21st Century Payola

[Zen Curmudgeon]

Ever wonder how so many mediocre tunes make the radio playlist? Bribery seems to work when talent doesn't measure up.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1506321/20050725/index.jhtml?headlines=true

Sony BMG Apologizes For Payola Involving J. Lo, Avril, Good Charlotte, Others
07.25.2005 3:06 PM EDT

Label gave trips, cash and electronics to stations in exchange for airplay.

Some of the tunes so lame Sony had to pay for play:

Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real"
Good Charlotte's "Hold On"
Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out"
Jessica Simpson ("Take My Breath Away")
Good Charlotte ("I Just Wanna Live")
Avril Lavigne ("Don't Tell Me")
Maroon 5 ("Sunday Morning")

Take Care

ZC

[large]

Nothing's new, the music nor how to get it played . . .

But I collect music and of the music I've heard so far this year . . 2 tunes . . . that's all I've heard that I'd listen to twice!

It's pretty amazing when Pop, R & B and Country all sound so lame that you won't listen to any of it . . .

[Zen Curmudgeon]

It's pretty amazing when Pop, R & B and Country all sound so lame that you won't listen to any of it . . .I think of it a little more broadly: "when RADIO sounds so lame". With the rise of carnivorous corporations, like Clear Channel, content was bound to suffer. Clear Channel, it should be noted, thinks of itself as an advertising company (it also owns more billboards than anyone), not a broadcasting or music company.

I haven't checked for a while, but I recall from a couple of years ago that Clear Channel owned all the Pueblo commercial FM stations (CSU-P's midget rap radio nuisance notwithstanding). It's no wonder they "all sound so lame".

But I'm sure no expert - I stopped listening to the radio in 1978. Disco did me in. :)

Take Care -

ZC