RADIO IS DOOMED!

You may have noticed I've provided links to several stories involving House Resolution 848 - the Performance Rights Act - and a few other radio related issues. Yes, I'm involved in radio and have been since 1988. The industry has been telling people it is against the Performance Rights Act, which would require radio stations to pay royalties to recording artist. I'm for the artist receiving royalties from radio airplay, however the problem with the Performance Rights Act is the way it is written. The money collected from radio station would go to the record companies for distribution, as David Stewart of the Eurhythmics and many R & B acts have figured out, the record labels don't always pay up.

Part of this is due to the large radio conglomerates who found a loophole in the payola laws, that allows them to force the record companies to pay them for airplay.

There is a counter to this. The Local Radio Freedom Act, which now has enough votes to override the Performance Rights Act.

Now I'm going to give you my scary premonition - EVEN IF THE PERFORMANCE RIGHT ACT FAILS, MANY RADIO STATIONS WILL EVENTUALLY DUMP MUSIC.

Why? Since I have been in the radio industry, I have noticed a group of industry leaders who blame the music industry, especially pop & rock music, for the decline of radio and hurting advertising. These people have seen talk radio as a gift from God.

These individuals, in large and small radio companies, have taken to banning artist for one reason or another. From legendary artist like Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson to newer recent artist Marilyn Manson and Dixie Chicks. They give their spin to those in the media but the truth is a bad notion that a radio station should have a small playlist of songs. Also many radio station don't add very many new songs. SOME RADIO STATIONS WAIT A YEAR BEFORE ADDING A NEW SONG. And the radio wonders why people are listening to Ipods with over 800 song capacity.

I heard some of my radio colleagues talking about a strategy for radio if the Performance Right Act passed, CLASSIFIED RADIO. No music, just advertisers and regular people PAYING FOR TIME ON RADIO TO SELL STUFF. I'm sure the ads will be bland and boring like most current radio ads.

Let me tell you something, folks. If the Performance Right Act fails, many radio stations, especially in this area, will switch to this format. Reason: RADIO IS MONEY HUNGRY!

That is the reason for the reverse payola. Also, radio stations used to give away free T-shirts with the station logo on them, now they make listeners pay for them. I have always maintained on this board that there was money being passed around in the talk radio industry. Many radio stations now try to influence elections and public opinion. Greed has ruined radio.

I believe that the Congress, the Senate, FTC and FCC need look into some of what has went on in the radio industry in the past few years. Then make laws to make sure this garbage doesn't happen again.

This suggestion will not make me popular but opinions like this is what makes me the SUPER VILLAIN OF THE OZARKS!!! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

THREE CHEERS FOR LINKS TO RBR (with homage to TKC)

As an homage to Tony's Kansas City, I present a photo of a hot babe and more links to some stories from Radio Business Report (If I hear any of you whine I'll send my giant robot to stomp on you).

Interesting reads having to do with the Local Radio Freedom Act, which is in opposition of the Performance Rights Act. According to this, the Performance Rights Act may be dead in the water.

An editorial from Harry Lyles of the Lyles Media Group.

The next one would shock people of my generation as much as Michael Jackson's death. In an excerpt from a Billboard interview where former Eurythmics member David Stewert, while not mentioning his view on a Performance Rights Act, slams the recording industry. The big news is he says he STILL HASN'T received all the from the Eurythmics hits of the 80's from the record labels. Makes you wonder if Michael Jackson ever got all of his money.

CHEETOS USED IN FIGHT

Shelbyville Times-Gazette reports of a domestic assault in which Cheetos were thrown.

"Warrants filed by Cpl. Kevin Roddy, of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, stated he responded to a call at a home on Pass Road, where 40-year-old James Earl Taylor and Mary S. Childers, 44, were allegedly involved in an argument.

According to Roddy's report, the pair became "involved in a verbal altercation" with each other "at which time Cheetos potato chips were used in the assault."

The police said there was "evidence of assault," but "no physical marks."

What about orange powder marks?

THE GO MAGAZINE 4th ANNUAL HOT LIST

The new issue of Go Magazine has a ballot for their 4th Annual Hot List. Guess who is nominated for Hot Hilarious Blogger?

If I win, I truly will rule the world! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Although, Fair City News is very good)

THE KING OF POP IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE KING OF POP!

There will be plenty of coverage on Michael Jackson death from CNN and other news outlets. Let me say this, I'm appalled that only a few stations in the Springfield market play any Michael Jackson music. He made a huge impact on the music industry and deserves more respect than what he is getting in this radio market. Of course, you'll hear the old "Ozarkers don't like him." We as a radio industry need to quit trying to appeal to the local racist and appeal to music lovers.

I also would hope that the local message boards would have respect for these late great celebrities and delete any negative comments on these boards about them.

I would also like to see the flags fly at half staff for Ed, Sky, Farah and Michael.

Of course, opinions like these are what make me the SUPER-VILLAIN OF THE OZARKS!!! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

FARAH FAWCETT DIES AFTER A BATTLE WITH CANCER

My one weakness is blond women. From my junior high crush on a girl named Eunice Moneymaker to my obsession with Paris Hilton, I love well-dressed, blond girls with a lot of long hair. It probably started with Farah Fawcett. She died today at 62 after a brave battle with cancer. Here is the CNN obit.

One of my favorite moments involving Farah is from Cannonball Run. She plays a reporter/environmental activist ("I just LOVE trees!") investigating the cross-country Cannonball Race. She winds up in the ambulance driven by Burt Reynolds and Dom Deluise. She puts up a fuss so they have their doctor, played by Jack Elam, to give her laughing gas to calm her down. They wind up stopped by a car driven Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior, who are disguised as priest. Dean Martin realizes that Burt Reynolds is using the ambulance as a disguise as well. Reynolds tells him they have to get their "patient" to a hospital. Martin insist on looking in the back of the ambulance saying he has to "bless the patient." Reynolds opens the door where Farah lays zonked out and giggling on laughing gas. Dean Martin exclaims "OH, I'VE GOT TO BLESS HER!"

God bless you, Farah.

THE SEEDS SKY SAXON DIES

Contrary to popular belief, these celebrity deaths are in fours. There is the first one, an older star who comes a day before the others (Ed McMahon). The next day comes the celebrity we knew was bad sick (Farah Fawcett) and then the third is always the one that hits you like a ton of bricks because you didn't see it coming (Michael Jackson - past examples were Jim Henson and John Ritter). The forth is that person that was more of a cult figure in some circle or a person that makes you say "Oh yeah, I forgot about him/her." Usually, you find out about this one a week or month later. I thought I would tell you about Sky Saxon of the Seeds now.

I mention Sky because of his influence on heavy metal and punk. As lead singer of the Seeds, the American answer to the Rolling Stones, he paved the way for the snotty sounding vocals of the Sex Pistols' Johnny Rotten and Ratt's Stephen Piercy. Their biggest hit was "Pushin Too Hard," which seemed to be only two chords played over and over, was a staple on oldies and classic rock stations until the 90's. Oldies stations felt it wasn't "good time oldies" and classic rock felt it "doesn't rock hard enough - it belongs on a wimpy oldies station." Last year, the Seeds hit "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" was used in an Axe deodorant commercial

Here is the obit from the Boston Hearld: Sky Sunlight Saxon of 60s band the Seeds dies

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SPRINGFIELD HAD ITS OWN BATMAN & ROBIN

One of my reasons for majoring in media/broadcasting was to eventually write a horrible wrong enacted on children of the Ozarks. None of the TV stations in the Springfield market ever ran the Batman TV series in syndication. I mention this to anyone and get the same old "Ozarkers- don't-like-that-show" garbage (Of course, they get obsessive over the Andy Griffith Show). I began thinking about it and decided that probably when the Batman TV show went on the air in 1966, the Springfield News Leader ran an anti-Batman editorial and several pages of anti-Batman letters from "concerned Ozarkers" (or as I call them "right-wing nutcases"). So I decided to check the old News Leaders at the library to see if my theory was right. What I discovered was more interesting.

Apparently, the show spawned (as in the horrid film Dark Knight) Batman & Robin imitators.

Two Drury College students named Gary Griffin and Biron Valier, both from St. Louis, took on the roles of Batman & Robin respectfully. City Officials didn't find this funny and gave their Batmobile, a green Mustang, a parking ticket. HOLY SLAP IN THE FACE, BATMAN! If this happened today, I'm sure the Greene County Prosecutor would haul them into court for "upsetting an old person" or something.

I'm sorry about the condition of the photo and story, but that is what the microfilms at the Greene County Library are like. The outfits look good, but this story makes me think of the Ray Dennis Steckler film Rat Fink a Boo Boo.

I would love to know more about this story or hear from this Dynamic Duo, so I'll accept comments on this. However, if the comments are off the subject or not pertaining to this story, I will delete them because I'm still the Super-Villain of the Ozarks!!! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR WRITING THAT SONG

There is one horrible plague that my generation had to deal with - a called "You Light Up My Life." The song came from a movie that nobody I know saw. The Debbie Boone version of the song (Oh yes, everyone tried to sing this one) was on the radio every hour of the day and on every radio station between 1977 - 78. She was on TV singing it. They forced us to sing it in elementary school. I once saw on the news where a school forced little deaf children to perform the song in sign language, as opposed to having them sign a good song from the era like "Calling Dr. Love" or "Do You Think I'm Sexy." Yes, while British kids were getting into the Sex Pistols, we were being tortured by Debbie Boone and "You Light Up My Life." This may have been the start of radio's problems.

Even into my high school days in the late 80's, someone would sing "You Light Up My Life" in an assembly or at a school event. So I am glad to report (with help from CNN) that the guy who wrote "You Light Up My Life" is going to be punished for sex charges. I WANT HIM PUNISHED FOR WRITING THAT SONG, BUT OPINIONS LIKE THIS IS WHY I AM THE SUPER VILLAIN OF THE OZARKS!!!! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Ed McMahon Dies at Age 86

Long-time Tonight Show announcer and Star Search host Ed McMahon has died at age 86. CNN has the story along with memories from Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen and frequent substitute Tonight Show host Joan Rivers and David Letterman (I still say he should have replaced Johnny Carson as host of the Tonight Show).

I met Mr. McMahon a few years back in Branson, MO. Ed was emcee of a ill-fated attempt at a show similar to Star Search. It was a free veterans appreciation show (and free to media too).
Ed came out after the show and talked to me and a co-worker as if we were old friends. He found out we were from Lebanon and he told us how his limo got lost leaving the Springfield/Branson Airport. They took him to Lebanon.

The British satirical puppet show Spitting Image once portrayed McMahon as the head of a secret society of celebrities who were actually running the United States. Of course, that was in the mid-80's when it seemed like Ed McMahon was everywhere. His Budweiser ads earned him a mention on Mystery Science Theater 3000 at the end of a boring promotional film for ice cream freezers made by Anheuser Busch in the 60's. When the Budweiser logo appears on screen, Tom Servo (mimicking McMahon's voice) says "Moms - Be sure a get the kids some of Ed McMahon's Budweiser Flavored Ice Cream. HHHHIIIII-YYYYYYOOOOO!"

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Have a Happy Father's Day. That isn't my dad, it is famed TV Dad Fred MacMurray.

Check out these links to John Gorman's Media blog about how the Mercury Awards snubbed radio this year.

Jerry Del Colliano's Inside Music Media trace the riff between radio and the recording industry that has lead to the Performance Fee Act.

I'll get back to you on why I posted these links later.

LET'S MAKE WEENIE-BLOGGERS CRY!

In honor of that Great American David Letterman, I've come up with a Top 10 of things to say to Weenie-Bloggers to make them cry.

• 10. I saw the photos of your kids on your blog. Good God, they're ugly!
• 9. How much do you pay the Kansas City Star to link to your blog?
• 8. Did you hear that KSGF is changing its format to "chick flick music?"
• 7. I think the News Leader should have covered Pride Fest more than those dumb tea-parties your friends have.
• 6. I wondered why you think Sarah Palin is better than Paris Hilton until I saw your wife. Yyyeeeccchhhh! You have NO TASTE IN WOMEN!
• 5. Anybody tell you how much you look like Jeff Dunham's Walter dummy?
  
• 4. I'm glad your name is on your blog. It will be easier to turn you over to the Highway Patrol Fusion Center.
• 3. I got my first "Thank You Blogger" check from the President. Oh yeah, you don't get one because you supported the old white guy.
• 2. Did you know John Wayne and Ronald Reagan were gay lovers?
• 1. I'm positive - David Catanese could kick you butt.
  

RBR/TBR: MUSICIANS AGAINST PERFORMANCE RIGHTS ACT

Apparently, there are musicians who are not crazy about the idea of radio paying a royalty fee. They feel it will hurt them more than benefit them. Here is the link to the story from RBR/TVBR:

Radio Business Report/Television Business Report - Voice of the Broadcasting Industry

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MEDIA MATTERS: TOP 10 LIST FOR LETTERMAN'S CONSERVATIVE CRITICS

I was thinking about creating a post about the hypocrisy over the David Letterman-Sarah Palin spat. The talk radio and Faux News idiots (and the "Free" Weenie-Bloggers) having been trying to get Letterman fired. I find it interesting that when I have mentioned some of the disgusting things said by the national and local talk radio host, people have posted comments or on other websites said they didn't want these lowlifes to loose their jobs. Yet, those same people are still calling for Letterman's head.

I also find it interesting how many of those who want Letterman fired have said "What Don Imus said wasn't as bad as what Letterman said." YOU STUPID IDIOTS - IT WAS WORSE! IT WAS A RACIST SLAM!

Of course, THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY RACIST THINGS AND NOT GET IN TROUBLE! THINK ABOUT IT! THEY WANT TO SAY RACIST THINGS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

Here is Media Matters Top 10 of things that are MUCH WORST THAN WHAT DAVID LETTERMAN SAID:

A Top Ten list for Letterman's conservative critics

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I'M STILL HERE (FOR NOW)

It has taken me some time to get around to this due to trying to cover for another person at work, while doing my own job. The Springfield blogging world was shocked with the news that Jason Wert was ending his Life of Jason blog. A few days later, Teresa Blondo of Daily Adventures and Springfield Foodie called it quits as well. Both sighted that they felt God was calling them to stop blogging and devote more time to spiritual matters. Most comments on Life of Jason were positive, however Teresa received some rough comments via Facebook and Twitter (I should note that Teresa removed her blogs immediately).

I have told both Jason and Teresa that I support their decisions. Why others are sticking their nose into Jason's and Teresa's business is beyond me? Of course, I've put up with this some in creating this blog. First, the anonymous element upset some folks. Then I stop allowing anonymous comments because of death threats. I began requiring e-mail one local blogger wanted to post transcripts from Rush Limbaugh's radio show and articles from Newsmax in the comments section. Also one of the Weenie-Bloggers kept wanting to post a long tirade against the Fairness Doctrine (The News Leader site allowed him to post this crap if you want to read it). Then because a spam around election time, I stopped comments for a majority of my post. In a way it adds to the mystery of Desdinova. Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Sadly, I worry that this may be the end of the Golden Age of Springfield blogs. I've noticed that several of the blogs in the blogroll on my site are gone. Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind and Chatter are not published that often these days.

I'm not crazy about the some of the new crop of bloggers. For the most part, they are Weenie-Bloggers and Free-Weenie-Bloggers. I guess they are trying to get back at people like me, Ron, Doc Larry, Busplunge and Strannex be the voice of reason while their little buddies were running things. Some of the Weenie-Bloggers have been around awhile, it just seems that locally they a growing like mold in a junior high boy's locker room. What is worse the newspapers like the News Leader and the Kansas City Star seem to like to give the Weenie-Bloggers publicity because they are good little boys who put their "real names" on their blog. I deserve some publicity for being the hip and cool. Oh, that's right, newspapers don't like to be hip and cool. That is why nobody reads them any more.

The problem with blogging is it takes time and work. I also only blog when there is something I feel compelled to comment on or make fun of. Personally, I'm not as angry as I was when I began blogging. The country seems to be moving in the direction I like again. As for radio, I feel that is a lost cause (more on this later). I also realize that I too may quit blogging. Note: I said MAY QUIT. It all depends on what happens in my life.

I thought I might mention, the title was insprired by a song the Smothers Brothers sang on the first show of the 1968-69 season (which is on DVD). They were poking fun at the problems they were having with the CBS censors and the conservative elements of the media who wanted them off the air. Guess what happened to them at the end of that season?

SARAH PALIN IS A CRYBABY AND SHOULD BE FORCED TO APOLOGIZE TO LETTERMAN

As many of you readers know, I don't like Sarah Palin. What is the sick and twisted fascination with this woman? She is not as sexy or as cool as Paris Hilton. She probably was one of those snooty girls in school. She also seems like the type of person who would nag a guy like me. For some reason, the right-wing and their little minions the Weenie-Bloggers feel that you can't say anything bad about St. Sarah.

One of our Greatest Living American's David Letterman is trouble with the Weenie-Bloggers, Faux news and the talk radio scumbags for making jokes about the St. Sarah. Letterman admitted the jokes were not very nice, but didn't apologize. The reason was simple Palin and her hubby distorting the truth about the jokes on their website (Republicans distorting the truth? That isn't a shock). One of the jokes was about her appearance. WWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHH! Big baby Sarah going to cry! Maybe if she didn't look like a porn archetype, we wouldn't make fun of her.

I feel David Letterman is a National Treasure. The disrespectful nature of the comments by Sarah Palin and her husband SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW! The same goes for the Weenie-Bloggers. They should be forced to apologize and then go to prison. I'M CALLING ON PRESIDENT OBAMA TO TAKE THE STATE OF ALASKA AWAY FROM HERE! SHE'S RUINING IT WITH OIL DRILLING AND HUNTING! MR. PRESIDENT, SEND IN THE TROOPS AND TAKE IT AWAY FROM HER!

I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE LIKE HER MORE THAN ME, BUT THAT IS WHAT MAKES ME THE SUPER VILLAIN OF THE OZARKS!!!

FOX SPORTS RADIO IS HOMOPHOBIC

On Saturday night, two commentators on Fox Sports Radio were saying that this photo of Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson holding hands, at a concert to open a new stadium in Dallas, made them look gay. How could they be gay when the guy singing was named George Straight? Sports guys can be such jerks.

LDR LETTER WRITER SLAMS SBJ 40 UNDER 40

Anybody who reads this blog knows that I don't like most Letters To the Editor in the local newspapers. The Sunday Lebanon Daily Record had one that was almost as bad any of the Springfield News Leaders letters. In a letter entitled "40 Under 40 with an IQ of About 40," a writer named Rick Willis of Lebanon slams the Springfield Business Journals "40 Under 40" issue. Why? It had a Hollywood theme. As we all know, possessing an interest in pop culture in the Ozarks is considered "evil." Willis is one of THOSE PEOPLE.

"Of three questions asked by the SBJ, two of them were: which movie character do you most identify with; and second, who are your roll-models from Hollywood? Is that really what we need to know about the up and coming business people of our community?"

Actually, Willis is in Weenie-Blogger territory here by not only exploiting a non-issue (Hollywood's "evil" influence) but he is giving false information here. The second question asked was not "Who are your role models from Hollywood?" but "Who are your role models?" Most people answered with a parent or grandparent along with a former president. The only Hollywood person mentioned in that section was Ronald Reagan.

He hated every one's answers but he singled out five people in particular.

1. Jeffrey Allen of BKD LLP because he identified with John Candy in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.


2. Dr. David Anderson for saying, "This was really difficult for me. I have often been told I look a little like Matt Damon ... I think I'm similar to many of his characters in various ways. I'm often quiet and reserved like his character in "Good Will Hunting." I try to be cool like his character in "Ocean's Eleven," but often fall short. Oh, and I can easily hurt people with my bare hands like Jason Bourne."


3. Willard's 33 year old mayor Jamie Schoolcraft for answering Clark Griswold. Maybe Rick Willis was one of those who supported the age of Missouri mayors being upped so Chase Waggoner couldn't be mayor of Lebanon.


4. Dr. Todd Buzbee for giving this really cool answer. "I would like the strength and visionary powers of Superman, the technological capabilities of Batman and the rejuvenation capabilities of Wolverine."


5. Ozark's city administrator Steve Childers because he gave this answer, " If I had to choose one I admire and strive to be like, it would be Forrest Gump. (He) was a genuine, honest, true, caring, helpful friend to everyone he met. ... Forrest did not judge people or base his decisions on what was popular, but his thoughts and feelings came from a much deeper place, his heart and soul." Willis didn't include the whole quote, but instead said Forrest had no redeeming qualities. To quote that the Great American Gary Coleman, "What you talking bout Willis?"

I do want to note that of the answers Willis mentions, he leaves out Glenda the Good Witch. That was the answer of Katheryne Staeger-Wilson. I'm guessing Rick Willis is afraid of Katheryne's husband, our blogger buddy Fat Jack.

Willis then add his boorish and snide comment, "Hold on to your hats, Springfield, here comes Hollywood to take control. Is that a good thing?"

I SAY YES! I think there is more to it than the Hollywood thing bothering this Willis guy - it is the age factor. Willis is more than likely an aging Baby Boomer upset that a bunch of us young guns are more successful than him. He is also one of those guys who is always in charge and makes silly rules like "You can't go off of the diving board unless you can swim the perimeter of the pool." He is probably a Little League coach, who yells at little kids while wearing those Rawlings double-knit shorts that double as a girdle.

I feel that this Rick Willis should be forced to take out a paid ad in the Springfield Business Journal and apologize to not only all 40 Under 40, but every person in Springfield who does not abstain from pop culture. Of course, thoughts like this are what make me the Super Villain of the Ozarks!!! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

GOODBYE LIFE OF JASON AND RADIO & RECORDS

Two websites I read daily are no more. Last week the end of Radio & Records, the Jacobs Media blog was first to mention it.

Then, Sunday night came the announcement from Jason Wert that he was ending Life of Jason. We wish Jason well on his further endeavors.

GUY FROM STRYPER MARRIES HOOKER

When I was in high school there was one heavy metal band that I could NOT stand - Stryper. I always thought they were a plot cooked up by a bunch of adults. I felt the same way about Petra. I also didn't trust Stryper because they wore black and gold, which was the Lebanon High School colors.

CNN reports that Oz Fox of Stryper (who are surprisingly still together) married Annie Lobert Friday in Las Vegas. She is the founder of a Vegas based group called Hookers For Jesus.

You can't make stuff like this up.

DID SOMEONE DECIDE IT WAS TIME FOR GRASSHOPPER TO GO?

The death of actor David Carradine this week after a return to the limelight is now raising questions. ABC News is reporting his family is asking the FBI to investigate because they are unsatisfied with the Bangkok officials claim that he died during a kinky sex game (Make up you own "Bangkok" and "sex game" joke here).

I think this is a good idea for these reasons:

1. It is a foreign country and police force.
2. Carradine was not popular among many Asian groups because he was a white American who gained famed playing an Asian Shaolin Monk. Someone might have done him in for this reason.
3. More far fetched but worth a look is urban myths about martial arts purist who don't like people making money off ancient martial arts techniques. Rumors have always circulated about 'ninjas' murdering Bruce Lee.

Either way, the kids of the 70s will miss you Grasshopper!