SOME voices still linger in radio listeners’ ears even when they have long been mute. Such are unmistakable ones or could be on air for a long time.
Once upon a time, there lived voices of Serah Mubanga (Sassy Sera), Buumba Sikumba (Black Mama Jammer), Lawson Chishimba (Son of Law), Isaac Mulinda (Dr Zambia) and others on radio.
Voices of the likes of Mwansa Kapeya, Doris Mulenga, Mutafela Lubinda, Chella Katwishi, George Mubanga, Daniel Sikazwe and Lombe Machilika also resonate.
Going with the aforesaid, one can confirm that radio presentation is nothing but a voice, a voice that listeners would know, appreciate, recognise and long for.
For example, a ride on one of the buses to Nakonde in Muchinga Province treats travellers to a recording of live interviews featuring late President Michael Sata.
In those interviews, running for almost two hours, both the interviewer, Chella Katwishi, interviewee, then opposition leader Sata and callers on Radio Phoenix were captivating.
Chella Katwishi in his soul-like voice asked a few questions, spoke less, gave enough room to the self-styled Sata in his unique voice flow freely.
The first interview held and recorded at Radio Mano in Kasama in ci-Bemba was hosted by an interviewer who did not identify himself.
Typical of Mr Sata, in that Bemba interview, he went on interspersing his thoughts with some idioms and phrases to elaborate his points.
Among the callers, some agreed with Mr Sata while others disagreed, a situation that made the whole interview an exciting debate worth listening to.
Not only travellers appreciate that recording, but it was also discovered that some people in Tanzania play that recording even when they have difficulties understanding ci-bemba and English.
One of the Tanzanian listeners described the recording as inspiring, poetic and melodic: “Uyu munthu anaongeyamuzuri, monga naimba.” (This man spoke well, like he was singing).
Talking about worthy voices on radio, if those interviews, recorded over five years still attract listenership even beyond the borders, the players acquitted themselves well.
KOKOLIKO RADIO
Kokoliko Radio is based in Chingola on the Copperbelt which will officially be launched next month. Going by the two news clips made available to this forum by Eunice Phiri, it is worthy tuning to.
In those two clips of news one read by Obby Chola and the other by Faith Kaira are advertisements of considerable quality.
Kokoliko radio deserves praise for composing such high quality advertisments considering that most of the advertisments being aired on most community radio stations are below standards.
Like we previously noted, Kokoliko’s news bulletin signature tune is yet another piece of proffessional touch, it isone that prepares listeners to anticipate latest information.
TIPS
Below are tips for broadcasters on voice projection
Speaking on the radio is not exactly public speaking, since one does not need to see the audience, and it is a lot easier than speaking in front of a crowd or a teacher.
Getting started
1. Get someone with experience to show you how the sound board works. Every mixer has its own quirks; the more you know in advance, the better prepared you’ll be when something goes wrong.
2. Pick out some background music that you’re comfortable with. This is the easiest way to keep from panicking about dead air. With some music behind you, you needn’t worry about minor pauses. Be sure and pick instrumental music; vocals are distracting.
3. Clear the room. The first time you speak on the radio, it should be by yourself. Other people are distracting, even for many pros.
4. Don’t swallow the mic. Keep it at least a fist’s length away from your face. Speaking with your lips on the microphone increases the chance of distortion and wind (breathing into the mic).
5. Speak plainly and clearly. Don’t confuse the listener by dumbing down your diction or forcing an accent.
6. If you make a mistake, apologize briefly and move on. The listener will forget about it if you let them, and new listeners won’t even know that it happened.
7. Keep an even tone. If you’re going to bark out the set list over surf music, don’t start whispering and make the audience strain to hear you. If you’re going to speak quietly over Enya, don’t start yelling.
Things to avoid
1. Try not to eat while you are on the air, especially when your mic is live.
2. Keep it concise. Some listeners will want more talking, and some will want more music. You should set your own clock, but bear in mind that unless you have a talk show or an interview, most listeners probably won’t wait more than five minutes for the music.
3. Be consistent. If your show is about politics, don’t rant about the film industry. If you have a talk show about sports, don’t spend a lot of time criticizing the president. Straying too far afield will alienate your core listeners.
4. Don’t invite pals. Nothing sounds more amateurish on the radio than a long and rambling conversation between casual friends, some of whom will almost certainly be inaudible to the listener.
5. Keep it professional. A casual, conversational tone is fine, but chances are good that strangers won’t want to hear you criticize former lovers or neighbors at length. Excessive in-jokes will probably alienate new listeners.
6. Don’t be Howard Stern. Imitators are a dime a dozen, and without his fame and reputation, you’re more than likely to come off like a jerk. Develop your own voice and leave Howard to his.
Warnings
•Be prepared and have extra music to play. Always keep an eye on the clock. Be sure to fulfill all your legal and advertising requirements; this should be top priority.
•Be on time; don’t force the DJ ahead of you to stay late. Don’t leave a mess for the next DJ and don’t keep her waiting. Don’t show up drunk or stoned; the chances of making mistakes increases exponentially, and might cost you your show.
Stay tuned, don’t touch that dial! – jackmwewa@gmail.com   0955115777