From "The Upper Room with Joe Kelley" radio show:

Prior to Prince's recent "One Night Alone" concert in Montreal, I was excited for a number of reasons. First, it was another chance to see one of the world's most talented musicians and performers with his top-notch band. Second, Prince was playing a good portion of songs from "Rainbow Children". I have always clamored for Prince to play the most recent music on tour and this was a blessing. Finally, I had a vested interest in something that Prince would spend a good amount of time addressing during the show. Prince shared his thoughts on the state of radio.

Having hosted radio shows for the past 20 years (both non-commercial and commercial) and during that same period supported Prince and his music, it was great curiousity to hear what Prince had to say on this issue. Prince began to ask the audience about Montreal's radio stations and even mentioned that his bassist, Rhonda Smith, was originally from Montreal. The crowd and Prince basically came to the same conclusion that radio was sub-par and lacked the real funk. Prince also said that he can make his own music and program his own station WNPG. Right on!! I wish I could have that magical talent. However, with the help of talented musicians, I can create radio shows. Next, Prince asked the audience to pay attention to the big screen behind him and there scrolled a long list of corporate media outlets that basically control radio stations and the music being played through speakers.

Now, I completely agree with Prince's comments about corporate-controlled radio and the complete absence of programming creativity. How can one disagree? However, let's take this issue a big step further. Let's champion what is right and exciting in radio today. There are countless independent radio programs all over the dial and on the internet that need to be recognized. Just as Prince and his www.npgmusicclub.com take energy and effort to find, so too does the listener need to work to locate great creative radio programs.

It is a changing and tough music and radio industry these days. For example, last year I was visited in my radio studio in Connecticut by a recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. After our interview, we got to talking off-air. However, our conversation was cut short due to this musician wanting to run up to her car to listen to her song being played on my show. It was a big thrill for her to hear her new music finally played on the radio. And this musician is as creative as ever and has been to the so-called "top" in sales and world tours. It is time to promote what is right in radio. Deejays are playing independent music all over the globe and focusing on local bands. Yes, it being done and should be amplified. The easy way is to say what is wrong in radio and not promote the right and the solutions.

Let's look at Prince's relationship with his music and radio. He has sold millions and been a top 40 mainstay in past years. Those days are over and he is an independent artist. You know what that reaps. Many folks who know I am a Prince supporter ask when his last record was released. I tell them he is releasing records every year and is still as vital and creative as ever on record and onstage. Most offending is commercial radio's treatment of Prince and his new music. Sure, when Prince comes to town, they will play a few tracks from his new album and kiss up to him like he is their best friend. Yet, when the tour bus leaves town, the new music leaves too and all people hear are "Kiss" and "Purple Rain."

I'll make this perfectly clear. The pursuit of hits and chart-toppers and getting "in-bed" with these commercial stations should be abolished from any creative independent musician. I would rather of heard Prince make a few small mentions of some radio shows that were playing the real funk and doing things right than hearing a diatribe about the sad state of the airwaves. The general public is an easy-sell. You tell them radio is bad and they will believe you. However, there were so many people in that audience that will take the time to check out lesser-known and outstanding radio shows. We just need to tell them.

My radio mentor from afar was Frankie Crocker. In the early 80s on WBLS, he could program the Time followed by the Who before seguing into some hot salsa music. Now, that was real radio!!Towards the end of his life, he had restraints put on his creative mind. But, I am forever thankful for him to lay the blueprint for me on how to do a radio show. I have taken it a few steps further by heavily featuring independent artists and many local musicians on my shows. Sure, the phones don't ring as often for requests like the old days. However, it is so fulfilling when you have REAL music listeners and musicians digging on your radio art. And I still get a thrill out of discovering a radio show that does it right. A couple years ago, I was visiting Montreal and was driving around at midnight. I was twisting the dial at 2am and came across a show on CKUT that was busting some mean P-Funk. I had to pull off to the side of the road cause I was near tears from the excitement of finding a radio show that funky. I took the effort to jot down when the show was on and now listen on the internet when I get a chance.

Just as it takes work to listen and get Prince's new musical creations, I would hope that people use the same effort to find out what is right in radio. Maybe next time, Prince may roll a list of creative radio shows around the world on his big video screen on his next tour.

--- Comments made by Joe Kelley, host of " The Upper Room with Joe Kelley"---

24/7 broadcast: www.live365.com/stations/funk7
Monday 4-8pm EST in Fairfield, CT on WVOF 88.5 FM. Internet stream: www.wvof.org

damn, who's your publisher??

Got to be your own publisher. Lest the words not be your own.

Right on about so many of these points. (Gotta save this article.)
After a HEATED debate (almost got ta cuttin' somebody ) last week about the Ashanti's and Ja Rule's (not that I'm hatin' because they're just pawns in the game) ruling radio and "music" television stations, I came to the conclusion that U can complain until the cows come home. But, if U're not supporting either the artists - both independent and slightly commercial, i.e. Norah Jones, India Arie, etc. - that you DO respect when they come out with an album, OR the radio stations that are trying their best 2 continue to Do the Right Thang in a tightly controlled system, then U've got little 2 NO room 2 complain.
The Internet ESPECIALLY is FULL of radio stations/shunned artists that are just as frustrated with THE GAME as U, the listener, are. So support 'em!
Just 2 call myself out, I'm one of many who think India Arie got shitted on. Excuse my French, but if she was Clive's girl... Well, U finish the sentence. Yet, I don't have her album. So what can I really say?
Nevertheless, 2 put a muzzle on the casual consumer, try bringing up the fact that the current MUSIC BIZ has very few artists that master MUSICAL instruments (or songwriting ability 4 that matter). Ask them what's wrong with that picture and watch the hills go silent.
Bottom line, beat 'em at their own game. Create & support alternatives or, as Little Richard would say, SHUT UP.
Me, personally, my debate in the end was a good one. I actually thanked my "opponent" for bringing me 2 the conclusion that, from now on, I refuse to listen 2 commercial radio and will rush out 2 buy any CDs that I dig.
Yeah, the teeny boppers and cut-n-paste artists are going to continue to control the market (that's a given).
Just give people who take the art seriously at least SOME respect. ESPECIALLY an artist like Prince. He's 1/3 of artists who DEFINED the 80's. So, why act as if he never even existed?!
I've clicked through 4-hour collections of Madonna...2- to 3-hour collections of Mike. Yet, close to NIL on our man. Yet, any artist that experiments with sexuality or falsetto is compared to Prince. Come on now...(even if he is difficult).
Anyway, on the marketing tip, MORE BALANCE and VARIETY please! That's all MUSIC lovers are asking.
Play the artists that are being sampled left and right at least. [END OF RANT (as if any Clear Channel/Viacom exec will listen. ]
PEACE
[This message was edited Tue Sep 3 0:43:17 PDT 2002 by aspera773]
[This message was edited Tue Sep 3 0:44:46 PDT 2002 by aspera773]

Great comments Aspera. I am sure there are more folks who think along the lines that you do and that is positive.

peace
Joe Kelley

Excellent idea Joe..Move energetically into the new and hopefully the dross will settle to the bottom...

I think there are more discerning people out there than they suspect !!

Great comments. If you're in the LA area, check out KCRW on 89.9 FM. They have really great music programs.

Excellent post. Great points. And what is becoming difficult to find, neat and proper english!!!

Joe, I'm truly honoured that you took the time to share your highly authoritative thoughts on this. It's obvious that you know the score. You are a truly admirable person in my eyes. You have certainly opened my eyes in many respects.

So, the problem is not the quality of music/radio, it's the problem of what's being promoted and amplified. Another problem is that the music industry is linked to the radio industry which, according to a recent broadsheet article, has become increasingly edgy about innovation and risk-taking. Program schedules have become safe bets where once one big seller is identified, the market is flooded with copycats in order to guarantee sales levels. The problem is that in the long run, this is doomed to punish both radio and the music industry as listeners desert them. This is evident as we speak.

Joe, I was a DJ at my university. I was more chat than music really. I enjoyed conveying my lively and colourful persona onto the airwaves. I loved it! And with a bit of effort, I was able to propel myself up into the upper echelons of the DJ status leagues. However, I've graduated now and I'm really keen to pursue my love of radio. It's my primary passion. Any tips? Cheers, from someone who respects you!