On Monday, the Howlin' Brothers showed up to WRFL (I happened to be there) & they played an amazing thirty minute set live on air & they were amazing & it was tons of fun. It reminded me of my time in Austin & meeting musicians who came down to SXSW & played not just their "showcase" but as many times as anyone would have them. I love that about musicians - real musicians - they just want to play music. Anytime, anywhere.
But - network morning shows?
I was up early & flipping the channels for some reason & some commercial country act was playing live on one of the network morning shows. It was around 8am. What the hell? What the fuck? Who wants to hear - well, forget that it was some horrible commercial country act - but who thinks to him or herself, "Wow, I've just woken up & my first cup of coffee is kicking in - hey! I could use some live music in a New York television studio!"
Answer: no one ever.
& let's not forget the musicians. They may drive up to a college/community radio station at 1pm to play music, but 8am? Forget it. They were out till 4am. Doing what they love. But what they love does not translate to 8am anywhere. Right? Surely?
Commercial radio robots need not apply. They're programmed to obey their masters whenever.
I had a question but I think I asked & answered. I'll leave you with an indie rock related anecdote.
I was somehow made the point person for a band coming to RFL one afternoon to play live. They were supposed to show up at 2pm but I got a call from their manager that they might be running late. The reason? He said, "Breakfast ran long."
I said, "It's 2pm. We call that lunch."
He said, "Musicians."
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