Here's What I Think! (Actually I know!)

I listen primarily to one country radio station here in Sacramento, Ca.

Why?

Well, it’s a Top 40 Country station that demographically I don’t fit into? And yes, they play the same songs over and over and over all day! The burn factor is very high.

As a country fan, one of the things I listen for and enjoy is hearing new songs. Especially if they are just coming onto the charts. I get a lot of enjoyment turning people on to brand new songs.

For years I’ve worked at stations that play oldies or classic rock. Rarely if ever is there a new oldie. 

Or a new classic rock song. As a DJ, I would play these songs over and over ad nauseam.

For the last month or so, they’ve been giving away a thousand dollars every hour at 10 minutes after. 

One of my fellow employees has been trying to win each time.

First of all, it’s the exception rather than the rule that radio stations put callers on the air anymore. 

Takes away from the music flow. Really?

Second, and most importantly, most people playing these games don’t know this but, these “texting” contests (in many instances) are conducted nationwide. You are not just competing against all the listeners in Sacramento, you’re playing against the entire U.S.A.

Once they get a winner in say DeMoines, Iowa, they record that person’s voice and they send it to all of their participating stations in the network so they can play it back as if the winner was from their own town!

It is extremely deceptive at best!

This hasn’t always been the case though. These were around back when I was DJ’ing at an R&B station in Sac Town. Legal said that you had to announce that it was “nationwide.”

I got suspended once because I missed playing the “Call to Play” sound effect for the audience. I spoke up to my boss and admitted that I had forgotten as I was pulled away by a salesperson and just plain forgot. Didn’t matter though!

Suspended with pay too! I just hated that! Two days off!

So, good luck to you if you decide to play along. I sincerely hope YOU win a thousand bucks!

For me… it’s just a waste of my time.

You’d have a better chance of getting struck by lightning.

Lou Gallagher

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