We have come a long way since Marconi first introduced us to radio. Today, more people than ever listen to the radio, but now that anyone can do it, have you lost your fun and excitement? The anticipation in those days before you tune in to Bing Crosby’s weekly show, The Goon Show or The Ovaltinies. These shows brought families together as they warmed up their radios and listened to their favorite music shows, plays, and sitcoms.

Big stars emanated from these regular offers, the jingles were born and also the radio commercial. It was also mostly ‘live’, unlike so many stations nowadays where everyone goes home and leaves it on autopilot.

The art of radio has always had an heir to mystery. What did everyone look like, what was everyone doing behind the scenes? How did the sound travel from the microphones to the radio and how did they make the plays so real? One of my bosses at the BBC had started out as a ‘live’ sound effects guy, playing almost all the sounds for those plays and comedy shows. The radio activated the theater of the mind in everyone.

Musicians were also in high demand with the beginning of radio dance bands, but all of that disappeared over time. Musicians in those days always played ‘live’ and ‘living’ with the exception of one pianist on a daily BBC music show who died playing the piano and no one noticed until pub time came.

Getting into radio was hard enough, even when I started in the late seventies, but the fun was still there, working with the biggest names in The World. I once taped a whole hour-long show with comedian Bob Hope in the limousine between the golf course, where he was playing in his own Bob Hope Classic, and his hotel in London.

There we were, just the two of us, me with the tape recorder, a list of records, and a stopwatch, and Bob holding the microphone as he introduced all the records and gave us stories for an hour-long show to air the next day. tomorrow on BBC Radio 2. The whole experience was made even more fun when Bob introduced the extra dimension of ice cream! It was a hot July day. The driver knew what Bob liked and bought two family-size slabs to eat with spoons while we continued filming and before they melted.

These days it is very different. I can interview a big name and have them record their entire ending and send me the file. It’s a lot easier on everyone without balancing tape machines, dashes, and sundaes, but not half as much fun!

Now anyone can record their own radio show or podcast and put it on the Internet for the world to hear. The sad thing is, without training, many webcasters have no idea how to win over their listeners and offer something compelling. Consequently, as more people turn to the internet for alternative radio, the more difficult it will be for them to search for something of substance and quality. But look and you will be rewarded as real innovation and talent comes to light.

Will Internet streaming in all its forms overtake analog and new digital terrestrial platforms? The future could be rich in content and entertainment value as novice webcasters learn their craft. I’m not sure the new age of internet streaming will ever be golden, but it will be different for sure.

If you feel like being on the radio, now you can. Check out our free tips and strategies to grow your audience through entertaining shows.