We're the Rock of New Orleans

I was an avid shortwave radio listener when I was growing up. I'd strung up a wire encircling my room as an antenna, and for a while had a wire antenna set up outside, which I connected to my radio through a window when there was no threat of lightning.

Most of the stations were government run and operated. The Voice of America, Radio Prague, etc. Being able to hear them was more important than actually listening to their programs, although I did find it interesting to get another (usually commie) perspective on the news, and realized from a young age that our national news might not actually be totally objective (the horror). Turns out the rest of the world wasn't as in favor of our invasion of Panama as I would've imagined, for example. Didn't they know that Panamanian military strongman Manuel Antonio Noriega was a bad guy (tm)?

It was also quite a kick to hear the rapid transition on the various Eastern Bloc stations from moribund commie party line to what the hell is going on to young liberal takeover after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Other than the VOA, most of the small number of U.S. based shortwave stations that existed were religious broadcasters, whose programs were painful to listen to, and who would ask you if you had accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior if you bothered to send a QSL.

There was one exception, however. WRNO, New Orleans. Also a FM station, with motto "We're the Rock of New Orleans", WRNO Worldwide was their shortwave service. Why someone thought it would be profitable to broadcast 100,000 watts of hard rock and New Orleans Saints games to the world, I'm not sure, but I definitely appreciated its presence on the dial.

One day I tuned into WRNO and they were playing "Green Onions" by Booker T. & The M.G.'s, one of my favorite songs. Awesome. I continued listening, and what do you know, but they played it again! Then again. And again. And again and again and again, with no DJ interruption. I listened to "Green Onions" for at least an hour. Were they having technical issues? Did the DJ put it on repeat to go binge on beignets & sazerac? I never did find out what the deal was.

Sadly, according to the Wikipedia entry I just read, WRNO Worldwide's shortwave transmitter was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and its license sold to a religious broadcaster. As for the FM station, in 2008 it switched to a "Rush Radio" format (as in scum of the earth Rush Limbaugh). But whenever I think of WRNO, I'll always remember the good times:

Advertising on the Radio

Hi.

This picture is the cookie store storefront about a month ago. We now have walls and a ceiling and the walkway is about finished. This Saturday, all of the apartments above will be filled with sorority ladies on move-in day. Yet our opening date isn't until the end of September, though most likely early October.

I'm thinking about a million different things to help get this store up and running, but one of the most fun ones is which community radio show(s) will I sponsor. I've got things pulling me, advertising can be so annoying, but on the other hand, I love these shows and it would be so cool to have the cookie store ad on there at the same time! I mean, think about it... a cookie store... advertised on the Reggae Hour. Oh man, we'd have a million calls! Or, all five who are listening on a Sunday afternoon. But all of them! And of course there's the Lounge Show on Saturday - an absolute must.

I don't know if it will do a damned thing for business, and I don't want to just do it because I like those shows so much, but then, what the hell. If it comes out of my own pocket and I want to, why not?

Thinking about advertising on a 'rock' station is unthinkable, but then, there are people who listen to them. I don't think I know any of them, but they are definitely out there. Who are these people? I am positive they would like cookies. It's a moot point though because I can in no way afford the cost for advertising there.

KUT is already expensive enough and they told me they reach over 100,000 people weekly. That is probably less than the area rock station, or even 107.1, but still seems like a lot to me.

Decisions to make. But I'm telling you right now, the store will definitely be on the Lounge show, the Reggae Hour and probably the Elk Mating Show.

Tonight I watched the top 20 redneck moments. The advertising for the show was particularly intriguing as it mixed ads about diapers, K-Y and Cheetos. God it was a great show.

But I was sad to hear about Jerry Lee Lewis' fall from grace because he shacked up with his 13 year old second cousin. I really liked that guy and he had great hair, too. From his website, looks like he's still playing, though.