What is SmartJock?
The SmartJock Network is dedicated to arming air talent with the latest information about artists. Every minute you spend searching for quality show material, it's costing you valuable time. Here's how the SmartJock Network can help! SmartJock is a workplace friendly program designed to be fast, clear and easy to read. No more straining your eyes nor wasting time. SmartJock has compiled all the information so you don't have to.
From up to date Music News to biographical artist information, SmartJock is the number one choice for show prep. It provides compelling listener-driven ammunition for great teases, back announcements and transitions. The network is constantly updated by writers who work in close contact with record labels and musicians. This research technology is the best way to keep air talent and their listeners connected to the music industry.
SmartJock is treated like a regular web site designed with a simple text interface. For information about an artist or band, just click on the their name in the SmartJock library. Your air staff will immediately have a list of biographical information and current happenings you can incorporate directly into their show. SmartJock gets straight to the point. Each information "blurb" is designed to give air talent the "hot points" so they can understand the pertinent information as soon as possible. They can put their own spin on each topic.
Quick Start
Once you have successfully logged in to www.smartjock.com with your username and password, you will immediately arrive at the main page. Right away you are able to view “Today’s Music News.” Also, by simply choosing an artists from the pull down menus you are immediately given all sorts of great information ready to incorporated into your show.
Each day, SmartJock supplies you with music news for your specific format. The stories are compelling, complete yet concise. The stories may include links to gather further information or address to give on the air. The stories may also include “Audio Clips” to incorporate into your show (see the Audio section for further explanation). Artists that are featured in the stories are in bold for quick identification.
All music news stories are archived so you can access them at a later date. You will find a link that allows you to access the Music News Archives at the bottom of the “Today’s Music News ” page. Any particular archived music news story can be found by scanning the date, title, or through the Search field (See search for further searching instructions).
At the top left of the screen you will find two pull down artists menus titled “Select Artist.” These menus allow you to access the individual artist pages in the database. The first field holds artists alphabetically A through K, and the second, L through Z. The solo artists are alphabetized by last name, and groups are categorized by the first letter of their name.
Artist Information
Once you choose an artist from the pull down menu, to the immediate right, you will find general information about the artist you’ve chosen. For example, if you choose the artist Babyface, his picture will appear along with his name (Babyface), where the artist was born or where or the band originated from (Indianapolis IN, US), the birth date or the date the group formed (04/10/1958) and a general explanation of their artistic ability (writer, Producer, Singer). The artist information page is divided up into several sections. These sections are accessible from the links next to the artist’s picture, or by scrolling down the artist’s information page using the arrows on the right of your browser.
The first category titled “Latest News” is just that. This is the latest information that is available on that artist. This section would include material the artist is currently working on, upcoming events, etc…
The second category, “Albums and Songs,” feature specific information on albums and radio singles within the artists’ discography. The title of the album or song is in bold to help you find what you are looking for quickly.
The third category, “Biographical,” contains information on the artist’s background such as the artists’ personal information, where they grew up, music lessons, influences, etc… The topic (or subject) of each information statement is in bold to help you find what you are looking for quickly.
The next category, “Did You Know,” features random compelling information ‘tidbits’ on the artist. This information is often used for trivia questions and teases. Once again, the topic (or subject) of each information statement is in bold to help you find what you are looking for quickly.
The “Discography” section is a powerful tool that allows you view all the music released by an individual artist or group. This is a quick reference providing you with a list of individual song titles, who wrote them and which album they appear on.
Next on the list is “Tour Information.” This section provides a constantly updated tour schedule for each of the artists.
Another valuable section in SmartJock is the “Artist Liner” category. Generic artist liners are available to use for production purposes or to incorporate directly into your show (See Audio section further information).
Date Time Stamp
Another feature and very powerful tool in Version 2.0 of SmartJock is the “Date and Time Stamp.” This feature allows you to note (or stamp) when the last time you or another day part used a piece of information from the database. Once you decide to use any artist’s information, click the check box to the right of the blurb and then click on the “Y” icon to confirm your decision. This will mark the database displaying the month, day, year and exact time the information was used on air (The time displayed originates from your local internet service provider’s server). This stamp is displayed in red and will remain until the next time you click the box and confirm it.
You are able to search for any desired topic within the SmartJock database. To use this feature, find the search field located directly below the two pull down artist menus. Once you type your desired topic, click on the word “search” or simply press the return key on your keyboard and the query begins. SmartJock V2.0 will return all database entries related to your desired topic and link you to its original page.
Audio is a new exciting feature included in Version 2.0 of SmartJock. Artist interviews are edited into audio clips which are included throughout the Artist Information, Music News Stories, or Artist Liners sections of the database. All audio clips are compressed in the MP3 format for quick and easy downloading. Audio is available if the speaker icon appears on the right of the information. To access the audio, first click on the speaker icon. This will call up the specific audio page for that story. The story will reappear with
the transcribed audio clip appearing directly below. On the right, you’ll find another speaker icon and the length of the audio clip. Click this speaker icon to download the MP3 sound byte. Your computer’s audio player should automatically launch. Depending on your browser’s preferences the audio clip may automatically start playing. If the audio player does NOT execute, you need to reconfigure the preferences (For information regarding browser configuration, please call the SmartJock hotline at 1-877-55-SMART.)
Once the audio clip has been downloaded it is available on your audio player to be incorporated directly into your show.
My Radio
“My Radio” is accessible from the top of your screen. It is basically an intranet system for your station to use for on and off air information. This section can store your station’s promotional announcements, private and public phone numbers and any other information you desire. It can be maintained and edited by air staff, promotion director(s), or any one else within the station. To enter or maintain information, first click on the “My Radio” link at the top of the main page, click “Add News” to call up the edit field. Enter the title in the field marked “News Title” and the information into the larger field below marked “News.” Be sure to enter a start date and expiration date in fields appropriately marked. These dates must be in the month, day and year format (mm/dd/yyyy). To erase a particular story or information click “Edit,” scroll to the bottom of the page and choose the “Delete News” button.
This section features upcoming news, album releases and an extensive Smooth Jazz Birthday Calendar.
If you need help or have a suggestion, please let us know. Remember we are your service. If you want information on a particular artist or you think it would be beneficial to have an artist added to the library, fill out the contact form and send it. We will get back to you quickly by phone or e-mail to discuss your problem and address it with in 24 hours. We would hear about any feedback you may have or about information on an artist that came through your station etc…
Here are a few things we suggest you try if you are having trouble accessing Smartjock Version 2.0.
Screen Size: SmartJock is best view on a 800 X 600 resolution screen preferably 17inch viewable area or bigger.
Suggested Browsers: We suggest you use the latest available version of Netscape or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
Suggested Audio Players: We suggest you use either Microsoft Media Player, Music Match, or Quicktime Player to play the MP3 Audio included in Version 2.0 of SmartJock. It’s also a good idea to select the “non auto play” option in the preferences of your audio player before using.
Connection Speed: We highly recommend at least a 56K modem or faster. T1, DSL, or Cable connection speed is suggest but not necessary.
If you have any technical problems or other concerns please contact us at any time using the “Contact Us” page on the SmartJock website or by calling our toll free number,
1-877-55-SMART.