The Straight Skinny

 

"He Who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune"

Eminent format pioneers/innovators consider creativity, courage and the passion-factor. Do such factors still matter today?

By Carol Archer

 

Is this development an irreparable result of human error or is it something that all mature, successful institutions have to endure? The cause is secondary to the end result: [There blows] an inevitable -- and ultimately positive – hurricane of change, gusting toward revelation and new growth, even within the Smooth Jazz status quo – which, by the way, still remains a relatively new idea for many medium and tertiary radio markets, hence the recent gains in the world of Smooth Jazz syndication. What's more, the artists continue to make records and play concerts that are sympathetic to marketplace trends. 

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"From an advertiser's perspective, the consolidation of radio companies has

resulted in sound-alike stations…. The group ownerships . . . tended to blunt the edges of the formats, so that each of the stations could play across more demographic groups, and that way could share more of the revenue from

various advertisers…the downfall of that is the medium isn’t as relevant, the stations aren't as relevant to people as they were." – New York Times, 10/08

[There blows] an inevitable -- and ultimately positive – hurricane of change, gusting toward revelation and new growth, even within the Smooth Jazz status quo – which, by the way, still remains a relatively new idea for many medium and tertiary radio markets, hence the recent gains in the world of Smooth Jazz syndication. – Steve Williams

So here we are, after the storm, in unknown territory, miles from home, with little direction and perilously low on provisions. How do we return to familiarity and prosperity? We could read "The Odyssey" -- the original step-by-step guide for lost individuals, just as Odysseus, trying to find their way home. All we need is a hint from Homer's epic to grasp these basic principles for future success in Smooth Jazz, as in life:

 

 1. Consider the arrogant soldier-turned-humble-explorer who opens up to the ideas of others, and equally embraces the possibilities contained therein.  

 

 2. Resist the temptation to rest on your laurels, as they usually expose your vulnerability. What's more, when you're far from home, few if any, will ever know or care about who or what you were.

 

 3. When your ship is dashed upon the rocks, don't be afraid to salvage, scuttle, get to shore and plan anew.

 

 Have a great week and stay smooth.

 

 Copyright Carol Archer 2009                                 

The views expressed by Carol Archer do not necessarily

reflect the opinions of All That Jazz.  But often they do.