In the 1970s and 1980s, radio stations competed fiercely for the rights to exclusively air live shows in their entirety on the air. In fact, an entire collection of bootlegs are available online. Through a content analysis of these broadcasted live concerts, the researcher will examine how recording artists, record labels and radio stations utilized the live performance as an avenue to promote themselves from the competition, whether the completion was other artists, record labels or radio stations. Alternative Rock stations of the late 1970s and 1980s which broadcasted the live shows will be the focus of this content analysis. The aim is to examine what similar methods were used by radio stations during these live events- song selection, guest artists, covers, interactions with audience members, etc. Finally, a brief discussion of how terrestrial radio may compete against the return of use of ‘Exclusives.’ which has become the new buzzword that satellite and Internet radio has employed in its pursuit to attract listeners from terrestrial radio. For example, SiriusXM’s Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Radio, Pearl Jam Radio, Grateful Dead Channel offers exclusive access to live performances by the artists, as well as live shows from “The Apollo” with Springsteen and Paul McCartney.
About the presenterAaron Furgason
A life-long love of radio has led Aaron Furgason to return to his alma mater and teach several courses in radio and the recording industry. Aaron got his start in radio while attending then Monmouth College, where he served as a disc jockey and Music Director for WMCX 88.9 FM. Upon graduation, Aaron’s professional radio career includes stints at radio stations in Knoxville, Tennessee, Boston, Massachusetts and New York City-where he served a variety of roles, including on-air talent, programming and promotions work. Aaron has also worked for several New Jersey-based music marketing firms and at Atlantic Records in New York. Aaron received his B.A. from Monmouth College; M.A. from Emerson College; and his Ph.D. from Rutgers University. His dissertation examined the role of the Internet on New Jersey’s punk subculture. Currently, Aaron is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Monmouth University, where he teaches classes in radio, the recording industry, and film. Aaron is also the advisor to WMCX 88.9 FM, the University’s 1000 Watt radio station.