A Lesson In Radio: How To Do a Flowing Show -By: Jim Barrett (Who Has 56 Years of Broadcasting Experience)

Grab a pile of CDs and stack ’em up. Pick out an opener that would appeal to anyone and leave a good taste in their mouth. Early in the first set you’re trying to get their attention with something catchy, usually not too bizarre. Perhaps a set of The Byrds, three or four tracks might be best. You might follow that with a few tracks from Fairport Convention which segues nicely from The Byrds. Maybe close the set with an acoustic piece by Leo Kottke.

Set two, start with an oldie like Del Shannon or The Chiffons followed by some obscure doo-wop for the nostalgic listeners. Close the set with some reggae such as Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse or Mighty Diamonds, it’s all good!

Set three, you could open with Lightnin’ Hopkins and into some Hot Tuna live blues, two or three cuts will do. Next we could go into some Mike Bloomfield/Al Kooper at the Fillmore. Close set three with Professor Longhair New Orleans Piano Blues. 

Set Four you can start off with a Thelonious Monk tune followed by a little guitar jazz not unlike Tal Farlow, 3 cuts will do the trick. In closure play something to summarize your show, maybe a Talking Heads or Television song.

Make your next show completely different, after all you have a million choices.

P.S. Slip some “have fun” local music in there somewhere.

Listen to Jim Barrett’s Kaleidoscope EVERY MONDAY 8-10pm EST Only on RadioRadioX.com