Fear of the Future?
When exploring the landscape of media and music today, it's hard to ignore the prevalence of unhealthy emotions:
- Fear
- Defensiveness
- Nostalgia for the past, often leading to a mindset stuck in those bygone days
- Confusion
- Denial
-Failure to embrace technology
It’s time for a shift in perspective. Many individuals in radio reach out, seeking guidance on how to pursue careers as DJs or Program Directors. My advice? Rethink your approach. Unless you possess exceptional talent or a fresh, viable programming idea, the outlook isn’t promising. This is the reality we face. In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, these careers were more attainable; today, that’s not the case. However, there are still openings for creative individuals with truly innovative concepts. It’s harder today but the payoff is greater if you have an idea that clicks
I firmly believe that information is the new rock and roll. The world needs imaginative thinkers to provide balance against technocrats, bureaucrats, and those locked into a traditional mindset. Now is the time to embrace positivity, but that positivity should come from rethinking rather than lamenting the decline of old institutions.
When I refer to "rock and roll," I’m talking about the spirit of innovation that America is ready to embrace, much like the excitement surrounding rock and roll in the mid-1950s.
Music has always been present, but in the early 50s, mainstream sounds were flat and stagnant until rock and roll emerged. The era was dominated by uninspired artists like Patti Page, while rock and roll thinking can be applied to information in several key ways, making it the perfect moment for this evolution:
- Technology enabled rock music through transistor radios and hi-fi systems, just as it now facilitates information via the internet. Without imagination and content, even the best technology would have kept us listening to Doris Day.
- Innovation was central to rock, introducing a fresh sound that often clashed with industry norms. Media professionals need to adopt a similar creative mindset, channeling the same spirit that drove pioneers like Sam Phillips and Buddy Holly. That’s where the excitement lies.
- Newspapers are akin to AM radio; those that have adapted are thriving, like the top billers in Chicago. The internet resembles FM radio as it was in 1966—still developing and full of potential. There’s immense opportunity to evolve newspapers (AM) and create something new with the internet (FM). Meanwhile, the record industry needs to redefine its strategy for success.
- Established media like newspapers have many elements ready for evolution, including distribution and infrastructure. The challenge lies in overcoming a past-focused mindset. They possess the tools; they just need to embrace a forward-thinking approach, similar to how RCA Records embraced rock in ’55. Meanwhile, Columbia Records took 12 years to recover from their conservative stance, and MGM Records never adapted, ultimately failing. The same can be said for terrestrial radio—why do old media entities hinder their own progress when they have everything they need to thrive?
- Rock music disregarded conventional wisdom, like the belief that hits needed strings. There are countless clichés in the media industry that need to be challenged.
- Rock was future-oriented, always seeking the next new sound, look, or angle. Media professionals must adopt this same forward-thinking mindset, even amid pressing demands for immediate results.
- Rock operated with remarkable speed—bands signed on Monday, released music by Friday, and topped charts by the following Monday. While analysis is valuable, over-analysis can be crippling.
- Rock music was inherently shocking due to its freshness, capturing attention effortlessly.
- It prioritized quality. Though there was occasional short-lived content, the enduring work was crafted by individuals dedicated to quality.
I believe much of the current mindset is fixated on problems rather than focusing on generating excitement and innovation that resonates with the public. Information truly is the new rock and roll, but we must actively create that content. Perhaps it takes bold, unconventional ideas to break through the negativity and uncertainty.
While it’s easy for me to express these thoughts, the more people who embrace this perspective, the better we’ll all be. It’s a transformative way of thinking.