"Let's go to Steve in Seaside..."

A good afternoon to you web surfers and blog spotters. This would be my first official blog in this arena so I'm honored to have you here with me today.

I created this platform after a spark of interest and inspiration from another media outlet. One that I tune in-to, scoff at, giggle with and rock out to everyday of my life. A medium that I think we abuse, no, take advantage of all the time. A source of outstanding personalities, cutting edge technologies and "good knowledge." It comes in various forms; Radio.

We all flip flop between our favorite stations, riding the airwaves to a tune that might catch our attention just long enough to shove onto the next piece of sanity, while we get to where we are going. We pass by all of the commercials and public announcements, and even get pissed when the DJ interrupts to do their job, right? Meanwhile advertisers don't get the most bang for their buck, and messages fall to deaf ears that directly affects the community.

Wow, this blog is turning into a drag. But wait there is hope!

Now, I'm not one to cast stones, because I do that same thing from time to time. I skip over a song I don't like and cringe at the same spot being played over and again, but my point is that radio is a hurting industry where loyal employees who are passionate about what goes on the air, are losing their jobs. Why? Internet radio, Limewire and free music applications on our iPhones play a huge role in this. People were so afraid of companies like Sirius and XM Radio because they weren't like terrestrial stations that were local and had real proximity in the community. They also had no commercials which has opened the doors for web sites like Pandora and apps like iHeart Radio to change the way we listen and organize our music.

I HAVE ALL OF THESE THINGS! And most of them are great and better my music experience as I drag through work and things to do at home. So I can appreciate the advances in the music industry, but it still doesn't clean out the bad taste that it in my mouth.

My spark of inspiration today come after getting to talk on KNBR 680, The Sports Leader. Most of you might know this station if you live in-and-around the bay area, and that they are the SF Giants flagship station. I listen to certain sports personalities everyday, gaining insight and that "good knowledge" that they give day in and day out. I called into the Fitz and Brooks show today, and no I won't tell you what I talked about, but after it was done, I had a good feeling about myself. Why? I had worked with and around disk jockeys for two years, and even spent some time behind a mic as well. Why was today so special?

I believe it was the connection that people can make in this world. People associate TV and even newspapers as real tangible mediums. Radio tends to be the least in that regards because, no you can't see a DJ and no you can't hold radio info in your hand; but what you can get is a real personal touch. You can't interact with a tv host or talk to a columnist when reading an article, but you can call in and give your best run at a radio personality.

And now I end my rant about everyday stations, which never fill out musical expectations. lol. But I challenge you to call into your favorite DJ or show. Tell them how you appreciate the fact that they love what they do and keep a suffering industry going. It's true.

Thanks for reading today. Most of my blogs will be common place for most people and an easy read at that. I like to shoot from the hip and discuss things that deal with young people directly and things that I experience throughout my days, weeks and months as a father, a husband, a ballplayer, a business man, a surfer, a son and a friend. Make that call...

Ride the Wave,
Steve in Seaside