Staring At The Ocean ... But Hearing the Radio

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

In the late '60s on The Gulf beaches of Northwest Florida, there was radio everywhere your ears turned. I can still hear the chime time on WTIX/New Orleans ... That New Orleans signal hit everywhere on the Sun Coast. Panama City's WGNE Genie was the sound of the beach. I'm sure you can name a beach radio signal you heard. Can't think of beach without one.

I hear various DJs at resorts playing songs. Mostly Pop. Not the same. Radio was the social media of the day. You listened for the music but you listened to hear the commercials and the weather and you heard what was going down. Radio was Facebook and Twitter with music ... and it was portable and free.

How do you get back to where that was? Not going to do it with a computer just playing music. They have Pandora, iPods and everything else. Better become part of their lives. Or keep trying. Just saying...

TV sure seems to be making a comeback this year. Think of all the attention the main Country artists have been getting on network TV and on TV in general. The big Billboard summit recently restated that radio was still the place where you have to go. Didn't sound like any of those involved were thrilled by that.

Radio is the old reliable. Just needs someone who loves it. Not Rock jocks pretending to be Country programmers. This audience sees right through that; too bad the bosses can't.

Blake Shelton sure seems to be the story of the year. TV exposure. Radio hits. And old school magazine covers. Add the social media ... and boom! It is amazing to watch.

The beach is busy ... and full ... someone has money ... the gasoline is high; people are still going.. $40 Southwest air fares in Sept. seem suspicious. We live such insecure lives ... The rich are getting richer! We see that all day every day in Nashville. Where is all this going?

Back to the original. Radio is at its best when it serves as a friend and companion ... on top of the weather and Justin Bieber tickets. Finger of the pulse of what is going on. You learn and tell everyone what you just heard. Yes, the music is a component, but anyone can play the music ... and it will sound the same. It's the same meat; the difference is the presentation and service. Look at fancy restaurants ... what do they have? Same food from Sysco ... just presented differently. Style. Polish. Cool factor.

Radio needs to be with me on vacation. How do we get that cool back into that radio? I hope someone is working on that ... A few get it. Love working with those folks. Having fun on the radio. Give them something to talk about.

Footnote: Hope Glen Campbell can't fight this short-term memory loss ... or if it is, prolong the Alzheimer's. He is one of the best at everything! And Vince Gill is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... Hoo RAH!

I just want to hear more competition in radio. Less cookie-cutter. More morning shows that are fun ... with humor that's not mean or dirty. Fun!

You know it when you hear it ... and it spreads like wild fire ... just think Howard Stern. Go study his career; it is fascinating and easily misunderstood. Bottom line: It was fun ... over the top at times, but fun radio. Still is...