H0w d0 they determine what s0ngs t0 play 0n the radi0?

Apart from HEAVY pressure from record companies on radio stations, lots of money goes into advertising the heck out of groups who might make the company the most money.

This is done in trade publications like Variety magazine. The thing one must realize- this is all "product" like peanut butter or air freshener- it's not about talent (sorry, Milli Vanilli).

Since Payola (paying money for airplay) isn't allowed (legally)

More money is spent buttering up reps from radio stations at "conventions" (it's obscene the money dropped on booze for these guys, let alone "other" stuff).

The part I was involved in (a long time ago)was focus groups for radio stations.

Like test driving cars, little bits of songs are played for people to rate good or bad, and the results determine airplay.

Do a google on "Arbitron ratings" and you can learn even more about it. This is probably the best way to determine what gets played.

Also, it may just be that the radio station mgr likes a song, and they play it, or they hate the artist and ban them from play on that station.

Okay- way too much information.

Does that help?

They play the bands "single"