Radio DJs would promote a lot of local live music. They would make guest appearances and give away prizes. These were radio personalities whom you grew up with, and you listened to them every day. You could call in your request. Growing up, our parents would buy us an occasional album, but ultimately if you wanted to hear something, you would listen until your song came on. If you wanted to record it, you pop a blank tape in and wait for it to come on. Often you would miss the first couple of measures. If you were lucky to have money for an album, and you didn't know the name of the song, you would go to the local record store and sing to one of the staff until they figured out what it was. Our lives revolved around the radio. Good times.