Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    Personally, I doubt if increasing needle time would change that
    much.  Can we have less of the Radio 1 DJ verbal trash, please ..
    
    David.
    

    Yup I'd agree with the "DJ verbal trash" bit - Radio 1 in particular
    is turning into a talking "Sun" newspaper ... it used to be personal
    anecdotes from the DJs but they seem to be so "carboardy" these
    days that they have to turn to the papers for witty stories ...
    that goes for Capital too by the way ...

    The following quote is by Ex-DJ Jonathan King,
    
    "DJs are vacuous, empty-headed, vain, illiterate morons. They create
    no atmosphere and have no love for there knowledge of music. Most
    of them I hate with a passionate loathing."  
    
    Thanks to NME Bigmouth bit. 
    
    Marc.

    Substitute "Jonathan King" for "DJ" in previous quote.

    One of Murdoch's comics (the SUNday Times) had a little bit in it this
    weekend about needle time. Apparently the needle time restrictions
    apply only to those records whose performance agreements are covered by
    PPL (Phonographic Peformance Limited?). There are a small number of
    companies outside this agreement; their records can be played without
    counting towards the needle time for the day, so presumably there's
    some incentive for the radio stations to play them (if this is correct).

    One of the record companies/labels not covered by PPL is the label
    which brought us Kylie Minogue. Coincidence, bad luck, or what?

    john

    Although not directly related can anyone tell me why Johnnie Walker
    ditched the BBC again and has gone to Commercial Radio (he is
    presenting an "In Concert" series at least) ?   And after he'd
    done such an excellent job sitting in for Steve Wright ...
    [ Maybe he's preparing for the Radio Revolution due soon ].

    Johnnie Walker left the Beeb to join a Richard Branson-organised
    station, whose name I forget (something like "The Super Station"). It
    gets extensive coverage in Q magazine this month; here's the executive
    summary (oops, now u know what kind of rubbish I read):
    
    Branson's new station is distributed FREE (by satellite) to independent
    local radio stations in the UK in return for two minutes per hour of
    advertising. The ILR station gets to keep the rest of its nine minutes
    per hour for its own local advertising, and is saved the hassle
    of employing presenters at awkward times of day - at the moment
    Branson's station covers 10pm to early morning (4am?), soon to be
    extended to start early evening.
    
    Among the staff are:
    Johnnie Walker (11pm slot, sounding much as he did many years ago)
    Bob Harris (yes the original whispering Bob of OGWT fame, doing
    the 1am-4? slot, playing new age stuff, most of which apparently
    doesn't count against the needle time, and a few classics)
    Ruby Wax gets 10pm-11pm 3 days a week (I heard it once and was
    appalled, but not surprised, 'cos I didn't like her TV stuff)
    Jonathon Woss gets a slot somewhere
    Janice Long gets to do early evenings
    Nicky Horne is in there too somewhere

    The stations taking Branson's feed seem mainly to be smaller ones
    (no surprise, really) with the exception of Piccadilly Radio in
    Manchester. (Sorry if I've accidentally classed your favourite ILR
    as small...)

    The article hints that Branson's real aim in doing this is as a
    dry run for when the national ILR franchise comes up in a year or
    two, and it also mentions Branson's two competitors, Luxembourg
    (apparently leading with Emperor Rosko - how bizarre) and an Irish
    venture headed by ex-boatmen Robb Eden and Chris Carey (can't remember
    who's on the staff)

    That's about all I can remember.

    cheers
    john

    Thanks - that's exactly what I guessed.   Johnnie Walker is on Mons
    to Thus on 210 at 11.00pm and JR at 10.00pm Tues and Thus.   Still
    haven't put Q on order yet over here ...