I’ve spent the last little while, and a couple of blog posts, recalling events of a few years ago. Whilst it can be fun, it can also be pretty dull. If you didn’t live through it, why do you care?
I have a view that matches the quote of George Santayana, the philosopher, essayist, novelist and poet- “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. Dipping into events of yesterday, particularly when it comes to radio and media, are only interesting if you learn from the mistakes, understand the nuances and adjust behaviour today to prevent repeating old errors.
There is a tendency to look for and create something NEW- always. Looking for the next big thing, or the shiny bright exciting project can be all-encompassing at times. It’s entirely understandable but all too often mistakes of the past are repeated in the clamour to break the mould. I’ve posted before about the often quoted line of , “thinking outside the box”. Again, all fine as long as you have established that the box is what is holding you back. Sometimes, thinking INSIDE the box is what is needed, to find solutions which exist in the real world, based in the realities of “the box”, rather than wishing it were not there.
I listened to the excellent “Crunch & Roll” podcast last week from John Fox with his guest, Joanna Russell. Now, Jo and I go back a long way- right back to the days when I first hired Jo in Ram FM to host breakfast with Ian Skye, before moving again, (with Twiggy), to Trent after I had moved there. I’d recommend a listen (and by way of a tease, I’ll be on the podcast before too long too). The one line which inspired this post was about at this stage in her career, thinking about what to do at Christmas, or New Year, or Easter or Valentines for the umpteenth time (and then the crucial bit), that has not been done before. I absolutely recognise the issue and have been there myself several times over on the hamster wheel.
Coming up with another great new take on a yearly event is both hard, futile and soul-destroying. Sometimes you will end up with gold, more often you will not. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to come up with something new, but often there is a better route and one which your listener will thank you for. Repeat a former hit, but add some extra spice.
I can understand the reluctance to “re-hash” an old idea, but in reality only you know the history. Listeners don’t care, those who might remember it will have some favourable recall- meaning they will “get it” quicker and it will take off faster. If you give it a slight twist or tweak, then it is also not just a straight repeat. Stop beating yourself up about inventing a new hit, and replay your back catalogue of hits until the inspiration strikes.
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