Radio 101: Disc Jockey Terminology

I worked in country radio for several years-- from high school intern and frequent mascot to working on the air each weekend, to finally running the promotion department. As I was reminiscing about the radio days with another old radio pal recently, I couldn't help but think about some of the lingo I used to use.

There are so many things in radio that happen between songs that most listeners don't give a second thought. Here I will define some of the terms for all the instances that happen between songs. This isn't exactly textbook, it's based on my personal knowledge. (Which could be better than a textbook-or a lot worse!)
Most of the terms I will provide below are audio elements used to transition between songs. The reason for this is because a radio station wants the listeners to know what station they are listening to. Unbeknownst to most listeners, the day's show is laid out through a log using a music selector program. Each radio station has it's own "hour" laid out pretty well. Usually every third song or so the jock will talk over the song. Before commercial breaks, they talk longer. It's really a science! The log will say if a sweeper, jingle, talk-over, liner, etc. will be used.

Here a look at those radio terms.

Radio Term #1: Jock Talk Over
A Jock Talk Over is when a disc jockey (jock, for short) intros the song over the music introduction. Sometimes the jock may have five seconds, sometimes ten and in rare cases, a minute. The goal is to come in and say something relevant or entertaining over the music until the artist starts singing. If there is a rather long intro, it's best to stick with just a few second talk over.

Radio Term #2: Segue
In radio, a segue is the transition from one song to another, but with an element in between. Those will be discussed below. Before automation in radio, the disc jockey would fade out one song, hit the button for the sweeper/jingle/liner/etc. and then the next song. The goal here would be to make the segue as flawless as possible. Even with automation, many jocks today prefer to manually do the segues.

Radio Term #3: Sweeper
In radio, a sweeper is an element to segue between songs that has sound effects and talk. This talking is done by the station's hired "voice guy," rather than someone at the radio station so it's a completely different voice. Sometimes, if the sweeper's sound effects end before the spoken portion, the jock will start the song then, making for a tight segue. So, a sweeper can overlap into the next song. Sweepers usually last less than 10-seconds.

Radio Term #4: Jingle
A jingle is played between songs, and is sound effects, music and jingle singers all wrapped into one. A jingle is played by itself, and will never overlap into the music unless of course the jock makes a mistake.

Radio Term #5: Liner
A liner is a voice-over only, no music or no effects, that can be played over the song's intro, or in between songs if a song starts with the artist singing right away.

Radio Term #6: Promo
A promo usually starts the commercial set. Just like in television where they play a promo spot for an upcoming TV show before the paid commercials start, a radio station will also plug an upcoming station event, a particular show on the station, etc. Promos usually last 30-seconds and include voice, sound effects, music and audio clips.

Radio Term #7: Liner Card
A liner card is a jock talk over there the jock must say something specific. This could be what is called a "live promo" where the jock would invite listeners to a station event, either reading the liner card verbatim or adlibbing a little.

Radio Term #8: Top of the Hour ID
The FCC requires that all radio stations give the Top of the Hour ID. Usually these are produced by the radio station with material from the jingle company, as most ID's are sung and use the voice guy's voice. There are usually different versions for different day parts, too. Sometimes, the top of the hour ID is spoken over the "blank" music bed as well. This is done sometimes for request shows and other special programming.

Radio Term #9: "Hitting the Post"
Hitting the post goes back to #1, the Jock Talk Over. Seasoned radio guys and gals will hit the post every time, but it takes practice. Hitting the post when the jock does a talk-over and finishes his last word right when the artist starts singing. Jocks who do this are coveted.

Radio Term #10: Music Bed
During longer talk breaks, such as before a commercial or during phone calls with listeners, jocks will want to make their conversation for exciting so they will select a music bed that fits the mood. A music bed is basically background music. Sometimes the music bed is timed at 30-seconds or one minutes to clue in the jock that it's time to go. In the old days, music beds were on carts. Today, they are on the station's computer library or another piece of station equipment.

Radio Term #11: Pre-Sell
A pre-sell is usually used when there is a jock talk over on a newer song that listeners don't know yet. The jock would specifically use that time to introduce the new song/artist rather than other banter.

Radio Term #12: Back-Sell
A back-sell is when the jock will talk over the end of a song, usually going into a commercial break and says that song and artist name.

Radio Term #13- Teaser
In radio, a teaser is something that a jock will say to make listeners listen through the commercials. Usually they will tease a contest or give a hint at what artist will be played next, enticing the listeners to stick around to see who he is talking about.

So there you have it. A little insight as to what happens in the studio between songs when buttons are pushed. Again, today's age of radio automation really puts a damper on using the talent of jocks. Jocks are still live in most markets; however, the computer system is usually set to automatically segue between elements and songs and commercials, etc. and the jock just jumps in when he has to talk.