In regular radio, executives tend to depend on research, studies and focus groups (even ones with really creepy names) to determine what they should be programming. They hold meetings, whip up presentations, and put the decisions to a vote. All in the effort to ensure the broadest possible appeal. To be "all things to everybody."
So what happens when everything is left to single person? When one man has absolute control? When corporate has no hand in the decision making? When complete artistic freedom is handed over to someone with absolutely no radio "training" whatsoever?
You get entire articles written about it.
And you get quotes likes this...
"With this show, Dylan is tapping into his deep love -- and I would say his belief in -- a musical world without borders," author Peter Guralnick writes in an e-mail. "I feel like the commentary often reflects the same surrealistic appreciation for the human comedy that suffuses his music." Guralnick has written several books about music, including biographies of Elvis Presley and Sam Cooke.Keen listener Elvis Costello says Dylan's shows "are a bit like those films of Picasso painting on glass. They don't pretend to explain anything about the host but they offer just a little glimpse of the musical -- and literary -- taste of a great singer and songwriter without obliging him to confess every dark secret."
'Theme Time' is a "surreal hour of radio," comedian Richard Lewis writes in an email.
"I don't mean in any way to diminish the importance of the quality music he plays," says magician and loyal listener Penn Jillette, "but Dylan's heart is so in this show that you hear Dylan even in other people's music."
Oh heavens forbid regular radio actually relinquishes control to artists. Creativity afterall isn't measurable. There's no metrics behind talent. And how could the AEs sell ad spots without metrics?!
The suits at XM have literally nothing to do with the production of Bob Dylan's show. It's part of his contract. Bob Dylan is given complete artistic freedom. They trust him (wow!). The show is delivered, pretty much as a done deal, to the XM studio in New York. "Doing something that would be illegal or filthy is not in his repertoire," says Lee Abrams, XM's chief creative officer.
"The actual recording of it is a big mystery," says Abrams, who usually hears it for the first time when it airs.
And as a result, nearly 2 million listeners tune in to Dylan's show. Not bad for someone who's not a radio-guy. Kind of makes the design-by-committee approach of mass-appeal and pop-tart dynamics seem silly doesn't it?
When try to be "all things to everybody," you end up being "nothing to nobody."
[Washington Post]
(...well worth the read)
Looks like he has some high-profile fans as well!
I love Theme Time Radio. It is everything that makes Satellite Radio great.
"And as a result, nearly 2 million listeners tune in to Dylan's show. Not bad for someone who's not a radio-guy. Kind of makes the design-by-committee approach of mass-appeal and pop-tart dynamics seem silly doesn't it?"
I recall Lee Abrams on O&A saying that Dylan had 12 XM radios of his own back when his show was first announced. Maybe not a "radio guy". Be he is one of us, xm radio guys. And we kick ass.
IMO Tom Petty's show is a tad better, but both are amazing.
I'm very very very surprised that you haven't done an 'article' on the NIN agreement to dump their record label to go independent Ryan. This is a whole revolution happening that involves millions of people and billions of dollars at stake. Why don't you think this is an unimportant matter? I'm sure the RIAA is scared SHITLESS, so we should all be extremely happy...I know I am..Without a doubt.
Scott: "I recall Lee Abrams on O&A saying that Dylan had 12 XM radios of his own back when his show was first announced. Maybe not a "radio guy". Be he is one of us, xm radio guys. And we kick ass.
IMO Tom Petty's show is a tad better, but both are amazing."
I agree 100%. Shows like these two are the EPITOME of what good SDARS programming is all about!
Dylan's show is clearly the best show on all of radio (sat & terr.). Nothing else comes close. Anyone who has read Dylan's book is acutely aware of his intimate knowledge of the stuff he plays.
The article reminds me of what happened with Johnny Carson -- whose show was amazingly mediocre under the management of NBC. When Carson took ownership of the show -- the very next day he fired the NBC producer and hired his own guy, and the show changed for the better at once.
Sometimes, management just needs to back away and let the talent do its own thing.
Speaking of talent, Ryan you're one of the best writers I read. I'm not sure how you can be so prolific and still craft a story the way you do. I check this site several times a day just to read your views.
Keep up the great work.
He certainly is not the best show on terrestrial or satellite radio. I tihnk everybody knows that Sterns show is far better.
BTW, didn't Greg & Tony try and brag at one point that they had a much bigger audience on XM than Bob Dylan has? Hoo Hoo, tell 'em Fred, right? 0.0 4LIFE
>>>> He certainly is not the best show on terrestrial or satellite radio. I tihnk everybody knows that Sterns show is far better.
ROTFLMAO.
There are some real deep-thinkers around here....
Which one has strippers riding a Sybian? Thats a lot more fun than this drivel from Dylan who makes me want to go to sleep his show is so fucking boring.
Stack: "There are some real deep-thinkers around here...."
I know right?
I guess when you're a zombie or pest, you have nothing better to do than draw attention by hijacking threads.
I love Dylan's show. And the one thing that really stands out is his love and respect for all kinds of music... He truly appreciates the art form. He is gentle and loving with it. He gives as much respect to a bluegrass song as he does to a classic jazz piece or a rock n roll anthem. I am no prude, but I find this highly refreshing in a media society where the profane, the crude and the impolite are considered to be "great radio"... Just the way I feel. If you like Howard, that is your choice. Thank heavens we have Satellite Radio which has room for both.
i heard an artist say one time that when they were young in the 50`s they were able to tune in to radio stations that played music from rockabilly to hardbop and what a fantastic way to be exposed to all kinds of music. for a long time now that has ben missing and now with these shows from dylan and petty a new generation can get a full musical range over the radio.
It's shows like Bob Dylan's Theme Time and Tom Petty's Hidden Treasures that makes SatRad so much better than stupid testicle radio in terms of expanding your music listening experience. Both are different in what they present but I find myself eagerly anticipating the next new show.