The Ramble: Changes coming to the blog (again), and some first thoughts for the end of the year
December 19, 2006, 10:00 am
Filed under:
AL,
Alabama Politics,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Civic Engagement,
Clear Channel,
clearchannel,
Commentary,
Hallelujah FM,
radio,
The Rambles,
The X at 100.5,
WENN-FM,
WRAX Some more site changes on tap for 2007
Considering it’s almost the end of 2006, I’m figuring that I need to save some stuff for 2007. So we’re going to catch up on some photo posting during the next few days. We’re also going to begin our year in review of the blog tomorrow morning. This is basically a great opportunity to go back, see which posts were the most visited, post links to them, and give those that have recently joined us here on the site a chance to catch up before we start rambling again in 2007.
Of course, if something really cool comes up, we’ll have to write something about it. I’ll be frank; when the computer crashed several months ago, many of the basic tools I used for “producing” this blog were lost with it. I’m using the next few weeks to see what I can come up with to design a newer, more friendly blog for the new year. For those of you that didn’t see this coming, you should have. I did go to an art school. I can’t pass up a chance to do something a little crazy. I’m hoping to give the site a slightly more Birmingham feel than it already has. If you’ve got any ideas for changes to the blog or votes for the coming year, I’d get them in via the comments section soon. A couple of first “final rambles of the year” though:
Enjoy it while you can, it’s starting to heat up soon
A phrase that has long been tied with the holiday season is “Peace on earth. Goodwill toward men.” We are enjoying an extremely peaceful time in the city… before the start of the 2007 election cycle. One hope is that the upcoming elections maintain a level of peace and civility. More important than specific interests and personal goals should be the goal of serving the people of Birmingham, Alabama to the best of their ability and doing what is right. Hopefully people will see this upcoming election as an opportunity to speak to what they would like to see happen. I refuse to consider “supporting” anyone on this site for obvious reasons as well as the fact that I have no horse in this race. Birmingham must choose what is best for itself. I am only one voice in the sea of public opinion and I’ll be interested in seeing what comes up for discussion as time goes on.
The radio carousel: What’s next
One would have to assume that some station in the coming weeks will make the switch to a gospel format in Birmingham, Alabama. This past weekend’s rally made it sound like another company was taking a hard look at making it possible. While it may be possible to bring the format back, and while 105.5′s new format has received a favorable reception into the market, the question remains “Will we be right back in this situation in a few years?”
Radio is a business, as John reminded us in a comment to a post last week. The future of both all three of these format changes in town is the viability of these formats to make money for their companies. People listening need to translate to people buying goods advertised on the stations, including increasing support of locally and regionally owned businesses that choose to advertise on these stations. If this is not done, it will not matter how many times we bring back “classic alternative” and gospel.
…and finally,
Thanks as always to everyone that has decided to stop by this little piece of the blogosphere and see what we have to say. We’ll see you tomorrow. Enjoy the holidays everybody!
Cheers.
Filed under: AL, Alabama Politics, Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Civic Engagement, Clear Channel, clearchannel, Commentary, Hallelujah FM, radio, The Rambles, The X at 100.5, WENN-FM, WRAX
Some more site changes on tap for 2007
Considering it’s almost the end of 2006, I’m figuring that I need to save some stuff for 2007. So we’re going to catch up on some photo posting during the next few days. We’re also going to begin our year in review of the blog tomorrow morning. This is basically a great opportunity to go back, see which posts were the most visited, post links to them, and give those that have recently joined us here on the site a chance to catch up before we start rambling again in 2007.
Of course, if something really cool comes up, we’ll have to write something about it. I’ll be frank; when the computer crashed several months ago, many of the basic tools I used for “producing” this blog were lost with it. I’m using the next few weeks to see what I can come up with to design a newer, more friendly blog for the new year. For those of you that didn’t see this coming, you should have. I did go to an art school. I can’t pass up a chance to do something a little crazy. I’m hoping to give the site a slightly more Birmingham feel than it already has. If you’ve got any ideas for changes to the blog or votes for the coming year, I’d get them in via the comments section soon. A couple of first “final rambles of the year” though:
Enjoy it while you can, it’s starting to heat up soon
A phrase that has long been tied with the holiday season is “Peace on earth. Goodwill toward men.” We are enjoying an extremely peaceful time in the city… before the start of the 2007 election cycle. One hope is that the upcoming elections maintain a level of peace and civility. More important than specific interests and personal goals should be the goal of serving the people of Birmingham, Alabama to the best of their ability and doing what is right. Hopefully people will see this upcoming election as an opportunity to speak to what they would like to see happen. I refuse to consider “supporting” anyone on this site for obvious reasons as well as the fact that I have no horse in this race. Birmingham must choose what is best for itself. I am only one voice in the sea of public opinion and I’ll be interested in seeing what comes up for discussion as time goes on.
The radio carousel: What’s next
One would have to assume that some station in the coming weeks will make the switch to a gospel format in Birmingham, Alabama. This past weekend’s rally made it sound like another company was taking a hard look at making it possible. While it may be possible to bring the format back, and while 105.5′s new format has received a favorable reception into the market, the question remains “Will we be right back in this situation in a few years?”
Radio is a business, as John reminded us in a comment to a post last week. The future of both all three of these format changes in town is the viability of these formats to make money for their companies. People listening need to translate to people buying goods advertised on the stations, including increasing support of locally and regionally owned businesses that choose to advertise on these stations. If this is not done, it will not matter how many times we bring back “classic alternative” and gospel.
…and finally,
Thanks as always to everyone that has decided to stop by this little piece of the blogosphere and see what we have to say. We’ll see you tomorrow. Enjoy the holidays everybody!
Cheers.