Introduction
The most revealing thing that always strikes me about the Open Playlist is the enthusiasm of our listeners for music – their passion is unbridled . For us so called ‘music professionals’ our analysis of music can be a somewhat sanitised one where statistical expressions like ‘burn’ , ‘familiarity’ and ‘potential’ can sometimes detract from the pure emotional impact of music. That is why the Open Playlist serves a great purpose to me and the Programming Team as they remind us why we are all there in the first place – we just love music! As simple as that . And the one thing that most playlist newcomers say to us at the end of the meeting is that they found the whole process a lot more difficult than they were expecting!
But don’t take my word for it, read the words of an American listener to Absolute Radio who was over on ‘vacation’ and joined us for the afternoon. By the way Marty – because of what the group had to say, Sharleen Spiteri is still in with a shout and as for your fellow American Jason Mraz, the early feedback from listeners has been good so it just goes to show you can’t please everyone all of the time! And my recollection of the response to the track was that not everyone thought it was ‘crap’ but hey ho!
James Curran, Head of Music – Absolute Radio
Open Playlist Meeting
I had read about the Open Playlist meeting on the Absolute Radio website. Seeing as I was going to be in London on a Thursday, I emailed Tim Vernon. I know Tim from his days as honcho on the predecessor Classic Rock station and as producer of Razor Cuts. Lo and behold (I suppose those words lend dramatic effect), he was kind enough to allow me to participate.
I arrived early for the 4:30pm meeting because I’m paranoid about being late for things. Perhaps as an accountant, it’s the obsession with tax deadlines carrying into my personal life. In any event, eventually Tim ushered me into the Absolute Radio Boardroom which is adjacent to the Zoo. Seated in the Boardroom were James Curran, Director of Programming and three work experience people whose names unfortunately escape me. I suppose it took three of them to balance off my disturbing personage.
James commenced the session by announcing the name of the track he was going to play on the CD player along with the band. He played a significant portion of each track then asked all of us to opine about it. Then Tim and James opined. We each then had to vote hit, miss or maybe.
James played about five tracks but I’m only going to talk about two selections. One track that was played was the latest Jason Mraz track. All of us found it to be crap. Unfortunately, it will have to go in the play list because it is already a worldwide hit and the station would be remiss if it didn’t have it in the play list. A second track that was played was a track by Sharlene Spiteri, formerly of the band Texas. All of us thought this Motown inspired track was wonderful. However Tim and James deemed it a miss as they believed she was “late to the dance” as Amy Winehouse and Duffy already dominate the Motown inspired genre.
I am grateful to both James and Tim for the opportunity to participate in this session. Now, I have a better perspective as to just how difficult it is to set the play list.
Please feel free to register via the link for your chance to participate. No need to mention my name. That would probably not work in your favour.
Marty Edelstein , New York City
