OK, Now What?

Back in April, when the idea of this station came to be, there was only one fear I had.  What happens if it works and we have us some listeners?  That was it.  A fear of success.  It seems sort of stupid on the surface to have that kind of fear, but as I learned, that is not necessarily a rare thing.

As it turns out, Radio Memphis is a success.  Listeners are joining the ranks in droves.  With that comes advertisers who have been spending some time getting comfortable with the beast in the room that is internet radio.  Although there are still many people who are unsure of how this medium will do in the long haul and there are those who coming to grips with just how it works, it seems to me that internet radio and Radio Memphis is here to stay.

Several factors point to this kind of happiness.  First off, the listeners.  These folks have quickly come to grips with the fact that terrestrial radio is as dead as a fried chicken.  Everyday, corporate radio does something remarkably stupid that benefits internet broadcasters such as myself.  Limited playlists, day parted music, reduced staff and the insane idea that so called "broadcast consultants" actually have a clue.  They don't.  Thank God.  The corporate broadcasters have found new and unique ways of stepping all over the intellect of the people who listen (or used to listen, as the case may be) to radio in general.  What's more, people have figured out the simple reality that there are more options.

Secondly, the technology.  There is no way in hell we could have pulled off something like this 12 or 15 years ago.  The timing of all of this is just perfect.  Our staff like to think of the fact that we are about 6 to 10 months ahead of the curve.  More and more people are discovering internet radio and indeed Radio Memphis.

Part of the problem has been (and to a certain extent still is) internet radio's perception by the audience.  Change is often difficult and scary.  But, now that we have made it rather simple, people seem to find it a remarkable breath of fresh air within all the polluted airwaves out there now.  Sure, we are a commercial station and we are discovering that with the growing number of listeners we have on a day to day basis come those who have a new platform by which to deliver their messages.  It works for us and it works for them and everyone seems pretty happy.   

Years ago, long before the very thought of Radio Memphis came to be, I once told my wife that one day, after the corporate raping of the industry was done, it would take mom and pop operations to save what's left of a dead business.  I just never thought I would ever be one of those mom and pop operations.

Surprisingly there have been few complaints.  Although there was one naysayer I heard of that made a bet with someone that Radio Memphis would be off the air by Spring.  Well, Spring starts March 20th and I am quite sure we are going to be on the air.  What we'll be doing is beyond me at that point but I can tell you this, there are some BIG things coming that even I find hard to wrap my head around.

When we first went on the air, I learned very quickly the basic stance of this station, we can, quite literraly, do anything.  Is it an easy job?  Not in the least.  But it sure is fun.  Do I worry about much?  Not really.  Except for one little nagging thing, now what?

We'll figure that out as we go along.  As I said, there are some great things coming soon and with the help of those who listen to Radio Memphis, all of us who are a part of this wonderful project will get to take part in this fantastic journey.  Your patience as a listener has been gratefully understood and welcomed.  It'll get rewarded with some truly remarkable things.

Stay Tuned...