Free ideas for radio guys.

Ha. Got your attention, didn't I? Us Radio Guys want "creativity" and "compelling programming," we just want it to be free, and capable of being run 24-7 by an eight-dollar-an-hour announcer. OK, so I exaggerate a little. This is also in the job description.

See, we've got to start producing real ideas--I mean, the big winner music idea of today, "Jack," came from Canada. We just can't go on forever expecting Canadians to save us.

So, O.K., starting today, I'm going to start giving away at no charge (free), programming ideas for steel-tower radio stations. For the good of the industry. Don't worry, I won't starve. I make no warrants or guarantees. What do you want at these prices? Anyway, Free Marconi Radio Idea of the Day #1:

Now that satellite radio's pumping out every imaginable music format, and tower radio stations are preparing to add four or five channels to their signals, where do you look for what to program on them? Well, I can think like a Radio Guy as well as the next Guy. You look back to what worked before.

Remember "Beautiful Music?" Ran out of steam in the 80s. But, I'm betting you've got some nice stringy instrumental CDs and LPs, maybe even automation tapes, in that dark part of the library--you know, all that stuff you stuck in the hall shelves everybody walks past on the way to the john? How about dusting that stuff off, now that the Boomers are crossing 60. That's a lot of souls, looking for a little peace. They're sure not downloading Death Cab for Cutie.

Now, pay attention, here's the fresh idea: mix some nice show tune covers by Percy Faith with the Hollyridge Strings, and drop in the occasional Mozart cut from Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Call it "Jacques...Playing What You Long For." Or something like that.

Think about it. I guarantee (but not warrant) it'll make a great HD subchannel. Who knows, it might draw ears to that good old FM AC you've got, stumbling along with a 2.8.

(Tune in tomorrow. I'm crankin' these out every day. And it's all free!)