Aural Moon Shows
 

Hello Everyone,

I've been thinking a lot about the current show schedule on Aural Moon, and was thinking that possibly a change or two is in order. No decisions made yet.

I am going to have several polls, one for each show, where you can chime in with feedback as to whether the show is indispensable, OK, or a nuisance. Replies will be anonymous so you can be comfortable giving a thumbs down to a show that most seem to like.

I'm thinking there's an opportunity for two new/replacement shows - one, focused on new additions to the Moon. At the rate I've been adding CDs, with the help of the "intervention" group, that should be programmed for a few years.

The other show I'm thinking about is the "Digressive Rock Hour", digressive meaning songs that just missed making it to the Moon, but are still quality. It'd play electronica, pop/prog, etc that isn't progressive enough to just sit on the playlist, but has that sense of adventurism.

Thoughts?

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Fantastic idea Jim.

I especially like the idea of the DRH. As you know I have a lot of stuff that falls into that category. I'd love to help out with it if you want. No problem if that falls outside the remit....I'll just carry on enjoying the show. :)

Change from time to time is good.

Let me know if I can help out.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Sounds nice. On the other hand, hasn't this been done already, sort of? The Gnosis shows in the past, and some of the shows by Rick...

As for replacing shows: How about just (re-)scheduling a couple of shows so that they only get aired once a month or every second week instead of weekly? That way you could have "more" shows in the programming. Plus you would have much more people available for DJ'ing: Life, these days at least, is too hectic for many to be able to run a radio show every week.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I love all the current shows and schedules. They make Aural Moon a station to listen too. You can learn so much from the shows. I too like the sound of the DRH. The only trouble with once a fortnight or month is that I may miss the show. I wish there was a way to have specific shows podcast or be able to be stored for listen agin option. One thought which could be fun would be for listeners to compile a short show (30-60 minutes) with a theme which could be hosted by an expert like Rick! That way the listeners could get more involved in the shows other than the shoutbox. Only a thought!

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Jim,

Interesting ideas...

Instead of loosing the shows though, what about "reigning" them in a bit - instead of 3 hours for Interzone and Rickter Scale - what about 2 hours for each show? Then you'd have 2 hours free for another show.

Just an idea... I am not sure Rick or Cozy would like that - but then all the shows - except for Gags - would be 2 hours in length.

Thanks for keeping up the great work and the new ideas... I know I am not alone in appreciating all you guys are doing to make the station GREAT!

From Texas,
Ted

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Hi, I'll just chime in so I can a) receive the emails as the posts accrue, and b) throw some ideas down because I have some personal crap to attend to this weekend.:horsepoop

I've no idea of where this will go, but I'm good with whatever happens. The only consideration of whether you want three hours or two for my show is if it's not too much of an intrusion. It takes me about the same amount of time to construct a show of varying lengths.

Most other stations of this type are heavy on the shows, and the themes. My original basis of the show (laid down in my first RS post) guaranteed different themes and genres, and that will not change. I find locking into one genre limiting.

Other shows that have specific themes are always welcome. there was a space music hour that was good but got shelved due to time.

The DRH is an interesting idea. Methem - I actually like most of the same prog rock as most others. It's just that I'd rather play something new or something different.

Is Interzone and Prog Shores a current entity? I never see them around on a regular basis.

The new show idea is a MUST.

In summary, for my show, whatever opinions are always welcome, and I'm sure Jim will contact me with any decisions that result. I enjoy the time slot, the length, etc but am always amenable to new ideas. I really do want to take more time off but there's always so much to play!

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Rick,

Thanks for commenting. I wasn't aware about Interzone and Prog Shores... if they are not around then - I withdraw my comments.

I do like your show... and - more importantly - I agree with you about different music... exposure to other artists, genres, etc have be really good for me as well. I am a die hard ELP fan, who was recently introduced to YES and Rick Wakeman because of Aural Moon... I had never heard of Spock's Bear and Neal Morse, until I started listening to this station... I love Neal Morse's stuff... again, because of Aural Moon.

I was reacting to Jim's comment about having to get rid of shows - to make room.

Keep exposing us to new stuff and working on the themes!

As I mentioned... I do appreciate what you are doing - the knowledge you share with us and effort you are putting into the show. THANK YOU!!!!:thumbsup:

You ROCK! :rawk:

Back to your regularly scheduled...

From Texas,
Ted

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I haven't heard a show by Cozy or Sean for a while unfortunately so I would imagine that programming space is available where their shows used to air. I especially like the idea of a new additions show and it sounds like a digressive show could be fun too.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Change is good, Jim, and the new show ideas sound timely and interesting. Thanks for putting this to a poll.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Well I have thought about a show which I envisaged as "Not on the Moon". Basically being prog music or near enough that I knew about but was not on the moon. So Jim's Digressive is on the same wavelength so it's of course a good idea.
And true enough with the amount of rq's now being pushed through it's hard enough to hear anything of the new additions, especially those one doesn't have or indeed had no intention of obtaining. So a New Additions slot would essentially be welcomed, although if 85 CD's is slammed on in one go it would be a hell of a very long show.....:D

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Keep your Barry Manilow and Doris Day recording to yourself! :D

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

First of this year i did a show "Not On The Moon But Still Pretty Damn Good".

I think DMH is not as unwieldy as NOTMBSPDG :yougo

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I think that shows should be time limited. We have no control over Tom's show but I don't believe these need to be more than an hour or two. They get tedious after awhile. Even Tom's show gets tedious at times but, despite that, I get some information and some great interviews juxtaposed in the mix of the generally loathed public service commercials that WBZC is required to play. I had to play them too when I did college radio. I hated them, but we had to log them and submit logs to the FCC to maintain free license.

I'm also sickened with the theme shows. Theming Thursday was intended to be a fun way to get people to exercise their "creativity" and get requests mixed up beyond the usual Supper's Ready, Close to the Edge, and Plague of Lighthouse Keepers. (All tracks I love, BTW.) Yet, I still hear the "I don't understand the theme". I wasn't going to say, "Go request all songs with XYZZY in the title." Hell, I could probably program SAM to do that if that's what Theming Thursday was supposed to be. I've tried to post vague themes in the hopes that they would spurn the obvious and spawn creativity.

I like progressive music; not regressive music. I've heard many complaints -- and I've made some myself too -- when things are played that just are not appropriate for a station that has been marketed as a prog rock station. The "country rock/death metal" show some time back was just way out of bounds.

FWIW, one of the positive things I hear is that AM has its request driven format. It allows those who listen -- our moonies -- to be part of the product and not just a consumer thereof. Everyone, in a little way, gets to have a show however brief it may be.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I don't have time to really answer this carefully right now, but I'll just throw out some quick thoughts. I hope nobody takes any offense from anything I've worded poorly below.


I like the idea of both of the new shows. Could be very interesting.

I am one of those people who find myself wishing shows would be over sooner most of the time. Gags is the worst for two reasons. No song info and time. I listen to the Moon to hear new music (new to me). If I don't know what it is, it doesn't really matter all that much if I like it, since I can never listen to it again. Four hours is a LONG time. it's half of my work day. more importantly, it's the 2nd half of my workday. a lot of my morning requests get lost under the blanket of afternoon (for me) radio shows, because I leave work shortly after Gags is over.

I have the least issues with Moses' show for a lot of reasons. It plays in the morning (for me), so I don't miss my requests because of it. It's short. It has song info. I tend to like most of what Moses plays, so that helps too. ;-)

I like a lot of what Rick plays, but he tends to put on 3 hours of one band or of just a couple bands, so if I don't like the band, that's a LONG time before I get to hear something I do like. He plays a wide variety of stuff, so not everyone is going to like all of it. and 3 hours of one band CAN seem like a long time even if you like the band. at least most of what he plays tends to be new or obscure stuff, so that's a big plus.

I like hearing people's requests. Wednesday is a good idea, but I wish it were more scattered across the week instead of one ENTIRE day with no requests. If SAM could be rigged to toss her own songs in every so often on normal days, then you might get a wider audience for that music too. I'm not sure if people tune out on wednesday, but it's sure a lot quieter in the shoutbox on wednesday. it also gets pretty quiet during most of the shows. I think, anyway.


IMHO,
lamour

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Well, this is kinda off topic for the thread, but I have to admit that a couple of times the theme has been a bit obscure for me. I usually try to make of it what I can. Some themes are a lot more fun than others. I've occasionally just sat out a whole thursday because I couldn't think of anything that really fit the theme (or was too lazy to figure out how to bend something to fit).

I usually pick something pretty obvious for my first pick and then wander as far from that as I can work out for the rest. In general, I think we get more obscure stuff on thursday than on any other request day.


imho,
lamour

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

As a former show-haver myself, here's my nine cents worth:

First, ALL shows, except maybe Gags, should be ONE HOUR. I like the Digressive Rock Hour idea, with emphasis on HOUR. As VAX mentioned, the #1 thing about AM is the request idea, and I'll add that #2 is that non-request song slots get filled randomly by SAM. A show (yes, even mine) ultimately give one person basically a big request pass.

The other thing is this: shows do not HAVE to be each week. The hardest thing about programming my headphone show back in the day was finding two hours of headphone music each week. Often I'd have 45 minutes of great headphone stuff, and then some other stuff that I thought would be worth a listen (everything sounds better in phones - KW called my can man for a reason).

If I were still doing BrainRock, it would NOT be weekly. It'd be "whenever-I've-got-a-legitimate-one-hour-of-music" show. A consistent air time, sure, but it doesn't have to be each and EVERY week. That's what took me so long to see: Internet radio does NOT have to fit into the FCC controlled formatting of broadcast radio. In other words, the AMers would learn that [i]if[i] there's a SHOW X this week, it's at 2 pm, as always.

Other than that, whatever on content. The biggest thing is don't let them get long in the teeth. I say one hour per show.

Spaz out.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I'm with some of the others, I think a Digressive hour or two would be fun.
I'm not a complainer, so whatever happens so be it. VAX, I understand your
point on Theme Thursday, but everyone seems to enjoy it. After all it was podakayne and myself that got the ball rolling on that thing again. I love the
community here and will go with the flow, no matter where it takes us...
I am easy to please when it comes to good music. Cheers and love to you all !:yougo

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I think I'd have to jump onto the A.D.D. wagon as well. I would definately like to see more shows, but of shorter duration during the working week. On the weekends, I think the format can be a little longer. But at that, I'd like to see a two hour limit.
:deadhorse
3 hours - It's too much time to fill with one subject and too many different subjects must be used to fill up the time. I live by the old entertainment adage of "Leave them wanting more." (and 'keep it simple..." doesn't fall far from that same tree).

4 hours - Gags is a four hour marathon of which a very low percentage of folks listen to on it's original broadcast night. Those that come into shout about then usually roll their virual eyes. Now out of that 4 hours, approximatley only 3 hours of it are music. The rest are promotions for New Jersey and other places and events that AM listeners have little to no interest in (or they've heard them so many times....). Do we really want promos and commercials on our airwaves?

The show just is not working as well anymore, for me. What that show was prior to the RIAA uproad has not seemed to return. Now, I have to admit I'm new to Tom's shows. I have only been listening to him about 1.5 years - not a very long time. Most of the time I can't understand the dialogue or monologue. I hardly ever know what's playing unless I recognize it. As Lamour said before, that takes a lot of the interest and enjoyment out of the program.

What I'd like to see from Tom is a version of his show that he does just for us. Not a rebroadcast of their Saturday night show, but a separate, individually programmed show just for AM listeners. Or perhaps just an interview show led by him that mixes Prog Music news and live or recorded interviews with parties of interest to our genre. Tom's musical knowledge is tantamout to the Prog scene on the East coast. He is a major force to be utilized to support and promote the growth and sustainment of Progressive Rock in the United States and abroad. I don't have issues with his talent, knowledge or artistic creativity. But I'd like to see it used more creatively and specifically to OUR end. I don't think we are here to promote 88.9FM. Not to mention that they too broadcast on the internet and anyone can get the same feed (if not a slightly better one at that as it is direct and not mirrored {or whatever you call it} thus reducing the quality of the sound). I find that redundant and not in character of the Flagship of the Prog Radio world (which is what we are IMHO).

Okay, enough about the present system, except to say, I miss the shows that have fallen by the wayside of late. I would like to seem those spots return or be replaced in a short format. I'll write more in another post about some of the types of shows I'd like to see.

And lastly, please everyone, understand I respect everyone's efforts towards making AM the best internet radio station. The time, dedication, knowledge, talent and BS&T it takes to do what each of you do is greatly appreciated. Do not think I don't understand or appreciate what you do. I know what it takes and I do appreciate you!!! But I do think we can fine tune everyone's talents and efforts into something better for everyone.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Then you'll love this one. I just bought it and have been meaning to get it for a long time, and will play it next week.

http://musicishere.com/artists/John_...ffordable_Food

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

A few more comments:

It seems three hours is long from the sampling we've seen here. I've no issue with two, if the consensus is such.

I do NOT agree about "it doesn't have to be every week". Consistency is key. Has nothing to do with commercial radio. It has to do with reliability and ease for the listener.

Dale, great points about Gagliarchives. However you won't get a version just for us, that's not feasible - unless you cut out the commercials.

I've been getting away from the three hours of the same band. Haven't done that in a while and will not in the forseeable future. I like individual songs personally. But a new release or an old classic deserves a full play, so that's 35-65 minutes.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

A.D.D?


I happen to think it is quite a privilege to have his show rebroadcast here. Again, it *IS* a show broadcast right from my area so I can understand a bit of local and Philly area news. I'm not sure, since it is Tom's show, that we should be editing its content. However, if it is OK with Tom, you can be appointed to sit and listen and censor all of the public service announcements and discussion, and leave just the music.


Tom's show has not changed. The RIAA uproar concerned internet radio paying more blood-money to carry music content. It had nothing to do with Tom's show content.


I think too many here focus on the medium and not the message.


Sean's show I miss. However, I know he's a busy man. He may have burned himself out too trying to cover, sometimes obscure, regions of the world. Perhaps, his show would have benefitted from a 1 hr format with more sequel parts.


Gracias from one and all.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

A couple of new show ideas to toss out into the ring, hat or whatever.

I like the digressive show you mentioned. There are a lot of marginal groups it's nice to hear from.

I was thinking of a weekend morning/early afternoon show in the lines of Psychedelic music - early floyd (well, all floyd), td, space rock, hawkwind and the like. Probably trying to stay more in the late 60's early 70's heady music.

I think someone mentioned an 'electronic' show - that's appealing too.

A show of new releases is a must!

Perhaps a show that focuses on Women's contributions to the Prog scene. Sometimes it can seem way too much testosterone is present in our genre. (besides, maybe we can attract more babes to the station.) :-o~ ;) (Really, Im just kidding - please don't send the PC police to my house.)

And finally, I'd like to definately see a show like Sean's that features country specific prog (swedish, german, italian, etc). I don't think they have country-western prog. :cool:

Just a few ideas to banter about.

Vax, a.d.d. = attention deficit disorder. Short attention spans.:lurk:
And yes, it is quite an honor to host/share the gags here. And thanks for bringing him aboard. It helped establish our credibility as a serious Prog Rock entity.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Hey guys.... remember me? :)


I have not checked the Moon in the last month or so, but as fate would have it, checked today and came about this thread.

A few things I'd like to comment on...


Interzone has been on hiatus the last few months primarily due to personal issues. There was a period of time where work really got in the way, but then later some health issues with my wife that we're just now pretty much in the clear of.

I work on new shows all the time, but getting them completed and ready to go and on the station just takes time I didn't have. I try to put a lot of effort into the show as opposed to having a random playlist. I have the next 8 shows mapped out in various stages of completion.

Rarely have I ever had a complaint about the 3-hour format. Usually the 3rd hour is devoted to focusing on one recording relevant to the theme of that show. I think you just have those on the Moon that like the idea of the station being 24/7 requestable and in control. And organized programs take time away from that.

I would like to think the wide and eclectic variety of music on Interzone would leave a distinct impression. That said I have to question if it's "missed" when absent. To my knowledge, I've not received one posting in the Interzone forum nor any words of concern or curiosity from the Administration to my e-mail. And this is the first I've heard suggested my show slot is in jeopardy. So that leaves me in the precarious position of deciding if it's worth continuing.

Anyway, I'm just an e-mail or forum post within earshot! :)

- Cozy

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

May I make a suggestion?

Based on Cozy's comments (sounds like a show title) -

I'd like to have Jim's poll done, privately, comprehensively as soon as Jim can. The same few people (including myself) are having this same discussion, and I don't think we are always representative of the feelings of the Moon listeners. Also, I'd hope that the poll is displayed prominiently and we get a good sampling.

Cozy, do not let anything said here sway you're decision. If you are allowed to do your show, do it. I know I appreciate it no matter when you can do it. I base my show on a) if the admin allows, then b) if I have time. I'm busy with the same demands and family issues as others, but I choose to run most every week. That's just me - if you can, do it...

I'm going to recuse myself now from the thread and will read the future comments with interest. Also, I'll await the polls and other inquiries and work with Jim to implement my show in the best possible manner in the future if allowed.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Hmm... the hippy throwback I am finds this idea VERY appealing.


I love the female prog acts but I fear this would be very quickly exhausted and stifling catagory.

OK. In terms of the show length... gotcha. Perhaps this is why TV shows are .5 hour in length with the occasional 1 hour segment.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Anything truly new, released within past few years probably deserves to be featured in its entirety as a premiere of sorts on AM.

What's the difference between DRH and what Rick does?

...

What I'm about to say is highly subjective so please forgive. There are times when I read in Shout someone comment about music on moon that is, how shall I say this, wierd. The Who, or Grand Funk or Beethoven. And I'm thinking to myself the same thing. My point is, I suspect most people that come here want to listen to prog (whatever that means). If I'm in the mood for Led Zeppelin, I can always listen to Q104 or something like that, right?

About Gags show. I've listened to it several times. It's a good show except for all the damn commercials. It's easy enough for me to just tune in to their source stream if time on this station needs to be set aside for other shows.

Cheers.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Cozy who? :D

Hope all's well.


There have been questions from moonies in the shout but, without an answer, I would just say, "You need to ask Cozy."

Don't let the lack of commentary discourage you. There are those of us who are long time moonies and figure that you are just busy. I know AM is not a job; it's a hobby. There are also many newcomers who simple haven't heard your show and, therefore, wouldn't know it is missing.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

:dunno:

Save that -- and only by a real s-t-r-e-t-c-h of the imagination and heavy doses of schedule I and possibly II controlled substances -- Judas Priest is NOT nor ever will be prog or even come close to it.


In my travels I have mentioned AM to people only to hear from them at a later date that when they tuned in they didn't hear what they would have expected and then never bothered to listen again. AM is billed as a prog station and people tune in expecting just that. There's a plethora of other genre specific stations on the internet; if, on a particular day, somebody has a hankering for something like heavy-metal waltzing music, there's likely a heavy-metal waltzing music station to fulfill that desire. In that vein, if, for example, I go to a Yes gig, I wouldn't be very receptive to them singing heavy-metal waltzing song. I'd tune out, or more specifically, walk out in an instant.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Cozy, my NoVa friend, we MISS YOU! Really, we do. But we're a fickle bunch sometimes. Out of sight, out of mind.

I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I hope everything is healed and all are okay. It's never an easy thing to deal with juggling life issues, work, family, etc.

I look forward to having you back on the air. And people have been asking about/for you in the shout. Others miss you too.

So don't give up!

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

A whole 9¢! You big spender you! :D


Precisely. If there was to be a 2 or 3 hour show, once a month would be fine. That way a good show can be compiled to fill out the slot without compromising.

Anyway, I'd personally prefer shorter 1 hour shows if they are to be weekly. As it is right now, the present shows (assuming they all air) consume 1/7th of the weekly air time.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I'm not listening daily but I think the shows are ok the way they are. I love to listen to The Fusion Reactor and The Rickter Scale from time to time. They are playing great stuff, often bands I never heard of before. I hope this will be the same in the future whatever changes you guys will make.

hans

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Hey Cozy,

I remember you & your show. I enjoyed your show, and your shouts.

I also miss both.

Knew some things were happening in your life that precluded you from doing shows. Family always comes first. IMHO(I am not often humble about anything involving my opinion). I hope all is well in that regard for you now.

I miss your show.

Hey Sean,

Many of the same comments apply here, as I've said to Cozy.

As well, I miss your show too.

Bmithra

Doing my best not to go into a rant here.
My choice of order has nothing to with favoritism, it is simply alphabetical.

As far as RFW(request free wednesday) is concerned, I have not changed my opinion about it. I still don't like it. I probably never will. But that is just me.

I will go with the flow here, like I always do. I am here because of the music.
That is what its all about anyway. Isn't it?

:rockband: :rockband: :rockband: :rockband: :rawk: :rawk:

I would like to thank all the admins and showmakers for all that they do here, for without them there would be no Aural Moon for the rest of us to listen to. Also, many thanks to Avian(Davin) the man who created this great place.



Bmithra:thumbsup:

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I'm not surprised at that stat. If you tend to listen frequently, then you are bound to hear a show twice...

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the support. I'll be leaving a status message on the Interzone forum shortly.


- Cozy

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Interesting proposed changes! I like some of the ideas. Does SAM have a way of compiling which music is most requested? That might be interesting. OTOH, it won't promote new exciting prog releases. I like the ideas of featuring new releases and the "almost as good as prog" thing.

I also wonder about the age of those requesting stuff like Close to the Edge. I would not request that as I can play it any time, and have played it a LOT over the years. But it would be more exciting knowing that younger listeners are just discovering this great style of music...

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

How about treating SAM-only time as a show? Limit it to a 4 hour block or such.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

I know and I have no problem with having a theme request day. The object and focus of theme day was about being creative with the hope of stimulating some varied requests (and thought) instead of some vapid "songs with prepositions, verbs, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, alliteration, onomatopoeia, expletives, etc." in the title track. I've had enough of that with some of the shows.

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SAM? No. But I can via some SQL queries of the database.

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

You don't really need a mandated theme to have varied requests. You don't even need to have a theme - a suggestion is helpful, maybe.

Give the Aural Moon listeners some credit - left to their own devices, things work out pretty good.

As for the "vapid" comment, sometimes I'll have a show like that but I tend to shy away from them. the artists played drive the theme, not the other way around. A set theme (as you yourself have stated and I agree) is limiting. Again, the music selection is first then the theme, for me.

I'm not going to speak for other shows that employ "themes".

Re: Aural Moon Shows
 

Absolutely! However, it was requested/suggested we have a theme day. Fridays, in case you haven't noticed, have also eroded into Fusion Friday; albeit, unofficially.

Well.

I'm not discrediting them. It's been a great and fun way to get a sense of community.