Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Stu Sutcliffe Syndrome

Sunday August 12th, 2012 – Kenosha, WI

    Joy and pain. Sunshine and rain. Yin and yang. Life is filled with polarity whether we like it or not. It’s easy to like the ups, but the downs can be a deal breaker. I’m experiencing this first hand with the Mothership Connection radio show on AM 1050 WLIP in Kenosha, WI and it’s not fun.

   The fun part is the radio show itself. Who wouldn’t enjoy having a radio show that is centered around one’s most favorite topics of discussion? Not only that, there’s creative freedom allowed and within reason that host can discuss virtually any topic at all? That’s rare as to the radio norm.

   We’ve had some very solid shows, even though we’re on a small radio station with a mediocre signal that barely reaches the city limits of Kenosha. It does stream online, and we’ve developed a loyal fan base all over North America and beyond. From where we started, we’re doing great.

   But if we’re ever going to take it to a real level of success, a few changes needed to be made in order to have even a remote chance for that to happen. Fun is fun and nice is nice, but those don’t cut it as far as the real world is concerned. To play with the big boys, we have to raise our game.

   Part of that includes having a functioning website that archives our past shows and offers some additional content like blogs or interviews or whatever else is available on bigger show’s sites. It doesn’t matter if nobody is getting paid just yet, we have to appear bigger so we can get bigger.

   Another part is the content of the show on every level. We need to have consistently interesting and diverse guests from a number of areas of the paranormal. The hosts are also a key ingredient. There’s a chemistry involved like a band or theatre ensemble, and all of the parts need to blend.

   I’ve known one of the parts hasn’t been blending for a while, but I didn’t want to address it out of respect for feelings. I don’t want to crush anyone’s dream, especially on a show where there’s no pay involved. This has been a passion project, and I made it clear to everyone from the start.

   Well, it’s time to either take the show to the next level and play with the big boys or put away a fun little toy that everyone loved for a few years. My choice was to attempt to take it higher and I have been asking the opinions of some of my highest radio contacts. The comments I received in return said the same thing I’d sensed on my own. There was one person who didn’t fit in the mix.

   I’m sure this was the same feeling the Beatles had when they had to move on from Pete Best or Stu Sutcliffe. They were on their own level, and the other guys weren’t. That didn’t mean Pete or Stu were bad people, or that they weren’t talented. It just meant they weren’t a fit with the group.

   That’s the same scenario here, and I had to tell that person it just wasn’t a fit if we’re intending on trying to make it work on a bigger stage and get paid. It was truly nothing personal, but that’s how it was taken unfortunately and I feel really bad. But the truth is it was exactly the move that needed to be made, and we’ve been soaring ever since. We’ve had rock solid shows since it took place, with more on the way. I wish life didn’t have to be so cruel, but it is. It sure kills the fun.

Posted via email from Dobie Maxwell's "Dented Can" Diary

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