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| He Ain't The Only One! |
Charlie Sheen is a complex character, isn't he? However, one thing I believe that isn't complex but quite wonderful is the word "winning".
The word that Charlie used to describe his state of mind as he took on the world (or CBS!) has become one of the buzz words of the year. You're told when you're young at school that winning isn't everything and that the taking part is the most important thing. That's true.
However, winning does generate wonderful feelings. On a small, but nonetheless important, level, is the sense of satisfaction you get from winning something on the radio.
Back in the day when Valley Free Radio (www.valleyfreeradio.org) 103.3FM had the privilege of having Linda and I entertaining people on Saturday and later Sunday nights with "The Nightclub featuring The Late English Breakfast" we were proud to be able to offer, on occasions, prizes to give away. The listener would get a CD from us or on occasion a DVD. Once were able to give away a signed James Hunter CD. We were really proud to do that!
The mutual sense of happiness is clearly evident. The listener gets the satisfaction of winning a CD or tickets to a show or whatever the prize on offer happens to be. The radio presenter gets the satisfaction of making a listener happy, content in the knowledge that he has made someone's day. A radio presenter is a performer; the radio waves or the Internet is his or her stage and making someone happy is a performer's raison d'etre in my humble opinion. I've been fortunate to perform on stage and on the radio and the sense of satisfaction and happiness you get from making someone happy is enormous. When they (the listener or the viewer) are moved to comment positively it really does make your day!
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| The Saw Doctors |
The local stations are good at generating listener involvement through competitions here in the Pioneer Valley. On a personal note, The River (www.wrsi.com) 93.9FM has proved to be a profitable source of happiness, especially Monte's Breakfast show! We've won competitions on his show on two occasions, albeit a year apart!
Last year, we won tickets to go see a guy by the name of Joseph Arthur performing at The Ironhorse in Northampton (www.iheg.com). He was very tall and he had a unique stage presence. Neither Linda or I had heard of him so it was a bit of a gamble but hey, it was a night out! It turned out to be a very good experience. He 's a great guitarist, one who I believe has worked with George Harrison's son. He's also a very talented artist. He painted as he sung. We have a signed copy of the show at home.
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| Joseph Arthur live at The Ironhorse Summer 2010 |
It proved to us that it pays to be open minded when it comes to going to gigs. You know your type of music but always be prepared to try new artistes.
Today, we won another competition on his show! The prize was another trip to The Ironhorse to see the celebrated singer Marc Cohn (www.marccohn.net). If that name sounds familiar, it's because he's best known for the hit "Walking in Memphis" a top 20 hit over here and a top 30 hit back home in 1991 - wow, 20 years ago! He released a CD last year entitled Listening Booth: 1970. The premise behind the album being 1970 was the year he really began to appreciate music as an 11 year old. It's tribute album, filled with hits of the year but he's a good singer so the songs he chose to cover will be given excellent treatment when performed live, I'm supremely confident!
The happiness you get from winning a competition on the radio cannot be quantified in my opinion for both the listener and the radio presenter. It truly enhances the radio experience. I hope it continues for many more years to come. I am proud to have played my little part helping to entertain people here in the Pioneer Valley.
Thank you for reading this blog and enjoy your music and enter a competition sometime - you never know, you might win!
Eddie
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