I was listening to some music recently and was almost immediately transported back in time to the beginning of the 1980s, my childhood bedroom and secretly listening to music hidden under the covers of my bed.
You see, I was listening to Van Halen, the American/Dutch band that spawned numerous snappy, catchy, groovy hard rock tunes, 12 studio albums, 2 live albums and no less than 56 singles. They also unleashed Eddie Van Halen onto an unsuspecting world. And as I was listening to VH1, I was once again, metaphorically speaking, a twelve year old kid hiding under the bed sheets with head phones plugged into my FM radio listening to Tommy Vance: T.V., the music vendor on the radio.
I was again reminded of how important this radio show and DJ was to me in my formative years when speaking with Dean Wolfe about the validity and value of YouTube reaction channels. He asked about my view of the role of a reaction channel, and I realised that it had come to replace the great old radio shows from the 70s and 80s. Where the internet has in effect, if not killed, then mortally wounded live radio, it has also provided a huge opportunity for a new breed of music fans and hobbyist broadcasters with YouTube. I truly believe that having a human programming and listening to music along side you is infinitely more desirable that continuously listening to algorithm constructed playlists. They might hit well for 50% of the time but they are obviously without personality or heart.
While I can’t pretend to have the chops or depth of knowledge of a DJ like Tommy Vance or John Peel, I hope that my channel and videos are at least genuine with a level of integrity and child like curiosity that leads us together on a wonderful journey of discovery! I always dreamed that I could haves been aDJ and share my love of music, and until very recently I hadn’t realised that in some ways, I’d achieved just that! So dear old Tommy (RIP), I tip my hat to you and, just maybe, keep the Spirit Of Radio alive and well.
Jim’s Adventures In Music 
I listened to Dean Wolfe’s excellent interview of you, and think y’all are underestimating your own value. I think your show are way better than the old radio shows, and far more cathartic. In sum, they are a cathartic ocean of emotion, and much else besides. Not only do I get to enjoy an old beloved song or album, say, but I also get to re-experience the feeling of hearing it for the first time as well. Moreover, we are usually thrilled that you have found the secret jewels hidden therein. Radio never even came close. THEN you get to write your thoughts on the matter, and the DJ might even respond. Long live your love!
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Often he will, but it sometimes takes a free days or even weeks before he realised he’s missed a comment! Well, that’s my excuse! 🤪
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I remember the days of UK radio in the 70s having to spend listening to mainly on the music of Radio 1. After I got into Prog in 71, even most of Radio 1 seemed tedious. Kid Jensen on Radio Luxembourg gave the rare oportunity to listen to Yes albums before their release but that was at 2 am in the morning!
Hail, Alan Freeman’s arrival in 1973 (until 1978) with his Saturday afternoon of Prog and Rock which was sheer bliss. MTV turned the pop followers from radio to visual as listening was not enough!
Meanwhile, as internet technology developed hundreds of specialist radio channels which could be accessed around the world. For example one channel around Christmas period had a 72 hour Yes Marathon! So essentially now there are radio channels to cater for every taste avaialble globally.
However, we now come to reaction channels. They have some similarities to radio stations but they have something unique which is part of the appeal. Hearing someone’s first time reaction to some music that I know very well, is a huge buzz to me because it’s a bit like showing a visitor around your town for the first time, you become involved in the person’s experience and feel a gain a bit what it was like to hear this music for the first time. You cannot get that from radio.
The other aspect of reaction channels is it’s also the opportunity to hear some new music (which you may or may not get on radio) and then simultaneously have your own reaction at the same time as the reactor. So you can then in your mind agree and disagree with the comments someone said plus you can also add your own comments. So, first time reactions are much more interactive than radio. You can like songs, add comments and relive your first experience of hearing a song through someone else. So in my mind reaction channels are better than radio. The other advantage is with the radio, if there is a song you don’t like, you can lower the volume, turn the radio off, or find another channel or grit your teeth and wait for the next song hoping it’s something you like. With reaction channels on you tube you know what is coming up and so can choose what you listen to.
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Thanks so much Tony, that really means a lot. I’m blessed with this community and glad others find joy in the music. I must be doing something right!
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Hey Jim, Only people with there literal antennas up appreciate good music to begin with and having someone who can act as a friend listening along is a plus.
The enjoyment I get out of reaction channels is just that a reaction to new music or music not heard by the current generation. I grew up with the glow of my Lafayette receiver in my room with Alison Steele whispering a cosmic poem before her late nite show.
Or hearing Lennon being shot in real time as I was in NYC and worked overnights..
Yes radio and I have a long history..I don’t listen to radio except in the Jeep now so I have my buddy Jim as my music mate. I’m not into everything, but I also have a wide range of taste if that
make sense. Wishing you years of success on your channel.
Walt
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I first discovered reactions a few years ago when I came across the twins reacting to In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins. I was skeptical that their dramatic response to the drum drop was genuine, and posted about it on my Facebook. I received a lot of comments from friends whose musical integrity I respect, even if we disagree on musical taste, telling me most YouTube reactions are genuine, so I started checking them out.
I initially found reactors who were listening to the music I love, and subscribed to channels where I vibed with the creator. Over time, I dropped some of those subscriptions; the creators either got too frustrated with YouTube’s blocking and were constantly venting about it on the channel, or were branching into music I couldn’t relate with. But, there are a few who I connected with, and those I stuck with, even giving new-to-me music a try and occasionally being surprised.
I listen to what are considered “oldies” radio stations in the car, ones which play mostly ‘80s onward with the occasional new release from one of their established artists. Very rarely a tune from the ‘50s through ‘70s is played, but finding a station which consistently plays ‘70s is nay impossible here on the Eastside of Seattle. I don’t have Sirius XM or anything similar, so can’t listen to their ‘70s oriented stations.
The stations today all seem to be owned by conglomerates such as Clear Channel, Odyssey, and I ❤️ Radio, which send out streamed programs. The DJs seem to be there to mostly advertise the conglomerate’s app, talk about bizarre news, or celebrity gossip. The only time the music or artist being played is talked about is maybe if the station is sponsoring an upcoming concert and the station is giving away tickets via the occasional call in contest.
Gone is the on air call-in requests of my teen years, which many times resulted in two to three minute on air conversations between the DJ and the caller. There’s nothing on radio nowadays to endear the DJ or radio show to the listener. At least not what I’m finding.
As was mentioned before, some YouTube creators are active in their comment section, and engage their community. This harkens to those on air conversations of my teen years and definitely helps the audience vibe with the creator.
I hope such channels continue for a long time, and the blocking issue gets resolved to everyone’s satisfaction so reactions can continue to be viable.
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