Ordinarily, there could be no obvious connection between the Rush Limbaugh, and jazz, specifically in America. But there is. And it's not good.
First, some background. Prior to 1996, the radio airwaves were tightly controlled by the FCC. There were provisions that prevented monopolies from forming; to insure diversity on the airwaves.
All of this changed in 1996. In 1996, the Telecommunications Act was signed into law. This law deregulated the industry; specifically it removed the statutes that prohibited one company from owning more than 3 radio/tv stations in any market. The original intent of the law was supposedly to spur competition and provide more diversity. In reality, the opposite occurred.
The old regulations allowed for smaller (niche) radio operators to be in the marketplace. The new rules allowed broadcasting behemoths like Clear Channel, Viacom, Salem Communications, Radio One, and other large operators to dominate a market. Instead of spurring competition, the large companies consolidated their positions, becoming bigger and bigger. bottom line is that deregulation has caused the lack of diversity on the radio waves:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/research/radiostudyexecsum.cfm
http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medialiteracy.net%2Fpdfs%2FFMCradiostudy.pdf&images=yes
(Cut, copy and paste links)
So what does have to do with jazz? Have you listened to your local radio choices lately? There is much more syndicated programming; the Dayton Jazz station just changed formats. That means there are NO jazz stations anywhere in the Cincinnati/Tri-state. (No, the "Smooth music station at 1480am Cincinnati doesn't count). The reason there is a lack of diversity is because three or four conglomerates dominate every market. So there is no chance for jazz stations to survive, even if there were listener and advertiser support.
One of the behemoths is Clear Channel. Clear Channel is going through profound financial difficulties; the local sports talk radio station (1530 Homer)fired all but one of their on air personalities. Radio One went through a similar consolidation with their talk radio; now programming more syndicated shows at the expense of the local on-air personalities.
Well, what does Rush Limbaugh have to do with it? At a time when Clear Channel is going through a profound financial crisis, causing more jazz programming to go off the air, they signed Rush Limbaugh to an exorbitant contract with a $100 MILLION Bonus!!!
http://mediamatters.org/columns/200905050007
(Cut, Copy and paste link)
So, while Clear Channel withers on the vine, canning local on-air personalities, and virtually eliminating jazz from the musical landscape, they are letting Limbaugh get fat (literally) off the resources of the company. That is deregulation in a nutshell; choking the diversity out of the musical landscape.
I suspect there is a certain amount of irony. Clear Channel has not only spawned Rush Limbaugh; they have spawned other "commentators" like Bill Cunningham in Cincinnati, and Michael Savage nationally. Now it seems that the king "commentator" of all, Limbaugh, may be directly contributing to the instability of the company.
Poetic justice.
What about the internet? Prior to 2006, there were a multitude of internet stations; allowing niche markets to expand exponentially. this all changed in 2006 with the institution of increased royalty fees; spurred on by the big Radio Companies. This essentially shut down most of the smaller internet radio operators; decreasing the diversity of music.
In some markets, NPR, (public radio) is an option. Not in this market, save for WGUC digital channel 2.
What is the solution? It is imperative that we as musicians, promoters, and fans reach the next generation; to introduce and encourage jazz music among our young people! Take the time to introduce as many young people to jazz as possible. Use iPods, other mp3 players, and other novel ways of distributing the music. But make sure the kids get the music.
During the recent Presidential campaign, President Obama reached out to the youth through the internet. Now it is documented that only 27% of the country call themselves Republicans. Younger people have decided to follow the Democratic party in droves; this portends to change the electoral landscape for years to come.
We can do the same thing in jazz. By getting the kids involved early, we can literally change the musical landscape; rendering Clear Channel irrelevant.
And, by the way, make Clear Channel, Salem, and others who are responsible for the reprehensible state of our music, pay for their transgressions by boycotting their advertisers. (especially Limbaugh advertisers).
Now...go out and hear some live jazz!!!
Showing posts with label Clear Channel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clear Channel. Show all posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Clear Channel Cuts 1850 Jobs
Lost amid the media hoopla of the inauguration and associated celebrations, Clear Channel Communications, the radio and entertainment behemoth, announced they were laying off 1850 people representing 9% of its workforce. Originally it was announced that the majority of the layoffs were in the advertising departments, but now it is increasingly clear that local programmers were among the casualties in large numbers.
In Chicago, Rick O'Dell WNUA's Smooth Jazz personality for over 20 years, was given the axe:
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/01/wnuafms-rick-odell-is-first-of-local-clear-channel-cuts.html
In Tampa Bay, Clear Channel's highest ranking executive, Gabe Hobbs, was let go; despite a stellar career:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2009/01/tampas-gabe-hob.html
There is a full and complete list of radio people let go in Clear Channel's latest purge:
http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/#
These economic times have crippled many major companies; (Circuit City, the consumer electronics giant, announced Friday that they are shutting their doors, for example). So it is not unexpected that major companies like Clear Channel would be struggling. However, Clear Channel actually is involved in more than radio. From their website, they are involved in TV, and most ominously concert promotion. It is estimated that they control 70% of the music venues of ALL music types in the US. This is from the Clear Channel website:
2000
In other words, for most mid level music performers, undoubtedly you have run into a Clear Channel venue. Bottom line, as an artist, if you don't play ball with Clear Channel, chances are many desirable cities will be locked out. Similarly if you own a venue and don't do business with CC, then the majority of mid-major acts will never play your venue.
On the radio side, these new Clear Channel cuts mean that more programming will be done on a national basis. If you thought it was tough getting good jazz programming on the air before, it has now become exponentially worse. Programming locally from a national base effectively eliminates any artist not fortunate enough to be on a major label (the majority of jazz artists).
Those jazz performers signed to a major label are not immune; Clear Channel doesn't promote real jazz, or even danceable jazz (Grover Washington, Marion Meadows, Gerald Albright, Ronnie Laws, Tom Browne, etc) at any of their radio stations. If you listen carefully, their "smooth Jazz" programming is heavily laced with soft rock/pop performers such as Phil Collins, Hall & Oates, Seal etc.
Exposure, or lack thereof, is what is killing jazz now. Radio and Record Company execs are laboring very hard to push other forms of music at the expense of jazz. In my opinion, this is not done purely for financial reasons. Jazz music historically has been at the forefront for real change in this country (John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Lee Morgan) and represented true freedom.
So, as people with a major interest in the future of Jazz music, Clear Channel's troubles should be watched carefully. A conglomerate this large, which controls so much of the music and entertainment market, has the capability to eliminate an entire genre of music, if we let them.
There are many things the music lover can do.
First: reject the move toward national programming by deleting Clear channel and other companies from your listening menu until their policies become more musician friendly (not likely).
Second: Make an effort to learn about the local jazz venues (or whatever music you like) in your local area, and SUPPORT them.
Third: Support those locally based stations that play music from local and national jazz and music acts. This is truly the only way to preserve the diversity of musical choice.
We as a people can dictate what music we receive and are exposed to. It does not have to be decided by Wall Street types who are only concerned with the bottom line no matter the product. If we stop listening to the canned national drivel, they will have to change.
In Chicago, Rick O'Dell WNUA's Smooth Jazz personality for over 20 years, was given the axe:
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/01/wnuafms-rick-odell-is-first-of-local-clear-channel-cuts.html
In Tampa Bay, Clear Channel's highest ranking executive, Gabe Hobbs, was let go; despite a stellar career:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2009/01/tampas-gabe-hob.html
There is a full and complete list of radio people let go in Clear Channel's latest purge:
http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/#
These economic times have crippled many major companies; (Circuit City, the consumer electronics giant, announced Friday that they are shutting their doors, for example). So it is not unexpected that major companies like Clear Channel would be struggling. However, Clear Channel actually is involved in more than radio. From their website, they are involved in TV, and most ominously concert promotion. It is estimated that they control 70% of the music venues of ALL music types in the US. This is from the Clear Channel website:
2000
Completed acquisition of AMFM, Inc. Acquired SFX Entertainment, Inc., one of the world's largest diversified promoters, producers and presenters of live entertainment events. Acquired outdoor assets of Donrey Media, Taxi Tops and Ackerley Media increasing the outdoor division's business and products. Continued expansion in radio and outdoor, bringing the total number of worldwide radio stations owned or programmed to over 1,100 and total outdoor advertising displays to approximately 700,000.
http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1166&p=hiddenIn other words, for most mid level music performers, undoubtedly you have run into a Clear Channel venue. Bottom line, as an artist, if you don't play ball with Clear Channel, chances are many desirable cities will be locked out. Similarly if you own a venue and don't do business with CC, then the majority of mid-major acts will never play your venue.
On the radio side, these new Clear Channel cuts mean that more programming will be done on a national basis. If you thought it was tough getting good jazz programming on the air before, it has now become exponentially worse. Programming locally from a national base effectively eliminates any artist not fortunate enough to be on a major label (the majority of jazz artists).
Those jazz performers signed to a major label are not immune; Clear Channel doesn't promote real jazz, or even danceable jazz (Grover Washington, Marion Meadows, Gerald Albright, Ronnie Laws, Tom Browne, etc) at any of their radio stations. If you listen carefully, their "smooth Jazz" programming is heavily laced with soft rock/pop performers such as Phil Collins, Hall & Oates, Seal etc.
Exposure, or lack thereof, is what is killing jazz now. Radio and Record Company execs are laboring very hard to push other forms of music at the expense of jazz. In my opinion, this is not done purely for financial reasons. Jazz music historically has been at the forefront for real change in this country (John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Lee Morgan) and represented true freedom.
So, as people with a major interest in the future of Jazz music, Clear Channel's troubles should be watched carefully. A conglomerate this large, which controls so much of the music and entertainment market, has the capability to eliminate an entire genre of music, if we let them.
There are many things the music lover can do.
First: reject the move toward national programming by deleting Clear channel and other companies from your listening menu until their policies become more musician friendly (not likely).
Second: Make an effort to learn about the local jazz venues (or whatever music you like) in your local area, and SUPPORT them.
Third: Support those locally based stations that play music from local and national jazz and music acts. This is truly the only way to preserve the diversity of musical choice.
We as a people can dictate what music we receive and are exposed to. It does not have to be decided by Wall Street types who are only concerned with the bottom line no matter the product. If we stop listening to the canned national drivel, they will have to change.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The State of Jazz Today
Being a promoter of jazz, I'm often asked the question: "Is Jazz dying?" I submit a resounding NO!
Of course naysayers point to the fact that jazz radio is virtually non-existent; and there has been a general emphasis on less challenging forms of musical entertainment.
The airplay issue is significant. Clear Channel, Radio One, and other radio conglomerates, thanks to lax laws, have managed to control and monopolize whole radio markets; thereby controlling the access for the type of music that is played.
Unfortunately, Jazz is not a high priority. These conglomerates will state that no one listens to jazz on the radio, thereby causing decreased ad revenue. I disagree; in fact there is a concerted effort to silence jazz throughout the entertainment industry and news media.
The recent changes in internet licensing laws, penalizing independent internet jazz radio stations by unreasonable fees, is a blatant attempt to suppress the music.
The media is also complicit. Two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times announced they would stop covering jazz in their music section. Locally, the Cincinnati Enquirer has never been friendly to jazz efforts I have promoted. There are amazing musicians in this region; you heard four of them at Jaspers Thursday night. Yet, their world class music is not given the proper respect or media play in this city.
Those are the issues. I have stated that jazz is NOT dead; far from it. But that means nothing if I don't have answers to how the music can sustain itself in a hostile environment.
First off, I believe the fact that Barack Obama has been elected President is a boon for jazz and all arts. He has historically been very supportive of the arts; giving more exposure nationally to the musically will have enormous benefits locally.
Locally, we can model the effort to support jazz on the Obama Presidential Campaign. No, I don't mean canvassing door-to-door, or making phone calls. Rather reach out to your friends and associates to talk about jazz, and where you can hear top quality New York Style Jazz.
Third: talk to the young people, and expose them to jazz. On a personal level, I know this approach works. My son, age 14, is an avid Lee Morgan and Coltrane fan. I let him hear the music at a very early age; (18 months!), and he has grown to appreciate jazz as well as other forms of music.
Jazz music continues to evolve; that is the nature of the music. The popularity will increase as more people are constructively introduced to the music. Above all else, everyone needs to know that jazz is a living, breathing, vital, fun music that can be enjoyed by all!
See you Thursday at Jaspers in Mt Lookout!
Of course naysayers point to the fact that jazz radio is virtually non-existent; and there has been a general emphasis on less challenging forms of musical entertainment.
The airplay issue is significant. Clear Channel, Radio One, and other radio conglomerates, thanks to lax laws, have managed to control and monopolize whole radio markets; thereby controlling the access for the type of music that is played.
Unfortunately, Jazz is not a high priority. These conglomerates will state that no one listens to jazz on the radio, thereby causing decreased ad revenue. I disagree; in fact there is a concerted effort to silence jazz throughout the entertainment industry and news media.
The recent changes in internet licensing laws, penalizing independent internet jazz radio stations by unreasonable fees, is a blatant attempt to suppress the music.
The media is also complicit. Two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times announced they would stop covering jazz in their music section. Locally, the Cincinnati Enquirer has never been friendly to jazz efforts I have promoted. There are amazing musicians in this region; you heard four of them at Jaspers Thursday night. Yet, their world class music is not given the proper respect or media play in this city.
Those are the issues. I have stated that jazz is NOT dead; far from it. But that means nothing if I don't have answers to how the music can sustain itself in a hostile environment.
First off, I believe the fact that Barack Obama has been elected President is a boon for jazz and all arts. He has historically been very supportive of the arts; giving more exposure nationally to the musically will have enormous benefits locally.
Locally, we can model the effort to support jazz on the Obama Presidential Campaign. No, I don't mean canvassing door-to-door, or making phone calls. Rather reach out to your friends and associates to talk about jazz, and where you can hear top quality New York Style Jazz.
Third: talk to the young people, and expose them to jazz. On a personal level, I know this approach works. My son, age 14, is an avid Lee Morgan and Coltrane fan. I let him hear the music at a very early age; (18 months!), and he has grown to appreciate jazz as well as other forms of music.
Jazz music continues to evolve; that is the nature of the music. The popularity will increase as more people are constructively introduced to the music. Above all else, everyone needs to know that jazz is a living, breathing, vital, fun music that can be enjoyed by all!
See you Thursday at Jaspers in Mt Lookout!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)