How to get music played on the radio

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 21 Dec 2002 10:32 am

http://www.cmt.com/news/feat/nash.skyline.122002.jhtml

And who said payola was dead?

Glenn Austin · Post by **Glenn Austin** » 23 Dec 2002 8:12 am

There is a small AM country station here in Montreal that charges $200 a spin. I don't know how they get away with it, but they do.

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 23 Dec 2002 1:06 pm

I'd be the first one to admit that I don't know squat about the law in this area. But, it's possible that the laws in Canada concerning this matter are different than in the US.

Plus, I would tend to think that a radio station charging money to play someone's record on the air may not necessarily be illegal, per se. For example, if it's out in the open so that everyone knows or has the opportunity to know what's going on, I would think that would probably be OK.

I think where the trouble starts is when money starts changing hands under the table. For example, if a DJ says (on the air) "here's our most requested song of the week" when in fact the only reason the DJ is saying such a thing and the only reason the record is being played is because once a week in his coat pocket the DJ is "mysteriously" finding $250 cash inside a plain white envelope.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Dec 2002 3:06 pm

Bingo! ('Cept, $250 don't buy much air time today.)

And usually, it's the <u>programming director</u> that calls all the shots...not the DeeJay. Two and a half bills might get you <u>one</u> play. But...$2500 a week will keep you "in rotation" for a month...or until someone (like the GM) "complains"!