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Radio Interviews

Date: November 3, 2005 @ 8:19 AM

One of the legs artists have that is a very important leg at that… is radio. Now there is much talk out there how big radio is talking over and I for one believe it .Just trying to find a cool radio station as I drive along can be a very frosted frustrating turn of the knob. But they are out there and it does take some digging of those that fly under the radio radar.
When I find one that digs my music I keep up my e-mail and mailings to them as much as I can. These in it self can a full time job. But remember you are making friends out there with the DJ’s. They are real people that want to support music. So keep up the e-mails. What we did was send every DJ a T-shirt that said, “The slice white bread peanut butter radio tour”. It had a cool logo of a radio and a peanut butter sandwiched with a bite out of it with crumbs and a can of peanut butter. This was our way to say thank you. Remember DJ’s out there are not making big money if any at all. They are playing the music because they dig the music as much as you do.
So let’s say you find a radio station out there that is playing your music. OK, now try to find a gig in the area (more work). This can talk a while but even if you are driving through to a gig, let them know. What I do is always make a file on the radio station as to which state they are from. I then go to mapquest and copy how to get to the station. I then file all the info in one file and keep it updated. Remember in radio world folks move around, so it’s very important to keep all your files updated.
Now let’s say to have a time and place for the interview. Make sure you give the DJ lots of info as to what you are about. That way he can read it all way before hand and he can be ready.
Now if the interview is for 11A.M. get there 1 hour before. Have your instrument in tune and be ready. No one wants to hear you tune it on air. The traffic could be bad or you could get a flat tire and a host of other things. I remember once Michael Johnathon (http://www.plamedia.com/michaeljohnathon.html) and I blew out a tire going about 80 miles an hour. So give yourself lots of time in getting there.
If it’s in the morning I make sure to bring donuts, believe me they will remember you. You will be a hit that morning.
During the interview make sure you answer the question to the point and do not go rambling on and jumping subjects. I once did an interview with another songwriter and the DJ and I could not get her to stop. She just keep going on and on about everything under the sun. Remember to listen to the DJ and try to make eye contact. Once the interview is over, thank the DJ and send him or her postcard soon after the interview.
There is no set of rules on all this but remember to make your contacts and keep updated on you're your DJ’s they are one of your legs and without them we cannot have a leg to stand on. It’s that important!
Still Pickin’
Bill Hudson

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