Yes, it sneaked up on me, too. Here it is, just another hot, lazy August day, and it turns out to be anything but.
According to the statisticians at National Day Calendar, August 20th is, in fact, National Radio Day.
(Don’t let it get to your head – we share it with National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day.)
I went back into this blog’s archives, and apparently, I have not recognized National Radio Day in several years now. And because I am a fan of radio (and I ran out of topics for today’s post), it just made sense to shine the light on our favorite medium, one that is approaching its 100th birthday.
It turns out a former DJ, Marlo Anderson, is the genius behind National Day Calendar – but is also a true fan of broadcast radio, hosting a program called Tech Ranch.
Broadcast radio as we know it today was the product of many wise men, including Heinrich Hertz (as in megahertz and kilohertz), Nikola Tesla (who now has an electric car company named after him), and Guglielmo Marconi (the namesake of the NAB’s coveted award).
I thought I’d celebrate National Radio Day with a series of quotes from the famous – beneficiaries of the radio medium:
“I’d sit along and watch your light, my only friend through our teenage nights, and everything I had to know, I heard it on the radio.” – Freddie Mercury, (Roger Taylor – lyrics)
“There are things that I won’t do on the radio. I mean, the next logical question is, ‘What won’t you do?’ I say, well, you know, you’ve got to find out when you’re on the air.” – Howard Stern
“We wanted to write great songs, we wanted them to get played on the radio, and we wanted to be popular.” – Don Henley
“They say you better listen to the voice of reason. But they don’t give you any choice ’cause they think that it’s treason. So you have better do as you’re told. You’d better listen to the radio.” – Elvis Costello
“I make no apologies for being a huge fan of radio songs.” – Keith Urban
“With radio, the listener absorbs everything.” – Bob Edwards
“My love of radio started when my mom gave me my first crystal radio, one you plugged in your ear and grounded with an alligator clip to an outlet in the wall. I fell asleep every night with that radio stuck in my ear, listening to WIRE in Indianapolis.” – Art Vuolo
“The radio was shouting at you, pleading with you, and seducing you.” – David Byrne
“Radio is such a perfect medium for the transmission of poetry, primarily because there just is the voice, there’s no visual distraction.” – Billy Collins
“I can turn on the radio right now and be inspired.” – Courtney Love
“I’ve shaken hands with every radio station, from Honduras to Ryan Seacrest’s (station).” – Shakira
“When my song came on the radio for the first time, that was one of the heaviest things I remember.” – John Oates
“I loved being on the radio. Being paid to talk? It’s like being paid to eat.” – Rachel Maddow
“Classic Rock radio gave us our longevity.” – George Thorogood
“Basically, radio hasn’t changed over the years. Despite all the technical improvements, it still boils down to a man or a woman and a microphone, playing music, sharing stories, talking about issues – communicating with an audience.” – Casey Kasem
“I watch a lot of baseball on the radio.” – Gerald R. Ford
“I was always fishing for something on the radio. Just like trains and bells, it was part of the soundtrack of my life.” – Bob Dylan
“We’ve been really lucky. We’ve gotten a lot of airplay over the years. I guess people keep requesting our songs on the radio, because Lord knows I don’t do a whole lot to promote myself.” – Bob Seger
“Radio – nothing but a fart in the wind.” – Sheila Sorvari
I’ll end this radio quotefest with a video from a recent “60 Minutes” video, featuring an interview with Paul McCartney.
Sir Paul’s quotes about radio – to astonished CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi – speak for themselves:
- Hug a DJ
- Thank your lucky stars (if you work in radio)
- Have a slice of chocolate pecan pie
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Radio: A Very Special Life Skill.
…but, but, but…if it’s National Radio Day..why the hell haven’t we promoted the living daylights out of it, made it a really special national celebration, drawn tons more attention to the medium…after all isn’t that one thing we’re all really good at??? BTW, loved the quotes….
Thanks – and you’re right! For a business that is in need of things to celebrate, this is a dropped ball.
That Keith Urban quote about radio songs resonates with me. So many us got into radio because we “like music,” right?
For me that music consisted of the songs legitimized and evangelized by radio all those years before I ever sniffed a mic. I feel no shame that I never have purchased many full length albums, I buy Greatest Hits collections – or should I say Radio Hits.
Eric, thanks for this. Yeah, that quote jumped out at me, too.
I’m in radio. In a university setting, but still radio. I love it. I’m grateful for it.
Concentration…Preparation….Moderation… “Bill Drake”
Practical, Carl. Smart guy, that Bill Drake.
Fred, you’re like my favorite song on the radio. I could listen to you all day!
Awww! Thanks, Steve!
From the great Nick Trigony: “This would be a great business if it weren’t for the clients”
THAT’S why I loved working for Nick! Thanks, Phil.