Some artists, such as Bruce and the Dixie Chicks, have fan bases large enough who will automatically buy the CD its first week out thus making it #1 on the charts. But for chart longevity, that requires radio airplay. At least that’s still the model.

I’ve worked for the same station for nearly fifteen years that is not under any corporate thumb. Thankfully, I have the freedom to play what I think makes a good show. I’m not filling some quota for Kenny Chesney songs in a given day nor am I cow-towing to company demands to not play a particular artist.

And you know what? We still make a buck.

I don’t think it has nearly as much to do with any political view as it does with a vice-like grip on radio formats. I heard the Police’s “Roxanne” on the radio in some store I walked into and I thought how that song was NEVER played on the air when it came out (whereas now it’s an “FM rock staple”). Same with the Springsteen record. Ten years from now, they’ll be playing it. Right now, they’re too busy playing “Born to Run” and “Dancing in the Dark” to bother.