I.R.S. Ð NOW WE ARE SIX

IRS Hz use

Less tax-ing, more fun. ThatÕs Hz So GoodÕs 6th annual I.R.S., as in ÒIt Really ShouldaÓ been a Top 10 hit.

HereÕs how to file your ÒI.R.S. formÓ and help build this year's Top 104, to be counted down the weekend preceding that other IRS deadline (Friday April 12 to Sunday April 14) over RewoundRadio.com and wrnjradio.com/streaming.

 

á Put together your list of songs that make you say "THAT really shoulda been a top 10 hit!" Any song that didnÕt reach the Top 10 in the U.S. is fair game, whether or not it was ever on any chart, ever released as a single, or ever released in the U.S.

 

á It doesn't matter if you don't know (or care) whether songs were Top 10 or not. We'll take care of all corrections.

 

á Send as few songs as youÕd like, or as many, up to 100. We know some of you can come up with more, but please limit your list to 100 songs.

 

á Unless you specify otherwise, lists are assumed to be in rank order, with your favorite/most deserving listed first.

 

á Make sure to list the title AND artist for every song. And please, in that order, title followed by artist.

 

á Since this is a ranking of songs, do not list two sides of a single as one entry. Likewise, do not list two or more versions of the same song as one entry.

 

á Send your completed list, along with your full name and complete mailing address, to IRS104@verizon.net. The absolute deadline for all ÒI.R.S. formsÓ is 11:59:59pm Eastern time, April 1st Ð April FoolÕs Day - 2013.

 

Random I.R.S. filers will receive ÒrefundsÓ in the form of either merchandise from RadioLogoLand or 4-disc sets of the I.R.S. Top 104! And for the first time this year, everyone filing an I.R.S. form receives a free one-year membership to HardToFindMusicAndMovies.com, including a 20% discount off non-sale items. Remember to include your full name and complete mailing address in your email to be eligible for any of these prizes.

 

Over the weekend leading up to this yearÕs other IRS deadline (Friday April 12 to Sunday April 14), weÕll count down the 6th annual I.R.S. Top 104 on a radio or computer near you (and in Hz So Good) and draw winners Ð details soon. If weÕre not already connected, friend me on Facebook (richappel7) or follow me on Twitter (@RestOfTheWeek) for regular updates.

So, let the 6th annual I.R.S. begin. Preparers are standing by.

H&Z ROCK

a division of

 

ÒFighting to stay freeÓ                                                                                                                                                                                              #171...February 2013

 

 ÒShut up and ENTERTAIN!Ó

 

And now, ladies and gentlemenÉ

  Émy dictionary defines ÒentertainÓ as Òto hold the attention of; amuse.Ó

  Is one supposed to be synonymous with the other? And, does the former suggest that anything or anyone holding anyoneÕs attention is entertaining?

  Perhaps like you, I grew up thinking that radio, like television and motion pictures, was an entertainment medium. For the first two, I defined ÔentertainmentÕ as something I thoroughly enjoyed when watching or listening (I suppose it amused me, but ever since Goodfellas, IÕve associated that word too closely with Joe Pesci). Holding my attention was a given: a good song, clever and interesting DJ or funny TV show could all do that.

  IÕve spent so much time focused on radioÕs diminishing ability to entertain that until now it didnÕt hit me that maybe thatÕs not whatÕs really happening. WhatÕs really happening is that what is entertaining has evolved (or, one could argue, de-volved) over time.

  In summer 1977, a museum exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania saluted the spoken word. Part of that salute was a re-creation of a 1940s living room with a large-and-in-charge radio tuned to The Jack Benny Show. A then-20-year-old me could not get enough, coming back every day to listen a little more. IÕd already known and loved Benny from TV and clips of the radio show, but this cemented it: Benny was an entertainer, one of the greatest, really.

  But today, BennyÕs entertainment value is lost, same as that of any comedian from that era. The idea of a person or persons on a stage telling jokes (or joking with each other) as a basis for a TV program would not pass for entertainment today. There are still recorded situation comedies, but even they are not the prominent source of entertainment for todayÕs viewers. Reality has snatched that crown, drama too.

  And back on the radio, entertainment also is not what it was. Music still entertains, but the way it is served up has changed to suit todayÕs listener, and, like on TV, it is the live entertainer, that person who talked between the songs and made them hold together, who has taken the fall. Not surprisingly, this came through years of reducing the role of the DJ from one music format to the next. WeÕve gone from ÒShut up and play the musicÓ to just plain ÒShut up.Ó ThatÕs why thereÕs DJ-less radio (if you can call it radio) via Pandora, homemade Internet stations and, sadly, over-the-air radio itself.

  And where the DJ still exists and is allowed to talk, he or she isnÕt allowed to say all that much or voice an opinion, tell a story, really say anything to make him or herself sound like an interesting and engaging personality. And the majority of listeners seem to be ok with this, perhaps because this is how to hold their attention in this modern age. Webster said thatÕs entertainment, so it must be true.

  All this suggests that the idea of what is entertaining will continue to change, regardless of where we see, hear or feel it. Perhaps thereÕll be buttons for music, funny stuff, competition, political ranting and so on. Our kids will just push whatever button to experience what theyÕre in the mood for. And whatever they donÕt want theyÕll just erase, like some annoying guy or girl talking, trying to explain things or trying to be clever between songs or bits.

  God forbid they should find that entertaining.      

 

And the hitsÉ

IS RADIO SPONGE-WORTHY?     It wasnÕt that long ago Twinkies went away, but not before Twinkie lovers (and those who simply feared theyÕd never again have one) went crazy buying up every last Twinkie in stores. Now, to really no oneÕs surprise, Twinkies and most other Hostess cakes will return to stores under new ownership, and all will be well with the universe.

  Which makes you wonder what would (or, shudder, will) happen if radio as we know it closes up shop. Will those who remember and loved radio as it was come rushing back for one last hurrah? Does radio still occupy the same place in the worldÕs heart as do Twinkies (in a manner of speaking, anyway)? Will listeners suddenly stop and appreciate not just the sponge-y yet tasty music on the outside but also the creamy goodness of personality DJs on the inside (if they get that far)?

  HereÕs hoping we never have to find out.

 

 

 

NAG, NAG, NAG   And donÕt forgetÉ

* ÒThe CHRoniclerÓ in ThursdayÕs Billboard Top 40 Update (subscribe free at http://www.billboard.biz/newsletters)

* ÒThe Rest Of The WeekÉÓ Saturday 6am-1pm and Sunday 10am-3pm ET at http://wrnjradio.com/streaming/

* Follow me at http://twitter.com/#!/@Restoftheweek

* Friend me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/richappel7).

 

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Past editions of Hz So Good can be seen at http://www.60s70s.org/HzSoGood

 

 

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