Frankie Grima, GM of Mojo Music Studio, a home to the independent radio show The Studio based out of Franconia, New Hampshire, USA recently spoke with Rikks Revues about the radio show, why it got started and what the benefits of it are on independent music. The result of the Konversation follows, after I give my views!

First off, what is the goal of any independent artist or band after they record the first (or subsequent) CD ? To let it sit on a shelf so they can tell their friends "Hey, look what I made!!" . I think not, the goal is to sell as many as possible, and let the ears hear their music through live shows, website, and hopefully radio promotion! Unfortunately the radio bit is getting harder and harder to come by unless it is your home market, even then you are one of the fortunate ones if they decide to give your music a spin.

So how DO you get your music heard by potential fans, and get the word out about who you are ? There are some ways, get your music reviewed (Which can be hard enough with some sources), and make sure you search the net for independent radio shows! Rikks Revues( which from this point will be called RR) recently came across one such show, syndicated on the airwaves as well as the net, and growing in popularity every show. I took the time to chat with Frankie Grimes( from here onward, simply FG) and find out a little about The Studio radio show. Here is what came out of the Konversation.....



RR: First off, Frankie, tell me a bit about yourself and Mojo Music Studio...

FG: Well Rikk, Mojo Music Studio is a full recording studio located in Easton, NH. It was established in 1997 by the Owner, Joe Cimino who has been a musician his whole life. Being the General Manager, I have worked here at Mojo Music Studio for three years doing Radio Syndication, finding new bands, scheduling and of course, finding Sponsors who believe in Independent and Original music. As most folks already know, there are few opportunities for Independent Music makers to get their music onto radio .... let alone Worldwide. That was my vision. To take The Studio Independent and Original Radio Show... National and then Worldwide.

RR: Frankie, tell me a little about how and why The Studio radio show came about ....

FG: The Studio Radio Show started by, Show Host and Owner, Uncle Joe
Cimino... nearly five years ago. Joe was tired of trying to get his band heard on the radio.... there wasn't a show or anyone up here in New Hampshire who did such a thing. So, Joe went into the local radio stations, The Notch 106.3FM in Littleton and said... "Why can't I hear my music on the radio"? The local DJ said... Why don't you make a show ....and we'll air it? So HE DID ... and it airs every Thurs. and Sat. at 7pm up here in Littleton. About three years ago, I joined up with Joe and it was my idea to try and
get our show out to College Radio in NH... I had tremendous success. Plymouth State College (now Plymouth State University) was the first College Radio station to say YES... we'll air it. Having such success, made me branch out to other States in New England then, The Northeast... etc... and now, The Studio Radio Show is on over 79 Stations Worldwide. Large stations... High School, College, Internet, and Commercial Radio.

RR: When did The Studio radio show first hit the air ?

FG: Five years ago this Novemeber!

RR: O.K. Frankie, let's say I am an independent artist, I am thinking about submitting to The Studio radio show, The first thing I need to know is what genres of music The Studio airs, and what your target audience is....

FG: Our target audience is people male and female from 15-45 years of age who
appreciate Independent Music and like hearing the newest tunage before anyone else has... they dig good tunes. Our genre's are eclectic... about the only music we do not air is, JAZZ, Country, Blues, and Rap... just about everything else is fair game.

RR: What would be the benefit of an independent artist/band who gets played on The Studio radio show ?

FG: Air Play is PROMOTION is Worldwide exposure in the College/Commercial Markets..

RR: What makes "The Studio" radio show different from other independent music shows ?

FG: The Studio Radio Show is filled with the VERY latest and best sounds being created today. The show is Professionally produced with humor etc... and show host, Uncle Joe, has an exceptional Radio Voice (you can hear for yourself by going to MojoMusicStudio.com.)

RR: Where is The Studio aired ? Just in the U.S. or globally ?

FG: Globally... MojoMusicStudio.com has a pretty complete list of Affiliates, including different places on the web.

RR: How does an indie artist/band get their music played on The Studio radio show?

FG: Any Artist who wishes to be considered for air play must send in their Press/Promo Packages to us with a completed "Air Play Release" form that they print off from our Homepage at MojoMusicStudio.com Send the package to ... Mojo Studio, PO BOX 536, Franconia, NH 03580

RR: O.K., now I've done that so now how often is The Studio broadcast, and how often can I expect my music to be heard ?

FG: The Studio is airing in some place in the World each day... and we produce a new show each week. Anyone can hear the last FIVE SHOWS at their leisure on our web site at MojoMusicStudio.com just click on "Hear The Latest Show". As far as the number of times you get played, it depends on the public, the most requested (by email) bands get played at least one time... and in many cases more often if requested.... Some bands have been played 6-7 weeks in a row... sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the bands Popularity and Fan base.

RR: is it mainly to get their music heard and their name spread around ? 

FG: We do not pay royalties as we are not a radio "Station". Independent Artist are able to get this exposure through air play on the show and we insist that the Artist sign an "Air Play Release" form that states Promotion through air play in lieu of Royalties etc...

RR: How does The Studio help the indie artist/band get their information out to the public, does Uncle Joe give information about the artists, for example where they are from, their website address, or how a listener can purchase their music?

FG: Yes, Uncle Joe mentions the bands website etc... in his introductions or outros and also states to write or call us for more info on any band you might hear on The Studio Radio show.

RR: 
show believe is the main ingredient that propels them to the front of the independent radio show scene ? 

FG: I believe that our vision of getting Independent, Original, GREAT music into the ears of appreciative listeners... and our "Home of Independent" music, make our goals easily met. Let's face it, MOST folks are sick of hearing (not seeing ha ha ha....) Brittany 24/7 on the RADIO BIGGIES... That canned programming is making the average person sick of hearing what "THEY" want us to hear.  Alternatives for these bands. Just think of the resources a band would have to muster up to get their CDs etc... into the hands of all these program and music directors.... and then, there would be no guarantee of a spin on the air... The Studio radio show is making it's way into the earholes of millions of listeners each and every week. We've been talking with the
Biggies.... trying to get them to air "The Studio" on a weekly basis. No luck so far... we don't have enough money to BUY ourselves onto their programming.  Big business... and BUCKS.... that's what the Biggies are all about. It's sad... but, we aren't sitting around crying about it... we are getting on the stations that the Biggies can't control, High Schools, Colleges, some of the Largest Internet, and some Commercial-Independently owned, RADIO STATIONS! As far as the Biggies go.... BACK OF THE BUS BUSTER... we're moving in..!!!

RR: Lastly Frankie, is there anything you would like to add in closing ? 

FG: Yes, Rikk. I want every music maker in the World to know that when they hear Mojo Music Studio and The Studio Radio Show, they have a friend in the business who wants to help and get their music heard. How is it possible? Well, we have some great Sponsors who believe in what we are doing. Folks like, TDK.COM media, MARANTZPRO.COM professional recording equipment,
EARTHWORKSAUDIO.COM microphones, DATADISC.COM CD duplication, UNIVENTURE.COM media packaging company, TYCOADHESIVES.COM makers of duct tape...., and of course, our website has all of our Sponsors listed. These are the folks who foot the bill for CD's and the many shows we mail each week. THEY SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MUSIC through Sponsorship of The Studio Radio Show.


RR: Frankie thank you so much for your time, and your explanation of exactly what you, Uncle Joe, The Studio radio show and Mojo Music Studio do for your part to try and help independent music TO THE WORLD !

Frankie Grima was very gracious in answering all questions, without hesitation. In my down to earth opinion, I believe it is people like Frankie who are going the extra mile to help Indie music, that really are making a difference. Check out the website, and draw your own conclusions!!

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