Ryan Seacrest and the Radio

If you’re like me, you’ve got a soft spot for the days when flipping on the radio was like opening a treasure chest of tunes. Saturday mornings were sacred, thanks to Ryan Seacrest and the American Top 40. Now, I’ve never had the chance to spin the dial back to Casey Kasem’s era, but I’ve got my own stories to tell. It is not like I’m a fan of Ryan Seacrest, but I’m a fan of his radio show. I think he is the gold standard for this kind of radio show. Of course, Casey Kasem fans will disagree. Fine.

Ryan Seacrest, the man, the myth, the maestro of the airwaves, was my introduction to what a radio host of a countdown show should be. No preachy lectures or political rants, just pure, adult contemporary music. His effortlessness is beyond me. Which is obvious, because I’m not him.

For years, 100.2 Radio West was my gateway to AT40. It was like a weekly ritual, but alas, all good things come to an end. In 2023, they decided to pull the plug on broadcasting the AT40 rerun. Now, I’ve had to adapt, streaming the show online on top of the expensive data rates. But let’s take a moment to mourn the loss of two to three, or maybe four listeners that radio used to attract every week.

Then there was 91.2 Crooze FM. Oh, how I adored their “Certified Top 20 Countdown” or “CT20” as I naively called it. It was like the little brother to AT40, playing right after my main event. Sadly, the station’s management didn’t see the magic in it, and poof! Gone. But not before it left a mark on my Saturday night playlists. I don’t know if they were trying to compete with AT40 on the neighboring frequency, but they were not doing a good job in those days.

Don’t get me started on “The Morning Addiction” with Mr. Brawn, Arthur, and Juliana. Waking up to their banter felt like joining a conversation with friends. They had me hooked from 6 AM to 10 AM, turning every morning into a mini-party. I swear, if I didn’t love Crooze FM so much, I would’ve never “accidentally” cloned their website for a class project. Anyways, this note is not about Crooze FM, but I had to mention it.

So, what makes radio, especially shows like AT40, so special to me? It’s not just about the hits; it’s about the connection, the stories, the moments of pure joy when your favorite song climbs up the chart. Ryan Seacrest gets it. He’s not there to fill air time with chatter; he’s there to celebrate music with you. Now, with the digital age, I’ve got AT40 on demand. But there’s something about tuning in at the same time each week, knowing you’re part of a collective experience, something larger than the sum of its parts that streaming can’t quite replicate. Yet, here I am, still loving every beat.

So, here’s to hoping the magic of radio, the essence of shows like AT40, and the charm of hosts like Ryan Seacrest continue to thrive. I have a different view of Ryan Seacrest, but I still love his radio show. And maybe, just maybe, one day, “The Certified Top 20 Countdown” will make a comeback. Until then, I’ll keep tuning in, streaming, and dreaming.

“Keep your feet on the ground, but let the music lift you up!” - Casey Kasem.

I know that is not the original line he always signed off with, but it works for me.