While I often lament the state of terrestrial radio, I would rather rave when it is warranted. Such was the case, this week, with CBS sister stations WYCD-FM and 97-1 The Ticket.
Working on behalf of Tanner Friedman client and local, emerging country artist Tommy Steele, I had the privilege of interfacing with Program Director Tim Roberts, considered among the top country programmers in the business. While the station reserves its FM playlist for national acts with charted songs in the Top 50, its HD Channel, “The Wolf” (available online as well as via HD tuner), affords greater flexibility for playing a wider range of artists (including new bands). On Tuesday, Tommy Steele’s first single from his upcoming CD, “I Like The Sound Of That” will debut, while, in the coming days, behind-the-scenes video clips of Steele recording his new record at Nashville’s hot Rivergate Studios will be made available at WYCD.com.
Sports talker The Ticket, meanwhile, is proving that the big money radio stunt is far from extinct. Last night marked the first of two Saturday night promotions at another firm client, Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk in Novi, in which we tied in two hot topics—March Madness and Economic Stimulus. With popular host Terry Foster hosting, participants had an opportunity to have their name drawn to “Crack the Safe” and a shot, with the right combination, of an AIG executive bonus-like $97,100. A range of basketball competitions from Fountain Walk’s new $8 million Fusion Health & Fitness court netted individuals additional prizes.
Radio fails when it fails to be fun, engaging, risk taking. This week, local radio resonated—to the benefit of its listeners.