Stuff You Should Know: Short Stuff - BM Radio

Release Date: July 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Chuck Bryant and Jerry delve into the intriguing history of BM (Beautiful Music) Radio—a genre that once dominated the airwaves but eventually faded into obscurity. Through engaging conversations and insightful anecdotes, they explore the evolution of radio formats, the impact of regulatory changes, and the cultural shifts that influenced listener preferences.

The Evolution of AM and FM Radio

Timestamp: [00:42]

The discussion begins with a nostalgic look at the AM and FM radio bands, particularly focusing on their status during the late 20th century. Jerry reminisces about how AM radio was once considered "as square as a Rubik's Cube," while FM was the upstart offering a different listening experience.

Jerry: "If you grew up in the late 70s, 80s, 90s, you knew that AM radio was as square as a Rubik's Cube. And the FM radio was where it was at." ([01:38])

Chuck clarifies that in the early days, specifically the 60s and 70s, AM radio was actually the cool medium, broadcasting popular hits and rock music, whereas FM initially catered to easy listening formats.

Chuck Bryant: "If you grew up like we did, they did a switcheroo. And early on, AM radio was the cool one and FM was the upstart trying to find its way." ([02:25])

Birth of Beautiful Music

Timestamp: [03:00]

The hosts transition to discussing the rise of the Beautiful Music format, also known as "elevator music." This genre focused on orchestrated versions of popular songs, often stripping away vocals in favor of instruments like flutes or clarinets.

Jerry: "Beautiful music as a whole, as a format on the radio, was actually mellowed out as far as advertising goes, and was very protective and defensive of the listener experience." ([07:37])

Chuck explains how Beautiful Music became a strategic response to FCC regulations in 1965, which mandated that companies owning both AM and FM stations diversify their content to avoid redundancy.

Chuck Bryant: "The FCC came around in '65 and said, you can't do this anymore. You got to play different stuff." ([05:33])

Commercialization and Syndication

Timestamp: [08:38]

A significant part of the conversation revolves around Schulke Radio Productions (SRP), a leading syndication company for BM Radio. Schulke provided pre-programmed tapes that stations could easily broadcast, ensuring a consistent and “perfect” listening experience.

Chuck Bryant: "Schulke said, 'This sounds great,' but they also required stations to upgrade equipment and adhere to strict advertising guidelines." ([08:38])

Jerry adds that Schulke’s approach included minimizing ad interruptions and maintaining a smooth musical backdrop, which was highly appreciated by listeners.

Jerry: "They could only do six minutes of ads an hour, and those ads had to be lower in volume than the music." ([08:38])

Challenges and Technological Advances

Timestamp: [12:38]

As BM Radio gained popularity, a new challenge emerged: the repetitiveness of playlists. To combat listener fatigue from hearing the same songs on a loop, companies like Bonneville introduced technology that randomized song selection, ensuring a fresh and varied listening experience.

Chuck Bryant: "Bonneville came along with a really unique idea of randomly selecting tapes to avoid repetitive playlists." ([13:21])

Jerry reflects on how Beautiful Music served as an incubator for radio standardization and automation, laying the groundwork for modern broadcasting techniques.

Jerry: "Beautiful Music itself was basically an incubator for figuring out how to standardize and automate radio." ([13:48])

Decline of BM Radio and Rise of Alternative Formats

Timestamp: [14:34]

Despite its initial success, BM Radio began to decline in the 1980s as musical tastes shifted towards rock and alternative genres. Younger audiences, who gravitated towards more dynamic and edgy music, led to a decline in BM Radio’s listener base.

Chuck Bryant: "Buying power shifted as rock and roll came along and younger listeners became the dominant sort of listener of radio." ([13:38])

The transition was often abrupt for established BM stations, resulting in significant format changes that alienated long-time listeners. The hosts cite the fictional TV show WKRP in Cincinnati as a dramatized reflection of these real-life industry shifts.

Jerry: "That's why they hired Andy as station manager, because they were converting from beautiful music to rock." ([17:10])

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Timestamp: [16:01]

Despite its decline, BM Radio left an indelible mark on broadcasting. The hosts reminisce about iconic shows and stations, such as Atlanta’s Album 88 and WFMU in New Jersey, highlighting the unique programming that characterized the BM era.

Jerry: "Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks—then look no further." ([Host Introduction])

These formats not only provided a soothing background for daily activities but also played a role in shaping the auditory landscape of their time.

Conclusion

Timestamp: [17:55]

As the episode wraps up, Chuck and Jerry acknowledge the lasting influence of BM Radio on the broadcasting industry. They express appreciation for the dedication of listeners and the innovative approaches that once made Beautiful Music a staple on the airwaves.

Chuck Bryant: "Stuff you should know is a production of iHeartRadio." ([17:55])

Through their detailed exploration, the hosts offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of BM Radio's rise and fall, underscoring its significance in the broader context of radio history.

Notable Quotes

• "Beautiful music as a whole, as a format on the radio, was actually mellowed out as far as advertising goes, and was very protective and defensive of the listener experience." — Jerry ([07:37])

• "Schulke said, 'This sounds great,' but they also required stations to upgrade equipment and adhere to strict advertising guidelines." — Chuck Bryant ([08:38])

• "That's why they hired Andy as station manager, because they were converting from beautiful music to rock." — Jerry ([17:10])

Acknowledgments

The hosts extend gratitude to their sources, including Chuck Tarver at the University of Delaware, Ken Mills at Radio World, and others who contributed valuable insights to the episode.

Jerry: "Let's thank our sources for this episode: Chuck Tarver at the University of Delaware, Go Blue Hens, Ken Mills at Radio World, diffin.com, Ken Siyapura @ Cradoville, and the Forum at Radio Discussions." ([17:28])

Final Thoughts

Stuff You Should Know effectively captures the essence of BM Radio's impact on the broadcasting world, blending historical facts with personal anecdotes to create an engaging narrative. Whether you're a radio enthusiast or simply curious about the evolution of media, this episode offers a thorough and entertaining exploration of a bygone era in radio history.