From: burdick@hditest1.crd.ge.com (William E. Burdick KWC-1604 5585)
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote
Subject: Summary: Blues Radio Survey
Date: 7 Apr 92 13:06:47 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: GE Corp. Research & Development, Schenectady, NY

The following is a compilation and summary of the responses to my
"blues radio survey".  The original post is included for
reference:
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Recently, I began co-hosting a local college radio program and
within a few weeks will be hosting on my own.  The current
host has explained to me his reasons for his lack of desire
to communicate with his audience relative to the audience's
input and feedback for show content, programming, etc.

My questions to rec.music.bluenote blues fans ... answer as
specifically as possible, please.

1.  Do you like to play an active role in what you hear on the
    radio i.e. requests and recommendations, feedback, etc.?

2a. Do you listen to radio exclusively for exposure to new
    (new to you) and/or different material?  Or, do you
    listen to hear your favorites mixed in with new stuff.

2b. Do you think that there is an ideal mix of new material and
    old/familiar material, say 90/10, 50/50, etc.?

3.  What would you like more of/less of from radio programming?

4.  Which programming styles (radio personality types, philosophies
    formats, etc.,) do you prefer and why?

5.  If you had your own blues show you'd ... (fill in the blank - please
    be specific but terse, if possible)
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RESPONSE SUMMARY:

1.  Most respondents like programming that keeps the listener
    involved through requests and call-in solicitations.  Some
    of those that responded indicated that its important that they
    have access to the DJ/station personnel for gaining information
    about what is being played.

2a. Most respondents listen to radio to hear recent releases, re-issues,
    and/or for exposure to music that is new to them (regardless of its
    issue/release date/age).

2b. The average "ideal mix" of new and old material, as identified by
    the respondents is - 75/25.  A few people reported that there
    really was no ideal mix ... they like it when they hear good
    blues no matter what the ratio of new to old.

3.  Respondents indicate that they want more details about the music
    they're listening to e.g., history, featured performers, labels, etc.
    Also, there was a definite pleas for less chatter by DJs.

4.  This question provided little in the way of meaningful responses.

5.  Add diversity to programming, mix jazz and blues, concentrate
    solely on traditional blues, give more history, feature sets
    (even whole programs) by artists, focus on current material more,
    etc.  You name it, it was mentioned!

Summary:

As a new DJ I plan to take the comments of r.m.b. respondees to heart.
I intend to keep my commentary in the realm of meaningful and/or 
informative.  I intend to play the best blues I can find without regard
for any criterion other than quality!  I intend to keep it fresh and
offer exposure for new artists and the "classics" in blues.  I also
promise to play no more than six cuts or broadcast no longer than twenty
minutes without identifying what I'm playing!!!!!

I plan to use this structure as a starting place for my ninety minute,
weekly show:

1.  30 minutes - new material and new releases
2.  15 minutes - play what I want until break at show's midpoint
                 (45 minutes) for "what's going on here - calendar
                 of events".   Ideal time for those taping the show
                 to flip their cassette tapes to side II/B.
3.  25 minutes - play what I want
4.  30 minutes - featured artist, theme, etc., if any, for the week.
 
Any thoughts on the above?

Bill Burdick
burdick@zeppo.crd.ge.com
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote