young presenters playing old music

ford fiesta

I was listening to louise hegarty on radio nova tonight playing van morrison 'domino'. a rare one you dont often hear (except on nova) Now she may have heard of the song and many others like it many years ago and be a lifelong van fan, though it got me thinking do presenters who didn't come from the 70's/80's/90's good old radio days actually know what songs they are clicking on from a computer screen and do they have knowledge of these artists without referring to the web...just like it was when you had faith in the presenter to know their music?

I know the same could be said too about presenters up to in their 70's playing 2014 chart stuff...

I guess radio has really changed for the worst...

Longwave Listener

Sure most RTE Lyric Fm presenters don't know a thing about Classical music.

ford fiesta

Longwave Listener wrote: »

Sure most RTE Lyric Fm presenters don't know a thing about Classical music.

Ya I had my doubts when micky mac left 2fm doing dance and then doing the lyric top 20 albums the following weekend!

Lapin

WTF?

Many of the artists I listened to growing up were dead before I was even born. Hendrix, Morrison, Bolan to name some.

I knew as much about their lives, discographies, and careers as I did about any of the contemporary acts that I also listened to.

And this was long before d'interweb took over the world.

I don't see why a young radio presenter today would be any different if they have a genuine interest in the music the play.

ford fiesta

Lapin wrote: »

WTF?

Many of the artists I listened to growing up were dead before I was even born. Hendrix, Morrison, Bolan to name some.

I knew as much about their lives, discographies, and careers as I did about any of the contemporary acts that I also listened to.

And this was long before d'interweb took over the world.

I don't see why a young radio presenter today would be any different if they have a genuine interest in the music the play.

We all did.

Though you just know presenters today dont really know or care

Fuzzy Clam

Lapin wrote: »

I don't see why a young radio presenter today would be any different if they have a genuine interest in the music the play.

You know nothing about radio today. Presenters nowadays just want to be on air. Knowledge of the music they play is secondary.
Sorry, but thats the way it is.

ford fiesta

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

You know nothing about radio today. Presenters nowadays just want to be on air. Knowledge of the music they play is secondary.
Sorry, but thats the way it is.

Yes, they turn up to a studio and it's all on a screen for them.

Longwave Listener

I wonder why Denny's yes men are so fond of giving aa road watch girls their own radio show ? first Louise Duffy and now Esther o double barrel

sligojoek

Lapin wrote: »

WTF?

Many of the artists I listened to growing up were dead before I was even born. Hendrix, Morrison, Bolan to name some.

I knew as much about their lives, discographies, and careers as I did about any of the contemporary acts that I also listened to.

And this was long before d'interweb took over the world.

I don't see why a young radio presenter today would be any different if they have a genuine interest in the music the play.

Well, Lapin. How's the ribs?

That reminds me of an interview Shane MacGowan did with Danny Baker about twenty years ago. It's on VHS in a shoe box somewhere. I'll find it on youtube and report back.

Sorry for de-railing the thread

sligojoek

If you don't want to watch it all, the relevant bit is at 4mins in.

radioland

ford fiesta wrote: »

I was listening to louise hegarty on radio nova tonight playing van morrison 'domino'. a rare one you dont often hear (except on nova) Now she may have heard of the song and many others like it many years ago and be a lifelong van fan, though it got me thinking do presenters who didn't come from the 70's/80's/90's good old radio days actually know what songs they are clicking on from a computer screen and do they have knowledge of these artists without referring to the web...just like it was when you had faith in the presenter to know their music?

I know the same could be said too about presenters up to in their 70's playing 2014 chart stuff...

I guess radio has really changed for the worst...

I've no views on the presenter you mention but generally agree with you. It's something that really annoys me when the jock clearly hasn't a clue about the music they're playing - how they get on some of the stations is beyond me. Then again I think of the jock in a major station who didn't know how to pronounce 10cc - honestly. Lack of musical knowledge is a bigger issue by the day on Irish radio

former legend

Longwave Listener wrote: »

Sure most RTE Lyric Fm presenters don't know a thing about Classical music.

By the OP's "logic", no-one would ever be allowed play classical music ever again, because they weren't around when it came out. (well, Larry Gogan maybe)

What a bizarre rant.

radioland

former legend wrote: »

By the OP's "logic", no-one would ever be allowed play classical music ever again, because they weren't around when it came out. (well, Larry Gogan maybe)

What a bizarre rant.

Sorry but it ain't bizzare. Having worked in the industry it's becoming full of wannabes with no musical knowledge. No one suggested that you had to drink with Strauss to play classical music but you should certainly have an appreciation, love / obsession for the type of music you play. Instead we're creating a very sterile industry. It's gone a bit like tv where your first qualification seems to be a male or female airhead !

former legend

radioland wrote: »

Sorry but it ain't bizzare. Having worked in the industry it's becoming full of wannabes with no musical knowledge. No one suggested that you had to drink with Strauss to play classical music but you should certainly have an appreciation, love / obsession for the type of music you play. Instead we're creating a very sterile industry. It's gone a bit like tv where your first qualification seems to be a male or female airhead !

I don't doubt that you're correct, but that is not what this thread is about and it wasn't the OP's point.

On your point; the problem is that the vast majority of people listening to the radio don't do so to find new music or rediscover lost classics, they use it as background noise and to hear tunes they already know, so there is no incentive for radio stations to go looking for in-the-know musos. They want a polished presenter who can do 30 seconds of banter before playing the next tune.

serfboard

former legend wrote: »

the problem is that the vast majority of people listening to the radio don't do so to find new music or rediscover lost classics, they use it as background noise and to hear tunes they already know, so there is no incentive for radio stations to go looking for in-the-know musos. They want a polished presenter who can do 30 seconds of banter before playing the next tune.

Sadly, I agree with all of this so that's why we should cherish the likes of John Creedon on the radio and Jools Holland on the telly.

ghostdancer

ford fiesta wrote: »

We all did.

Though you just know presenters today dont really know or care

i know a number of radio presenters on a Dublin station and a national station and they all know a lot about music, far more than the vast majority of the public, including most of this thread i'd imagine.

radioland

former legend wrote: »

I don't doubt that you're correct, but that is not what this thread is about and it wasn't the OP's point.

On your point; the problem is that the vast majority of people listening to the radio don't do so to find new music or rediscover lost classics, they use it as background noise and to hear tunes they already know, so there is no incentive for radio stations to go looking for in-the-know musos. They want a polished presenter who can do 30 seconds of banter before playing the next tune.

30secs of Im a celebrity kardasian popidol tripe is not good radio and pretty standard across most stations. Sorry, MUSIC stations.

Declan A Walsh

TXFM have a number of very knowledgeable young or youngish presenters: John Caddell, Derek Byrne, Cathal Funge, Kelly-Ann Byrne, Gavin Glass and Brian Kearney for starters.

Infoanon

ford fiesta wrote: »

I was listening to louise hegarty on radio nova tonight playing van morrison 'domino'. a rare one you dont often hear (except on nova) Now she may have heard of the song and many others like it many years ago and be a lifelong van fan, though it got me thinking do presenters who didn't come from the 70's/80's/90's good old radio days actually know what songs they are clicking on from a computer screen and do they have knowledge of these artists without referring to the web...just like it was when you had faith in the presenter to know their music?

I know the same could be said too about presenters up to in their 70's playing 2014 chart stuff...

I guess radio has really changed for the worst...

Often these younger presenters crash the beginning or ending of songs that have renowned beginnings and ends - only the other night the end of Prefab Sprouts King of Rock and Roll was crashed, Its an issue across many stations and I don't understand why the DJs either don't listen to the music beforehand or simply read the cue details on the PC screen in front of them ?!

ford fiesta

former legend wrote: »

By the OP's "logic", no-one would ever be allowed play classical music ever again, because they weren't around when it came out. (well, Larry Gogan maybe)

What a bizarre rant.

Well obviously original classic music is impossible to remember, so that was not my logic.

the recent classical music is easily remembered (vanessa mae, nigel kennedy etc).

my point is that most of the radio presenters from the golden age of "music radio" were music fans and had deep knowledge of it, they even had record collections !

bbability

Totally disagree with your original post. I think what you were really trying to get at is the lack of research that some presenters put into their shows and love for the music they are playing which is an entirely different debate altogether.

So what if Louise Heraghty didn't grow up with a record player and a load of 45s or 78's. She doesn't need to have that kind of knowledge on a commercial radio station. She's only 30 seconds to speak per link which is probably to plug some giveaway on the station.

radioland

bbability wrote: »

Totally disagree with your original post. I think what you were really trying to get at is the lack of research that some presenters put into their shows and love for the music they are playing which is an entirely different debate altogether.

So what if Louise Heraghty didn't grow up with a record player and a load of 45s or 78's. She doesn't need to have that kind of knowledge on a commercial radio station. She's only 30 seconds to speak per link which is probably to plug some giveaway on the station.

It's not a lack of research - it's that the PDs no longer require it . but not to trivialise completely if you want to be a doctor you need medical skills etc. surely if you're on a music station it's not unreasonable that you should have some clue about what you're playing . I suspect that like me the op may have some experience on such stations

Radio5

A few years ago I heard a DJ mention that Rory Gallagher was the older brother of the Gallaghers of Oasis fame.I kid you not.

ford fiesta

a few years back a night time presenter on galway bay fm couldn't get 'REO Speedwagon' correct!

On a Radio 1 pop quiz in around 2008/2009, the late Gerry Ryan said he hadn't heard of Van Morrison's album 'Avalon Sunset'. Dave Fanning wrote in his own autobiography that Gerry was clueless when it came to music. sure like it didn't do him any harm..

Declan A Walsh

Further to my previous post, Kelly-Ann Byrne of TXFM played "What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted" by Jimmy Ruffin tonight to mark his death today. It was clear from the way she spoke that she knew who he was. I have also heard her a couple of times on Saturday nights presenting "The Beat Goes On" on Today FM. Her knowledge of '70s disco music and remixes is phenomenal.

Young Richie McCormack, who is becoming increasingly well-known through his sports reporting on Newstalk, used to be a presenter on Phantom (now renamed TXFM). Having heard him on Phantom, I know that he has a fantastic knowledge of music past and present.

radioland

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

Further to my previous post, Kelly-Ann Byrne of TXFM played "What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted" by Jimmy Ruffin tonight to mark his death today. It was clear from the way she spoke that she knew who he was. I have also heard her a couple of times on Saturday nights presenting "The Beat Goes On" on Today FM. Her knowledge of '70s disco music and remixes is phenomenal.

Young Richie McCormack, who is becoming increasingly well-known through his sports reporting on Newstalk, used to be a presenter on Phantom (now renamed TXFM). Having heard him on Phantom, I know that he has a fantastic knowledge of music past and present.

With the greatest of respect. I'm not sure the point you're making. I've said that in my experience few today know music and are wannabes .naming a few doesn't change my view .

Declan A Walsh

radioland wrote: »

With the greatest of respect. I'm not sure the point you're making. I've said that in my experience few today know music and are wannabes .naming a few doesn't change my view .

I suppose I am saying that there are some young presenters out there swimming against the tide of mediocrity, ignorance and inflated egos. I was just trying to balance what has been said about young presenters. Unfortunately, you are probably right in the main about the presenters we tend to be lumbered with these days!

ford fiesta

radioland wrote: »

With the greatest of respect. I'm not sure the point you're making. I've said that in my experience few today know music and are wannabes .naming a few doesn't change my view .

agreed.
the internet for information and music playout on computers are no doubt great, though it has made things much easier for the spoofers.. those involved in radio and those who are not.

I would feel more comfortable to hear tony blackburn, john clarke or larry gogan acknowledge jimmy ruffin's death and play a track from him than a presenter in her mid-30s doing the same who may be as enthusiastic about that motown era...albeit from secondary/other information sources.

chef without a plane

Must say this is a delightfully odd thread for the radio forum and I’ve enjoyed reading it… it has got truly bazaar at times.

Although I do agree that the medium of radio has sadly been perverted over time from a respectable institution where music experts shared their vast knowledge with the eager masses. To becoming the vile puddle of shallow ‘personalities’ that have their inexperience, hubris and general vapidness treated as a career worthy asset and the accepting that a knowledge of anything beyond what’s trending on celebrity gossip magazines is a redundant use of brain power. I do find the general case being made here flawed. Yes it is true of the majority but that hardly makes it fact across the board, which seems to be the impression I’ve got from the majority of posts. There are clearly still well versed ‘musio’s’ presenting shows on air to a more and more minority crowd, delivering their work with one agenda; which is too share their knowledge of music.

In my mind, knowledge is knowledge regardless of age.

Taking Ms Byrne as an example, I happen to know for a fact that she didn’t just one day decide there was more to life than twitter and selfies, then spent an afternoon on Wikipedia looking up the word ‘disco’ only to emerge a self-proclaimed DJ and music head. Instead she has spent many years and crate digging, building a collection, taking hit and miss chances on random records from dusty boxes in backs of record shops in the hope of finding one that resonates. Then devouring as much data as possible from it; who wrote it, who produced it, what label was it on, who played that tambourine? Then seeking out more music based on ones findings and retaining the knowledge she had learned… It’s a naturally dying method with the leaps in digital technologies but it is still very much alive. The internet can be a great tool to assist this, but it’s a folly to imagine that the internet is the only method young minds can comprehend when learning about artists and their music.

The generalisation that seems to be quietly seeping thru here that one must have ‘lived’ thru the time period of the music they are playing on the radio is flat out bunkum. This is highlighted in the previous posters comment that (Okay maybe with the exception of Tony Blackburn aside)… that John Clarke or Larry Grogan; having sat in a studio happily playing the top 10 of the time for a number of decades without question… or any apparent preference to any one genre, would poses a knowledge on a comparatively obscure soul singer from the Motown camp that would vastly exceed the knowledge of a 30 something DJ who has years of experience specializing in that genre.

Of course, each to their own, but as a lover of music from the past as much as music from the present I’d much prefer to give the a specialist music presenter the benefit they know what they are talking about and maybe learn something new about the history of the artist or record they are playing than having the only option to me to listen to a ‘presenter of age’ regaling the listener with anecdotes of the caravan holiday he took the year that record was released because, y’know... he was there man!

radioland

chef without a plane wrote: »

Must say this is a delightfully odd thread for the radio forum and I’ve enjoyed reading it… it has got truly bazaar at times.

Although I do agree that the medium of radio has sadly been perverted over time from a respectable institution where music experts shared their vast knowledge with the eager masses. To becoming the vile puddle of shallow ‘personalities’ that have their inexperience, hubris and general vapidness treated as a career worthy asset and the accepting that a knowledge of anything beyond what’s trending on celebrity gossip magazines is a redundant use of brain power. I do find the general case being made here flawed. Yes it is true of the majority but that hardly makes it fact across the board, which seems to be the impression I’ve got from the majority of posts. There are clearly still well versed ‘musio’s’ presenting shows on air to a more and more minority crowd, delivering their work with one agenda; which is too share their knowledge of music.

In my mind, knowledge is knowledge regardless of age.

Taking Ms Byrne as an example, I happen to know for a fact that she didn’t just one day decide there was more to life than twitter and selfies, then spent an afternoon on Wikipedia looking up the word ‘disco’ only to emerge a self-proclaimed DJ and music head. Instead she has spent many years and crate digging, building a collection, taking hit and miss chances on random records from dusty boxes in backs of record shops in the hope of finding one that resonates. Then devouring as much data as possible from it; who wrote it, who produced it, what label was it on, who played that tambourine? Then seeking out more music based on ones findings and retaining the knowledge she had learned… It’s a naturally dying method with the leaps in digital technologies but it is still very much alive. The internet can be a great tool to assist this, but it’s a folly to imagine that the internet is the only method young minds can comprehend when learning about artists and their music.

The generalisation that seems to be quietly seeping thru here that one must have ‘lived’ thru the time period of the music they are playing on the radio is flat out bunkum. This is highlighted in the previous posters comment that (Okay maybe with the exception of Tony Blackburn aside)… that John Clarke or Larry Grogan; having sat in a studio happily playing the top 10 of the time for a number of decades without question… or any apparent preference to any one genre, would poses a knowledge on a comparatively obscure soul singer from the Motown camp that would vastly exceed the knowledge of a 30 something DJ who has years of experience specializing in that genre.

Of course, each to their own, but as a lover of music from the past as much as music from the present I’d much prefer to give the a specialist music presenter the benefit they know what they are talking about and maybe learn something new about the history of the artist or record they are playing than having the only option to me to listen to a ‘presenter of age’ regaling the listener with anecdotes of the caravan holiday he took the year that record was released because, y’know... he was there man!

Well written and very eloquent but I think you've missed the point, which is if you want to work on a music station you should have some musical knowledge. The bigger issue is that many PDs no longer seem to require such a basic skill,

chef without a plane

totally, In complete agreement with that issue and it is a sad truth about radio today. I just take umbrage with the suggestion that age equals a superior knowledge or that although the main thrust of the thread might be true in the majority that its concrete fact throughout the airwaves. There are exceptions to this, although becoming a smaller and smaller minority.

ghostdancer

radioland wrote: »

With the greatest of respect. I'm not sure the point you're making. I've said that in my experience few today know music and are wannabes .naming a few doesn't change my view .

well it should, considering it directly contradicts what you've said, and proves you wrong.

maybe your "experience" is limited to a couple of national stations and their daytime shows, ignoring most of the presenters you are incorrectly generalising.

there are many presenters on radio today who have huge knowledge about the music they play.
there are plenty that don't.
that has been the way for many, many years.

radioland

ghostdancer wrote: »

well it should, considering it directly contradicts what you've said, and proves you wrong.

maybe your "experience" is limited to a couple of national stations and their daytime shows, ignoring most of the presenters you are incorrectly generalising.

there are many presenters on radio today who have huge knowledge about the music they play.
there are plenty that don't.
that has been the way for many, many years.

I'm talking about stations Ive personally worked for and no I haven't contradicted myself but each to their own views

ford fiesta

the thread reminds me of the supermodels and celebrities doing 'dj' sets in new clubs and the like