There are 4185 AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio stations left in the USA. AM was the first method used to transmit broadcast radio signals in the 1920s. It changed the way Americans received their information and entertainment. Then came FM and you know the rest of the story.
Is AM radio dead? Not by a long shot. 82 million Americans listed to AM radio monthly. Truth be told, we have two big stations in Detroit, 760 and 950, and I can't remember the last time I turned either on. Then again, I don't listen to Detroit sports anymore and my iPhone has the best weather.
With my book and pitch competition launch, I have been doing interviews on many AM stations including the most recent one, WSGW based in Saginaw, MI. I have to say, it was quite the hoot and a blast of nostalgia. I was interviewed by Art Lewis, who in January celebrated 50 years at the station and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. He is 81 years old and still kicking ass.
My ten-minute segment turned into the full hour and while Art took frequent breaks, I was listening live to the station. OMG! I listened to CBS news, local weather, ads from everything to male ED to cars and Art even reading ads for local businesses. It was like I was back in the 1970s and it was wild.
I have to say doing interviews on AM stations is so much different than FM or TV interviews and reminds me when things were so much simpler in America. And truthfully, now I know why AM radio is still going strong.
