One aspect of being KCOU's jazz director that I miss is providing record labels with positive feedback about the music they sent us. An example from 1992:
Record label rep: So, how are you liking Kenny Blake's new CD, "Rumor Has It...?"
Me: I think it's one of the strongest jazz CDs we're playing right now. Blake's a smooth saxophonist, and his covers of standards like "Night Train" and "Satin Doll" are especially strong. "Black Hat" is an interesting vocal track, as well. Peter Morley's vocals remind me of Ben Sidran on that tune. We're playing the CD a lot on our "Jazz Odyssey" show, five days a week.
Record label rep: Wow, so it's in heavy (rotation), then. Is KCOU piped into the cafeterias at lunchtime?
Me: In some places, yes. It's also used as the background for the cable channel listings on the Residence Hall Association's station.
Record label rep: Let's stir up some excitement for the album, then. How about if I send you some cassettes to give away during the jazz show?
Me: Sure, that would be great...
The other jazz DJs and I gave away "Rumor Has It..." cassettes on the air soon after that. That, in part, is one of the reasons I enjoyed KCOU so much. It was a pleasure to play music that deserved airplay and might not have gotten it otherwise. It was also satisfying to make listeners aware of a good artist's music and prompt them to buy it, when they might not have otherwise.
I meant what I said 25 years ago about Blake's "Rumor Has It..." CD. Looking back, his music would have fit in well on our former St. Louis smooth jazz stations, KNJZ and WSSM.
Even when your radio station doesn't draw a ton of listeners, it's still a pleasure to know that you helped further a talented artist's career, at least in some small way.
