Quality Time With Sherry Nelson

 It's not an everyday thing when one gets to spend some real good quality time with a supermodel. That is exactly what Ric did. Sherry Nelson is a supermodel who has graced the pages of Maxim and other publications. She is also the co-host of Brian Sebatian's Movie Reviews and More. 

The conversation starts in the lumber yard and winds up with a discussion of which one was actually wearing pants. The girl really knows her wood. Also, the two play favorites with a new game. 

Plus, Ric has been asked about Parler, a social media thing. He'll explain what that is and how it won't be too long before it turns in to Lord of the Flies. 

NEXT WEEK: Soho Johnny

Sick of Covid-19

The novel coronavirus is everywhere. Where the real epidemic can be found is in the headlines. There is a LOT of misinformation out there. Also, there is a lot of emotions tied up in this story. Everything from panic to apathy mixed with a fair amount of ignorance for added kick.

In this episode, Ric takes a look at what is happening out there and how all of the emotional coverage of this situation is sitting with the general public. Hint: Not too well. A point is proven in this episode in that whenever something becomes politicized, it becomes worse for everyone involved, whether you have chosen to be or not.

Also in this episode, the Girl Scouts are out trying the old hard sell on the cookes and it leads to Ric's unpopular thought.



NEXT WEEK: Video watching and podcast listening is about to get REAL popular.

Stay tuned...

Phone A Phriend

There was time, not too long ago when people went around carrying a transistor radio. There are still people out there who do that very thing. Although their numbers are dwindling. The simple reason is because of the phone. Everyone has one. It has gone from being a luxury to an outright necessity. And for the people who make these things, it's practically a bullet proof business.

People will pay good money for the latest and greatest device. Even if that device's selling point is functionally useless. For example, the new folding phones. In this episode, Ric will tell you that he knows of no one who ever expressed an interest in such technology. But now that it appears to be the next big thing, people think they have to have it in their pocket.

Plus, a sentence you would never have thought ever being constructed is spoken.



NEXT WEEK: Some of you are wound a bit too tight.

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(Don't) Fear The Memer

As it would seem, your social media feed (specifically Facebook), you are sort of flooded with memes. Most of them are not funny. Nor were they intended to be since by and large (pardon the pun), they are nothing more than a reflection of those who post them. They aren't designed to do sway your opinion in any manner.

Another sort of meme you are exposed to are those who are making a half-assed attempt at some sort of humor. Let's be honest, most of them are not funny at all. Then there are the political memes. It's as if these are the last line of offense for the prevalence of fake news.

In this episode, Ric will take a look at these things and show you how these posts either go absolutely no where or become part of a weird echo chamber. Only the very rare and actually humorous ones attain the status of having gone viral. What a great time to be alive.



NEXT WEEK: You Are About to Crave a Fish Sandwich

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Here Lies Local Radio 1920 - 2020

It was a good run. Then it was murdered. Seriously, I Heart Media (try saying that with a straight face) brought out the hatchets and administered one of the largest employee bloodbaths in their history. The target this week, air talent.

In this episode, Ric takes a look at what happened and takes a stab at figuring out why. Although, it's not hard to figure out why. Even though Ric had something else planned for this episode, he figured it would be best to address the elephant in the room and give you his take as to what corporate radio has done amidst the lies and motives to their rather twisted actions.



NEXT WEEK: The Commodity That is You

New Year, New You... My Ass

For the first episode of 2020, Ric takes a look at how the new year has sorted started off with a bang, of sorts. He talks about what he would like to see happen in this year with a taste of optimism (for a change). As he'll explain, it seems society has had enough of the neverending crap out there and the patience of most people has worn thin enough for these people to actually want to do something.

Also, the charade that is the New Year Resolution gets explored with an amusing anecdote about Ric's time in a gym that lasted about a week. Plus he'll share with you some things that are happening at Radio Memphis.



NEXT WEEK: Whither Print?

Familiar Ground

It's the final episode From Radioland for 2019. As Ric will point out in this episode, we seem to have come full circle in some ways. Remember when everyone thought it was a great idea to "cut the cable"? Now look at us.

All the content providers weren't satisfied with the money they were making and have now figured out how to get more out of us with all their exclusive channel streamers. Guess what? Everyone seems a bit worked up about this predictable turn of events.

But the fight for your TV is going to get interesting and Ric is here to help sort it out. Also, a little look at the upcoming new year and a sort of related unpopular thought.



NEXT WEEK: New Year, New You... My Ass

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Keep In Touch

In reference to episode 304, Ric talked about an idea he had for a holiday card. It came true. Actual, physical cards were made as a gift to Ric. In this episode he talks about those very cards plus, he spends some time talking about the interconnectivity of the internet.

Specifically, all the information you give the social media sites as well as other sites is being used against you, in some sort of fashion for the basis of one thing. Money. Also, Ric talks about a couple of things that may be an unpopular thought. At least one of the two things he mentions is accurate. It'll be you to figure it out.



NEXT WEEK: Familiar Ground

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Know Thine Enemy

Here of late, if the current news cycle is anything to go by, we humans have become a rather vociferous bunch. There seems to be some sort of revolution happening all over the world. The United States included.

Although to be fair, ours has a certain game show vibe happening. Nevertheless, the old adage is true, "The next revolution will be televised." The issue this time around is that here in this country, the most vocal people seem to be the less knowledgeable about what they are either fighting for or against. Here is a little something that might help. Learn what drives your opponent before you open your mouth.



NEXT WEEK: The Annual War on X-mas Update From The Front Lines

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More Mediocre Than The Others

It would appear society has now come to the conclusion that it is okay to be just okay. In this episode, Ric takes a look at the simple things in life we deal with. Durable and non durable goods are not excellent anymore. Neither are services.

Why is that? It could be we have allowed this happen thanks to all the competition out there. Take for example the new chicken sandwich wars. In this situation you have two mediocre companies battling it out to find out which one has the product that is more okay than the other. The bottom line being that no matter which one people tend to gravitate towards is still just okay.

Also, Ric's unpopular thought and a little tip for those who like audio books and don't want to pay anything for them.



NEXT WEEK: The Constant State of Fear

Payin' To Playin'

There is an old quote attributed to John Lee Hooker who said, "If you ain't playin', you payin'." There is a lot of truth to that statement, although he probably wasn't thinking about what is happening now in the entertainment world. In this episode, Ric takes a strong look (and aim) at the notion of pay to play business models out there. Yes, that does include multi-level marketing.

As Ric will tell you, it is a predatory practice that takes advantage of the emotional connection people have with money. He says it is sad and wrong but, it looks like we are stuck with this situation.

Also, is Facebook viable, at all? Plus, this week's unpopular thought.



NEXT WEEK: The quest to mediocrity.

Who Wants A Slice of Data Pie?

The thing about the internet is that content used to be king. What really is more valuable is data. Numbers. You. There are those out there who make it their business to keep an eye an where you are going on the internet, what it is you are looking at and what it is you are searching for and buying.

This information is pure gold to advertising agencies. The thing is, that information is not really all that valuable. In this episode, Ric takes a look at Ad Tech and how it doesn't work and how more and more companies are shying away from it, after they have taken it for a test drive. There is a very simple formula for working with advertisers in a broadcast and Ric will explain. Listen now.



NEXT WEEK: The Messenger We All Want To Shoot

The Third Act Blues

It's a problem plaguing Hollywood. We've all seen it a million times and it is very frustrating when it unfolds in front of you. Much like what is happening now as a major TV show wraps up its final episode. In this episode, Ric talks about how writers can have a great run of a show or movie(s) only to completely ruin the thing by trying to end it gracefully.

Those of you who are Game of Thrones fans are becoming unwitting victims of this phenomenon right now. So much so that groups of fans have started petitions demanding the final season be re-done. It won't happen, but then again, it's hard to stop a shipwreck.



NEXT WEEK: More than one thought at a time.

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The Heavyweight Chumps

In a first for this show, Ric sat down with The Heavyweight Chumps. These guys host a podcast about pop culture, wrestling and all sorts of fun things. Several weeks ago, Ric was a guest on their show and to return the favor, The Chumps stepped in to Studio C for a few moments with cocktails to discuss all sorts of things from their perspective on the future of the podcast genre to the future of terrestrial radio and what the hell happened to television. Also, some stories from the world of wrestling, their thoughts on the WWE, the XFL and other sports entertainment. Plus, they played favorites. Also in this episode, Ric talks about the phenomenon of social media influencers.



NEXT WEEK: The Joy of Witnessing Failure

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The Emergency Room Emergency

What happens when an artist, performer, entertainer... a show biz type gets sick? Most of those people don't have insurance. Even if they did, it's not all that great. There are a couple things that go through the mind of these folks. "Oh my God, I have to go to the doctor to get that looked at..." followed immediately by, "This is going to cost me more than anything I have..."

It's the fear some people out there can't wrap their heads around. Recently, Memphis lost two musicians, one who was an elderly man with cancer and the other, a man in his late 30's who got sick from something that might have been curable. How many more benefits and crowd funding efforts are going to have to happen before we don't have to worry about this stuff any more?

Plus, the ridiculous plot to move Graceland out of Memphis.



NEXT WEEK: The Heavyweight Chumps

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Jerre Dye & Marie-Stéphane Bernard

Opera singer Marie-Stéphane Bernard returns to Radioland bringing her friend Jerre Dye. Jerre is originally from the Midsouth and now lives in Chicago. He's an actor, director, producer and writer. Jerre has taken on the one woman show Sounds of A Dream starring Marie-Stéphane.

It is a biographical look at her life and career from Paris, France to Memphis, Tennessee and all the points in between. In this episode you will hear a demo of one of the songs in the production as well as how one writes such a story. Plus, another round of  playing favorites.



For more, head over to Marie-Stéphane's Facebook page.

NEXT WEEK: Graceland

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Stream This

I, like most Americans had enough of the cable companies grip on my television. So, we cut the cord several years ago. Finally, TV on our own terms. That was, until the lumbering corporate dinosaurs got smart and started bundling up your favorites again. Yeah, right back into the same old boat. Paying for stuff you'll never watch. Thanks.

Also, is everyone kind of tired of the raw, unfiltered, uncensored live streams in social media? Australia is and they want to put some corporate people in jail over that stuff.



NEXT WEEK: Jerre Dye

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ASMR - WTF

Admittedly, I'm a little late to the party that is ASMR. Probably since it appears to be a bunch of nonsense. What is it? According to the research I have done, the concept is fairly simple. Listen to some mundane sound effect and your brain triggers some sort of internal orgasmic experience.

It lost it's luster to me when certain corporations picked up on this to sell products. Not to mention the fact that for me at least, it doesn't do anything.

You be the judge.



NEXT WEEK: Adaptation in a strange new world.

Brooke Fair

It's always an interesting time when I get to sit down with a teenager to have a conversation. Brooke Fair came into the studio to talk music. Since she is a songwriter, it made perfect sense. But the question does come up, what does a 14 year old write about? The answer, life experiences.

You'll hear her song "Love Songs on Loop" produced by Langston Studios.

Plus, St. Patrick's Day is "rookie night" in this country and chances are, you ain't Irish.



NEXT WEEK: Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

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Benny Turner & Cash McCall

This episode marks 5 complete years of production for the show From Radioland. As I had been talking about over the past couple of weeks, we'll making some changes. The content for this show has been from The Booze & Blues Show at Radio Memphis.

Well, the time has come to move that content over to the RMOD (Radio Memphis On Demand) collection. This is a good thing since that move will allow us to get those blues shows online much faster than trying to shoehorn it into this show.

So, what of this show? I'll explain in the show.

Also, a visit with 2 legendary blues musicians who had not worked together for over 40 years. They got together and made a CD. You'll hear some of those songs as well as some of the stories as to how this collection of songs was made.



NEXT WEEK: Technology sucking the fun out of everything with Dianna Fryer.

Stay tuned...