a month. My home computer, son's laptop and my work computer. Not interested in shouting about figures on a forum George, I'll send you a PM.

Best

Roger

[Guest Pete Griffin]

www.boogalooradio.com we have at least 2 listeners a year, one of them is me but its great fun.

Go for it

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

and if anything is to go by for soul shows. LITE FM in Peterborough have some reason not had there soul dance saturday on for 7 weeks i have no idea why. i e-mailed station to ask but no reply.

If it's gonna be off air for good that's doing fans of soul music no favours

[Glyn Williams]

George, Ive ran several RSL stations in the past and filled in all the forms, In fact we go back on air on 7th April - all offcom are looking for on the forms is to say why the area needs another station - usually you say something about the fact you are only covered by the big boys and that the local community is unrepresented. That works everytime.

Hope this helps

[Guest]

This is a plea to all the radio/web listeners out there and especially to the presenter who work on "community radio". The Offcom regs state that the shows must represent the community and the form asks us to say "how does the show connect with Leith", the local area. I'm struggling a bit with that one other than saying there used to be all-nighters in Leith and some of the club goers live there. A bit lam I know :o(

I'd like to hear from Eddie Mick and anybody else who managed to get a regular slot on local radio and how they answered that one.

I'd also like to know if you get much feedback/emails/ promo music so I can convince the station that there is an audience for soul music out there. On previous shows I mix up the styles as I feel it would be to specialist to just play soul but I might be wrong. The station board think soul is better as "pre recorded evening niche music" but I'd rather do it live. It gives me more of a buzz. The best timeslot for me would be Sunday afternoons. What time is best for you?

As for the muisc I'd love to play loads of ballads and deep soul and if I could get away with it I will. I'm amazed that Mick plays so many ballads and wonder how he gets away with it. Is their an audience for deep soul? What do soul source members think is the best format for a show? I'd be really interested in hearing your opinions so don't be shy. Tell me what would work for you.

At the moment they are not even going for an "archive" licence and I am trying to persuade them that a lot of listeners use the archives when they can't tune in live. They are not an easy bunch to convince.

Finally they don't even have decks at the moment so I will have arrange a night to bring some money in as decks are not a prioiity asl least not right away.

You can check out one of my old shows and get me on these cyber hangouts.

https://www.myspace.com/soulvilleradio

or

https://soulvilleradio.wetpaint.com

Looking forward to hearing from you please give me your feedback/opinion.

George

The state of both national and community radio is interesting.

I'm surprised the subject of Internet Radio even came up. Internet radio doesn't even come into the situation, being as it is an indulgence, a hobby and as anyone involved knows, limited and therefore likely to be specialised. It's like hospital radio with less Matt Monroe and less coughing outside the studio.

But even if listening capacity wasn't limited, would the numbers be big anyway? Judging the popularity of a show by amount of 'forum space' a show gets is dangerous as it's more often likely to be the result of something ego and agenda led and disproportionately enthusiastic posting by a small few than anything.

And how easy are podcast figures to manipulate? As a possible example, have a look in the 'sounds' section here on Soul Source ' and see which are the most clicked on tracks..it's a very weird selection ! Then have a go at clicking one a few times yourself and see how easy it is to bump that number up !

With regards to the real radio big players, as they all seem to be owned by large media groups now, they are always going to be going after the main financial chance and that is certainly reflected in what seems to be going on currently. So in theory and an ideal world, community or local radio seems the ideal choice for specialised Soul radio shows...but only if that community or locale has enough Soul music listeners...and how many can truly say that ?

But the bottom line here is...Soul Music has always been badly represented on the radio in the ears and eyes of Soul lovers....but that's a situation thats been going on for so many years now maybe it's time to admit that in 2007 the audience actually isn't there and I can see that might be difficult to disproved especially on a local basis.

Edited March 21, 2007 by Simon White

[FrankM]

"It's like hospital radio with less Matt Monroe"

How dare you have a go at the hard working volunteers of Hospital radio a subject you don't know much about if you can't even spell Monro.

Anyway if you were in touch you would know Daniel O'Donnell is the patients' favourite. He's done three rock'n'roll albums. I'm sure there's a Michael McDonald/ Michael Bolton Motown tribute waiting in the wings and then he and the Mighty Mainliners get down with the Funk.

[Guest Dodger]

I'm surprised the subject of Internet Radio even came up.

Possibly because it's in the title of the original post?

You're absolutely right about hardly anyone listening to internet radio - I've just checked the Starpoint website and this is the total tuned in to the DJ on air right now. It makes you wonder why they bother doesn't it.

[Guest]

Possibly because it's in the title of the original post?

You're absolutely right about hardly anyone listening to internet radio - I've just checked the Starpoint website and this is the total tuned in to the DJ on air right now. It makes you wonder why they bother doesn't it.

LOL ! ... oh Rogered, you are an utter bitch sometimes !

Felonious, I would have said Daniel O'Donnell but I didn't know how to spell that either.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

also to anyone who wants to know about Hospital Radio can i say i have worked on it before collecting requests etc and the music policy is basically anything and everything apart from songs about death or dying.

You could get a lot of Northern played on it if you requested it or the DJ wanted to stick one on. most of the time it's requests but they have the first part mostly mixed music a dj picks so examples would be 8.00 - 10.00 show first hour you got Walker Brothers, Matchbox 20, Girls Aloud, Status Quo, Whitney Houston, Human League, Razorlight, Little Richard, Dominic Kirwan, Jackie Wilson, Peter and Gordan then they would play at least 1 hour of requests which could be 10 tracks and if your collecting requests and someone says i am a fan of Motown or Northern soul there choice might be a Stevie Wonder track. same as someone else who might request say Moses Smith - girl accross the street (to some who collect requests it be obscure)

So you would go back and find it, if the station had it or in some cases a dj has his own collection too that night and amongst the Daniel O'Donnell, Bobby Darien, Blur, Dolly Parton, 50 cent etc requests they have the Stevie Wonder and even Moses Smith which could be on some Northern soul cd kept in the liabray.

Also hospital radio stations will accept any records and CD's for use to there liabary regardless of what they are so that any chance of people requesting there fav song is a chance of having it. both single and album tracks/ b sides etc