Today’s blog title is a celebrity entity that didn’t exist a few short years ago.
But it does now, and it illustrates just how simple and basic it can be to start a digital fire unlike anything we’ve ever seen in radio.
A great example is Steve Kardynal, a comedian who has become famous for posting YouTube videos that go viral. The one below – a parody of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” – has garnered over 60 million views as I write this.
60 million.
More than the cume audience of dozens and dozen of successful stations.
And when you watch it, you’ll probably start wondering pretty much what Lori Lewis was wondering when she sent it to me: Why aren’t radio’s biggest personalities doing this stuff? And even doing it better than Kardynal’s effort?
>Email Recipients: Click here to watch “Wrecking Ball” parody by Steve Kardynal<
Mocking pop culture isn’t anything new. It’s what radio has successfully done for decades.
From Bob Rivers’ “Twisted Tunes” to parody songs from DJs like Dick Purtan and Loren & Wally, making musical fun of what’s popular has always been part of the morning show prep routine.
So why aren’t most radio DJs taking advantage of a much bigger digital stage to expand their influence and grow their brands?
Maybe I’m guilty of looking in the rear-view mirror, but I have this feeling that if they were on the air today in 2013, guys like Larry Lujack, Rick Dees, True Don Blue, Ron Chapman, and Hudson & Harrigan would be all over this.
They had a primal understanding of the tools and how to use them.
We have no shortage of morning show and talent coaches today. But there is a shortage of these “holy crap” moments for radio – when people talk about something a radio DJ did today – who isn’t named Rush.
Thanks to Lori Lewis who gave me the heads-up on this video and the point of view I took in today’s post.
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Hi Fred,
Lori is SOOOooo on-the-mark on this one! Radio needs more fun like this! In fact, last year, to help promote my voice over work, I produced a fun little video. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcChc6jtopw
Enjoy!
JC
Fun video, JC! That’s great.
JC, this is really great work. A great way to set yourself apart from your brothers in voice work. Congrats for doing this and thanks for the laughs.
BBC Radio 1 DJs have been doing this for a couple of months. Most famously, Greg James’ cover of Wrecking Ball(https://www.facebook.com/luradv?directed_target_id=0) and he was joined by the breakfast presenter, Nick Grimshaw, for Blurred Lines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP8ebHl01CE). A lot of UK student radio stations are doing this also.
Sorry, here’s the link for Wrecking Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtfPtr6GgU
Sarah, thanks for this. So doesn’t it beg the question, why aren’t we seeing more of this from American radio personalities? Throughout the day, I’ve received comments here and there about a lack of resources and funds. And while things aren’t what they used to be, don’t these digital platforms present an incredible opportunity to stand out, get noticed, and expand the brand?
I think their Controller, Ben Cooper, is quite focused on it – he’s even announced he’s bringing in Social Media Producers! So perhaps it is all down to resources?
Kennedy at Mix in Boston does great parody songs. This is “Rudolph” to the tune of “Royals”. Now someone just needs to make the video….https://docs.google.com/uc?id=0Bz6t7zin8BwZZF8wX0NqVkYwZm8&export=download