The makings and breakings of an artist career held at the finger tip of a DJ
Artists sometimes think if they get their songs played on the radio they finally made it one step closer in the entertainment industry. A lot of artists think that radio DJs have a major influence on their careers when it comes to selecting music. However, it’s up to the listeners to decide if they like the music being played on the air ways. Radio producers and music directors are responsible for deciding what music to play and preventing listeners from turning away from the station. At the end of day, it’s all about ratings, so if you’re not hot, then you must stop!
If artists are lucky enough they can sometimes hear local music being played during a “mix show” but it’s not always guaranteed. Also, record labels send songs to radio stations to test the markets and to determine how good a song is and when to release an album.
Coming from someone that knows the ins and outs of radio, Chris ‘ShoSmoove’ Lea, Morning Show producer for Greensboro based, hip hop radio station, 102 Jamz has some great tips for artists trying to make it on the radio.
1. Always remain on your grind
2. Don’t make the radio stations your main priority
3. Create buzz about yourself everywhere else and the radio stations will come looking for you.
Chris also explained that getting your song played is not as easy as it seems. Radio stations have to make sure that the official documents are secure for broadcasting songs. Radio stations cannot play songs that are samples because it could possibly lead to law suits. Also, every year radio stations pay fees to the BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporation) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) that collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. So, the fact of the matter is radio stations pay licensing rights to broadcast music and report the music they play to the licensing organization which, in turn, distributes royalties to the artists affiliated with it based on the percentage of play their songs receive.
So now, is it sinking in that you have to be on top of your game when trying to make it into the entertainment industry? As artists, you need to seriously get your game up and start writing and producing your own songs and owning them. Also, another takeaway is to make sure everyone you encounter knows who you are and also think your music is hot.
Don’t forget to check out the man behind the hottest morning show in Greensboro, NC, 102 Jamz “Wild Out Wake Up Show” and check out his MySpace page at myspace.com/shosmoovemusic
If you would like any additional information please contact DJ Untouchable at info@deejayuntouchable.com and (Office) 336-833-4752 or (Cell) 267-269-9709
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