Public building in the style of Phil Lesh

(from Buzz Knight) We lost Grateful Dead founding member Phil Lesh over the weekend at the age of 84. Whether you’re a Dead Head or not, he and his bandmates taught us many lessons in community building that the radio business can certainly learn from.

His approach to music and fan engagement provides a framework for creating meaningful connections and developing a sense of belonging. Let’s look at Turtle Crossing: A Model for Community Engagement.

In 2012, Phil Lesh co-founded Terrapin Crossroads, a music venue and cultural center in Marin County, California. This venture exemplifies Lesh’s commitment to community building and offers several ideas for the radio industry.

Lesson 1: Creating an Inclusive Space

Terrapin Crossroads has quickly become a favorite live music destination, offering fans the chance to enjoy the music of The Grateful Dead. The venue embodied Lesh’s vision of music as a social activity where musicians and fans could connect on a personal level.

Radio stations can learn from this by creating physical or virtual spaces where listeners can gather, interact and share experiences.

Lesson 2: Fostering Collaboration

Lesh has created an inclusive space where musicians of all backgrounds can perform, collaborate, and share the joy of music. Radio stations can take this approach by promoting collaboration between artists, hosting live performances, and showcasing diverse musical talent.

Lesson 3: Learning to build

So, within the theme of creating spaces for connection, the key question for radio stations should not be “How can we produce more live and local content?” but rather, “How can we build a space where people can connect with each other?” This shift in perspective could lead to innovative approaches to audience engagement, such as the concept of creating multiple communities.

Just as a brand like Nike can create separate communities for different athletes, radio stations can create multiple communities targeting different interests of their audience. These could range from parent groups to craft beer enthusiasts or local sports fans.

Heck, you can even create your own Dead Head community, curated by one of your personalities who happens to be a fan of the band.

By adopting these community-building strategies, inspired by Phil Lesh’s approach, the radio industry can create deeper connections with our audiences, strengthen a sense of belonging, and ensure our continued relevance in the digital age. The key is to move from a content-focused mindset to a community-focused approach that prioritizes creating spaces for authentic human connection.

Rest in peace, Phil Lesh.

Buzz Knight can be contacted by email: (email protected). Check out the Buzz’ Radio Ink archives Here.