Getting Radio Play

Below is a list of all of the pages tagged with "radio," which should represent all of the stations and/or shows playing family music.

Before you start sending CDs out, a few thoughts:

  • Make yourself familiar with the shows to which you're submitting your music. Most have playlists available online. If you're doing Tuvan throat-singing for kids, and the show appears to play nothing but Kidz Bop, you might not be using your time well. (Also, if your radio show plays nothing but Kidz Bop, you're probably on the wrong wiki.)
  • If you have a really compelling reason why you think your music is a good fit for a particular show, mention it. Talk about artists that you're genuinely inspired by/associated with/sound like/admire/whatever. If you've gotten airplay on a similarly-programmed show, mention it. If you've gotten super cool awards, mention those, but go read All About Awards first.
  • Reputable broadcasters (terrestrial, satellite, online) will not charge you for your submission or for airplay. It is illegal and unethical (and totally lame) for over-the-air broadcasters to take money for airplay without disclosing the payment, and you probably don't want to be in that business anyway.
  • Be patient with the programmers. Many (most) are volunteers and get a ton of music. Most won't mind a nudge, but be courteous about it.
  • Music is subjective. Programming a radio show or station is even more so. See this post from Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child for one attempted explanation of programming choices. As impossible as it is, try not to take it personally if a programmer says your music isn't right for them.

Okay, with that, here's the list of radio shows/stations. Rock on.

Angel Pam West

by Angel Pam WestAngel Pam West 14 Jan 2012 17:02

Angel Pam West is a music educator, an early childhood music specialist, a registered Music Together teacher, a performing singer/songwriter/ composer, and recording artist who runs a community music center called The Community Music & Arts Network in the Catskill mountains of New York. She runs all ages music programming for the geographically isolated and economically challenged mountain community. She has released multiple albums on her label Angelfly Records, including a new children's album called "Unicorn Crossing," which is available on CD Baby.com (www.cdbaby.com/angelpamwest). The album is a gorgeous and well-crafted collection of animal parables that will appeal to listeners of all ages.

Captain Kangaroo

by Captain KangarooCaptain Kangaroo 11 Jan 2012 21:06

Network television's longest running children's television character, Captain Kangaroo, has returned to inspire, enthuse and empower a new generation of children. 2012 will see the launch of "KangarooTube", the Captain's own YouTube channel where he'll share music, stories, and gentle humor in the hopes of helping kids discover, and create for themselves, a world where "Curiosity Is the Key".

Capt Jelly Bean & Wacky Astro Pals!

by billchildsbillchilds 10 May 2011 10:12

Our mad cap and zany astro pals along with Captain Jelly Bean,takes you on a ride to the stars. We have reading time, adventure and lots more. So tune into Jelly Bean Radio. The squishiest radio in town. We will feature a great book each week. We will also promote your local school. Check out our great contest. So come by Mornings 730am-8am
Jelly Bean Radio

Gooney Bird Kids

by billchildsbillchilds 07 May 2011 13:03

It's a blog, it's an online radio station, it's a news source, it's everything! And it's awesome. Enter the Gooney Bird Empire here.

Kids Corner

by billchildsbillchilds 15 May 2011 23:30

Kids Corner airs on Philadelphia's legendary WXPN and is hosted by Kathy O'Connell.

Radio Active Kids

by Sagan ThackerSagan Thacker 18 Feb 2016 18:26

Radio Active Kids is a freeform kids radio show in Asheville, North Carolina on 103.3, Asheville FM. It has been on the air since 2010, with host and noted clown Tim "T-Bone" Arem. As of 2016, Arem has retired from radio to work on his stage show, and the new host is Sagan Thacker. The show plays pretty much any type of kid's music, stories or interviews. You can also listen to it on the website [http://ashevillefm.org/radio-active-kids]

Spare The Rock, Spoil The Child

by billchildsbillchilds 07 May 2011 00:02

Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, founded in August 2005, broadcasts on heritage commercial AAA station WRSI ("93.9 The River") in Northampton, MA and Brattleboro, VT. The show, which positions itself as "indie music for indie kids," is produced by Bill Childs (who helps run kinDIY and is a cofounder of KindieFest) and is hosted by Bill and his kids Ella and Liam. It typically contains around 20-25% songs not recorded for kids, including tracks by artists as varied as The Pixies, Tom Waits, fiREHOSE, Parliament, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more. WRSI, now owned by Saga Communications, was a groundbreaking AAA station and remains unusually eclectic and local-oriented.

The Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl

by daveloftindaveloftin 09 May 2011 23:22

The Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl a weekly 2-hour internet-radio show streaming at 8am ET on WAWL. A podcast of the show is available through Podbean. Weekly playlists and (hopefully) other kindie insights, reviews, etc. are here.

The Zing Zangs

by trevorGoobertrevorGoober 21 Dec 2013 21:31

Tor Hyams

by tor hyamstor hyams 09 May 2011 03:32

Grammy® nominated producer Tor Hyams has over 20 years of experience in the music and film industries, from writing and performing his own material to producing world-class recording artists, live music festivals for children, short films and digital programming, and composing dozens of scores for both film and television.

Zooglobble Radio

by Stefan ShepherdStefan Shepherd 10 May 2011 16:02

Zooglobble also features an occasionally updated Live365 radio station which plays family music.

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