A Suggestion for Radio Margaritaville

Boston Blackie · Post by **Boston Blackie** » May 7, 2007 3:48 pm

It seems a lot of folks here believe that the quality of RM has steadily declined since the move to Sirius. I absolutely LOVE that RM is on Sirius but I must confess that I am a little tired of hearing the same songs being played over and over. Individual "live" tracks from various dates and venues (Fenway, Wrigley) are played more and more frequently, while rarely heard and early Buffett songs are heard less and less. I understand the business of trying to move some of these "live" recordings off the shelves, but I really miss hearing some of the older gems.

My suggestion would be to add something like a Sunday morning "Buffett Brunch." This could be a one or two-hour block of songs that were written and performed by Jimmy, with a heavy emphasis on those songs that don't get much airplay. Songs that come to mind are: My Lovely Lady, God Don't Own a Car, Life is Just a Tire Swing, Cliches, etc...you get the idea. Maybe they could even throw in a short interview with Jimmy or a quick sound bite that explains the inspiration for the song.

What do you all think?

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » May 7, 2007 3:58 pm

If I had a suggestion for changing the programming at RM, I think I'd write to RM. Not Buffett News. But that's just me.

freaky4tiki · Post by **freaky4tiki** » May 7, 2007 4:19 pm

I think this might actually be a better way to get their attention-- I sent them an email and got an autoreply: thanks for your email. you will receive a response within 24 hours.

that was two weeks ago.

yeah so the guys on RM do mention "websites" and have even made specific references to BN. They lurk around here enough to know what's going on.

SO GUYS-- If YER LURKIN... here's my Two Cents:

Mondays tend to be good days on RM. Like today I heard Hey Baby and a couple of 60s girl group tunes (martha and the vandellas)-- stuff I love.

Boston Blackie · Post by **Boston Blackie** » May 7, 2007 5:14 pm

LIPH wrote:If I had a suggestion for changing the programming at RM, I think I'd write to RM. Not Buffett News. But that's just me.

Who says I haven't done that already?

Actually, I do plan to send this suggestion to the dear folks at RM. Before I do that, however, I'm looking for some feedback from loyal and devoted fans. If the response is favorable, I'll include that in the email. If folks really don't care one way or the other, then maybe I won't send it.

I really enjoy RM. I love the fact that I can tune into it and within a few minutes, probably hear Jimmy. I can't do that with regular radio. Anyway, just looking for feedback one way or the other. Thanks.

KeetAtHeart · Post by **KeetAtHeart** » May 7, 2007 7:34 pm

I love the idea of a Buffett Brunch for oldies and rarely-heard songs! I'd definitely tune in!

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » May 7, 2007 7:48 pm

freaky4tiki wrote:I think this might actually be a better way to get their attention-- I sent them an email and got an autoreply: thanks for your email. you will receive a response within 24 hours.

that was two weeks ago.

yeah so the guys on RM do mention "websites" and have even made specific references to BN. They lurk around here enough to know what's going on.

SO GUYS-- If YER LURKIN... here's my Two Cents:

Mondays tend to be good days on RM. Like today I heard Hey Baby and a couple of 60s girl group tunes (martha and the vandellas)-- stuff I love.

I've had the same same thing happen, Dori. I sent them an email shortly before the Dallas show. I can't remember if I got a reply or not. Never heard back. (It was the Dallas show LAST year, by the by

)

silverbetty · Post by **silverbetty** » May 7, 2007 7:54 pm

Yeah, RM isn't the best at getting back to their fans. The auto-reply from a Sirius Rep isn't the same as hearing back from Steve or Carson. I've written several times and even left messages. I did hear back from Miles, once.

What up Miles!

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » May 7, 2007 8:04 pm

Yes, my suggestion for RM is that they actually answer their mail!

Mary Queen of Shots · Post by **Mary Queen of Shots** » May 7, 2007 9:22 pm

I would just be happy if I could just get a decent radio from Sirius that actually worked and picked up stations in my car!! I can't even listen to RM to complain about it.

Big Jimmy · Post by **Big Jimmy** » May 7, 2007 9:27 pm

I gave up on RM after they moved to Sirrusly Crappy. I may have listened once or twice for a broadcast, but thats it it went down the hill faster than Jack kicked Jill down the hill with the bucket tumbling after.

trojan_sixtyone · Post by **trojan_sixtyone** » May 7, 2007 9:47 pm

The reason you don't hear back from RM is because it is, has and (probably) always will be understaffed. I can understand it being understaffed when it was just free internet radio, but now that it's also on a pay service I can't think of a good reason why it would be understaffed.

But it is, and life goes on. Even at its worst, its better than no RM at all!

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » May 8, 2007 8:21 am

I'm dropping Sirius when my subscription runs out in July. I can get more variety with my 6 disc CD changer.

freaky4tiki · Post by **freaky4tiki** » May 8, 2007 8:27 am

Skibo wrote:I'm dropping Sirius when my subscription runs out in July. I can get more variety with my 6 disc CD changer.

yeah... I'm with ya on that one. I listen to RM at work mostly and my co-workers laugh at me when I sing Reggae--especially the line "I Don't like Drinkin-- I love it"

MargaritaMatt · Post by **MargaritaMatt** » May 8, 2007 9:05 am

Let me give a few of my opinions.

1. RM needs to start replying to emails, they aren't understaffed enough that they can't reply to emails. How many can each DJ get a day that aren't just requests, 50? In the time they are playing music, they should easily be able to do their job and reply to 50 emails. I had a job where I would get 150-200 emails a day, I still was able to do my job, read the emails, and reply to them. I think it is disrespectful that they never reply. I listen to NASCAR radio a lot, and their morning show replies to almost every email they get, and they have other jobs. They aren't just DJs.

2. I love RM on Sirius, yes it could be better. Everything can always get better. I believe they should try to mix songs up a little and throw us some rarities. The Buffett Brunch is a great idea if they want to condense them all. (the have played the live at Fenway disc way to much in the last two years)

3. They need to find a replacement for JD, good guy, not a good DJ for RM. That has been beat to death and I will leave it at that.

4. This is a great outlet to get your opinion on RM heard, I think Myles checks it every day. (A side note, he is the perfect DJ for RM, I love listening to him. I think Carson and Steve are also really good).

5. Pre-Concert Tailgate music. I love Savannah Jane, but she needs to show some more enthusiasm and play more party music before the shows, I am drinking and want to have fun. (Or should I say I wish she would play more party songs, see below suggestion.)

6. What happen to this being a Pirate radio station? Isn't that what Jimmy wanted? I hate when I hear a DJ say, sorry so and so, but I can't play that song you wanted because it was played already today. It is suppose to be Pirate radio, if I call in and request Led Zeppelin, and whoever is DJing feels like playing it, then they should play it. If they don't feel like playing it, they shouldn't. If somebody requests No Plane On Sunday, and it was played 5 hours ago, and Carson wants to play it, he should. Pirate radio, the DJ plays what he wants to play. The older RM gets, the more it feels like a Clear Channel station.

Those are just some of my suggestions, I know it was long winded. RM has slightly jumped the shark and gone away from its roots. But, I do think they have made some great changes along the way. I love when they play unreleased live cuts (thanks Myles for getting that up and running). I love the idea of being at City Walk to broadcast, but see point 3 (sorry JD). These are just MY suggestions to help keep RM a station that holds true to Jimmy's original idea.

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » May 8, 2007 9:41 am

Things I don't like.
1. Live broadcasts, I really don't want to hear bar noise between songs. Just play the music.
2. The new DJ.
3. The lack of variety.
4. Buffett breaks - Too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing.

Things I miss.
1. The unique programs. Bubba Wartz was great. Beatles brunch, Coral Reefer hour, Dead hour, storytime, Road trips, seems that feets at 5 was the only special program they kept.
2. The sponsers. The ads were short sweet and non-intrusive. Now the non-commercial station sure does slip a lot or Margaritaville Cafe plugs along with CIP talk.
3. The bootlegs and rarities. Haven't heard any of those since they went mainstream.
4. The guest DJ segments. Should have put it in miss #1 but those sets deserve special mention.
5. Surprise concert replays.
6. Answers to e-mails.

PJ · Post by PJ » May 8, 2007 10:09 am

MargaritaMatt wrote:6. What happen to this being a Pirate radio station? Isn't that what Jimmy wanted? I hate when I hear a DJ say, sorry so and so, but I can't play that song you wanted because it was played already today. It is suppose to be Pirate radio, if I call in and request Led Zeppelin, and whoever is DJing feels like playing it, then they should play it. If they don't feel like playing it, they shouldn't. If somebody requests No Plane On Sunday, and it was played 5 hours ago, and Carson wants to play it, he should. Pirate radio, the DJ plays what he wants to play. The older RM gets, the more it feels like a Clear Channel station.

I agree with everything you said. I do wonder if moving to the satellite broadcasting impacted the ability to be a pirate station. I don't know all the ins and outs of satelite radio - are they governed by the FCC in any way? I know they wouldn't be as closely monitored as terrestrial stations, but since they are using digital spectrum does the FCC have some form of say so over the Sirius and XM broadcasts?

The reason I ask this is because, if there is FCC oversight, there may be rules against playing the same song. I remember when I was at Auburn, one of the local radio stations had an all request lunch hour, and they said one time that FCC rules kept them from playing the same song by the same artist twice within a certain time period. They could play the same song by different artists as much as they wanted, but the same song/artist combo was a no-no. If that is still the case, is it possible that the FCC has enforced that rule against the satellite stations, and caught RM in the process?

Boston Blackie · Post by **Boston Blackie** » May 8, 2007 10:52 am

It's my understanding the FCC has no oversight when it comes to satellite radio. That's why Howard Stern and his cronies are able to say the things they do on his show. The FCC only governs the public airways, both for radio and TV. Satellite radio is not public as you have to subscribe to XM or Sirius in order to receive their services.

bufitonmybmw · Post by **bufitonmybmw** » May 8, 2007 11:52 am

Hey- let's all just be thankful that we have a station devoted (mainly) to our favorite performer! How many other fans have that? I have RM on all day long in my house. Any radio station that can get this Mom to start dancin' in her kitchen is doing a pretty damn good job, if you ask me!

Who cares if they don't play some of his obscure stuff? You've all got the CD's...
Any time I've e-mailed Miles or one of the DJ's directly, they've responded promptly. I do believe that anyone in JB's organization carries his high standards of class/business sense/manners or they wouldn't be there for long!
I say, "Rock on, RM! You're doin' a hell of a job!"

dawgfan · Post by **dawgfan** » May 8, 2007 11:55 am

bufitonmybmw wrote:Hey- let's all just be thankful that we have a station devoted (mainly) to our favorite performer! How many other fans have that? I have RM on all day long in my house. Any radio station that can get this Mom to start dancin' in her kitchen is doing a pretty damn good job, if you ask me!
Who cares if they don't play some of his obscure stuff? You've all got the CD's...
Any time I've e-mailed Miles or one of the DJ's directly, they've responded promptly. I do believe that anyone in JB's organization carries his high standards of class/business sense/manners or they wouldn't be there for long!
I say, "Rock on, RM! You're doin' a hell of a job!"

Thank you I could not say it better myself, except maybe the mom dancin in the kitchen part.

Party on Jimmy and Assoc.

Boston Blackie · Post by **Boston Blackie** » May 8, 2007 12:46 pm

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE the fact that RM exists and I'm EXTREMELY grateful that we can hear our favorite performer over the airwaves. But RM is a business now. And part of being a business is keeping your customers happy. A business needs to respond to customer feedback. If it remains stagnant, or doesn't address customers' concerns, then the business fails. Now, I'm in no way suggesting that RM is going to fail. Quite the opposite, actually. I think it's going to continue to succeed for years to come. I just think one of the ways for them to continue their success is to listen to their fans.

I started this thread because it seemed like there were more than just a few fans here who thought the quality of RM had been declining a bit and I was offering a suggestion for improvement.

If it sounds like nit-picking, well, I guess it is. But no matter how good something is, there should always be room for a little improvement. That's the only point I was trying to address here. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers.

Oh, and Elvis fans have their own channel, as well as Frank Sinatra fans.