NEW REQUEST POLICY

  After 10 years of running my stations, I have found that two distinct types of people listen to my stations:

• Dedicated oldies fans who miss the days when there was an "anything goes" attitude when curating a playlist. In other words, the more variety, the better. They hear my station and immediately know that a lot of effort went into it and that I care greatly about variety. They show their appreciation by making a one-time or recurring donation to my operating costs to help make sure that I stay on the air. Some of these fans don't expect anything special in return; they just dig what they hear.
• People who expect something for nothing and think you have nothing better to do all day than to provide an on-demand service.

I know that some of you are happy that we take requests; it is very reminiscent of the golden era of AM radio when you could call a station up, make a request, and usually it would get played within a decent window of time...no questions asked. The difference between now and then is that back then, those stations had reputable local businesses paying their bills(commercials for auto dealerships, banks, restaurants, supermarkets, etc.). Unfortunately, that is not my situation; I rely on my listeners to make financial contributions toward the costs that are necessary to keep my stations running. I can no longer be at your beck and call if you aren't going to support my stations, so here is how requests will be handled from now on:

1. If you aren't going to make a donation and expect me to play your request, then I will put your request into a consideration list. This means that I may or may not play it; nothing will be guaranteed. If I think your request is worthy enough, then I will play it SOMETIME, meaning it could be later today, tomorrow, next week, or even next month. I am under no obligation to you. If you want "mono instead of stereo," "the new DES stereo remix," "12-inch club mix," an album track, or a wickedly obscure single, then trust me, you are strongly encouraged to donate.
2. If you are a loyal contributor, then first of all, THANK YOU! You are the reason I am still on the air! Just make a request and I will get to it as quickly as I can. If I am online at the time you make your request, then it should be fulfilled around 90 minutes later(DMCA rules, not mine - there has to be a delay and no implication of an on-demand service). If it is going to take a little longer, then I will communicate with you and let you know an approximate airing time. As hinted earlier, I will have no problem playing an album track, club mix, new stereo remix, etc. for someone who donates regularly.

Some people try to duck the donation subject when I drop hints. Let me ask you this: how do you conduct yourself when you go to your favorite restaurant? Do you expect your waiter or waitress to deliver a hot and delicious meal to you within a few minutes, yet you say "The heck with the tip! It's their job to cook and serve me a meal!" Do you also ignore the tip jar at Starbucks every morning? These are all service-oriented endeavors, and my stations aren't any different. Buttering me up and saying "My station is great" is not what I call "supporting a station." Time is money! If you want more of your own favorites to be played, if you want tons of specialized shows, if you want premium sound quality, if you want my station to be on the ultimate top-rated mobile app, THEN YOU MUST REALIZE THAT I CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN FOR FREE. I have donors who pitch in near triple digits regularly, and they rarely make requests on consecutive days; yet at the same time, I have to deal with non-contributing armchair critics who think they know how to run my station. I'm sorry armchair critics, but I am through being nice.

For those who are skeptical about my so-called costs, I have no problem reminding everyone about my stations being part of the Live365 family. In order to stay legal and have artist royalties properly reported, I have to pay them a certain amount each month for each of my stations. I am also seriously considering upgrading to more modern and robust streaming servers in 2024 that also come with great-looking site players; these won't be cheap, but if I'm going to want to continue being taken seriously, then this upgrade will be necessary. Having station metadata show up on Tunein...free Alexa Skills...CD and vinyl acquisitions for certain rare tracks...these are expenses too.

If you have any questions on how to donate, then please let me know or refer to the PayPal buttons below the blue PayPal banner on this webpage. If you think my station has potential, then please contribute so that we can get closer to making an ultimate 80's station a reality!  

A FEW NEW ADDS FOR TONIGHT

 The following are now part of the AA80's family:

  1. The Alarm - Sixty Eight Guns - US single edit

  2. The Alarm - The Deceiver - US single edit

  3. The Alarm - Strength - US single mix

  4. Fun Boy Three - Our Lips Are Sealed - single edit

  5. Art Garfunkel - A Heart In New York

  6. Siedah Garrett - K.I.S.S.I.N.G.

  7. Genesis - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight - US single mix with full fade(not the early fade that you find on the compilation albums)

  8. Pearl Harbor & The Explosions - You Got It(Release It)

  9. Night - Love On The Airwaves

10. Ted Nugent - Wango Tango

11. Prince - Batdance - album version with guitar solo, Vicki Vale, etc. (Let the haters hate, I don't care!)

12. Rush - Subdivisions

13. Salty Dog - Come Along - one of the better "hair band" jams, and so what if it has sleazy lyrics?

14. Split Enz - One Step Ahead

I have hundreds more yet to add, so relax in your beanbag chair and chew on some Bubblicious! #TheAlarm #FunBoyThree #ArtGarfunkel #SiedahGarrett #Genesis #PearlHarbor&TheExplosions #NightFeaturingChrisThompsonAndStevieLange #TedNugent #PrinceHisPurpleMajesty #RushBand #SaltyDogBand #SplitEnz

NEW ROTATION ADD - VANITY 6 - "HE'S SO DULL" - 1982

Vanity 6 were Prince proteges who caused a brief stir during 1982-83 with their suggestive dance numbers and scantily-clad outfits. Their sole self-titled album was released on CD during the late '80s and has been unavailable since around the early '90s, mainly because Vanity(aka the late Denise Matthews - no, there's no relation) became a born-again Christian and didn't want to be reminded of her "nasty girl" past.

"He's So Dull" was the lead-off single from the album and was written by former Revolution guitarist Dez Dickerson(he was the guy who traded vocals with Prince during the first half of "1999"). It was a non-charter, but most 80's fans will remember it from its short inclusion in the 1983 comedy classic "National Lampoon's Vacation." MTV did briefly play the below video, but I only remember seeing it during Adam Ant's Guest VJ Hour in January 1983; it was severely edited at the end, totally eliminating the segment where the man gets pushed down the stairs.

Awfully Awesome Eighties' playlist can't be delirious enough without more Prince-related material, so look forward to "Drive Me Wild," Vanity solo, Apollonia 6, The Time, and Jill Jones arriving soon. #Vanity6 #HesSoDull #PrinceProteges #DezDickerson

NEW WIDGETS FOR CURRENTLY PLAYING AND PLAYLIST HISTORY

 I'm just letting my listeners know that the "Now Playing" and "Recently Played" widgets on the station's webpage have been updated to newer versions, mainly because I had no choice. The old versions are being phased out to the point where artist images were completely eliminated, and I don't even have the ability to custom-upload my own image choices on them.

The new versions have a fairly reliable stock library of artist images, and I can upload my own when necessary; obviously, the more obscure the artist is, the less likely the stock library will have something. I can't stop you from mentioning that an artist's image is missing or could be better, but trust me, I am well aware of the issues and will strive to perfect them the best I can. 

Most artist images will have biographies attached to them on the "Now Playing" widget, and all tracks on that widget have a Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down feature. The "Now Playing" widget has a player attached to the top of it if you don't want to click on the blue "Listen Now" button above it(which leads to a more robust player, but that's just my opinion). Gone are the Wikipedia, "Tweet Song" and Amazon purchase links; the widget developers probably don't think they're relevant anymore, and they're probably right. Everyone knows how to use Wikipedia and Mr. Musk made it financially impossible for anyone to autopost on X/Twitter anymore.

The "Recently Played" widget shows a history of the last 100 tracks played. It refreshes at a rate of every 90 seconds, and I can't do much more than that without the distinct possibility of the widget missing a track. Be aware that the refresh isn't instantaneous due to the sheer volume of tracks in the history. 100 tracks is the maximum capability, so please don't ask me if it can show the last three days, the last week, etc.

I apologize if I don't sound overly positive about these changes. Maybe I'm in the minority, but it seems to me that these days the phrase "New And Improved," whether it refers to technology or the foods we eat, isn't worth a hill of beans anymore. I MISS THE OLD, and that especially means the pre-2016 days of internet radio. I'll let Satchmo conclude this post: "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

UPDATE: After hearing such phrases as "craptastic" and "amateurish," I have reverted back to the old widgets. Hopefully, the company I deal with will at the very least let me upload my own artist images to them if they do in fact no longer have access to the old third party image provider.

 

HOW TO BECOME A SPONSOR ON THIS STATION!

 My two licensed internet radio stations, The Retro Attic and Awfully Awesome 80's, are looking for sponsors. For an extremely low monthly rate(a choice of having your ad run either 5 times a week or 10 times a week on the station), I will produce a 30 second ad that can be dry or that can include background music. I can also offer a sidebar ad for your business(with a clickable link) on one of my websites for a slightly higher monthly rate.

I am looking for specific types of sponsors that, like me, are devoted to keeping oldies and 80's music alive and well:

 1. Used record/compact disc stores across the USA that cater to tourists and/or sell their titles online.

 2. Flea market vendors across the USA that deal exclusively with vinyl and compact discs.

 3. Oldies and 80's related tribute bands that tour either nationally or only in specific areas of the USA.

 4. Long-lost artists from the 50's through the 80's that have new music or books they want to promote, but don't have the time or know-how to do it.

I would be open to discussion on other types of sponsors(such as a pest control business or a restaurant), but only if you have a reputable business with good intentions.

My stations have been around for anywhere from 8-11 years and can reach a worldwide audience; some people will tell you that I'm obviously devoted to yesteryear since I love concentrating on those hits and artists that most other oldies stations no longer touch! I know that some of my listeners love to travel, buy records and see tribute shows, so as CSN once said: "What have you got to lose?"

If you're interested in learning more, then please PM me through Facebook or use the contact form and/or chat function on my websites(http://retroatticrareoldiesradio.com and http://awfullyawesomeeighties.com). As Canned Heat once said: "Let's work together" and build an oldies-devoted network!

Please also note that if you would like to support my stations through other methods, then I do accept donations(one-time or a monthly subscription) through the Paypal buttons on my website. You can also show your support by checking out my auctions and set sales on E-Bay(please see the sidebar listing on this site or search on E-Bay for the seller ID of "retroatticmusic"); maybe I will have a collectible that will interest you!

LAST BATCH OF NEW ADDS FOR 2021

Here are the latest rotation adds. Please look forward to more big bunches of the classic and forgotten in 2022 and I hope everyone has Happy Holidays! 

Air Supply - Young Love

Alabama - Close Enough To Perfect

Alabama - The Closer You Get

Jon Anderson - Hold On To Love

April Wine - I Like To Rock

Barnes & Barnes - Fish Heads

Big Bam Boo - Shooting From My Heart

Stephen Bishop - If Love Takes You Away

Debby Boone - Perfect Fool

Peabo Bryson - If Ever You're In My Arms Again

Captain & Tennille - Love On A Shoestring

Peter Cetera - Big Mistake - Single Remix

Bill Champlin - Sara

Tracy Chapman - Baby Can I Hold You

The Dirt Band - An American Dream

The Dirt Band - Fire In The Sky

Dr. Hook - Sexy Eyes

Dave Edmunds - Almost Saturday Night

Fiona - Hearts Of Fire

Firefall - Only Time Will Tell

A Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran(So Far Away) - Video Mix Edit

Dan Fogelberg - Longer

Dan Fogelberg - Run For The Roses

David Gates - Take Me Now

Go-Go's - We Got The Beat

Go-Go's - Vacation

Go-Go's - Get Up And Go

Colin James Hay - Hold Me

Benny Hester - Nobody Knows Me Like You

Bertie Higgins - Just Another Day In Paradise

Tom Johnston - Savannah Nights

Klymaxx - I Miss You

The Knack - Baby Talks Dirty

The Knack - Pay The Devil(Ooo Baby Ooo)

Julian Lennon - Jesse

Huey Lewis And The News - Now Here's You

Huey Lewis And The News - Do You Believe In Love

Huey Lewis And The News - Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do

Jeff Lynne - Every Little Thing

Barry Manilow - Read 'Em And Weep

Marchello - First Love

John Cougar Mellencamp - Paper In Fire

Kenny Nolan - Us And Love(We Go Together)

Donny Osmond - Soldier Of Love

Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's In A Kiss

Michael Penn - No Myth

Michael Penn - This & That

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Refugee

Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall Part II - Single Version

Poison - Nothin' But A Good Time

The Quick - The Rhythm Of The Jungle

Lou Reed - I Love You Suzanne

Lou Reed - No Money Down

Lou Reed - Dirty Blvd

The Replacements - I'll Be You

Kenny Rogers - Love Will Turn You Around

Kenny Rogers - This Woman

Mitch Ryder - When You Were Mine

Seals & Crofts - First Love

The Specials - Ghost Town

Frank Stallone And Cynthia Rhodes - I'm Never Gonna Give You Up

Starland Vocal Band - Loving You With My Eyes

The Stranglers - Golden Brown

Donna Summer - Dinner With Gershwin - Single Edit

Thompson Twins - Lies

Thompson Twins - Love On Your Side

Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now

Thompson Twins - You Take Me Up

Jack Wagner - Too Young

Florence Warner - Only Love

The Waterboys - The Whole Of The Moon

Matthew Wilder - Work So Hard

Terry Williams - Blame It On The Night

Carl Wilson - Heaven

Yello - I Love You

NEW ADDS TO CLOSE OUT THE SPRING OF 2021

Here is a list of the latest adds to Awfully Awesome 80's to close out the spring:

Herb Alpert - Diamonds - Featuring Janet Jackson And Lisa Keith

Autograph - Send Her To Me

Autograph - She Never Looked That Good For Me

Blondie - Danceway

The Blues Brothers - Gimme Some Lovin'

Chicago - 25 Or 6 To 4 - '86 Remake

The Church - The Unguarded Moment

Bill Conti - Theme From Dynasty

Paul Davis - Do Right

Paul Davis - Cool Night

Paul Davis - Love Or Let Me Be Lonely - Single Mix

Dokken - Just Got Lucky

Dreamers - Kids These Days

Erasure - Chains Of Love

Erasure - A Little Respect

Eurogliders - Heaven(Must Be There)

Peter Frampton - Holding On To You

Peter Frampton - More Ways Than One

Daryl Hall & John Oates - You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling

Daryl Hall & John Oates - You Make My Dreams

Debbie Harry - French Kissin'

Chesney Hawkes - The One And Only

Bruce Hornsby And The Range - The Valley Road

Janis Ian - Under The Covers

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Happy When It Rains

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Head On

Journey - Only The Young

Journey - Be Good To Yourself

Kajagoogoo - Turn Your Back On Me

Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time

Little Feat - Hate To Lose Your Lovin'

Little Feat - Let It Roll

Living Colour - Cult Of Personality

LL Cool J - I Need Love

LL Cool J - Going Back To Cali

Meat Loaf - I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us

Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance

Men Without Hats - I Like

Miami Sound Machine - Bad Boy - Single Remix

Miami Sound Machine - Words Get In The Way

The Muffs - (No Lip From) Punks

Nazareth - Holiday

Nazareth - Love Leads To Madness

Night Ranger - (You Can Still) Rock In America

Night Ranger - When You Close Your Eyes

Ray Parker Jr. - Bad Boy

Ray Parker Jr. - Jamie

Robbie Patton - Smiling Islands - With Stevie Nicks

Steve Perry - Oh Sherrie

Steve Perry - Strung Out

The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket(I'm Special)

The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong

Puzzle - Weekend Rock

Queen - Another One Bites The Dust 

Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize

Quiet Riot - Mama Weer All Crazee Now

Ramones - Rock N Roll High School - Ed Stasium Mix

Ramones - I Want You Around - Ed Stasium Mix

The Rockets - Rollin' By The Record Machine

The Romantics - When I Look In Your Eyes

Roxanne - Play That Funky Music

Mike Rutherford - Halfway There

Saxon - Northern Lady

Sheila E - Sister Fate

Sheila E - Hold Me

Single Bullet Theory - Hang On To Your Heart

The Smithereens - Blood And Roses

The Smithereens - Behind The Wall Of Sleep

Spandau Ballet - Chant No. 1(I Don't Need This Pressure On)

Billy Squier - You Should Be High Love

Van Stephenson - Modern Day Delilah

Survivor - Somewhere In America

Talk Talk - Talk Talk

Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It

Simon Townshend - I'm The Answer

The Unforgiven - I Hear The Call

Union - Mainstreet U.S.A.

John Waite - Missing You - Single Mix

John Waite - Restless Heart

John Waite - Every Step Of The Way

John Waite - These Times Are Hard For Lovers

John Waite - Don't Lose Any Sleep

Joe Walsh - The Confessor

Peter Wolf - I Need You Tonight

X - Burning House Of Love

Yello - Oh Yeah

Our Mixcloud one hour podcast shows will be starting very soon(first half of June)! You can become a follower and be notified about uploaded new shows by visiting our Mixcloud page here

Blocks of hits and rarities covering '81 and '90 will be coming soon as well as a few more Jim Steinman related epics! Thanks again for your continued support!