MUSIC PROGRAMMING
by Michael B. Klein
Listen to your customers
Since I last wrote my column , I
have had a couple of interesting
incidents that I would like to relate to
you . First things first . The other day I
was sitting in my local, friendly
tavern , indulging in some spirits and
libations , after a hard day at the
typewriter . I overheard a man and a
woman talking . I am always interest-
ed in conversations and dialog . (It's
part of a writer's job to be very
observant) .
There was a jukebox in the bar,
and there were about four or five
tunes that were so scratchy that one
couldn't even decipher what the
vocalist was saying . Needless to say ,
I was in total agreement with the
couple who were complaining that
they were going to write a letter to
the owner of the jukebox , or at least
demand their money back . They
were concerned about the lousy
service of the person who operated
the jukebox.
The scene : two weeks later. .. they
had written a letter and phoned the
gentleman who owned the machine .
No response . Now , as far as they
were concerned , it wasn't simply a
matter of money . Really , what does
approximately one dollar mean these
days? But they were upset , and I
couldn't blame them . Customer
relations is the name of the game
these days . And , I was particularly
interested , not because I write for
Play Meter , but because I have
recently had a similar experience
with a very uncooperative rent-a-car
company .
It seems that about three months
ago, my car was hit in a hit-and-run
accident with one of the company's
cars . It was , according to the police
officer, who wrote up the report , all
their fault. Plus a hit-and -run acci-
dent is a crime in California .
Anyway , after writing numerous
letters , and making many phone
calls , I have received no response
from the rent-a-car company . And I
was upset. Don't they realize , I
thought , that word of mouth adver-
tising is probably the best advertising
one can get. And , consequently , in
this case the worst they can get?
Although my claim was for more
than one dollar , it's the principle of
the incident . They were totally
ignoring me , much the same way the
owner of the jukebox did . And I
would tell all of my friends not to
patronize , either the jukebox, or the
rent-a-car company .
After all , why patronize either a
company, or individual who doesn't
respond to his customer's needs and
wants ... especially when there is no
price difference , why patronize a
person who is not giving service, or
respecting the customer's integrity?
For your own well being-both
monetary and integrity wise , please ,
take care of your customers . Because
you may never know exactly who
they are . The fellow who complained
about the jukebox may have been
the bank manager where you were
going to apply for your next loan ... or
a writer from Play Meter who will
write you up in his next column!
SOMETHING
MORE
THAN
NOTHING - Waves/ Polydor 14434
Waves is a group who has been
causing quite a stir in the Southern
California area . Although they are
quite different from the Eagles , they
have mustered up the same amount
of enthusiasm that the Eagles
managed to get about three or so
years ago .
This tune has very distinctive
harmonies (and very pleasant , I
might mention) combined with
catchy hooks , which should get just
about any listener involved . I believe
that th is single is going to find a place
on many playlists throughout the
country (it has already been added in
California) , and you should give this
one serious consideration.
GEORGIA RHYTHM- The Atlanta
Rhythm Section/ Polydor 14432
I understand that at the Dog Days
Festival on Labor Day at Grant Field ,
Atlanta , Georgia , 55 ,000 people
rose from their seats and sang along
with the A.R.S . as they performed
this tune . And it is no wonder. It's
truly a fabulous song ... and anyone
who can't either sing or stomp their
feet with this one is well ...
I imagine because of the response ,
Polydor decided to release this one
as a single . It was previously a cut on
the ARS near-platinum lp , "A Rock
and Roll Alternative ." This is an
incredible performance by an incred-
ibly talented band. Add it to your
jukeboxes and you'll sure get some
added plays .