Radio - FM Versus Internet - Collaboration Is Better Than Competing

Following the resignation of Tony Haynes from Daz In The Hat Radio Community Interest Company and comments on his Facebook page (which can be found above), I felt it necessary to respond with a blog - there are always two sides to every story.

What is concerning is that Uncle Tone was in regular contact with me during the weeks prior and never mentioned any of the concerns voiced on Facebook. Instead, he took it on himself to send emails containing false accusations and profanity.

Although all my responses were professional in an attempt to defuse the situation. Tone continued in the same vain. I always thought he was better than that.. guess I was wrong!

Something that did speak volumes: Tony Haynes did not show respect of at least to tag the station or myself on his post allowing us to respond – read in that what you wish.

Since first publishing on Facebook & reading several comments in support of Daz In The radio Uncle Tone has removed his post, once again read into that what you will!!

The Facts

Mr Haynes did give a donation to Daz In The Hat Radio, this was entirely voluntary & went towards the stations running costs. A donation is very different from an investment.

An investment infers a financial stake in a company. Daz In The Hat Radio Community Interest Company is entirely Not For Profit with no shareholders. Uncle Tones involvement with the station was as a volunteer presenter - nothing more, nothing less.

I think most people would believe making an investment would mean Uncle Tone would want to do everything he could to help our station a success. However, unlike a number of other presenters, in all the time he was with Daz In The Hat Radio, (Nearly 2 years), to my knowledge, not once did he promote the station on social media. I find it very bizarre that Tone complains about lack of listeners when he has not done anything to make potential listeners aware of our broadcasts.

Listener Figures The only way to see listening figures is through the stations password protected dashboard. My Haynes as a Music Controller had limited access to the platform for a short time only, a period of hours.

He claims number was Zero, seeing a lack of listeners means Uncle Tone simply logged on at the wrong time.

FACT: Through the platforms detailed Listener Stats plus receiving weekly emails I know listener numbers have been steadily growing for months as more presenters join the station. Daz In The Hat Radio’s linking with Alexa smart speakers has also increased the figures - Link to enable our station skill Trilby Hat can be found HERE

Advertising: As anyone in business knows only too well, it can be very difficult to encourage people to invest by purchasing advertising space, especially in this day & age, this is a fact of business. A business needs to be running for a number of years plus be established on social media - I bring your attention back to the fact Tony Haynes has not helped to promote the station on Facebook or any other associated platform. One of the most important ways to gain listeners & come to the notice of potential advertisers is to be noticed on social media.

Almost all the stations presenters actively promote their own shows & tag Daz In The Hat Radio so we can comment & share. I feel it frustrating that the person complaining the most about listener figures, in all his time with the station has never, once, done the same.

It does appear from Mr Haynes post that comparisons are being made between us and more established stations such as Tempo FM in Wetherby. These stations have been broadcasting for a lot longer than us therefore more appealing to potential clients willing to pay for advertising.

There is no doubt Daz In The Hat Radio will soon be in a position to draw advertising – it is a shame Uncle Tone hasn't shown enough patience.

When announcing the launch of Daz In The Hat Radio I felt very honoured & privileged when the one & only Tony 'Uncle Tone' Haynes approached me about joining the station. I now left astounded & disappointed a presenter with years in the business could take it on himself to publicly trash a voluntary run station who's aim is to support unsigned artists & encourage others to join the industry.

I do wonder if this barrage of insults & false accusations has something to do with snobbery & discrimination - Internet Based Stations vrs FM. This is an issue I have experienced first hand!

A friend, responding to a FB post requesting air play for a new song mentioned Daz In The Hat Radio, someone asked “Who’s That?”

I replied to receive the following reply “I’m with ****FM” as though this made his station more superior!

In truth we are all doing the same thing, bringing music to listeners. Over the last few years there has been a massive growth in Internet based stations including Daz In The Hat Radio.

People who look down on web based stations need to move with the times & study the history books, not that long ago all independent stations were viewed in a similar vain.

I strongly believe there is room for all, and promote the idea of ‘collaboration not competition’.

Considering the difficulty independent, unsigned artists experience getting their music heard we all have the same goal & need to support each other, not look down on a medium which is growing & here to stay.

Background on Daz In The Hat Radio

In 2023, after hosting shows on various community and internet stations, I launched Daz In The Hat Radio. with the idea of bringing listeners Music They Know & Love alongside Music The Don't Know & Will Love.

Why name the station Daz In The Hat Radio?

At the time of launching I had already gained a reputation around the local music scene for supporting independent/unsigned artists, working as a booking agent for both venues & artists. I was nominated as outstanding contributor in Yorkshire Gig Guides Grass Routes Awards more than once. Due to this fact it made sense to capitalise on the name.

The ethos of Daz In The Hat Radio is to predominantly support independent, unsigned artists plus offer those wanting to gain experience working in the field the opportunity to build required practical skills to secure paid employment.

Having no studio allows us to accommodate presenters from locations around the globe offering listeners a wide variety of music which they will have never heard before.

At this current time we have presenters based in Leeds, Manchester, Wales, Cambridgeshire, Germany, Ukraine, and the US.

While, as stated above, we chiefly support unsigned artists our presenters play a wide variety of music from big names to those you may never have heard before. Our full schedule can be found HERE

Like To Get In Involved With Daz In The Hat Radio:

Listen in, follow us and our many presenters on social media

Facebook: Daz In The Hat Radio | Instagram: Daz In The Hat

Comment on our shows both on the stations social media as well as our presenters

Our schedule & links to presenter profiles are HERE

Artists – send in music – music submission details are on our website. Plus like & share posts, especially when you are featured.

If you would like to come on board as a presenter or work in the background contact us:

volunteer@dazinthehat.com