How did radio stations decide which songs to play?

If someone on the air told you they were playing their own picks, they weren’t exactly telling the truth. Especially in a big market. Each station had programmers for their formats. In the old world of “Top 40” stations, the choices of songs to play were your identity. These programmers determined which songs were the best for their target audience.

How did you they or they know what songs and future hits were available? Record companies to the rescue!

Giving you a CliffsNotes version of the business side of airtime for stars, I’ll try to explain. All singers, singers and musicians who were the priorities of the record company would be presented to a radio station for airing. Previous big sellers established artists, and the latest trends demanded by the public would be promoted “acts”.

The labels had promotion teams all over the country to work on their product. LA and New York were the national headquarters of most of the major labels, and those were the people who decided. The promoters were some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. What a great gig! High tea and dinner on the radio with intimate and refined lunches and dinners with famous artists. I had and lost lifelong friends that I met on the record side.

Being part of the programmers I mentioned above allowed me to have the pleasure of meeting these characters. Having worked in different radio formats, I have met stars of different genres.

I have to say smooth jazz people are the most laid back. How can they not be? Look at the music they performed. A longtime associate of mine who became a lifelong friend worked with the best artists in the world. Her name was Deborah Lewow. She died of the most horrible disease in the world: ALS. I could write an article about her to tell some of her story and some of the people she worked with in their management and promotion teams. People like Steely Dan, The Eagles, and then some artists you’ve heard of. When she found her true niche working with smooth jazz artists, it was musical heaven for her and her talent. The world-class smooth jazz artists I’ve met through Deborah are still making new music and touring as I write this.

If you don’t know the name of Bob James or his band, Fourplay, look them up. Your jaw will drop. Great people. Their individual talents and accomplishments speak for themselves. Mix them in groups, and there is none finer. I spent a lot of “real” time with them on different occasions.

Lionel Richie might be the most handsome superstar I’ve ever met. After winning a Grammy with Diana Ross, he stopped by WQXI one day to hang out. I had it on the air for at least half an hour, unheard of among the stars of the time. They had to go to the next radio station, TV station or record store for an appearance.

Our station, known as “Quixie,” had a special place in his heart. Back when the Commodores were just getting started, the band traveled to Atlanta from Tuskegee, Alabama to listen to the station to find out what popular songs they were to “cover” with their appearances. He stayed another 30 minutes wandering around the station and scaring people at their desks. Can you imagine looking up to see Lionel Richie asking where the toilet is?

Quite often we dined at 103 West, Panos and Paul, Bones, or another well above average dining establishment. In previous “From the Crates” columns, I’ve mentioned the gigs, backstage parties, and showbiz lifestyle that radio and the recording industry provide. I guess it still happens today.

What a way to make a living.