Yes.

In 1981, Buddy Holcombe and I were offered a "deal", that if WE came up with 50 grand to pay this certain independent producer, (not label attached, but would get a label to start out the two weeks), that he would guarantee massive radio play on major market stations for TWO WEEKS ONLY. After that, the plays, and any next "deal" would be determined by the stats of the two weeks of "sales". So, two weeks of being pushed. Then, radio play is determined ONLY by sales, in a proportionate formula of number of sales relating to number of spins per day. (After the two weeks, as the sales info come into the station's PD, the spins are adjusted daily).

Others in the music business confirmed for us, (then, and most recently by one of the top producers in rock history), that this specific indie producer actually did help to make hits in his way of "working with" the radio's PD's. $$ The 50 grand was his standard deal at that time. Some had careers because of it. Others did not sell much to have radio promotion continue at the high level. He told us he knows what general sound and style would generally get the most sales, but could not say what song will be a hit or not. He simply told us our first song on our demo would be worthy of his reputation to the radio PD's and whatever label would join in, knowing he is behind a certain song.

Buddy and I took out our wallets and scrapped together about 35 bucks! We all had a good laugh, and I then tuned his piano, as he was a steady client of mine, and is how I got him to eventually listen to three of our songs.

Others would have to be sent to him by either a publisher or music attorney who thought he should review any given song/artist. He did not usually place songs with artists. He heard me play and sing after each piano tuning, as is why he thought a band could be put around me "IF" after two weeks of any successful sales were happening, based on his heavy rotation deals with the PD's.

The song we had was titled, "This Is Our Time". (It was actually Buddy's and my first collaboration). Funny, for the concept "time" later became part of my band formed in 2006, "Too Little Time", which was taken from my song of that title that Brian heard here and asked me to play it at his showcase. Doing that led to me singing more, which Mike Caro and Scott Campbell then wanted me to sing Scott's "Opening Day" baseball song. I got a former Phillies great player hand it to the stadium's music director, and since 2008, it is played on every opening day in Philly!

Funny how things happen, and are ALL connected. It was that first acceptance from the 1981 hit song producer that assured me of the ways that I keep trying things in the music business. He didn't take anybody's 50 grand to spend on radio play for two weeks. His name is on some Michael Jackson records, as well as many other artists/songs. Sometimes a label would hire him for the same deal, IF he approved of the song and artist. That was just confirmed for me, as I mentioned.

Thanks for listening!
Johnny D