It was always awkward when a listener called a radio station and asked to hear a song the station didn't have. It was especially awkward when the song had been played on a prerecorded show.
"I'm sure I've heard it before on your station," the listener would say.
"Yes, but it was on a syndicated show that we run," I'd reply. "We don't actually have that song in our library."
I couldn't blame the listener. Most listeners don't think, "This song must be part of the approved rotation that's only played during certain times of day. This other song must be part of the station's heavy rotation. And this one is only being played because it's part of a national countdown or specialty show."
To most listeners, a radio station is simply a source of music they like. That's worth remembering when you talk to listeners on the phone.
