But yeah, I get what you’re saying … there are definite reasons to support ‘non-corporate’ radio. But again, FNX is a minority in a market dominated with stations running the same 25 songs over and over. And when those folks make appearances it is a very different feel than independent radio folks.

The question is how to make sure those ‘worthwhile’ stations survive when all of the corporate money is going into the bland ones that need to go away.

However, there’s something to be said for keeping some form of radio alive…especially rock radio. K-Rock went away recently, and RXP is the only real “rock” station left in the NYC are. Until internet radio steps up big time, or satellite somehow pulls a miracle recovery and cheaper plans out of nowhere, FM radio is still the cheapest and easiest way to get music on the go in a vehicle.

Beyond the music itself, there’s the community aspect; again, I can only speak for the radio I am familiar with, but they are big on community involvement and reaching out to small businesses, they run information on what’s around the NYC area on weekends, they offer free concert ticket options, plus they play local bands a fair amount as well. From what I remember, FNX was the same way (at least when I was listening…through 2006ish).

If music radio disappears, the only local connection through radio becomes talk radio, NPR, etc. Not bad, but sometimes it’s nice to cruise home with music and be surprised by the choices you encounter. Also, and I can’t say this enough, FM radio is free. Completely free. Every other option costs something (internet radio=data plan, satellite=monthly costs), so if you don’t want to pay extra it’s your iPod, FM radio, or nothing.

When we were moving and I was living in a hotel here for a month I really tried with local radio. Now my tastes are very non-mainstream, but even still I couldn’t stomach the lack of choice – it was Jesus below 92, then a mix of Country, so-called ‘Classic Rock’, Easy Listening (now called ‘light hits’, and Rap.

My son recently lost his iPod for two weeks and had to suffer through it, and was not thrilled at the choice.

When we were in a major metro market (Boston), I had a couple of stations that would be worth listening to – actually both were college radio. But even in those innovative markets you are lucky to get 1-2% ‘outside the programmed playlist’ stuff. Outside those markets … fuggataboutit.

Soon they will go the way of GM though there will be no government bailout. At least I don’t think there will be.