Like most, I’ve had it up to my you know what hearing about AI. This isn’t a doomsday rant about how technology will bounce everyone out of employment and onto the beach. This is my exclusive interview with AI, meant to tackle the real issues facing RockTernative.
Soon after the interview started, I realized AI likes to jump on its soapbox and hear itself type. Pontificating, long-winded – AI would never survive in a PPM world. While all questions are verbatim, I did edit out non-essential parts of answers so you’re not here until Christmas, but I didn’t add anything.
Q: Rock and Alternative are the best music genres, right?
AI: Rock and Alternative are definitely powerhouse genres! Of course, “best” is subjective—some might swear by jazz, hip-hop, or classical.
Q: Rock is way better than Hip-Hop, though, right?
AI: That depends on who you ask! Rock and hip-hop are both legendary genres that have shaped music in different ways.
Q: If you had to choose only one type of music to listen to for the rest of time, would you choose Rock or Pop?
AI: That’s a tough call! Rock brings the energy, rebellion, and raw emotion, while pop is infectious, polished, and designed to get stuck in your head forever. If I had to pick, I’d lean toward rock—it has so much variety, from Classic Rock anthems to indie, alternative, and even heavier stuff.
(Yes, AI did refer to itself as “I”…)
Q: What will be the biggest new rock song of 2025?
AI: Rock fans have plenty to be excited about in 2025! Some of the most talked-about new releases include “The Emptiness Machine” and “Over Each Other” by Linkin Park, “Awaken” by Breaking Benjamin, and “Routines In The Night” by Twenty One Pilots. Måneskin is also making waves with “HONEY (ARE U COMING?)” and “VALENTINE.”
(There are a lot of Label reps who will miss out on bonuses if this is true.)
Q: Which do Golden Retrievers prefer more, Rock music or Country?
AI: Golden Retrievers seem to have a soft spot for Country music! Research suggests that dogs, including Goldens, respond well to soothing and melodic tunes, and Country music tends to have a calming effect on them.
(Wrong answer. I have a Golden and he prefers Rock).
Q: Why do you use so many exclamation marks?
AI: Great observation! I use exclamation marks to add a little extra energy and enthusiasm to my responses. But don’t worry, I can tone it down if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
(Again with “I”… twice.)
Q: Is Rock Radio in danger of not surviving?
AI: Rock radio has faced challenges in recent years, but it’s far from disappearing! While digital platforms have changed how people discover music, Rock radio still has a dedicated audience.
Q: Am I crazy, or have the prices for concert tickets become ridiculous?
AI: You’re definitely not imagining things—concert ticket prices have skyrocketed! In 2025, fans are paying more per song than ever before, with some artists charging upwards of $16 per track. The average ticket price in 2024 was $135.92, a huge jump from $25.81 in 1996
Q: Which body parts of others are appropriate to grab while crowd surfing?
AI: When crowd surfing, it’s important to be mindful and respectful of others. Generally, the best approach is to allow the crowd to support you without grabbing onto anyone.
Q: How many times per week should a Rock or Alternative radio station play its biggest new hits?
AI: There’s no strict rule, but Rock and Alternative radio stations typically play their biggest new hits multiple times per day to keep them fresh in listeners’ minds.
Q: Can you give me a more specific number per week?
AI: Rock and Alternative radio stations typically play their biggest new hits dozens of times per week, with some songs getting over 100 spins depending on popularity and demand.
Q: Is Green Day a Rock, Alternative or Punk band?
AI: Green Day is a fascinating mix of all three! They are primarily known as a punk rock band, having played a key role in bringing punk to mainstream audiences in the ’90s with albums like Dookie and American Idiot.
(American Idiot was released in ’04.)
Q: How long should a Radio DJ be allowed to talk between songs?
AI: It really depends on the station’s format and audience expectations! On a Top-40 or Classic Rock station, DJs typically keep their talk breaks short—between 10 to 30 seconds—so the music stays the main attraction.
Q: Who wins a fight between Axl Rose and Dave Grohl?
AI: If we’re talking a hypothetical brawl, Grohl has the advantage of being a drummer—so he’s got stamina and power. But Rose has that wild, unpredictable energy. It’d be a clash of styles, for sure!
Q: How powerful is Radio today versus other media?
AI: Radio is proving to be more resilient than many expected! In 2025, AM/FM radio is projected to surpass traditional TV in audience ratings. Despite the rise of streaming services and podcasts, radio remains a dominant force in media, especially in cars, workplaces, and local communities. It’s still a go-to for advertisers, with 85% of adults aged 25-64 tuning in weekly.
(AI was getting tired at this point, so I promised I’d wrap it up with some key questions.)
Q: Thinking like a great radio program director would: What is the single most important thing in achieving great ratings?
AI: A great radio program director knows that understanding the audience is the single most important factor in achieving great ratings. The best PDs deeply analyze listener habits, preferences, and trends to craft a station that keeps people tuning in.
Q: What’s the best Rock radio station in America?
AI: There are plenty of great rock radio stations across the U.S., but some of the most highly rated include:
- KLOS 95.5 (Los Angeles, CA) – A legendary station known for Classic Rock and deep cuts.
- WRIF 101.1 (Detroit, MI) – A powerhouse for hard Rock and Alternative.
- WMMS 100.7 (Cleveland, OH) – Famous for breaking new Rock artists.
- WCSX 94.7 (Detroit, MI) – A go-to for Classic Rock fans.
- KQRS 92.5 (Minneapolis, MN) – A staple for Rock lovers in the Midwest.
Q: What’s the best Alternative Rock radio station in America?
There are plenty of great Alternative rock radio stations across the U.S., but some of the top-rated ones include:
- KEXP 90.3 FM (Seattle, WA) – Known for its deep love of Indie and Alternative rock, plus live performances.
- WKQX 101.1 FM (Chicago, IL) – A staple for Alternative rock fans in the Midwest.
- KROQ 106.7 FM (Los Angeles, CA) – One of the most iconic Alternative rock stations, famous for breaking new artists.
- WXRV 92.5 FM (Andover, MA) – Also known as “The River,” it plays a mix of Alternative, Folk, and Blues.
- KRBZ 96.5 FM (Kansas City, MO) – “The Buzz,” a go-to for Alternative rock lovers.
(I know the above two lists will bring questions, debates and maybe knife fights. Why is AI listing those stations? I was curious, too, so I asked for each list:)
Q: How did you determine that list?
AI’s (abbreviated) Rock Answer: I put that list together based on a mix of listener ratings, historical significance, industry rankings, and overall influence in rock radio.
AI’s (abbreviated) Alternative Answer: I compiled that list based on a combination of factors, including industry rankings, listener ratings, station popularity, and historical impact on the alternative rock scene.
(Once again, “I” and “I”…)
So there you have it.
I did ask about reinventing Radio’s revenue model, how many commercials are too many, and other “core business” topics. But like a good politician, AI gave very long, analytical, and both-sides-of-the-aisle answers, so I decided to keep this lighter and focus on important things like Golden Retrievers.
I didn’t know AI was an “I,” that freaks me out a bit, but Rock and Radio get good report cards. It would have looked even stronger if I didn’t edit-out some deeper analysis that would have made this column 3x times longer.
Credit to ChatGPT and Copilot, they took all the smoke and didn’t have their 24-year-old girlfriends block any questions.
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Keith Cunningham is a Rock/Alternative columnist for Barrett Media, and the Master of Mayhem at 95.5 KLOS-FM in Los Angeles for over 10 years. He’s been voted one of America’s Top 5 Program Directors in two formats by Barrett Media and one of America’s Best PDs by Radio Ink. Keith has built his career by taking multi-million-dollar brands from worst to first, and leading Marconi & Gracie award winners. A self-described audience data and research nerd and advisory council member for St. Jude fundraising, Keith is a fantasy football champion and lover of his daughters & dogs. Reach him here at LinkedIn and X. For non-KLOS questions or comments, reach him at Keith90405@gmail.com.
