Radio Waves and Music Promotion: What College – and College Radio – Have Taught Me About the Music Industry

Authors: Faith Logue, Andrew Bottomley

SUNY Campus: SUNY Oneonta

Presentation Type: Oral

Location: UUW 325

Presentation #: 8

Timeslot: Session A 9:00-10:00 AM

Abstract: Listening to the radio was a key part of my upbringing, and I was always drawn to the diverse sounds it offered. However, I never fully understood how radio stations operated until I started college at SUNY Oneonta in Fall 2021 as a Media Studies major and joined the student-run radio station, WONY 90.9 FM. Through coursework and co-curriculars, I began learning about the radio and music industries and gained hands-on experience. My studies, including an independent study on “Music Radio Marketing and Promotion,” two internships with music marketing companies (The Syndicate and Big Hassle Media), and serving as Music Director for WONY, shaped my professional identity as a music publicist, with a concentration in radio promotions. As a student, I have connected with promoters from top record companies, built a contacts database for WONY, and networked with other college and professional broadcasters. These experiences helped me clarify my career goals and understand the values and attitudes needed to succeed in music promotion after graduating in the Spring of 2025. They also gave me an insider’s view of the music and broadcasting industries, showing me how artists progress from underground to the Billboard charts. This autoethnography reflects on my four-year journey, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning for professional identity formation and career readiness. I hope my story inspires other SUNY undergraduates and serves as a useful guide for faculty in the arts and humanities.