Today, January 21st is National Disc Jockey Day.
Yep, that's me. But in reality, it just reminds me that there aren't very many that are actual "disc" jockeys anymore - thanks to today's technology. It's almost mind boggling to look back on the changes in the past 21 years that I've been at this job.
My job started out spinning 45s (and being grateful to find a 4-minute song!), playing ads on carts, and recorded interviews on cassettes or reel-to-reels. Every once in a while, I find myself longing to go back to that era - just for an hour or two. I don't think I could survive doing a full 8-hour shift in that manner again. Now fast-forward through the past two decades and the evolution to cds, then mp3s, up to today where much of the business is automated and most everything that can be pre-programmed up to a week in advance.
The radio evolution includes not just the airwaves, but also the capabilities of streaming audio on the internet, for a full global audience. That almost seems scary at times - to know that your voice is traveling the entire world over.
So, in honor of National Disc Jockey Day, a term that is basically outdated (just call me a Radio Announcer), I send a salute to my fellow 'jocks'. Hope you have as fond of memories of the job as I do.
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What's your song attraction?
What attracts you to a song? Is it the melody? the lyrics? the singer?
Those questions just popped into my head a moment ago.
For me, there are a few artists whom have unique voices where I could listen to them singing anything - like Lisa Brokop, Patsy Cline or Johnny Cash.
Most of the time, I think I'm drawn in by lyrics to songs. Maybe that's why my favorite genres of music are the old country, folk, roots, Americana, and a bit of rock. Those genres are mostly inhabited by the singer/songwriter - those special people who can turn words into the greatest stories with just simple melodies.
Along with great stories and simple melodies comes the final ingredient to the recipe for a good song. That would be harmony. Even a simple two-part harmony can change a plain song into something wonderful.
There are a handful of great singers who do harmony exquisitely, such as Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, or Trisha Yearwood. Or how about those singing duos/groups, like The Judds, Ann & Nancy Wilson, or Amy & Emily of the Indigo Girls. Singing harmony isn't easy. It's a gift that few can master.
So, that's my answer to the question. Either give me something from a unique voice, or put together the recipe of a great story, simple melody and a bit of harmony. You'll have me hooked from the first line.
Those questions just popped into my head a moment ago.
For me, there are a few artists whom have unique voices where I could listen to them singing anything - like Lisa Brokop, Patsy Cline or Johnny Cash.
Most of the time, I think I'm drawn in by lyrics to songs. Maybe that's why my favorite genres of music are the old country, folk, roots, Americana, and a bit of rock. Those genres are mostly inhabited by the singer/songwriter - those special people who can turn words into the greatest stories with just simple melodies.
Along with great stories and simple melodies comes the final ingredient to the recipe for a good song. That would be harmony. Even a simple two-part harmony can change a plain song into something wonderful.
There are a handful of great singers who do harmony exquisitely, such as Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, or Trisha Yearwood. Or how about those singing duos/groups, like The Judds, Ann & Nancy Wilson, or Amy & Emily of the Indigo Girls. Singing harmony isn't easy. It's a gift that few can master.
So, that's my answer to the question. Either give me something from a unique voice, or put together the recipe of a great story, simple melody and a bit of harmony. You'll have me hooked from the first line.
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