RADIO SUUUUUUUCKS. But, I knew that already.

[brent]

I hate radio networks. It doesn't matter who you are, how rich a band has made the whole industry, some bands are black balled. So far, 80 of 100 + radio stations pooped on us because of John Schlitt's voice. They said, "It sounds great! Sounds like Petra. I bet Petra fans will love it. We don't play Petra anymore, so we can't play that." I knew all of this long ago, I just have to continue ranting at how unfair these moron owners are to Petra and others like them. (BTW, nearly all of the station programmers have told me that our CD sounds great, and that they would/will buy it, but their hands are tied. So my question to them was, "Then why do you even have a job? You are computer replacement material."

What the heck? Petra "built this city" (you old farts will know what song that came from). Forget who John sings with the days of the month. He sang on a different project. They don't care. One label fits all with them. If you are not a female, and you are not some spiritually shallow, soccer kid cartin', mortgaged and over-extended out the yingyang between 25-35, then nobody cares about you. I think that if we were talking on the street, they would call this system "profiling" or "stereotyping". Ohhhhh. Don't make me break out the big word. Di...di.........oooooh! Discrimination! Oh crap I said it. Why don't we just kill everyone that turns 36? Gee, they don't matter. They don't spend money I guess.

I am soo sick and tired of the blah, blah, shallow sickening sweet always sounds the same bull hockey pucks that is on there. I thought that Cirrus and XM would be better. Guess what? The same networks are are on those as well. More power to Howard Stern though. I think that he is as lost as hell is deep, but he has the right idea. Go around the system!

If you're not on their network (and your record label is not paying people off to play the music) you have to BUY a small ad in CCM. They are part of Salem, the Air1 network, etc.

You know what? I pray that Justin, me and all of the other indies can somehow get a network of our own together, and bypass the system. It will come. The Christian music industry needs a good overhaul. They forgotten who brought them to the dance. It wasn't Nashvegas.

[Mexican Spud]

Well here comes a cheap plug. My wife and I felt the same so we started our own internet radio station (Praying to get own radio station someday) that plays great christain rock. Please stop by and take a listen. Click on the webiste on my signature at the bottom. God Bless

[crossways]

AMEN Brent!!!!


I'll tell you this story: I took my kids from church to our local Radio Station for a youth night they had. I mentioned to one of the guys there that I would love to hear more Petra (about 8 years ago) he said "Yeah, and we want people to listen." OK fine

BUT I'll tell you this!!! I don't know of ANY 30+ soccer mom, whom they are catering their programming to, who spends more on CD's, at Bookstores, on Local Projects, or at concerts than I do!

At one round table community meeting it was mentioned that a younger more rock group be brought in for a concert. One of the radio guys (the radio station sponsers most of our events) said that younger kids don't attend Christian concerts in enough numbers.

I said "Yeah no kidding - you keep bringing in Sandy Patty, Chondra Pierce, MWS! That's my MOM's music and I'M 30!!!!"

Response - "Well, we just have seen much response from the younger crowd."

AHHHHHHHH!!

But I'll tell you this (and I tell them this) I REFUSE to listen to a Christian radio station that has NO music for me!

Fight the Good Fight Brent!!

[calicowriter]

I�m with ya on this one Brent. I have tried to listen to the two Christian radio stations here in Indy, but I can�t for long. I can�t generally tell one of these current bands from another. To me, they all mumble and their lead singers sound like they are vomiting (aka Pearl Jam). I think these programmers are too hung up on it being �Contemporary� Christian Music.

On the other hand, this is not an exclusively Christian radio phenomenon. Even in the secular market, classic rock artists cannot get their new music played anywhere. Now, some of them are starting to have some success getting played on satellite radio, but for the most part, the reason they continue to exist and thrive is because of concerts. This is an area that John/Petra excel in, but the Christian concert market is not nearly as lucrative as the secular one.

Of course, this does not help you Brent, or Damage Control. When it comes down to it, all any of us can do is follow God�s leading to create what will please Him and allow Him to bless it as He sees fit.

[Metallinostheos]

I can't say I know exactly what you are going through, but I do have many friends that are Indie artists and I have seen them struggle as well. One of the best tools is the Internet. There are a many sites that love to help out indie (I don't actually know if you are indie) bands. I'm a part of 3 message boards that have tie-ins to even more boards online. We also have many people online that have their own music websites and review music and can do a lot as far as getting exposure to other people. Now grant it if you just pop on the sites and place your ad, and then take off, no one will take you seriously, but there is a good underground Christian Rock and Metal scene. I don't know if you ever go to ezboards (the old home to thepetrazone), but there is a handfull of sites there that can help broadcast info out about Damage. Look for Christian Hard Music as well as the Christian Metal Realm. As long as you don't spam and run, that is usually a good place to get your music listened to many people. The Christian Metal Realm is actually putting together a second compilation with bands from the site and it gets sold all over, I think even Blastbeasts carrys it.

I know this isn't going to change what you were saying about the Radio not playing your stuff, but 90% the bands that I own, won't get played on the Radio. (At least Christian Radio)

[brent]

We are all over the internet aspect. It is a matter of talking to the people first, not just spamming, you are right.

My whole rant wasn't so much about us, as it was about Petra, and the prejudice that a name of a person brings. I understand the marketing of radio, the system of "potentials" for dollars, etc.

The internet though is still only 10% of all CD sales sold. 90% of those come from Amazon.com. The other 10% is divided between CD baby, and others. Downloading is in a different league. iTunes is number one for legit downloads. Subsequently, it is the hardest to get into. Of the bick and morter stores, Walmart is number one in moving product. All others like Best Buy, etc are a fraction of a percent of what Wally World does.

To get people into the big retailers, one needs more than the internet. Personally, I would rather sell ALL of the stuff from main website, as we keep more, and pay the bills faster.

Since our market is the 30-40 year old rocker, or the younger people over seas that like that music, then I am thinking I will follow Sam Phillips (formerly Leslie) and T-Bone's example and go to the publications likely to be in the doctors, attorneys, and financial offices.

[Shell]

Leslie (or Sam) Phillips put out some good CDs when she was in CCM and I like some, not all, of her secular stuff. She was probably wise to get out of CCM.

[reoracer]

Have you tried some college radio stations? The one I worked at years ago here in Indiana (at a smaller college) played different formats at different times of the day, and we were allowed to play anything we wanted as long as it 1. fit the format for that time slot, and 2. didn't have any swearing in it... I played a rock and metal show late in the evenings, so I pretty much could get away with anything I wanted! Just a thought...

Jen

[seichu kaisho]

Is this a secular college?

[brent]

We will be contracting a marketing guy that has a college radio niche.

[reoracer]

Nope, it wasn't a secular school...