If Ever The Elderly Ever Needed Their Own Radio Station, It's NOW! by Curt Krafft.

The coronavirus has hit every segment of our society with a monumental and lethal force. But no segment has been hit with this deadly virus in a more tragic manner than the elderly. Because of their advanced age they are more susceptible to those nasty germs that linger in the atmosphere. Germs that most younger people fight off many times without even realizing it. But the problem goes beyond just the physical well being of our seniors. It is the way in which we view them from an overall perspective.

Older people are regarded by society as a group to be politely tolerated. We smile when we talk to them, we nod our heads like we're actually listening to them and we give them that usual stereotypical answer when they complain about something. "Hey! You're old! Of course your knee hurts. Get used to it." Even better when someone says, "Hey! They just take up space in hospitals. Let 'em die. More room for the rest of us." Those people who say that should be taken out and shot. And don't tell me you don't know at least one person who doesn't think that way.

Now my viewpoint on this whole senior matter comes from a 40 year background in radio broadcasting. No one shuns seniors more than commercial radio. They are considered a not very viable demo. In other words they are too old and set in their ways. They can't be persuaded to try new or different products or services. Their attention span is too short and they won't listen to the entire commercial. But the usual excuse that most radio stations fall back on is that the ad agencies don't like the older demos and therefore will not encourage their clients to buy time on any format that appeals to the older crowd. In this case golden oldies from the 50's and 60's. And some would say the 70's should be added to that list as well.

Now I'm not going to argue whether or not you can make money as a radio station by broadcasting a 50's & 60's oldies format. I believe that with the correct strategy and presentation you can. But that argument usually falls on deaf ears when discussing it with people who are "in the radio business." That is not the purpose of this article. What I am trying to put forth instead is the idea of a not-for-profit (non-commercial) radio station that will be geared for seniors. It would be either a stand alone FM station or an AM station with at least one FM translator. And it would have to have a non-commercial license. I choose this method because I believe it would be the most effective way of reaching the intended core audience which of course would be seniors. Once the station is on the air I would then make use of additional methods to present the format. This would include having a website and streaming on it, creating an app so that people can listen on their smart phones as well as hooking up with Alexa. Yes, I know all about internet radio but I am just not sold on it. There are many good people doing internet radio shows and I wish them all the best. But it is just not what I want to do. Some people love to sing the praises of Satellite Radio. But they are NOT doing it the way I intend to do it.

My goal is to present a professional sounding radio station that will provide seniors with the music they like and news and information they can use. The format will consist of 50's and 60's music with a VERY large playlist. 70's music will be added over time. It will also consist of giving out vital information on a regular basis that will be geared for the elderly as well as those who take care of them. We will also be looking after our senior vets, especially our Vietnam Vets giving them helpful information as well as saluting them EVERY day. The format will include live, senior air personalities playing the music and talking with the audience. It will be on the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The final and most important component of this radio station will be "the personal touch." Many seniors live alone and even those who don't may feel like they do. We will be their personal friend. When they call to say hello or make a request we will jot down their name and the town they live in. Every day the D.J. who spoke to them will say hello to them. Each D.J. will keep and maintain their own list. We'll do birthday and hope you feel better announcements as well. We will let them know that "we care" and that they are NEVER alone.

The station will also be a means of keeping a great era of music in the limelight for people of all ages to enjoy. We're talking some good stuff here including Elvis, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley & His Comets, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Larry Chance & The Earls, the Supremes, the Beatles, the Ventures, Lesley Gore, the Temptations, James Brown, the Stones, the Doors, Petula Clark, Marvin Gaye along with a big variety of doo wops, country, surf and rare oldies that haven't been heard on the radio in decades. You just won't be able to turn the station off no matter where you are or how you are listening.

Since the station will be a not-for-profit venture with a non-commercial license we will be relying strictly on donations to keep us on the air. I will be seeking the help of various philanthropic organizations, corporations as well as individuals who have the means to help make this project a reality. I am not seeking nor will I accept any donations here on LinkedIn. This venture is only seeking assistance from those organizations or people who can truly afford to contribute. This project will require a large amount of capital which will be used to purchase an existing station as well as launching it. I bring 40 years of radio experience to the table which includes on air, sales, marketing, news and production. I would be the station manager and the morning drive air personality. I believe in this idea of a radio station that is devoted to seniors and their needs. I'm a senior myself, age 69. I admit that I'm also doing this because I would like to get back into the radio business and I feel this particular format would be where I could do the most good. These are difficult times that we live in. Radio can and should be a beacon of hope especially for those who can't help themselves. Our seniors are worth it. Contact me, Curt Krafft here on LinkedIn, Facebook or curtdjrob@gmail.com Thank you.