Winter I trends - GSP

[carolinaradio]

Yes the "X" IN fact did have to do with Gen X, that all came out back in the 90's, I'm among that generation so I know.  They were trying to appeal to us and our generation.  If they're not playing any music from Generation X's era then they don't deserve the "X".

If that's what it meant (I have no idea, I personally don't think it's got any more meaning than Y, Z, etc) in 2013, X is no different than Q, B, Z, Y, etc.  It doesn't symbolize anything, it's just supposed to sound catchy, like any name.  The average listener doesn't read in to it, nor do they care.  Alternative stations using the "X" name have plenty of listeners born in the 80s and 90s, myself among them.

[clemsonbloke]

It may not mean a lot to you but to a lot of us it does.  We grew up being labeled  that and initially rejected it and now its a term of endearment to our generation.  Are you a Gen X'er?

[clemsonbloke]

You'd need to be born between 1964-1979.

[carolinaradio]

I highly doubt 98.5 means anything by using the name "X" other than the fact that the other Cox Alternatives use it (Tampa, Jacksonville) and it's a "cool"/"edgy" sounding letter to use.  I actually think your theory behind the history of the X moniker is interesting, and quite feasible, but I don't think that's the purpose of using it today.  I *think* 99X was the first station to use that brand, back in 1992.

I don't think the average listener reads in to things like we as enthusiasts do.  If people don't listen to a station just because of one letter in the name, which I find extremely unlikely, they're probably not going to find anything that suits them.  Stations brand themselves with meaningless letters all of the time because they are catchy.  B-93.7...Z-100...Y-100 in Miami signed on in 1973 but you could make the case they were targeting Gen Y from the name (which, coincidentally, they are now doing, but that wasn't the original purpose).  I would think more listeners of today's Alternative stations are from Gen Y than Gen X.  It's just a cool sounding letter.  The X brand has worked in the past/present on other stations, so why not duplicate it instead of actually having to be creative?  I'm not a Gen X'er.

[clemsonbloke]

See I am an X'er and at 39 I remember when in the early/mid 90's they were marketing the "X" to us. Yes these consultants definitely aren't enthusiasts and the ones from back then are probably not even in the business any longer.  They see it as one thing but many of us remember it as a marketing tool to mean "our" music.

[awp69]

I think the 'X' may have indeed represented Generation X when alternative stations started poping up in the '90s and it's just been carried on. Don't think it means it anymore, although most of today's stations do play some '90s alt.

[clemsonbloke]

Right but my point is that it still does represent us X'ers, at least to us so we tune in.  We tune in and then go "yuck, this isn't our music , we've been lied to!"

[awp69]

Right but my point is that it still does represent us X'ers, at least to us so we tune in.  We tune in and then go "yuck, this isn't our music , we've been lied to!"

But is there really any station that just plays music from Generation X (which I still maintain is both '80s and '90s if you look at the entire generation)? Just sayin'.

Anyway, I think everyone regardless of generation is going to have different tastes in music. I like what X98.5 plays, but respect that you don't. I'm sure there's plenty from our generation that for some reason like The Planet or even Magic.

[clemsonbloke]

Eww the Planet?  LOL!!! I think I threw up a little in my mouth man!

[awp69]

Eww the Planet?  LOL!!! I think I threw up a little in my mouth man!

At least we can agree on that.