Last week, I spoke on the opening panel at Morning Show Boot Camp 37 in Austin, Texas. More importantly, I absorbed all kinds of new information, perspectives and connections while seeing many familiar faces. It was a treat being captivated by the endless dedication, passion and drive so many people in this industry still have. This was also a great year for young people and first-timers, something we desperately need in an era of the same old formulas and dribble pouring out of radios everywhere.
A massive token of appreciation to Don Anthony and The Radio Fam’s Marie LeMaitre for doing such an incredible job organizing and executing “the last surviving all-format radio programming conference,” the annual festival of radio’s most passionate leaders and talent. I know there are probably dozens of other people who make it all possible, but a great team needs good leaders, and their knowledge, expertise and kindness make working with them extremely fun and beneficial. Also, thanks and congratulations to moderators Ryan Smetzer and Nina Blanco for doing a stunning job hosting the event (and making me look better). Their big smiles and great energy were infectious and kept my anxiety in check. I was really nervous up there.
With nationwide station sales and cutbacks throughout both the music and radio industries, radio is in the middle of seismic shifts in programming and how we do our jobs. AI isn’t something that’s coming. It’s here and already being integrated at every level, from writing and producing imaging, staging phone calls (which we don’t do), music scheduling, file editing and organizing, social media posts, graphics, generating full breaks and show prep material, ad targeting and even compiling complex software that helps with everyday tasks. For the right people, it will make one’s job much easier, less stressful and a lot more fun. Exploring its full potential to help make your shows really shine is a must.
As a Gen Z who grew up with broad IT access and curiosity about the newest technology, I cannot stress enough the importance of these AI tools and how much they can do for you. ChatGPT should be your second job. Learning how it works, from writing prompts and getting familiar with its abilities will put you miles ahead of anyone else who is scared or doubtful of it. If there’s one key take away from MSBC, it would be to deep dive and dedicate at least an hour of your day working with ChatGPT and understanding that it’s the most revolutionary technological asset, geared to take over the world (hopefully not in the literal “Terminator” sense).
At the end of the day, AI may never completely replace great human air talent with humor, live listener interactions or an emotional bond. But if you’re just reading about the “new study/survey,” and boring local content, you’re in trouble. AI generates routine content better and faster than any human, but not like a human. Your human personality, heart and life experience is what sets you apart. Do something nobody else is doing and absolutely crush it. The “monoculture,” the days of everyone listening to the same songs and watching the same shows at the same time are long gone. In 2025, if you’re not authentic, completely original and self-sufficient, the competition can clobber you.
With that being said, let’s check out two hot new songs this week.
Chappell Roan – “The Subway”: Like “Pink Pony Club”, she wrote this song about a year before its release (though it didn’t become a hit until five years later). After playing it live in concert multiple times, fans have been demanding a studio version of the song which was finally given to us almost two weeks ago. It debuted #1 on Spotify, which is not unusual for someone of her caliber. Her country flop “The Giver” did the same but fell out of the Top 100 after a month. “The Subway” debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, surprisingly making it her highest-charting song ever.
With “Pink Pony Club” still being a top request on Liveline, this really feels like a proper follow up as it sounds so much like the dreamy romance-pop of her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”. We’ve already had about a dozen requests for it and it’s currently #3 on Spotify. It feels like such an obvious add. Major artist, big streaming numbers and literally nothing else with that much excitement. If radio doesn’t ignore the huge audience response and start playing it six months late like all her other songs, this could be a really strong hit going into fall, not a subpower in October.
Disco Lines, Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”: The yearly techno novelty record, blasting at parties, bars and clubs everywhere. If you’re on TikTok, this song is inescapable, but unlike other viral “sounds”, people are actually playing it in its entirety a LOT. It’s catchy and fun as hell, upbeat, inoffensive and the perfect summer anthem in what’s been a pretty dreary time for stunning new releases. It’s currently #1 on the Billboard Dance charts and #23 on Spotify in America, gaining every day. We’ve had a dozen requests for it already. The song was originally a slower R&B track, released last October. In June, 26 year old Boulder, Colo., native Thadeus Francis Labuszewsk a.k.a. Disco Lines previewed a snippet of his remix which instantly went viral. Pop radio can use energy and dance music again!
