November, 2002

I've been listening to the radio for probably 30 years now, and one feature has been consistent. The program manager of every station thinks their DJ's and the public are too stupid to play an interesting mix of songs so they revert to playlists.

The station I listen to the most is WAXQ, NY (Classic Q104.3 FM). It's our local classic rock station. I like the music, but I get overdosed by every song.

Janis Joplin is a great performer. Still, I don't think I should hear "My and Bobby McGee" twice a day for a month. How about shuffling in one of her other songs every once in a while. Van Morrison is another favorite of mine. Too bad most radio stations have only ever played "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Moondance".

Don't even get me started on Pink Floyd. I love them. Their only songs I ever hear on the radio are "Another Brick in the Wall", "Have a Cigar", "Time" and "Money". How about something old and funky, like "See Emily Play" or "Arnold Layne" one day.

For sheer percentages, you have to look at The Stones and The Who. I hear the same few songs over and over, leaving the bulk of their prodigious output unheard.

Come on boys and girls. Let your DJ's play what they like. Even better, no song should be played more than once every other day. You never know, the public might like to hear something new, even if it's old.