Radio

Your record label's promo people will send copies of singles/ albums out to friendly radio stations who will decide whether or not they play them.

Or you can do it yourself - take a bunch of press packs complete with copies of your CD and go visiting. There's still no guarantee of airplay

I might have the timings wrong on this bit, but I'm sure the PRS/ MCPS collect royalties from the stations every six months based on submitted playlist returns, work out what's due to everybody and pay it across - it's not a speedy process.

A :-)

the last band I was in had been invited to play on a college radio. we were scheduled to gig in a smaller northern town. our band leader called ahead to several other places, a coffee shop and micro brewery asking if we could play a set.
I don't remember, but I think the station got wind and asked if we could play in the studio and be interviewed.
college radio is a great way to get exposure.
there is a good chance he called the station and asked. he was a pretty aggressive promoter.

Well the wife is in radio and if you're talking about one of the big corporate stations owned by Clear Channel or cumulus the chances are slim to none. Independant stations you may have a slim chance but be prepared for a lot of rejections.

I have no idea about college stations but my guess is that would be easier.

Clear Channel or cumulus the chances are slim to none.
I worked for Clear Channel for a number of years, and found that they had alot of Local talent nights where they would play submitted music from Local Artists...now it was overnight mind you, but they would do it, and they would even have the people in at those hours to talk about their music.

It's not much, but it's a start anyway.

Joe,

Was this in a big market.