well now, that got me to thinking about how lucky i was to have a shortwave radio when i was growing up. i got to hear all kinds of pop, rock, and folk music from all over the world. while, of course, most of the pop and rock was based on the british and american model, some brought distinctly regional and locally cultural flavor and information to its approach and sound, which certainly wasn't available in much, if any, regular quantity on usa radio.

though, during the mid sixties, the british invasion would have had it entirely covered, i can't help wondering how much more diverse, entertaining, and educational radio in the united states would have been if, conversely, there'd have been a mandate of 30% international playlists. maybe this country would be at least somewhat less myopic today.

for example, thanks to a long gone website, "channel a", i know something about cantopop. but, since the genre has gotten little if any airplay in the west, i've never heard a note of it.

 

Last edited by gopher (July 18, 2020 5:55 pm)

Lorne wrote:

Before January 1971, there was no requirement for Canadian radio stations to play any Canadian music. That changed when the Cancon rules came into effect. When a 30% non-negotiable quota was instituted, it gave birth to the modern Canadian music industry.
https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/an-america-looks-at-nearly-50-years-of-cancon-rules/

One thing the author didn't mention, likely because it doesn't fit with the story's positive slant, is the creative way some Canadian radio stations skirted around the Cancon regulations. We've talked about this before; sometimes in late evening/early morning hours, stations played seriously chopped down versions of Canadian singles, thereby allowing them to meet their quota without playing the entire tracks. I haven't heard the 70 second version of Devil You in a long time.