patience, commitment,& music programming

Being a successful music programmer requires many things - first and foremost, of course, a passion for music, and close behind this, a deep knowledge, understanding, and awareness of the "music world," especially as it pertains to any genres in which you may specialize (or wish to). It also requires patience and commitment - and a lot of both. Commitment to listening to an album in full when the first few songs leave something to be desired. Commitment to listening to the full catalogue of an artist that you think may fit into your programming rotation, rather than just their "top played" songs. Patience to let new programming ideas come to you when they don't arrive as immediately as hoped or expected. Patience to give an idea time to be as developed as it can be before sharing it with a client or colleague - and then patience for that client or colleague to get excited about your idea when your initial presentation of it doesn't elicit it immediately.

In many ways, a music programmer isn't too dissimilar from being a painter, an author, script-writer, what have you. A music programmer, too, is a teller of stories. When we program for a client, we are playing an essential role in helping that client define themselves to their customers. We help them further develop their brand through in-store music. We ensure that an event attendee has an immediate sense of a desired atmosphere the second they arrive at an event, no matter what song is playing. We keep their gym members coming back for workout after workout because they always - always - feel that "extra push" to get through their workouts in a way that they don't at other gyms because the music is always spot-on. The list goes on. Through the music that a client shares with its customers, members, followers - its "people," we'll say - they can communicate whatever they desire. They can say we are cool, we are chill, we are fun; we are a positive people and we will always lift your spirits when you come into our place of business; we have X core values, and thus, we are in support of Y and Z; we love the heritage of our state or city. You get the idea.

But to do this effectively, you have to be patient with & committed to your programming process, and to your listening, as much as you can possibly be. You must give it as much as you can of both, always. Otherwise, you might not ever discover *the* perfect mix of music that will tell the story you have been enlisted to tell in a way that only you can - and that is what makes you a programmer unlike any other, and what keeps your passion for the craft strong & sincere.