Radio's Sleeper Hold On Good Music

It's been a little over 30 years since The Buggles let us all know that "video killed the radio star". While that might not have been completely true, there are several people putting forth a strong effort to kill radio all together. The Justin Bieber's of the world are making it unbearable to listen to anything other than my ipod. In a day and age when the digital world is making it easier for anyone to release music, you have to really search through the bad to get to the good. It's not impossible, but don't think for a second that the radio is an outlet to use in your attempt to hear anything of substance. Advertising and big biz have flooded the airwaves with the terribleness on FM stations nationwide and it's becoming laughable. Laughable because some listeners are actually buying into this "music". Laughable because several great musicians and bands go unnoticed due to lack of appreciation by the same radio stations cramming Nickleback down the listeners throats 3 times an hour.

Granted some people might like Nickleback, and that's unfortunate. Their ears have been sentenced to life without parole, and they'll continue to support the murderess noise that NB produces, regardless of any type of intervention. Poor souls. There's nothing you can do to help these people, so it's best to leave them alone. And steer clear of riding with them on long road trips; chances are, you'll end up with one less friend at the conclusion if you choose otherwise.

Why has radio become the anti-good-music establishment? It wasn't always like this. There was a time when one could flip to a station and here the likes of Sinatra, or Otis Redding, or Janis Joplin, or Bowie blaring over the speakers. Now great music has given way to Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady Ga Ga, Adam Lambert, and Ke$sha. All talented in their own way, but I'd rather go all Beethoven and cut off my own ear than listen to any of the aforementioned singers or groups. They're just not good.

This radio problem isn't relegated to cars, either. It can have a drastic effect on cook outs, too. There's nothing worse than cracking a fresh beer to the sound of Justin Bieber's "Baby". Talk about fun levels plummeting. Can I really listen to this kid sing about love and romance one more time? Can I please? I get that little girls swoon over this lil dude, but somebody take the mic away, now. A marketing scheme gone wrong. Label fat cats making millions on this kid at the expense of so many peoples ears, namely mine.

Of course there's a small exception to the rule. That exception is Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA". No matter what I say about that song, after a few too many drinks, it never fails, everyone seems to like it. I don't know why, and I'm not gonna fight it. It just wins. Congrats Miley, you remade "Tubthumbing".

I guess I'm a bit of a music snob, I'm okay with that. And I'm sure there are thousands of people that would castrate me for saying that Lady Ga Ga is absolutely terrible. I'm okay with that, too. Radio is what it is, and it isn't going to change as long as people continue to ask for "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down. It's a shame, really. There's a lot of great music out there, but some people let the radio stations dictate what they listen to and ultimately what they end up supporting. I doubt that's what radio was intended for when it was created.

I gave up on radio years ago. You should too.