What else is killing the Radio Star?

Let's get off the news for a bit shall we? I'm in the midst of a personal crisis, there's a thin person being held hostage inside the "big" me who is causing something of a war. The news is just too depressing today (imagine if journalists said that?) so I thought we'd dissect something tastier than worn out politics and sad gal angst.

I'm a big fan of radio, or at least, I used to be. So, let me cut to the chase, commercial radio is the death of rock and roll. Remember when radio stations used to play music from new or underground or local or new and local underground bands just trying to make it big and hear their hits on the radio. That was the vehicle to fame. The radio. These days its all become so sanitary. Its all clean cut and Pop Idols and what was once the holy grail has now become sleepy hollow.

Ah, for the times when we used to listen to the radio to stay in touch! Now, we have broadband so it seems we don't need bands anymore,you can just google the latest and greatest, check out some one's myspace or facebook accounts to see just what they've been up to musically.

So sad, makes me want to break out into that Punk Rock Girl song and pretend like love and music and social commentary are still alive and well. South African radio is in a bit of a political cul de sac though, there's no way out and in an effort to please all the people, all the time...the audience has gone from curious george's to lazy spongebob's just waiting for the next hit to be chewed up by the radio and spat out into our mouths. Mommy bird radio thinks she knows whats good for us baby birds. But I have to disagree with these feeding patterns? How will we ever learn to go out and fend for ourselves musically if we're so used to getting spoonbill fed?

South African music has changed dramatically over the last 15 years. I remember when Mango Groove was "a sensation" in musical terms, as was PJ Powers. These days, although we have some crazy talent, we also have some piggy backed, mass produced, Brit band wannabe lost souls just looking for a real outlet. An outlet like the radio. One that the marketing managers out there haven't already orchestrated.

Ah, I mourn the loss of the radio, I really do. First it was video that killed the radio star, now its social networking sites and the Internet. My heart is broken and the airwaves won't blow my worries about just who is left in the rage against the machine. Its easier to cooperate, just not as fun.

Long live the radio. Long live Tourism Radio! Tine in on your travels around South Africa and have a listen to some of the bands we're harbouring here. Are they the best of the best? Its for you to decide, but luckily, we're still the station that lets you decide if you digg.com it or not.