Do I look fat in these jeans? Does this column need any changes for 2027?
Jason Barrett recently outlined how Barrett Media will evolve next year. I followed by challenging RockTernative radio to develop real strategies of its own, listen to the audience and enter 2027 with a reason to matter more.
Practicing What I Preach
Fair is fair.
If I’m going to tell everyone to listen, evolve and program to the audience, I should do the same.
For context: I call this the RockTernative column because it covers the music, attitude, business and lifestyle surrounding both Rock and Alternative.
Information about singles, albums, tours or songs jumping from 13th to 9th at Mediabase can be found in several places. Your inbox is full of it. So I’ve focused primarily on strategy, programming, talent, content and thought-provoking subjects connected to our corner of the world.
Program the Programmer
But what should this column become in 2027?
Here’s your chance to program the programmer. Vote for no changes, or email at keithblackboxgroup@gmail.com every lane you want me to spend more time in.
- No changes — keep doing what you’re doing
- Artist news
- Going-for-adds information
- Sarcasm and bad humor
- New-music reviews
- Swipes at “the man”
- Talent coaching and show development
- Rock/Alt chart information
- Unnecessary attacks on Coldplay, Nickelback and ketchup
- Programming fundamentals like scheduling, clocks and rotations
- Artist interviews
- Sydney Sweeney references
- Interviews with PDs
- Interviews with talent and shows
- Station case studies: what worked, what failed and why
- Revenue and advertising strategy
- Hidden eggs like Uncle Randy’s
- Something else: email me at keithblackboxgroup@gmail.com
If you don’t email your vote at keithblackboxgroup@gmail.com your future complaints about this column will enter radio’s traditional listener-feedback system … and be ignored.
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