The title might suggest that this is a blog about Steve Jobs. But that’s not the topic for today. Instead, we’re talking about a “local Steve,” if you live in the Detroit area or if you work in the radio business.
I was thrilled to see the announcement that WCSX’s Steve Kostan, Detroit night guy extraordinaire, has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This doesn’t happen to most DJs, so when someone you know and have worked with is honored in this way, it’s especially meaningful.
Steve celebrates his 34th year in radio – all here in the Motor City – this Labor Day Weekend. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hire Steve away from WABX, when he joined the all-star WRIF lineup in the early ‘80s. At the time, I heard a spark that Steve has been able to maintain all these years, born out of love and enthusiasm for rock n’ roll, especially the local music scene.
As the Curatorial Director at the Rock Hall, Howard Cramer, pointed out, “There are a number of people we identified who we felt were really great exemplars of people who helped promote Rock and Roll, and Steve certainly fall in that category.”
I don’t ever remember Steve not wanting to do a gig, not wanting to be at an event, or not wanting to go that extra mile to help the station. You can’t teach his passion for the music, but all you programmers know just how valuable it is to have a champion on the staff.
It is an interesting contrast that the announcement of Steve’s induction coincides with the introduction of “Denise,” who is being billed as the first artificial intelligence DJ. Surprisingly, she made her debut on a community radio station (there has to be a disconnect there, right?) – Trinity University’s HD2 channel in San Antonio.
Alan Cross blogged about this story last week.
“Denise” is nothing if not efficient and a sign of the times. Her capabilities include social media updates, alarm clock functions, web surfing, and of course, DJ work. Many in radio are upset about the development of a virtual announcer and its potential impact on radio in the coming years. It wouldn’t surprise any of us if a certain big broadcaster or two isn’t checking out “Denise” and her technology. This is the kind of economy of scale that is very appealing.
Not to mention no health benefits, no personal days, and no agents.
However, “Denise” also isn’t capable of hearing the potential in a young band called the Romantics, long before there was “What I Like About You.” Or rubbing elbows with listeners at bars, clubs, concerts, and festivals. Or connecting with members and leaders in the local community. Or creating real connections with advertisers and the audience. Or making magic in the production studio.
Of course, all that assumes that DJs across America are doing all these things, just like Steve Kostan has for more than three decades. Because if they aren’t, you’d better believe that Denise is coming to your town. And she won’t even need a locker in the jock lounge.
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Congratulations to Steve! He’s a good guy and deserves this honor. He is like a walking book of rock n roll knowledge and has the stories to back up his…umm….stories!:) It’s a privilege to walk the same halls with him and talk music and NASCAR, but you have to admit, Denise is kinda hot! HAHA
Way to go, Steve!
A nice tribute from someone who would know. Thanks, Meltdown, for the Kostan props. As for Denise, she will always let you down.
😂 Yep, I AGREE,she would always let you down,or make it go down?
Thanks Fred, what a wonderful tribute to a great broadcaster. Steve is one of the most positive and passionate broadcasters I have worked with. It’s truly an honor to work with him everyday. Congratulations Steve, for a career well done!
Thanks for the great comment, Brent. He’s been a pro in the market for 34 years.
Everyone can learn a lesson from Steve. In order to be great ON the air, you must be involved OFF the air.
A favorite SK story: Years ago when Steve and I were both at ‘ABX, we were lost and late for a charity basketball game..so we stop at a 7-11 and walk in only to find a long line waiting at the counter. Not wanting to wait, Steve says in a LOUD voice: ” Hi we’re DJ’s and we NEED DIRECTIONS”! People looked at us like we were from Mars…. Congrats to my old roomie and pal of a lifetime!
GSJ
I can see that. Thanks, Greg (another Motor City legend). All the best to you.
Great article with some very valid points. I have nothing personal against Mr. Cross. Even thought he did come off as harsh in the initial blog and even his follow up. I was completely expecting that. I respectfully wrote a rebuttal email to Mr. Cross in attempts to explain that there are in fact pros to Denise and the situation she presents to the industry.
I also explained the need to adapt to change in this industry. I feel this is something that would have eventually come about even had I not created the concept. Hey I am a personality too. I love radio just like the rest of you. All I did was take a really cool artificial intelligent program and applied it to our industry. I created a new simple cost effective alternate method of automation. What is so wrong with that?
Automation is never going to go away and Denise will not replace every single human on the radio. However she can do everything a human can. (Except remotes obviously)
In a PPM world more and more program directors are looking for seven second liner jocks. In this situation she is ideal. In the case of KROV, it is a non profit radio station. The KROV GM Tommy Calvert says “I cannot find someone who wants to do lets say a 2am till 6am slot on a station that does not pay its personalities.” This is clearly a situation out of many where Denise could be used.
Many improvements can be made but I felt overall it was a success. There is no talk of making her a regular on KROV. This was a one time experiment to show the world that the proof of concept actually works.
During the days leading up to the launch of the project we were contacted by a film company who is making a documentary about radio called Radio Wars.
Here is the trailer for the film that Denise and myself are now apart of…
Trailer for Radio Wars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wJ3Q5VOrsvo
Here is Denise… (This video is pretty good)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wylpm7TxpIk
(Keep in mind I had to slow the speed of her voice. Not everyone is a fast listener)
Here is more information about Denise’s role in film and even videos from one or two who disapprove of the concept.
https://radiowars.com/first-virtual-dj-denise-gets-role-in-new-film-radio-wars/
Thank You
-Dominique Garcia-
Dominique, I just ran across this response – it ended up in our “comments” spam folder (probably because of all the links). I am sorry about this, and it is now posted. We will be blogging about Denice tomorrow, and I hope you take a moment to read it over and provide your thoughts. Thanks again for taking the time to participate in this important conversation.