How to Submit CDs for Possible
Airplay on Texas Blues Radio
We welcome new CDs for airplay on Texas Blues Radio but
please know that acceptance does not guarantee airplay. All unsolicited material becomes the
property of KNON and will not be returned.
We have a simple blues airplay policy at KNON: If we like it,
we play it. If we don't, we won't. The good news is that there
are few airplay requirements on our hosts. If one DJ loves a
new CD they can play the heck out of it even if the other DJs hate it. It's
up to the individual DJ to decide what is on their show. The only
requirements are that the material fit within the Blues format and that the
lyrics do not include language that would get KNON in trouble with the FCC.
(If you aren't sure what language is acceptable for
broadcast radio,
Wikipedia has articles on George Carlin's "Seven
Words You Can Never Say On Television" routine and an overview of
the Federal
Communications Decency Act. FCC rules on obscene language are
ambiguous and the fines for violations are large. One huge FCC fine
could bankrupt KNON so we tend to "air" on the side of caution. We
won't try to edit - if the track includes bad language, we will not play
it.)
Every Blues CD received is logged in
(here's
the current list of new Blues CDs) and listed in a
book so that all the DJs know what has been added to the Blues stacks. Each format at
KNON, including Texas Blues Radio, has a set of locking cabinets available
only to that format's hosts. We have limited cabinet space and
our Blues stacks are usually full. Every time something new comes in
something old has to go so most CDs are eventually rotated out.
New CDs remain in the
stacks for a minimum of six weeks even if they are getting no airplay. Usually much longer. Pulled CDs
are sold at the KNON Garage Sale each Spring and Fall to benefit the
station.
It is not necessary to send extensive bios, gig listings, 8X10 photos, or
other ephemera because we don't keep it. Ideally your contact info, website, etc., should be in your CD liner.
That is the way to ensure that everyone that sees your CD has all of
your information. Listeners often call to ask about a tune they hear
on Texas Blues Radio and the more information you include on your packaging, the more we
can share with listeners. If your label didn't include such info on
the liner you might write it on a post-it note stuck inside the jewel case.
We do not mind if you send a copy of your CD for each DJ but
we do not encourage it. We would rather you sell those copies and make some money
for yourself. If you wish to send multiple copies please send seven: one
for the stacks, one for each on-air Texas Blues Radio DJ, and one for Blue Lisa
(Thursday 9:00AM to Noon). But, really,
just one copy for the stacks is fine. The Texas Blues Radio DJs are
all hardcore blues fans and we buy
copies of the CDs we like.
It is important that your CD be of broadcast quality.
KNON Blues DJs will occasionally play low quality recordings that are
historically important but generally we will not. There are exceptions
but putting a cassette recorder in front of the band at a jam will not
result in a recording we can use. Thankfully digital technology has
put the cost of professional quality recording within reach for almost
everyone.
KNON DJs currently cannot play MP3 files or MP3
CD-ROMs. Please make sure any CD submitted conforms to
Red Book Standards for audio CDs.
Your CD should be clearly labeled on the spine with the name of the
artist. CDs in slim packs and envelopes are discouraged because
they are harder to
see in the stacks and that means less chance for airplay. We don't
have extra jewel cases so what you send is how we will store it.
The song titles should be listed somewhere in the
packaging along with track numbers and times. This makes it easier for
the DJ to find and cue up the tracks they like best. It's helpful to
have songwriter
credits and personnel lists too, especially if you do originals. (We hope you do
- we love playing good new original Blues material.)
We discourage you from handing CDs to individual DJs at events,
leaving them at the station, or giving them to third parties to be passed on to
us. The surest way to make sure your CD reaches the station is to mail
a copy to the address below.
We'll take it from there.
We're looking forward to hearing your next Blues
recording!
Submissions may be sent to:
KNON 89.3 FM
Attention Blues Programming
P.O. Box 710909
Dallas, Texas 75371
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