NEW KCRW PODCAST “LOST TAPES” DEMONSTRATES THE LINK BETWEEN PODCASTS AND PUBLIC RADIO

Lost Tapes [link] is a new podcast series from KCRW that looks at untold stories from contemporary music history. It is a success on many levels and it perfectly marries the best of both platforms.

KCRW provides the promotional outreach to thousands of folks who already like podcasts. 

Lost Tapes provides the sass, sensibility and loose style that fits within KCRW’s aura. This all works because it is a damn good show.

Lost Tapes is an eight-part anthology that is hosted by comedian Solomon Georgio. It tells stories that are true but have never been fully told. For instance, Lost Tapes covers the FBI investigation of the party hit Louie, Louie, a critical examination of New Edition’s basketball connection and a true story of a songwriter plucked from obscurity at Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash.

David Weinberg

Producer David Weinberg [link] is a master of both audio forms. 

You may know Weinberg from the dozens of stories he has produced for Marketplace, The World, 99% Invisible, Wiretap, Love + Radio and several of KCRW’s best shows. 

Lost Tapes began in the KCRW Independent Producer Project. 

Ken's 45 rpm of Louie, Louie

The deep examination of Louie, Louie shows how Weinberg works. 

Most people know the song from the movie Animal House but its muddy lyrics have been a source of curiosity since it was originally released in the 1960s. 

Lost Tapes explores the alleged dirty words and attitude in a way that can’t be aired on broadcast radio. 

Weinberg played PG-rated excerpts from the podcast when he was interviewed by David Brancaccio on the Marketplace Morning Report [link].

Weinberg has more great stuff in the pipeline. Later in May KCRW will release Weinberg’s Welcome to LA, a follow up series to his much praised series Welcome to Below the Ten, an examination of life today in South Central LA.

MORE ABOUT THE TIES BETWEEN RADIO & PODCASTS

The chart on the left shows the symmetry between five public radio programs and podcasting. Three of the shows began as radio shows and moved early into podcasting.

This American Life (TAL) was a smash hit on radio for a decade before they began podcasting. Then TAL used its presence on over 600 stations to promote Serial.  Millions of people learned about Serial from this free promotion.

Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me was my favorite podcast before I ever had heard of podcasting.  Back then, you could hear archived shows on their website. Now I realize that a replay can be a podcast too.

The Daily happened in the opposite way.  It was a successful podcast from almost its first day. Now the partnership with APM has increased its visibility and reach.

Up First is a classic case of second use of content. The news is first heard on radio, then sliced, diced and curated for the podcast.