…but I do have a legitimate reason for sounding that way. People are trying to do a campaign to get massive airplay NOW. I don't think it's going to work. I know it makes me sound pessimistic but I'm being a realist. My sister told me that some Soluna fans did something similar a couple of years ago and the radio stations caught on, essentially blackballing Soluna. Also, a radio DJ told us Richard Marx fans this same information many years ago. Now, I did request the song to my local station and I do have a little button about the new album on my site, so I am promoting the new music. However, I don't want it to go overboard and get Richard blackballed. We fans have waited 4 long years since we heard the scant bit of his new music we did hear on the radio when Days In Avalon came out. "When You're Gone" sounds like a hit. I just don't want to see it going down the drain and get no chance of hearing it at all. I want it to take it a "natural" route to making it on the radio becoming a hit.
Ever since 1992, when my sister, Nicki, and I deeply got involved with enjoying music, we have been paying attention to the radio industry. My sister has been more involved than I have. She's talked with quite a few in the industry and knows how it works. She also was an online critic and reporter for a popular fan website network and she currently works in a record store. I trust her judgement about the music industry and her stories.
I just had to get this off my chest.
[Listening to: Commercials on Z102]
Posted by Shawn at May 18, 2004 2:22 PM in General.
You don't sound bitchy at all! Just realistic. Albeit some people don't know or understand the industry like you do.
I try to be careful with my letter writing and e-mailing. I know that I"m sticking to local stations. I have yet to contact a station outside KC besides WMMX.
When I lived in Florida, I would constantly harass the djs to play Richard, and I know they were so annoyed with me. But they did end up asking him to come in concert (of course this was around the PV release), and I like to think my annoying phone calls had a little bit to do with that.
I think the best thing to do right now is let markets pick up the single first, then send regular requests.
Now and Forever,
Liz
Fans don't really have much impact of what becomes popular, anyway, but they can make it unpopular. I agree that its best not to over-do it and get RM blackballed.
Definitely don't sound bitchy to me, just smart.
Posted by: Chewie at May 18, 2004 2:42 PMYou know, we Richard fans still have to put up with mullet jokes 15-17 years after the fact. Like he was the ONLY one of that era to have a mullet. 
I just found the mesage board for people that enjoy the radio industy. They said it was a nice song but they think the mullet might come into play.
When I did e-mail my stations program director, I made a remark about don't make jokes. As a fan, I get enough as it is. I was speaking to Laura R. last night and we were discussing our distain for mullet remarks.
So, we have to fight the BALLADMAN! image and the mullet. We don't need to add another barrier to get to hear the new song.
By the way, Chewie, I like Martina's new single.
Posted by: Shawn at May 18, 2004 3:00 PMI don't think that you are bitchy at all. In fact I agree with you. I kept my requests at a minimum.
Posted by: Denise at May 18, 2004 3:16 PMWhich one is her new single? I've not listened to the radio in a llooonnngg time, but I own her newest cd. All the songs are wonderful. Martina rules.
Posted by: Chewie at May 18, 2004 5:42 PM"This One's For The Girls." I've heard it on WMMX in Dayton, OH.
Posted by: Shawn at May 18, 2004 6:15 PMGuess I'm doing good then since I didn't email anyone at all LOL! Sorry but I know the fans have nothing to do with it. It's the record companies and the radio stations. Us calling and emailing isn't going to do a thing...
Posted by: Dragon at May 19, 2004 5:45 AMTrish, you're correct. It's all a business this days. It's not about the music.
Posted by: Shawn at May 19, 2004 8:56 PMI, myself, have stuck to the radio stations in my area and not one of them were aware of the new single and CD. And they all told me to tell EMI to contact them.
I will continue to compile the list of stations though to the best of my ability.
Not that we're going to have an impact at all though... since Richard isn't "HIP" or "TEEN" oriented, he probably won't get played outside of the 17 stations that did add the song.
Posted by: Tammtamm at May 21, 2004 8:58 AMYeah, it's me again... forgot to add... I don't think you are being a bitch on the board.
Posted by: Tammtamm at May 21, 2004 8:59 AMI e-mailed only my local station twice: once as soon as I heard there was a new song and once on the day of release. In the second e-mail, I told the PM where he can listen to the song. I also included that I was a member of the perfect demographic, a memeber of thier VIP club, and that the station was belonged in the format that the record company was pushing the song with. It's all up to them now to even bother to reply to my e-mail.
Posted by: Shawn at May 21, 2004 11:30 AM
