Some of Planet Pootwaddle’s Favorite Folks–Icons Roy Rogers & Dale Evans

“You couldn’t beg, borrow, or steal a job in 1931 or 1932. It was really tough.”

The person who said those words survived some tough times to become one of the most beloved entertainers of his generation. A cowboy-boot wearing American icon, Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye), was a renowned singer and actor who was best known for his radio and TV program called The Roy Rogers Show. Well, what did you expect it to be called?

For a really amazing quote, you need to look at Roy’s third wife and television partner, Ms. Dale Evans. She said, “If you want to be happy, make other people happy!” This simple ethos drives everything we do here at Planet Pootwaddle, where we have fun for fun’s sake and seek to broadcast musical happiness to our listeners around the world.

Let’s take a closer peek at Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, two true originals—both of whom can still be heard at our station. Roy was a great example of how hard work and talent could be turned into a lasting legacy. He was known as a “singing cowboy” even though he was born in Cincinnati and didn’t exactly live on a ranch! They were married in 1947, and continued together until Roy’s death in 1998.

Roy Rogers was so cool he was known as the “King of the Cowboys,” and Dale’s moniker was “Queen of the West.” Now how awesome is that? Can you think of any entertainer today who would warrant such adulation?

Highlights of The Roy Rogers Show broadcast first on radio and then TV:

• Roy rarely went on adventures without his trusty horse Trigger or Bullet, the family’s German Shepherd.
• Adventures usually centered on the duo thwarting the plans of cattle rustlers or other assorted bad fellas.
• The theme song “Happy Trails” remains an incredibly identifiable tune. I bet you are humming a few bars to yourself right now…until we meet again!!
• Through clever merchandising, Roy was able to brand himself and earn some serious cash.

Not only did Roy and Dale entertain millions, they also founded several charities and adopted many children (way before every celeb was doing it as a trendy thing). The man even has THREE stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If he had lived longer, he likely would have cured cancer and been the first person on Mars…

Roy and Dale influence our musical and comedy selections to this day. We strive to present the audience with a complete entertainment experience, without the use of any vulgar material. We like to keep it clean (a few fart jokes aside). Give Planet Pootwaddle a try the next time you want to experience music entertainment in a brand new way. You might even hear the sweet sounds of Roy and Dale streaming through your computer. As Roy used to say, “Until we meet again, may the good Lord take a liking to you.”
Planet Pootwaddle is an online streaming radio station that defies description. But we’re incessantly stubborn, so let’s describe it anyway. We play music and funny skits because we love to entertain. Our musical tastes range all over the place, we simply like to play good tunes. What we don’t have in annoying ads, we make up for it with flatulence jokes and clever puns!

Broadcast out of a converted barn in Burbank Rancho, California, Planet Pootwaddle is the brainchild of Michael Sheehy, a LA radio and voiceover legend who wanted to bring back creativity and fun to radio. Did he succeed? You be the judge, and visit www.planetpootwaddle.com.

Corporate Radio and the Rise of Streaming Radio

(Before we begin this week’s post, we want to welcome you to Planet Pootwaddle. We’re a different kind of streaming radio station. So please laugh at our jokes.)

A common lament for listeners of typical corporate radio stations is: “They all play the same songs over and over and over.” However, if you ask the opinion of all of these station’s program directors and music directors, you’ll hear them say that their listeners want to hear familiar songs repeatedly. Do you mean that some people say one thing but actually wish for something else? Unheard of! If people want more variety and choice for their music, they don’t have too far to look.

Stations are called “corporate” simply because their focus is to raise money and play a fairly narrow range of music. Some stations that try to be “alternative” might call a station “corporate” to try to be edgy or clever. However, both of the stations are broadcasting ads from the local car dealerships and bail bondsmen, so they really are in the same boat.

These stations are in the business of making money—not for the “love of the music!” And there’s nothing wrong with that. People need jobs, and products need to be sold. For better or worse, the world revolves around money. Station owners and record companies pour a lot of money into the distribution and marketing of songs, and they expect some return on their investment. Taking a chance with some offbeat creative music does not often make business sense!

But, in the last decade, radio on the Internet has posed a real threat to terrestrial radio (The term begs the question about whether the Internet is connected to the ground). Streaming stations give listeners instant access to just the kind of music they want to hear at any given moment.

So terrestrial compared to Internet radio: What’s the difference?

• Massive reach! Using Al Gore’s greatest invention, the “interwebs,” online stations can reach anyone who has access to an Internet connection. This makes niche stations possible. Eager station operators can now build a station just for Croatian left-handed SKA fans!
• Internet stations are much cheaper to operate than traditional studios. Less studio space, cheaper equipment and no ad director add up to substantial savings.
• The rise of smartphones and tablets broke the chain to the desktop, which was simply a replacement for a stationary radio. With a mobile transmitter, Internet radio can break free from constraints.

So what’s so hot about Internet stations? Do they only play obscure music you don’t want to hear? Ah contraire! Internet radio provides you, the listener, with these great perks:

• Very minimal ads to break the flow of greats set of music. Fewer ads, of course, may mean less station-branded t-shirts and no “you won’t be poor at four” type promotions. But the average listener will understand.
• Internet streaming stations can let loose with content. Ads and internal ad managers can place shackles on creativity for fear of offending or driving away listeners.
• Lack of regulation means stations can fully indulge in potty humor without fear of terrible fines or sanctions. Let the 7^th grader humor out!
• You have the opportunity to show your support for the station of your choice by tuning in and even chipping in a few bucks if the mood strikes. We recommend you give to Planet Pooty if you’re inclined to give at all. And if you can’t give today, don’t worry about it. Tune in and give if and when you want. We’ll do our part to keep the content coming.

Planet Pootwaddle is an online streaming radio station that defies description. But we’re incessantly stubborn, so let’s describe it anyway. We play music and funny skits because we love to entertain. Our musical tastes range all over the place, we simply like to play good tunes. What we don’t have in annoying ads, we make up for it with flatulence jokes and clever puns!

Planet Pootwaddle is the brainchild of Michael Sheehy, a LA radio and voiceover legend who wanted to bring back creativity and fun to radio. Did he succeed? You be the judge, and visit www.planetpootwaddle.com.