Forgive me, but this Frost Advisory is part therapy. I’m upset with my favorite restaurant and I need to get it out of my system.

We went out to our favorite Mexican food restaurant last week. I love Mexican food. I grew up in Texas. It’s the law.

“We don’t have that anymore.” The five words no one wants to hear when ordering their favorite dish.

After an awkward few minutes of “but… but… we’ve been coming here for years” and “no one asked me” and “where’s the nearest Taco Bell?” my juvenile pouting episode descended into a relatively rational ordering of “oh, well, in that case I guess I’ll have…”.

My less favorable substitution was actually okay. In fact, everything there is okay. They just no longer have my favorite.

Your radio station is like that. Most of the things on your radio station are probably okay. But hopefully there is something that is your listeners’ favorite. Or someone.

A great radio station like a great restaurant needs stars. A reason that people prefer you. A reason people choose you again and again. A reason to drive past (or tune past) the three Taco Bells on the way.

Otherwise, you’re just another commodity, playing the same music other stations play.

“Commodity is something that can be replaced, removed, exchanged for, or even ignored… for something that is better, faster, or cheaper. But community, that’s an entirely difference animal. A community is a sense of belonging. We all need it. We all need it now more than ever.”

Sangram Vajre

You’ll be glad to know that I’ve finally forgiven my favorite Mexican food restaurant. But the next time I drive past by Taco Bell…