A while back a RAW member wrote and asked for advice aboout becoming a DJ. ************************************************************************* >From Michael Conally of YUSH/Flag REcords (#392): Date: Sun, 08 Dec 1996 22:01:28 +0000 From: Michael Conally Subject: Re: To all DJ's, I need some advice!!! YUSH Paul, Well, basically it helps if you actually like reggae! It also helps if you have had some experience in that genre - the sound systems route route is quite common. Taking it for granted that you have a good presenter's voice, then's probably good to produce a demo tape, along with a brief bio and send this off to radio stations which might be open to reggae. If you have had no previous experience it might be difficult to break it at first, but if you're persistent, are willing to undergo payment initially and are not afraid to work even the 'graveyard shift' late night/early morning slots, then you stand a good chance of being successful. Outside of the mainstream routes are college, university and even pirate radio channels. The latter is pretty risky, but it's up to you how bad you want to break through. Hope it goes well! Michael Conally Editor-in-Chief YUSH CONTACT DETAILS: --------------------- YUSH Publications Ltd., P.O. Box 3680, London, NW6 5BL, England WWW ADDRESS: http://www.ftech.net/~yush EMAIL: yush@dircon.co.uk TEL: +44 (0) 181-930-7000 FAX: +44 (0) 181-933-4839 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >From Robert Nelson (#14): Date: Mon, 09 Dec 1996 09:23:12 +0600 Subject: (Fwd) Re: To all DJ's, I need some advice!!! It depends on what type of station you're interested in. Commercial stations, it's next to impossible. It usually takes something like having your own reggae shop and buying up the hours to program the show. Your best bet is the community or college station. Are you in high school there? Step one: get an FCC operators license. Step two: find out the names of the stations you're interested in volunteering on and ask to talk to their program director. Tell them you're interested in volunteering and ask them how they train new volunteers. Be patient and be willing to do a lot of shit jobs to get a foot in the door. The only slot available might be from 3 AM to 6 AM. I did that slot for a whole year, until an opportunity came open on Saturday afternoons. Most importantly, be professional and treat it seriously. Try to network with your friend there and try to maybe break in first as a club dj. get the experience with the equipment and the music. Try and get some studio time and make a demo tape. And make the tape your best stuff, no mistakes. Keep working on it, until you're comfortable that it would pass inspection to the program director listening. Good luck Robert Nelson "Smile Jamaica" KRCL 91FM Salt Lake City UT RAW #14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some more questions resulted, and another response from Robert Nelson: Date: Mon, 09 Dec 1996 09:25:10 +0600 Subject: (Fwd) Re: To all DJ's, I need some advice!!! > Big ups to you for the info.! Much needed. I do have a question > though. What will an FCC license do for me? You need an FCC license to be a dj. No way around it. The beauty of it is that it is free to get if you work for a non-commercial station. And all you have to do go to the Federal Building there and ask them to get a form. You send it in, they send you your license Just make yourself visible in the community and make friends at the radio station. Good luck Robert > THANX! > Squalle` RAW #756 --------------------------------------------------------------------- >From Mathew Haikali (#260) in Namibia: Date: Mon, 09 Dec 1996 10:26:26 +0600 Subject: (Fwd) Inside DJ INfo Greetings Peace & Love Well I started as a Community radio DJ working as a volunteer because I loved the Reggae Vibes. I do know that if you have to become a reggae Dj then you must at least have a reasonable collection of music and also it would be nice to get in touch with artists and record companies so that you can always have a fresh input of music from time to time ***************************************************************************** Mathew " Matts" Haikali Tel: 264-061-218439 (h) Jowiz Irie Productions RAW # 260 Tel: 264-061-263768 (w) PO Box 20739 Fax: 264-061-246172 Windhoek ,Namibia Email : matts@iwwn.com.na ***************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following was sent in by Rastaman Nane'(#2): Date: Mon, 09 Dec 1996 09:23:57 +0600 Subject: (Fwd) Re: To all DJ's, I need some advice!!! Dear PAUL: I hope the following information that I have used in the past, helps. This is MY format, you may just want to append it as much or as little as you can. Good Luck! Rastaman Nane' Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, Inc. December 4, 1996 XXXX XXXXXXX Program Director - KXXX XX.X FM XXXX XXXXXX RD Las Vegas NV 89103 Dear XXX: I am interested in working as an ON-AIR Personality for your August Radio Station. As my enclosed package indicate, I am an Expert On-Air personality on Reggae and World Music and a Promoter with over 10 years of experience to offer you. I enclose my resume as a first step in exploring the possibilities of employment with KXXX XX.XFM. My most recent experience was forming a Networking Organization with Members in over 48 Countries. I am responsible for the overall marketing of the vision, Mission statement, including the formulating of a plan to place a Reggae DJ in each of the Top 40 Markets by the year 2000. As an Expert World Music personality with your company, ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE allows your station to be recognized as an innovative and forward thinking operation. Furthermore, I work well with others, and I am experienced in promotions management. I am writing to express my interest in developing and producing a Reggae/World Beat Music program on your Radio station. I feel this is an ideal time for your radio station to pursue a program of this nature, and I can help. I have been a resident of Las Vegas for more than Two years from Grand Rapids Michigan, where I was very involved in the Reggae Scene throughout West Michigan and continue to be involved Worldwide. I am the Co-founder of Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, a Reggae Networking organisation dedicated to become the Primary reference for the Reggae Industry. This Network, concieved in 1992, has blossomed to an organization of over 800 members in over 45 countries and 45 states including Guam, and Washington DC. In addition to my inner workings with Reggae ambassadors Worldwide, I have an impeccable background in radio. I began my broadcasting carreer in 1978 at WEHB community radio where I hosted a daily Reggae program. Then in 1991, I became affiliated with WLAV-FM an AOR formatted radio station, I produced and hosted ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE, a two-hour Reggae and World Music program. I have an expansive knowledge of Reggae and World music, and am well connected in the Industry. My music library is comprised of over 2000 CDs. Furthermore, my weekly contact with a myriad of record companies and promoters/Artists allows me to orchestrate unique promotions (i.e.: product give-aways, concert, trips etc.). I have been in Las Vegas for a while to detect a void in the market for a locally-produced Reggae and World Music program. There is a definite need for the type of program I can provide. I am confident that my talent and resources would be a welcome addition to your radio station line-up. I would like to arrange an appointment, at your earliest convenience, to present and discuss my credentials in detail and follow up on any further possible opportunities. I have enclosed a demo-tape, and prospectus of ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE. I would appreciate your keeping this inquiry confidential. I will call you in a few days to arrange an interview at a convenient time for you. Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at (702)256-4532 Phone or Fax - e-mail at 70431.615@compuserve.com - http://www.xmission.com/~turq/RAW/home.html Sincerely, Rastaman Nane What is ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE? ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE is a two-hour Reggae and World-music program that features artists conveying a positive message through music. The show consists of three segments: 1. THE MUSIC OF YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER This one-hour segment brings together the many diverse styles of Reggae music; roots, rock-steady, ska, dance-hall, soca and others. 2. BEYOND THE DUB This half hour segment is a literal smorgasbord of musical styles from all over the globe. 3. FEATURE PRESENTATION This is the final half-hour of the program. Each week a different artist is showcased for the entire segment. How long has ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE been on the air? Rastaman Nane' began the show in 1978 on WEHB community radio. After 8 successful years, the Rastaman hit the airwaves on WLAV-FM (Adams Communications Inc.). Originally, ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE aired from midnight until 2.a.m. on Sunday evening/Monday morning. In November of 1993 the program was moved to 10p.m. until 12 a.m. ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE was discontinued in February of 1994 as the result of the sale of WLAV. Who listens to ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE? ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE has an extremely loyal audience that is as diverse as the music itself. Reggae music is one medium that does not conform to traditional demographic and psycographic variables. From well educated, affluent 18-49 year olds, to 12+ and beyond. ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE delivers to a segment of the market not always reached by conventional means. What radio format is conducive to ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE? While ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE was successful on WLAV, an AOR format, the show has a nice fit to CHR. This is manifested in the advent of many popular artists and recent Reggae hits on CHR stations. UB40, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley, Wailing Souls, Inner Circle, Black Uhuru, and Shabba Ranks. Furthermore, several mainstream performers such as Sting/The Police, Lenny Kravitz, Ace of Base, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie, among others, have released material with a strong Reggae influence. The popularity of Reggae music continues to grow and prosper; this happens without significant support from commercial radio. ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE allows a station to be recognized as an innovative and forward thinking operation. ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE can be billed as a Specialty Programming Format in ANY radio format. Is ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE recognized Worldwide? Through Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, (http:\\www.xmission.com\~turq\RAW\home.html , a multi-national Reggae Network with Rastaman Nane' as the CO-founder, ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE is well known as one of the finest Reggae programs available anywhere. Further, solid contacts with numerous record companies ensure the continued success of the show. Is ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE Financially Viable? Yes. By effectively TAKING R.O.S. avails and attaching a perceived "value- added" rate to commercials that run on the program. Your Radio station will create new revenue with ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE on the air. It facilitates the need to attract new advertisers to the station by offering clients a medium to reach a diverse niche in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Furthermore, the show lends itself to being presented as a live-remote broadcast that could be sold to a local nightspot, record shop, restaurant, coffee house, etc. What expense will your radio station incur to produce ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE? I am willing to Air Roots Rock and Reggae during a Ten-Week Period at NO CHARGE! After the interim period of ten weeks, it is desirable to evaluate the program based on listener share and Revenue. ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE Sales and Promotional Tie-ins/Prospects A. Record Stores B. Night Clubs C. Concert Venues/Promoters D. Alternative Retailers E. Travel Agencies F. Reggae Magazines/Publications G. National Prospects ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONAL TIE-INS A. Rasta's Reggae Spotlight Once during the day a mainstream Reggae song is played with a short intro/close recorded by the Rastaman. This could be sold separately, or tied-in with show sponsors. this would be recorded a week in advance at the same time the show is produced. B. Rasta's Reggae Hotline This 1-900 number would contain a short (2-3minute) pre-recorded message. This message would contain a preview of the coming week's show, information on local and regional concerts, as well as ticket information and availability, Reggae news from around the World, new release information, etc. This service could be promoted within each ROOTS ROCK and REGGAE program. Furthermore, callers could have the option of leaving a message, request or suggestion for the Rastaman. What is Reggae Music and how might it benefit my company? Reggae music has been popular in America since the 1970s. It fans are a cross section of primarily (though by no means exclusively) baby-boomers who discovered it's syncopating rhythms and One-World philosophy in the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Steel Pulse, Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru among others. So pervasive is the style that Western artists as diverse as Eric Clapton (he introduced Reggae to America with his '73 rendition of Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff"), Sting ("Roxanne"), Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie have adapted it's scintillating beat. Today Reggae music is a staple of college and alternative radio stations and is found in the record collections of discerning (i.e., non-mainstream/with disposable income) listeners. Most Reggae fans attribute their first exposure to the music to their college years. Smart marketers prefer college educated consumers as they tend to be in the higher income categories. Reggae fans take this benefit another step further: They are progressive in nature meaning they are not as close-minded as baby-boomers have recently become. They find favor with those who support "their" music and lifestyle. It is a rare opportunity to find an event where up to 30,000 of these preferred consumers could be exposed to your product or service. Roots Rock and Reggae is not an alternative to conventional advertising. The exposure you receive will be positive and plentiful but it won't be motivation oriented advertising per se. Roots Rock and Reggae audience is primarily college educated, forward thinking and fall into a demographic considered above the broadest common denominator. That means your product or service will be heard by a higher concentration of preferred audience than with conventional broad-reach advertising . Used in tandem with the Host radio station package, Roots Rock and Reggae can be a very strong promotional tool indeed! RAWspect, __-----------------------Rastaman Nane' - 70431.615@compuserve .com / __ \ / _ /// _ / / Forwarding the Reggae Vibe...Everytime! X 1000 / _.' // _' ///_//_// Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide! c96 /_/ |_|/_//_/ \__/__/ http://www.xmission.com/~turq/RAW/home.html CO-Founder/Promoter/On-Air Personality ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- An additional note from Rastaman Nane for those interested: Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 09:20:43 -0500 From: "RASTAMAN NANE' RAW #:2" <70431.615@compuserve.com> Subject: (Fwd) Re: To all DJ's, I need some advice!!! (fwd) Greetings: I have NO objection for posting the entire prospectus. Just make it clear in your posting, that anyone can contact me for further generic information, that can be sent via snail mail to help effectuate easy access into Commercial Radio. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- And finally, I would like to add a word or two. My radio show was a fluke. It fell into my lap. A fellow teacher started DJing a World Beat Show when Guam opened it's first Public Radio Station. I came along about three months later, and we got to talking about my obsession with Reggae, my vast collection, and my involvement with RAW. Suggestions were made that I might come in and learn the trade, so as to to be availble for substituting if he needed. I did, and loved it, and decided that this was a perfect opportunity to give RAW members some exposure in a part of the world they might not normally get it. I decided to call my show "RAW REGGAE" I started writing letters to RAW members asking for promos. The results were overwhleming, and the rest is history. RAW REGGAE is now into its thrid year, and airs for two hours each week. The original DJ is no longer involved. A neighboring island, Saipan, just started a Public Radio show, and asked that DAT tapes of my program be sent for airing there. Just last week, I was offered a second night of airtime: Saturdays, midnite til whenever. I have yet to make up my mind. The most important thing I can tell you is to communicate with your contributors. If someone sends you music, send a thank you note! When you play a release of someone's, get your playlist to them. Let them know you are playing what they sent you!!!!! I do this monthly by snail mail, weekly in the RAW Forum and rec.music.reggae. Keep the lines of communciation open, and you will be aptly rewarded!!!! Ever forward- Tom RAW #33 ----------------------------------------------------------------------