The Nashville Dispatch, Ya Gotta Love It: Two words that go a long way

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Welcome to The Nashville Dispatch, a feature on NRI NOW

In this monthly column submitted by Burrillville native Keith Bradford, we cover topics in the music business designed to inform, entertain, and enlighten people interested in the topic.

Two words that go a long way in the music business

The two words, ‘thank you,’ can go a long way in the music business. When a disc jockey or podcaster plays your music and isn’t thanked for doing so, what do you think their motivation level is to continue playing it? You may have your mom or dad helping you with your radio promotions – or better yet you may even have a professional media/publicity agent handling all of that for you.

When they contact the DJ and thank them for playing your music, it is very much appreciated. However, I can’t let it go unsaid that the same, ‘thank you,’ from the artist is far more impactful. When I was touring the world with Country Music Hall of Fame member Kitty Wells, I watched her visit hundreds of radio stations in large cities and small towns alike to personally thank the DJs for playing her music. While the rest of the band was resting up, either on the bus or in a hotel room, she was off to the local radio station and quite often the local TV station to show her appreciation for keeping her music alive on the air.

Is it any wonder that her career lasted more than 50 years after her first hit record? Thanking a DJ doesn’t mean you have to bring them gifts. Nowadays, a simple text, email or quick cell phone call thanking them is enough to warrant some future airplay. Some of today’s giant music stars have never even been in a radio station, let alone gone there to personally thank the people responsible for playing their music on the radio. Trust me when I tell you the two words, ‘thank you,’ can be far more valuable than money.

There are many big time recording artists touring right now that don’t even know the names of their band members. For them, thanking them each individually by name for doing a good job is out of the question. I am not for sure when this all changed from the camaraderie that once was, but I can only suspect it started when the star no longer traveled with the band. 

The band and crew for the most part travel in tour busses. The star usually flys, and is brought to the backstage area by limousine minutes before the scheduled concert. Knowing each band members’ name and asking how their spouse and kids are doing is stuff you used to see in movies.

A, ‘thank you,’ said with sincerity, is still as powerful today as it has ever been. 

With that being said, I would like to thank you for reading my articles.

The Music Business – Ya Gotta Luv It

Keith Bradford is the host of Ya Gotta Love It, a country music show on NBRN based in Nashville, Tenn. Also a singer and song writer, Bradford is the owner and operator of KMA Records in Nashville and brings more than 60 years of industry knowledge to the endeavor.

Do you have questions about the music business? Have a topic or artist you’d like Keith to discuss? Send your questions and requests to keith@nbrnonline.com.

 

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