You’ve heard the radio DJ’s talk about hit songs on the chart.  “This song is number ooooonnnnnneeee!!!”  Or as Casey Kasem used to say “moving up 10 spots to number 3 here’s…”

So where do these chart numbers come from?  There are lots of music charts for lots of different music formats, from Latin to country to dance/club to college radio.  The song ranking that people quote most often comes from the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

How does Billboard generate those numbers?  It’s not just one guy, or “a panel of experts”, or a group of music hipster geeks slotting the songs to their liking.

Billboard Hot 100 in 1988

Billboard Hot 100 online in 2012

The Billboard Hot 100 has a formula.  They track airplay on about a thousand terrestrial radio stations (AM/FM radio in the USA).  Digital download song sales and physical singles sales (data from Nielsen SoundScan) is factored in.  Radio airplay and sales are the ingredients that carry the most weight in the formula.

Just added to the Hot 100 formula is the streaming data that makes up Billboard’s new On-Demand Songs Chart (song plays from MOG, Muve Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker and Spotify), as well as plays on non-demand radio streams from Rhapsody and Slacker. The Hot 100 chart rankings formula now also includes plays on video request service Akoo and audio on-demand streams from MySpace and Guvera.

All these methods earn a song points which are weighted in a points system, and added together.  More points equals higher rank in the Hot 100.

Sales are calculated for the previous week, not total sales since the song was released. The tracking week for sales runs Monday to Sunday; the airplay tracking week runs Wednesday to Tuesday; a new Hot 100 chart is compiled and officially released by Billboard on Thursday.

Billboard published its first music hit parade in 1936; the first Music Popularity Chart was calculated in 1940; and the first Hot 100 chart, combining singles sales and radio airplay, started in 1958.

See the latest Billboard Hot 100 chart here.

Now you now where the numbers associated with hits come from.  Those chart numbers stick with a song for eternity – that’s one reason why a high chart position is so coveted.  Try going back in time and see what song was number one on your birthday.

Our music curators at Custom Channels use the Billboard Hot 100 chart, both current and archives, to stay on top of new releases, and to stay in touch with what the popular mass appeal hits are to play or avoid (depending on client taste) on our music-for-business channels.

Internet Radio has liberated brands from being bound only to traditional media outlets to spread their message.

Life is good, the apparel and clothing accessories wholesaler, retailer, and lifestyle brand, has built a loyal fan following over the past two decades. People identify themselves by the clothes they wear and Life is good has managed to become more than just the clothes themselves.  The brand places emphasis on simplicity, humor and humility — along with a positive attitude and an emphasis on music.  One way Life is good stays connected with fans/customers is through their own Internet radio station, powered by Custom Channels.

Titled appropriately “Life is good Radio”, the eclectic playlist is heard online at Life is good’s web site and in select Life is good retail stores nationwide.  So now, fans of Life is good can listen to the brand’s positive vibe on mobile, at home, and at work when they’re not directly shopping and still remain connected to the mood and attitude of the brand.

Custom Channels Q&A with James MacDonald, Director of Good Vibes, at Life is good

CC: Why did you put an Internet radio station on a clothing company’s web site?  
JM: We have been looking for ways to connect our fans with the “Life is good” lifestyle and to give them an optimistic boost that reflected the values of the brand.  Given that we are hosting The Life is good Festival, which is a two-day music event, this was a great chance to use music as a way to give our fans more of the brand.

CC: Who picks the music for Life is good Radio?  
JM: I pick it, along with Custom Channels Music Director Jason Lucero.

CC: What are a few musicians or bands that really embody the optimistic spirit of Life is good Radio?
JM: Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, Michael Franti and Ingrid Michaelson are right down the middle for us.

CC: How do you promote Life is good Radio?
JM: We do very little other than giving it a prominent button on our website and the occasional facebook post and tweet reminding people about the station.

CC: What are people telling you about Life is good Radio?  
JM: Our fans love it.   They like that it’s not a specific genre of music, but a varied mix of new tracks, classics and some funky curve balls.  All in all, people tell us that they love the vibe it helps create in their daily lives.

CC: Does Life is good Radio lead to more time consumers spend looking at your products?
JM: We have seen a nice connection between the station and purchased at lifeisgood.com.  Each month we can track how many purchases are made directly from the online music player and there is some nice added revenue to lifeisgood.com

CC: Music has always been a part of the Life is good brand.  Why?
JM: Music unites people!  It sets a tone and a mood and there is no better way to bring a group of people together to celebrate…after all that’s what Life is good is about; celebrating what’s right in the world.

CC: Would you recommend an Internet radio station to other brands? If you have a brand that has a strong lifestyle component it’s a no-brainer. It can help strengthen the things people come to understand about “who” your brand is…and if they are listening you are creating a brand lover for sure. If you are selling light bulbs and there isn’t a strong lifestyle build around who your brand is, maybe not. CC: Will you ever form a Life is good band? (Perhaps with Jake, the company’s smiling icon, in the band) JM: Ha! It could happen someday! If we did, it would likely be more of an open mic…all are welcome to jam along. CC: And what would your signature song be? JM: “One Love” by Bob Marley and the Wailers!

Listen to Life is good Internet radio, powered by Custom Channels.

Read about the Life is good music festivals.

We write a lot about the importance of the right music to the vibe of stores, restaurants, and retailers – that’s our business and our passion. But another important aspect is the audio equipment on which that music is played. It’s tempting to cheap out on audio gear or installation, but doing so would be a mistake; the benefits of professional sound system design and installation will far outweigh the costs in the long run.

To make your music service sound it’s best, here are four key components of your sound system on which it’s recommended to get a pro’s advice:

Speakers

Speakers are the most critical component that affects sounds quality. Not only is the type and quality of the speaker important, but so is each speaker’s placement in the restaurant or store. Regardless of how loud or soft you play your music, speakers will determine how full, rich and pleasing your audio is. Cheap speakers can sound cheap – tinny and irritating to the ear. Misplaced speakers can result in the music being too loud in some areas, and too soft or inaudible in other areas.

Speaker Placement

Take a walk through your store or restaurant at different times of the day. Is the music audible and pleasant and full, or does the music get lost in the ambient sounds of your business? Step outside and come in through the front door. Do you have a speaker at or near the front door, with clearly audible sound to set the tone the moment a customer arrives? The sound characteristics of your store or restaurant (the “acoustics”) must be taken into consideration when choosing and placing speakers.

Audio Amplifier

The amplifier pushes the sound of the music to the speakers. Our advice here is to invest in an amplifier that – Has enough power to drive the speakers in your business Has some basic tone controls (treble, bass) Is fairly basic and easy to use and control by the staff. Another useful feature is a volume control near the main floor or dining area (rather than just in the back of the business) so that the staff can adjust the volume of the music as necessary during the day. Too often, the volume is set when the store is quiet with few customers. Volume should be adjusted throughout the day so the music is at an appropriate level given all of the other ambient sounds.

Cables

Cabling is the wiring that connects the amplifier to the speakers through your walls and ceiling. Believe it or not, proper cabling is probably more important than the amplifier is to the overall sound of your system. A poor cabling job can result in hum and interference from other electronics (like florescent lighting), static, diminished fidelity and other audio ugliness.

A note for chains and franchises

Chains and franchise operations would be well advised to include a sound system specification into your design documents. That way, you’ll know that every location has the same type and quality of gear – and you’ll know your brand will always sound great.

Who to trust with your sound?

We can recommend audio system professionals to help your store, restaurant or business sound as good as it can! If you’re ready for a music makeover, contact Custom Channels. We specialize in custom music services for music-conscious brands. We’re employing new methods and technologies that offer larger playlists, more frequent updates, and better sound quality than many of our larger competitors.

PART TWO: In a previous blog we went behind the music at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop with comments from Karl Wimer, head of marketing, and Rob O’Brien, one of the founders. Floyd’s management is very conscious of what each shop SOUNDS LIKE. That’s why Floyd’s has their own radio station: Floyd’s 99 Radio heard in all locations and on the Floyd’s web site.

When Floyd’s customers get social online they talk about the great hair cuts, reasonable prices, and fantastic service from the amazing stylists. And they also frequently comment on the music because the soundtrack is a huge part of the hair cut experience at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop. Here are actual social media comments from Floyd’s customers (who are also listeners!):

• I love the music they play, and the service great.
• The vibe is relaxing, the music is great, and the ambience is aesthetically pleasing.
• This place rocks. Everything from the decor on their walls, to music, to their awesome staff.
• Vibe is good, music is great :)
• You walk in the door, and you’ll immediately notice that the music isn’t annoying…
• Cool mix of music while I was in – Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Snoop Dogg…
• I love the music they play, and the service great.
• Great music and the atmosphere was very nice.
• The service was excellent. The vibe was great. The music was good. The neck shave is well, awesome.
• Old, young, male, female…everyone comes here. Great music and free internet while you wait.
• music piped in from their own radio station where one can hear everything from Blues Traveler to Dave Mathews Band to Foo fighters and more.
• This salon is very cool, probably one of the coolest salons I’ve been to. From the decor to the music, the free net access, plasma TV, I liked everything about it.
• The salon itself has a very “cool, chill” feeling.  They have great music playing…
• I dig the music and even stream it at home on my mac.

When people review Floyd’s, the unique music mix is often part of the review. Is music/can music be important part of your brand, too?

Thanks, Floyds, for using Custom Channels to create your one-of-a-kind, buzzed about music. Want to hear it? It’s online at Floyd’s web site.

This mural of inspiration is on the wall at the Floyd’s 99 Barbershop home office in Greenwood Village (Denver suburb), Colorado. It really captures the spirit and vibe of Floyd’s service. Many of these attributes describe Floyd’s 99 Radio, too. Read our previous blogs about Floyd’s radio: Behind The Music At Floyd’s, The Barbershop With Its Own Radio Channel. Sometimes You Get Great Music In Unexpected Places. Buzz Bands Meet Buzz Cuts At Floyd’s.

“I’m usually skeptical of chains but they have become my local barbershop.”
“The atmosphere rocks! Really.”
“I’m an absolute idiot. I’ve been going to Great Clips for the last few years. I’m a cheap bastard, and now I regret it. I could have gotten my hair cut at Floyd’s.”

These are a sample of the many passionate comments from Floyd’s 99 Barbershop customers. Floyd’s is winning a lot of fans, including us. Custom Channels has been producing the in-house music mix for Floyds 99 Barbershops, called Floyd’s 99 Radio, since summer 2008. An Internet radio station was added to Floyd’s 99 web site in 2010 so that their fans can get that Floyd’s music experience whenever they want to in between cuts.

To find out more about Floyd’s 99 Radio, we talked to Karl Wimer, Head of Marketing, and Rob O’Brien, one of the founders of Floyds 99 Barbershops.

Q: Describe the mood, attitude or vibe of Floyd’s 99 Radio:
A: “Hip, high energy, relevant, a bit of the old stuff connecting nicely with the hottest hits of today.  Not just the old favorites you hear on classic rock stations, but the quality ‘B’ sides from your favorite old albums that you don’t typically hear.”

Q: Why is a custom music mix is important, as opposed to playing an existing channel other businesses may also use?
A: It speaks to our brand. We are unique and one of a kind, and we want our music to reflect this. Our customers expect a different kind of music when they step into our shop, and have come to love it on their computer between cuts.

Q: What’s the reaction from customers and employees to Floyd’s 99 Radio?
A: They love our music and the shout outs that provide a personalized feel.  The variety is welcome for our staff, and exposes our customers to music they might never have heard before.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about Floyd’s 99 Radio?
A: It’s super easy to use and what a tremendous problem solver it has been for us.

Despite having 99 in the name, there are currently 55 Floyd’s Barbershops (and more being added) across the USA all playing Floyd’s 99 Radio — powered by Custom Channels.

Read part two, customer comments about Floyd’s Radio here. That’s a photo of Custom Channels President Dave Rahn getting his hair cut by Liberty, a stylist at Floyd’s Barbershop in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas). More behind-the-music info on Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, including a peek at the man who picks the music: Custom Channels Music Director Jason Lucero, the Floyd’s 99 Radio mixmaster!