2015 A-Z Jax Greatest Hits Core Playlist

[b-turner]

Very interesting article demonstrating not only that classic hits is moving more toward the 80s but that musically the top 20 are a bit more rock oriented than the prior list.

As for the 1,000 songs, if I was in a position to hire you to set up a format for me, you'd be my first call. I really agree that music is only part of the mix. There are so many elements of programming and marketplace promotion and imaging that goes in to creating a successful station. And none of it comes without hard work and a never give up attitude. You might be just a shade ahead of your time. You are on to a trend in my opinion waiting on radio to react to what you already see.

I say this because in 1976, I was discovering top 40 was not pacing as it should with a 40% currents/60% recurrent and oldies. I pondered playing just the hits. Four years later Michael Joseph launched hot hits. It wasn't that I was some programming guru, never have been, but rather noticed a trend. It took a while before radio simply reacted. At that time I had no place to try my idea and more often than not, my ideas have no stage to test them. That's okay, I'm not unusual because there are others out there that will find a stage and try it.

I consider myself really lucky in that I began as a jock, then in to programming (all small town and smaller rated cities) before being forced in to sales and finally getting in to management. Unlike many GMs that have no time in the programming/on air side, I have a chicken and egg theory about sales and programming. You can't have the egg without the chicken and you can't have the chicken without the egg. I put programming and sales on equal footing although I realize the station revolves around the almighty dollar. I refuse to sacrifice one for the other for fast cash because such a decision is always paid back later, usually in a more costly way.

It's very true sales are swayed by the personality and likability of the sales person but you still have to offer a great product. The challenge is to find the programming talent and the sales talent with great communications skills, ethics, can play well with others and driven to work for others' success. When you hit that point of nirvana, a good GM sits back and basks in the warm glow of a group of people that exceed your expectations while thanking your lucky stars. After all, it's a great group of talent that makes a great GM.

The shared talent here is not wasted on me. Differing opinions and suggestions are certainly a reason to dig deeper and learn more.

 

[austingrace]

Man this is so awesome as ever. More than half of these songs I spin on a pt 15 fm I run. I'm hoping to get it on the internet very soon.

 

[John FL]

Thank you, Austin. I very much appreciate your comments.

I found B-Turner’s last comments insightful. To the best of my knowledge, I don’t believe anyone on this board has ever said to me “You might be just a shade ahead of your time.” “You are on to a trend in my opinion waiting on radio to react to what you already see.” Thank you!

Despite my many postings regarding gold-based formats, I’m about looking for new and creative ways for adult formats to remain viable and competitive. It’s not about living in the past. My A-Z classic hits list is already embracing 90s titles. Not everyone is on board with that yet.

It’s all about the music! BTW, I’ve already dropped about a dozen songs on the A-Z list and replaced them with 12 others. It’s about keeping things fresh and looking for interesting songs with a wow one thrown in for good measure.

Earlier, you mentioned airing songs to approximate the time of year they were originally popular. I’ve seen that done in the past. But, I believe there are far greater benefits to special programming such as airing an A-Z like this, an artist of the day feature, #Throwback Thursdays, 80s @ 8 etc. The possibilities are almost endless. It brings a certain amount of smart unpredictability to a lot of sameness.

I see talents’ value enhanced greatly when they are utilized correctly. They are critical, in my view, to help familiarize the wide age spectrum of a true mass-appeal audience to the various songs. Specialty programming helps tremendously and it’s a great way to cleverly introduce music not always heard. In my view, it is how you grow your station/format. It’s also how it stays fresh and interesting. I’ve seen some songs find their way into regular rotation via special programming and the resulting listener reaction. That's truly local and another way great radio stands out from increasing competition.

About 4 years ago, I came up with a new format concept called "Metro." To B-Turner's point, I agree listeners are getting restless for something new. I'll be damned if I can even recall what that format was all about. I had lots of radio info on a zip drive which somehow got misplaced. I had so many ideas and funny thing is when I look at Greatest Hits formats today, almost all of it - i predicted. If only I can do a Jedi Meld with Jax radio management

 

[jmtillery]

If only I can do a Jedi Meld with Jax radio management

Always insightful and a pleasure to read your comments on Jacksonville radio. It's also quite obvious you have a great love for classic hits.

Out of all of the Jacksonville signals, which Jacksonville signal (AM or FM) do you see as the one where classic hits will generate higher listening and generate the most ad revenues as opposed to what is currently on said signal; please explain.

I look forward to your comments,

 

[John FL]

Mark, perhaps I should have been more direct. Early in this string I indicated the assumption was made that Adults Hits 107.3 Jack FM did not exist and the predecessor Greatest Hits format (Magic 107.3) remained on the air all this time. So to specifically answer your question, I don’t see any logical spot on the dial for this format to fly but on 107.3.

Even with the best forecast models used to help predict revenue and audience, there are a ton of variables. On paper, a dynamic playlist can be created. The PD and the airteam can all look solid. But sometimes it doesn’t work out. Why? Is it listener disinterest or are there other factors? Simply, there can’t be any weak links in that format chain. I've posted details of the many missteps for Magic 107.3 so there's no point rehashing all of that.

The ratings show me opportunity exists and Jack FM is not taking full advantage of it. There’s only 1 AC in the market and the ratings would indicate over inflated shares in the 3- 4 range. Upper-end 25-54 was for a long time a rather crowded field. Today both pure Classic Rock and Classic Country formats are gone. There is certainly more wiggle room.

I see a 70s, 80s and 90s variety classic hits station with an AC lean as being more strategic and formidable than Jack FM could ever be. Personality is a critical component. Jack FM is an automated jukebox. Greatest Hits has evolved and has personality. That personality comes at a cost and so it probably explains the Jack FMs. In my view, Jack FM will never be a major player.

There are many keys to increasing revenue. One important one is increasing TSL. That’s not going to happen with the current format. There’s little draw. There’s certain no emotional bond. I also see opportunity in a female-friendly/mass-appeal format in billing. Replacing Jack FM with a softer version AC would be a logical choice as well.

In the end, it comes down to what management/owners want. It's not always about the obvious programming holes. That’s my take.

 

[jmtillery]

There are many keys to increasing revenue. One important one is increasing TSL. That’s not going to happen with the current format. There’s little draw. There’s certain no emotional bond. I also see opportunity in a female-friendly/mass-appeal format in billing. Replacing Jack FM with a softer version AC would be a logical choice as well.

In the end, it comes down to what management/owners want. It's not always about the obvious programming holes. That’s my take.

Excellent assessment of the format and market. What is your opinion of The Eagle 96.9? It is listed as classic hits; however, in the past it has sounded more classic rock. I have not listened to The Eagle recently so I have no idea what music 96.9 is playing now.

 

[John FL]

Excellent assessment of the format and market. What is your opinion of The Eagle 96.9? It is listed as classic hits; however, in the past it has sounded more classic rock. I have not listened to The Eagle recently so I have no idea what music 96.9 is playing now.

Mark, outside of hearing 96.9 The Eagle at a business etc., I haven’t actively listened since 2005 or maybe 2006. That station hasn’t been on my car presets in easily 10 years.

The Eagle has been a popular and successful station. That’s fine, especially for listeners who enjoy classic rock. It’s simply not to my taste. Yes, it is too rock oriented based on looking at program logs from time to time. There's no personality to the station either.

Even from the beginning, I didn’t appreciate their narrow interpretation of what they define as a classic hit. My goodness, nothing ever from Motown to name one genre outside of rock? Ridiculous. It's why I've long believed there was room for another approach in Jacksonville.

 

[John FL]

When I responded to Dr. Tillery about 96.9 The Eagle, I left out one important detail. For those who remember, the predecessor traditional oldies format, Cool 96.9, died on Christmas Day 2004. Along with the format flip, several “jocks” were dismissed on the holiest day of the year. Maybe I’m a softy but I didn’t think any of that was necessary. It showed me a side of radio and corporate core values that sickened me. It depressed me like you wouldn’t believe. The talent certainly didn’t deserve that. So, when I got a new car around that time, I programmed the presets and it was adios to 96.9 and I never looked back. Now you know the real story

Lastly, I heard from a number of people who were curious as to what songs I’ve dropped and which ones I’ve added. This is an ongoing process and I will only do this just this time as an accommodation. Keeping the format fresh is a must. There’s lots of daily features that can help keep things interesting with one-off songs from the library. In my observations, I’ve seen very successful Greatest Hits formats take these approaches including staying on top of rotations. From where I sit, I’ve noticed listeners respond well to that extra effort.

These dropped/replacement songs are in no particular order. But, there is definite targeting and direction at play. I've kept mass-appeal guidelines and workplace focus in the center of the song decisions. So, I tried to keep this real to Jacksonville to illustrate the opportunity in the market, especially for iHeart if they are willing to take advantage of what ratings and listeners are saying. If only I had the kind of music software radio has, I’d be like a kid in a candy store!

Songs Dropped (For now) (1975 average year)

ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT CAT STEVENS 1974
IN THE SUMMERTIME MUNGO JERRY 1970
HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME SLY & THE FAMILY STONE 1969
TURN THE BEAT AROUND VICKY SUE ROBINSON 1976
MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS THE GRASS ROOTS 1968
ROCK AND ROLL NEVER FORGETS BOB SEGER 1977
SUNSHINE JONATHAN EDWARDS 1972
BALLROOM BLITZ SWEET 1975
BANG A GONG T. REX 1972
AXEL F HAROLD FALTERMEYER 1985
SOUTHERN NIGHTS GLEN CAMPBELL 1977
EMOTIONAL RESCUE ROLLING STONES 1980
I'LL TUMBLE FOR YA CULTURE CLUB 1983
DON'T DISTURB THIS GROOVE THE SYSTEM 1987
FEELING ALRIGHT JOE COCKER 1972

Songs Added: (1980 average year)

BLACK VELVET ALANNAH MILES 1990
IS THIS LOVE WHITESNAKE 1987
REFUGEE TOM PETTY 1980
BAND OF GOLD FREDA PAYNE 1970
BREAK MY STRIDE MATTHEW WILDER 1984
LET YOUR LOVE FLOW BELLAMY BROTHERS 1976
GLORY OF LOVE PETER CETERA 1986
LOVE MACHINE THE MIRACLES 1976
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE THE POLICE 1979
SHAKIN' EDDIE MONEY 1982
LOVE HANGOVER DIANA ROSS 1976
SOUTHERN CROSS CROSBY, STLLS & NASH 1982
PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE THE RASCALS 1968
DARK LADY CHER 1974
WATERFALLS TLC 1995

 

[John FL]

The ratings show me opportunity exists and Jack FM is not taking full advantage of it. There’s only 1 AC in the market and the ratings would indicate over inflated shares in the 3- 4 range. Upper-end 25-54 was for a long time a rather crowded field. Today both pure Classic Rock and Classic Country formats are gone. There is certainly more wiggle room.

I see a 70s, 80s and 90s variety classic hits station with an AC lean as being more strategic and formidable than Jack FM could ever be. Personality is a critical component. Jack FM is an automated jukebox. Greatest Hits has evolved and has personality. That personality comes at a cost and so it probably explains the Jack FMs. In my view, Jack FM will never be a major player.

There are many keys to increasing revenue. One important one is increasing TSL. That’s not going to happen with the current format. There’s little draw. There’s certain no emotional bond. I also see opportunity in a female-friendly/mass-appeal format in billing. Replacing Jack FM with a softer version AC would be a logical choice as well.

With Cox Media's launch of Easy 106.5, iHeartMedia Jax blew an incredible opportunity in my view. For over 3 years they have been tweaking, hardening, softening, changing voice imaging, you name it. It's still Jack FM. 107.3 is an incredible signal but it's as boring as hell.

My love of Greatest Hits formats goes way beyond being a fan of the format. The fact is, iHeart had it in Magic 107.3. I often wonder, where in the hell was the vision and leadership. Several years ago, they came back from a Christmas flip. The new branding was "Jacksonville's Only Oldies Station." The format even back then was becoming more 80s intensive. In short order, the 90s were slowly being added to the mix. I just don't get it.

No brag here folks, I'm not like that. I've listened to many hours of Easy 106.5. 2/3 of the songs each hour typically features songs from this A-Z list. My list adds 20-25% rock hits for variety designed against Eagle at Cox. The remainder were unique elements that were characteristic of Greatest Hits formats. My gosh, what could have been if only iHeart exercised a bit more patience. There was no leadership and vision. Think back also to that on air team and their experiences. It's unreal folks. And this is a company bent on saving money. With a more female lean, I believe revenue would have been on the rise. We already saw early signs of that. Oh well. It's history now. We move on.

AC's like WEJZ had no other place to go but to advance the music in time. The old Magic 107.3 could have been sitting real pretty right now. Yes, this is my opinion. But I spent more time than anyone could imagine researching the songs on this list. In a number of markets, the Greatest Hits format and AC are not in the same cluster but rather competitors. This was exactly my approach here.

Probably foolish on my part but this list was all designed for iHeart for their consideration to tweak Jack to this. Then Cox Media comes along to save the day. Funny how radio works. The vision I had for Jax was a station that had many elements and music genres to it with a majority of the songs perfect for the at the office crowd.

The Jax radio market has been kicked up a few notches with Easy 106.5. Still, with 107.3's signal, I saw positioning a format between WEJZ and 96.9 The Eagle as a winner. iHeart may be saving money each month running on the cheap with Jack FM but potentially, they could have had so much more in my view. I have a feeling Easy will see some personality.

Again, I'm happy Jax is hearing some songs not heard anywhere else. I'm very pleasantly surprised Cox recognized the opportunity I've been speaking to for years. Here's a prediction - Easy 106.5 will probably wind up on a bigger stick in 18 months. Peace!

 

[Groove1670]

1000 songs on a classic hits format would be overkill. There are radio listeners and record collectors. Radio listeners want to hear songs they can relate to. Record collectors will collect songs to build a large library. Large libraries are the fastest way to kill a station in both revenue and ratings.

 

[Poledo]

There are radio listeners and record collectors. Radio listeners want to hear songs they can relate to. Record collectors will collect songs to build a large library. Large libraries are the fastest way to kill a station in both revenue and ratings.

Blasphemy... or quite sad. Is there no room on the dial for a deap track record collector format in some markets? Besides WFMU.

 

[b-turner]

I think lots of that depends on the market, competition and target audience. The 1,000 song list was far from obscure in my book. I think the 1,000 would classify as the greatest hits format versus oldies or classic hits or classic rock. Call it sort of a Jack format as far as variety goes.

I agree very competitive situations require very small playlists.

 

[John FL]

I appreciate the comments from the previous posters. Clarification is obviously needed. To make a number of points, I will use specific examples of very successful and heritage radio stations who have embraced the programming concepts I demonstrated in the A-Z list.

It’s important to remember when I talk of classic hits programming, I’m not referring to a classic rock hybrid where it’s basically one flavor but rather a format that is truly music variety based. Classic hits stations whose main focus are rock tunes are able to achieve success utilizing very tight playlists and considerable repetition. Listeners, nonetheless stick with the station. It’s probably the love of that specific genre of music that keeps them coming back for more of the same.

The Greatest Hits version of Classic Hits is the one I favor totally. There are songs one would find on a Soft AC at one end to Classic Rock at the other. In between there’s rhythmic titles, pop, oldies, Motown, R&B and now even 90s songs are all in the mix. Perhaps it’s the nature of the listeners who love variety in their music, but I see evidence they tend to tire more quickly at repetitiveness. As a result, Greatest Hits formats tend to take more non-conventional approaches to programming.

I don’t believe anyone will disagree WCBS-FM is the most successful, heritage classic hits (Greatest Hits) station in the country. In the course of a week, they feature hundreds more songs than typically featured on the rock counterpart version of Classic Hits. Brian Thomas who was the PD a number of years ago talked of the station easily playing 2000+ songs in a 6 month period.

They did this through special programming, themed weekends, countdowns – you name it. It’s not the size of the library that really matters but it’s how effective and skillful song placement is made from that extensive library. Today they have Beatles Wednesdays, Artist of the Day, Turntable Tuesdays, 80’s @ 8, Saturday Night Dance Party with upbeat & rhythmic songs from the 70s to 90’s and All request weekends just to name a few. There are a good number of songs that perhaps are only heard once or twice a year. In the end, no one can say they are a boring station to listen to and indeed they pull in great numbers. No set it and forget it radio here! They work hard for success and listeners win.

My 1000 song A-Z list is tame compared to what WOGL in Philly does. Their A-Z has well over 2000 songs. They also do a #1 A-Z where "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" plays with "Love is Blue" and "You Light Up My Life" to "Sweet Child ‘O Mine." For WOGL, it all works. There is station longevity and so listeners have learned to expert that sort of thing.

In Miami, WMXJ (Magic 102.7) goes all 80s every weekend. They feature dozens of songs they don’t play during the week. Songs like “Mexican Radio,” “Tarzan Boy,” “Dead Man’s Party,” and “Under the Milky Way” are just a few of the songs that are featured. Still, these songs are a part of an extensive music library where the songs are aired wisely and sparingly over certain dayparts.

The A-Z list I featured nor would the kind of programming I discussed above would work as successfully in an automated environment like a Jack FM. There’s no one to guide the listener along to explain the “whys” of the music and so there is a greater chance for tune-out. It probably explains why Jack type stations are more restrictive than what they claim to be. In the end, it's boring radio.Hands down Greatest Hits formats have been proven to be way more popular than Adult Hits in the ratings.

It seems like yesterday Greatest Hits formats were adding more and more 80s titles. Maybe those who grew up in the 80s would be familiar with the new additions but with a mass appeal audience, there is likelihood not everyone would know the songs.

A specialty feature I mentioned on this board eons ago did eventually become reality a number of years ago. I saw lots of merit in a “First and Last Song” hourly feature where an artists’ first and last hit was played. Consider Dusty Springfield. Her first hit was “I Only Want To Be With You” from 1964. In late 1987, she teamed with The Pet Shop Boys with “What Have I Done To Deserve This.”

If an automated station played these back-to-back like a Jack FM, most listeners would say WTF and switch the station off thinking they play goofy songs because either younger end or older end 25-54 wouldn't "get it." But with talent acting as a go-between, the older listener would come to know the late 80s song and the younger listener would now make the connection to the artists' longevity. This could be significant if that song were heard again. At least there would be familiarity. It doesn’t guarantee everyone likes it but especially when a format is in transition and nostalgia formats do hit that scenario periodically over time, I find the advantages of specialized programming and talent utilization outweigh the risks - period. I've seen it work!

I stand by my A-Z list as one containing a good representation as to the type songs presented OVER TIME. There’s a lot more music and it's always evolving. As with any playlist, it takes the right programmer with necessary skills to put it all together. In the wrong hands, large music libraries will be a train wreck. Perhaps this will help further explain why I believe the most creative Greatest Hits stations offer a level of excitement not found anywhere else on the dial for adult/mass appeal listening.

 

[TheBigA]

So now that we've heard what YOU want and how you want it to sound, all we have to do is get the same information from the rest of the Jacksonville population, and reconcile what you want with what they want. We'll see how that all shakes out.

Then we meet with the business people and reconcile the costs with the anticipated income a station like this will attract. That's one aspect you left out.

 

[John FL]

No No No No. You may have missed the earlier posts and also things I've said for quite some time. A lot of this IS based on research. A friend of mine is in marketing and he did a lot of this on HIS time not the companies. There were listener focus groups and there was a good deal of music tested utilizing MediaBase where the intro to the song was heard. I have years of market info!

There were also representative typical hours of a number of Greatest Hits stations that were presented to focus groups. Most of these participants were average age of 45. For a number of years, the 3 stations I mentioned above came out as the kind of station they would like to see in Jax.

Honestly, I get tired explaining this over and over again. It's not about ME. It's always been about what the listeners want. I will give you props for the costs as I don't have a clue what that would involve. We had a station doing the format and it came down to costs but long story short, a lot was done wrong. No station can be better than the management, right? They never got to their potential because of mistakes/dysfunction and the plug was pulled too soon. We'll never know what could have been or what the results would have been with a different company.

Please don't criticize me or my motives. I find that offensive because you don't know what really motivates me!

 

[davideduardo]

No No No No. You may have missed the earlier posts and also things I've said for quite some time. A lot of this IS based on research. A friend of mine is in marketing and he did a lot of this on HIS time not the companies. There were listener focus groups and there was a good deal of music tested utilizing MediaBase where the intro to the song was heard. I have years of market info!

There were also representative typical hours of a number of Greatest Hits stations that were presented to focus groups. Most of these participants were average age of 45. For a number of years, the 3 stations I mentioned above came out as the kind of station they would like to see in Jax.

A focus group can not measure songs. The typical focus group of 10 to 12 people can give broad ideas on things like blend and era as well as presentation style, but the focus group is useless to test individual songs.

You can not get statistically reliable song data with 12 people, either. The cell is too small. Music testing is quantitative research, while a focus group is qualitative.

Also, song intros are not what is tested in a real AMT. It's the hook, and it's generally accepted that 8 seconds of the hook is the "perfect" duration based on reaction time and fatigue. Typically, 500 to 600 songs will be tested in a single session AMT, and as many as 1200 in a two-nighter.

 

[TheBigA]

No No No No. You may have missed the earlier posts and also things I've said for quite some time. A lot of this IS based on research. A friend of mine is in marketing and he did a lot of this on HIS time not the companies.

So how much is he telling you it will bill based on his research. Because at the end of the day, that's the only motivation that matters.

 

[b-turner]

While in radio there is an accepted standard for researching music, I would content that while it is the best method we have, it is not the only process of determining things. As David has posted, when you don't have the industry standard research available for to you, you do the best you can. Sometimes the best you can do is pretty darn good. As I understand it, this A to Z list is continuously researched by means available and void of personal likes or dislikes. I think JohnJax would say it is a personal 'monster' he is passionate about and enjoys doing. Begging help of friends who might also think it a fun project might offer some otherwise 'chargeable' knowledge to the mix without cost.

I note the pros here are careful not to say they know what would work in Jacksonville, but I suspect you have a good idea. While you want a clean slate that research fills in, I suspect you have a good handle on what that outcome would be. And isn't research designed to validate what you know and clear up the few situations where what you thought was not perfect, although pretty close?

My point is maybe we should not kill the message because of the messenger. From situations I have been in, the list looks pretty sweet to me. I would say when you have listeners that have many choices, it would surely need tightening. In smaller rated markets with fewer options, where listeners tend to tune in longer per session, the variety and selection posted appears to be a nice cross-section of hits that can keep the targeted adult audience especially when the non-music presentation is correct.

I'm working with a 'newbie' on his music selection now. In his oldies selection I am trying to have him 'get' that if it was a hit, it doesn't mean play it. I used an example of Barry Manilow and AC/DC, saying the Manilow fan is likely not an AC/DC fan and the AC/DC fan likely not a Manilow fan, so you look for songs both listeners like as equally as possible. That 'newbie' is in a small market. Like my first boss at a small market station told me once: it's not as much what you play as what you don't play. I got his point as I was in a town where the business owner was older than my target audience (median age was 21.4) so I needed to find middle ground so business owners wanted to buy ads and my target audience wanted to listen...ever sat on a barbed wire fence? Had some real eyeopeners: I was amazed to find Babe by Styx as 'irritating; whiny; harsh (not liking the electric piano and synthesizer)' but More Than A Feeling by Boston 'melodic, soaring, good harmonies' to the 40-50 year olds I asked. In my mind Boston was rock and the Styx song was mellow back about 34 years ago. I remember that one very specifically as it was the hard slap in the face to question everything.

 

[John FL]

Thanks b-turner. Yes, I know the Jacksonville radio market. I also know the major players. It's been an incredible journey to say the least.

For the record, I never proclaimed any of the research methods we used were on par to what radio does. Mine was a small operation and we did what we thought was value-added research. I won’t get into the weeds with everything we did because it is now all moot.
The A-Z list did contain a good number of AC format songs because that’s what listeners wanted to hear more of. Our research (flawed or otherwise) has reflected listener dissatisfaction especially among upper 25-54 that there wasn’t an appropriate at work station to listen to and there was way too much song overlap among a number of adult-oriented stations.

Well, now Easy 106.5 has come on the scene. Here is a superior station musically and I am totally impressed. In a lot of ways, I also feel much vindicated that I have been on the right track for quite some time reporting tirelessly what I believed listeners were requesting. Whatever the reasons or even circumstances, Jacksonville finally, finally has a radio station many displaced listeners can really call their own.

There’s an amazing number of songs Easy 106.5 plays that overlap this A-Z list. A few days ago, 10 out of 12 songs were heard one hour. Yes! I sought an AC lean to include RB elements as well. This reflects the diversity of not only the community but also the diversity one typically finds in the workplace.

My dream may have been to have a WCBS-FM type station come to market featuring lots of music variety and personality from the talent. I see that as a very remote possibility now. Oh, iHeart could still surprise us and that would be great but quite frankly I don’t expect them to do anything exciting and innovative.

I have every confidence Easy 106.5 is in very capable hands. It’s not quite a Jacksonville’s Greatest Hits but it’s very close to the kind of station I have long envisioned for Jacksonville. The songs are exceptional. The placement of songs are nothing less than at the expert level. I love every single song I’ve heard to date. I have no complaints. I do have a wish list but let's give this some time.

As far as I’m concerned this is a victory for the Jacksonville radio market. There really is no longer a need for me to make the case for some kind of radio utopia because it’s pretty much here now. Man, what a long battle this has been!

Consider this “music special” as the last from me. I’ve officially retired from that job today. The pay sucked too. Seriously, I'm not going anywhere but it's time to relax more and dig the refreshing music. Thanks for all your support. I've made many radio friends along the way.

 

[b-turner]

Perhaps the bigger critic of the list are in situations where it specifically would not work or their companies can foot the bill for auditorium settings and call out/online research. If not, you do the best you can with what you have available. I have found that once you drop down below the top 10 or 20 markets there tends to be fewer competitors after your listening and if you do it right, the sessions listening are a bit longer, something that seems to get bigger the smaller the market. That requires more titles in the playlist.

I am all for the list. It appears you have another believer in Easy 106.5 that figured out what you know is the right decision for the market. Sure, there might be secondary reasons, but we both know no matter the choice it must pull in the listeners. So, it might be partly to break the hold of a competitor but the big boys have to do this carefully since stockholders have their hands out for dividends. And you don't do that by intentionally losing money even if the plan is to loot listeners from a competitor.

It appears your work has been proven and validated by Easy 106.5...not exactly your format but really close!