WEBR Music Dayparted or Format Change?

[Mike Sheridan]

Brought up the WEBR stream late last night and again tonight. Sounds a bit different, definitely not the adult standards they started with. What's up?

They are now playing titles that a listeners can get elsewhere. The station could have gone in a more contemporary direction while still maintaining a more unique style. At first I admit I was quick to brand the move a mistake but the more I listened and heard the balance the approach has won me over. I like the fact they are also running NBC Radio News to keep so I can stay up to date as I listen. This could be a new habit for me.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Interesting. There's a new jingle package. The ancient Sound Of The City jingles didn't appear while I listened. Frankly, most people wouldn't miss them. Sounds like the format has been modified. It probably sounds better on the stream because the AM signal is weak and gets mashed by computer hash. Here's the rundown from 7:20 to about 8:00 AM, 2021-08-04 . Whether this makes a dent or difference in the station's ratings and revenue performance, I'll leave that to the mavens on this board.

Good Morning Star Shine -Oliver
Moon River, instrumental
Shotgun acapella weather jingle
Forecast - Gail Ann locks out with "summer sound of the city" slogan
Endless Love -Ross & Richie
The Way You look Tonight -Michael Buble
-Shotgun jingle
Do You Want To Know A Secret -Beatles
-Live break, date in history, trivia day
Stopset
Commercial -EC Fair
Promo: Tony Farina
Music Promo; Favorites you know and love
Her Town Too -James Taylor
Backsell, Gail Ann, uses WEBR AM 1440 and dot com, talks about a home buying deal gone bad, bees in a home
Live front sell to
Peter Gunn Theme -Henry Mancini -front sold
-Produced bumper "Thanks for starting your day with Gail Ann Huber" into
Valley Of The Dolls -Dionne Warwick -back sell w/live news tease, intro, front sell to
Looking Back -Nat Cole
TOH ID into NBC News

 

[SirRoxalot]

According to Wikipedia:

Another revamp of the playlist, dubbed the "Summer Sound of the City," came with the station's first anniversary in 2021, reviving a different set of jingles from the original WEBR and placing an even greater emphasis on the adult contemporary music with California sound and yacht rock, resembling the MOR format.

Sounds like they're trying to broaden their appeal to an audience under the age of 80. Dave Gillen is a savvy programmer, but there are many challenges facing the station. I wish him well.

 

[Mark1981]

Indeed, WEBR adjusted its format in early July. For the most part, I like it, too. One of the few exceptions was having to endure Sylvia’s “Pillow Talk,” a horrible song where the singer is having an orgasm while singing. That tune would be best left to the 1970s, dead and buried for eternity.

The new jingles are from WEBR’s Oldies era from the early to mid ‘70s. NBC News is a definite improvement over USA Radio News. My only disappointment is the station continues to air those supporters of the Capitol insurrection on Monday nights. In fact, I find the 6pm shows, except for Tony Farina, a real turnoff. I’m enjoying Bob Stilson and the music, and then I have to change the station. Yet, I understand owner Bill Yunkhe has to earn revenue where he can. Bill can’t be subsidizing the station forever with Liberty Cab money. After a year, there are still a dearth of ads.

As you may have read in the News, Barry Lillis left the station after being forced to cut back on his banter. I was listening to his second last show and knew something was wrong. There was none of his ebullient personality. He was simply back announcing and introducing the next tune.

I’m not sure what the future holds for WEBR. The AM signal is virtually unlistenable outside of Niagara Falls. I do most of my listening through Alexa or the mobile app. But I don’t know if that’s a sustainable business model for a small AM station.

Before I conclude, I just want to say Ralph Irene may be the most underrated announcer in Buffalo radio. Though his professional career was in education, Ralph has dabbled in radio since the 1960s. His show, “Sinatra and Friends,” has aired on many stations in Buffalo and is now on WEBR Saturdays from 12:30-5pm. The music is perfect — the true Great American Songbook. Ralph has an easy, friendly delivery. He provides just the right amount of banter between songs, not too much talking while hitting the posts. It’s just an absolutely wonderful listening experience! Kudos to Ralph!

 

[SirRoxalot]

Well, there's always the idea of having WEBR super-serve Niagara Falls, its actual city of license. Perhaps it could be a part of a Niagara Falls comeback.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Indeed, WEBR adjusted its format in early July. For the most part, I like it, too. One of the few exceptions was having to endure Sylvia’s “Pillow Talk,” a horrible song where the singer is having an orgasm while singing. That tune would be best left to the 1970s, dead and buried for eternity.

The new jingles are from WEBR’s Oldies era from the early to mid ‘70s. NBC News is a definite improvement over USA Radio News. My only disappointment is the station continues to air those supporters of the Capitol insurrection on Monday nights. In fact, I find the 6pm shows, except for Tony Farina, a real turnoff.

I heard "Pillow Talk" too, and couldn't believe it. A good case for having your music screened by a female. That's a guy song, I could see that as a turn off to most women.

Check, on the jingles. I had moved from Buffalo by the the '70's but I suspected they were from that time period, they sound dated but I know with no budget they are doing the best they can. Seems like they could come up with something else though, given all the talent in the Buffalo area.

Wow, any talk I'd leave to WBEN. Right or Left, in these politically charged times your going to alienate someone and WEBR can't afford to lose any listener. Besides right about now, haven't we all had our fill of politics? I know I have. It's a bit like a dog chasing his tail. At some point, just stop!

 

[Rance Butler]

Do they have an FM repeater frequency? If not, they will not get listeners on AM.

 

[ckg279]

Do they have an FM repeater frequency? If not, they will not get listeners on AM.

They do not. I don't know the situation with FM translators in the Buffalo market, but I'd have to presume that the dial here is pretty full(with our regular stations, the translators AND the Canadian FM signals).

 

[Bill Yuhnke]

I have been looking for FM translators since I owned the station.Have many brookers looking for me.You are right they are full..If anyone knows any.Feel free to call me 716-867-1700.We are streaming on 64 platforms and this is doing very well.These hard numbers I do see.Ck on your smart devices.

 

[CTListener]

I heard "Pillow Talk" too, and couldn't believe it. A good case for having your music screened by a female. That's a guy song, I could see that as a turn off to most women.

Why? Because women don't enjoy sex? Was Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" strictly a guy song? How about Major Harris' "Love Won't Let Me Wait"?

 

[JBraddock]

Chakachas could be a possibility for the evening. It has that after-hours jazzy vibe.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Interesting. There's a new jingle package. The ancient Sound Of The City jingles didn't appear while I listened. Frankly, most people wouldn't miss them. Sounds like the format has been modified. It probably sounds better on the stream because the AM signal is weak and gets mashed by computer hash. Here's the rundown from 7:20 to about 8:00 AM, 2021-08-04 . Whether this makes a dent or difference in the station's ratings and revenue performance, I'll leave that to the mavens on this board.

Good Morning Star Shine -Oliver
Moon River, instrumental
Shotgun acapella weather jingle
Forecast - Gail Ann locks out with "summer sound of the city" slogan
Endless Love -Ross & Richie
The Way You look Tonight -Michael Buble
-Shotgun jingle
Do You Want To Know A Secret -Beatles
-Live break, date in history, trivia day
Stopset
Commercial -EC Fair
Promo: Tony Farina
Music Promo; Favorites you know and love
Her Town Too -James Taylor
Backsell, Gail Ann, uses WEBR AM 1440 and dot com, talks about a home buying deal gone bad, bees in a home
Live front sell to
Peter Gunn Theme -Henry Mancini -front sold
-Produced bumper "Thanks for starting your day with Gail Ann Huber" into
Valley Of The Dolls -Dionne Warwick -back sell w/live news tease, intro, front sell to
Looking Back -Nat Cole
TOH ID into NBC News

Nothing out of the ordinary for a standards format there, but I heard "Never Surrender" by Corey Hart as the first song, after someone had promised me WEBR would sound like WHVN in Charlotte, and later "Africa" by Toto. Not a song I would want to hear on a standards station, though WERT Van Wert, Ohio played it. That's as good a standards station as I've found online since WHVN doesn't stream and won't even do its current format much longer. But WERT still does some off-the-wall stuff for no apparent reason. The last straw with WEBR was "Harden My Heart" by Quarterflash.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Nothing out of the ordinary for a standards format there, but I heard "Never Surrender" by Corey Hart as the first song, after someone had promised me WEBR would sound like WHVN in Charlotte, and later "Africa" by Toto. Not a song I would want to hear on a standards station, though WERT Van Wert, Ohio played it. That's as good a standards station as I've found online since WHVN doesn't stream and won't even do its current format much longer. But WERT still does some off-the-wall stuff for no apparent reason. The last straw with WEBR was "Harden My Heart" by Quarterflash.

I invite you to listen to some of today's music then. By comparison "Haren My Heart" while not exactly a standard sounds great!

 

[vchimpanzee]

I invite you to listen to some of today's music then. By comparison "Haren My Heart" while not exactly a standard sounds great!

There are parts of it that sound good but I'm not changing my mind. In fact, "Goodbye to Love", despite wonderful vocals by Karen Carpenter, has a guitar solo that's just about as bad. And I'm not going to accept that one unedited either. That's one of those songs that sends me to the volume or off button.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

There are parts of it that sound good but I'm not changing my mind. In fact, "Goodbye to Love", despite wonderful vocals by Karen Carpenter, has a guitar solo that's just about as bad. And I'm not going to accept that one unedited either. That's one of those songs that sends me to the volume or off button.

Funny you should mention that song. I was working for a conservative MOR station when that song was released and we did some editing and faded the end. However realize that “Goodbye To Love” was released 49 years ago!!! I was never in favor of editing songs but I did understand the reasoning behind it in some cases.

I think what you need to keep in mind is most listeners today would be more bothered by edits to this song and an early fade.....time marches on! (In the words of Marty McFly “I guess you’re not ready for this, but your kids are gonna love it!”)

 

[vchimpanzee]

Funny you should mention that song. I was working for a conservative MOR station when that song was released and we did some editing and faded the end. However realize that “Goodbye To Love” was released 49 years ago!!! I was never in favor of editing songs but I did understand the reasoning behind it in some cases.

I think what you need to keep in mind is most listeners today would be more bothered by edits to this song and an early fade.....time marches on! (In the words of Marty McFly “I guess you’re not ready for this, but your kids are gonna love it!”)

And when I hear the first few notes of "Goodbye to Love", I'm marching on somewhere else.

 

[CTListener]

And when I hear the first few notes of "Goodbye to Love", I'm marching on somewhere else.

How do you feel about "Age of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In," with it's soul/gospel-style vocals in the second song? Turn off the radio before the shouted vocals begin or just change the station as soon as the song comes on? Or do you tolerate the brief excursion into the passionate world of soul from the repressed world of MOR?

 

[TheBigA]

"Goodbye to Love", despite wonderful vocals by Karen Carpenter, has a guitar solo that's just about as bad. And I'm not going to accept that one unedited either. That's one of those songs that sends me to the volume or off button.

Too bad, because that guitar solo was Richard Carpenter's idea. In fact Richard & Karen loved that solo so much that they hired the guitar player, Tony Peluso, to join their band so he could play it live on stage every night. Richard wrote the song with John Bettis, a very successful Nashville writer. Bettis co-wrote several of their hits, and Richard was influenced by what was happening musically in Nashville at the time. Peluso originally did a softer guitar solo for the song, and Richard stopped him during the session and specifically told him to add the fuzz effect. That's why you hear the solo not only in the instrumental break, but also repeated at the end. And yes it was controversial, it may have been the first time such a solo was done in a power ballad. But that's also the creative genius of the Carpenters.

Having said all this, the song didn't go to #1, perhaps because of that solo. It peaked at #8 in the Hot 100. The band received hate mail because of the guitar solo from fans who felt they had "sold out" and gone "hard rock." Ironically the song charted best in Billboard's Easy Listening chart, where it peaked at #2.

EDIT: Around that same time, The Beatles recorded two versions of Let It Be. The original album version featured a soaring guitar solo from George Harrison. The single version has a softer guitar solo, also done by Harrison, but on a different day.. BTW the original version was produced by Phil Spector. The single version was produced by George Martin.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

The Carpenters production and arrangements were always top notch, a testimonial to Richard Carpenter’s talents as a musician and producer. Some years ago, he was interviewed by Teri Gross on Fresh Air and explained some of his motivations and thoughts about music, arranging and his sister. As to “Goodbye To Love,” I recall a story about an AC programmer who had a reputation for doctoring currents that went into rotation on his station, as if was George Martin or Phil Spector. As it relates to Goodbye To Love, troubled by the fuzz tone guitar ending, he reduced the levels of the guitar by two or three decibels when the song was carted… as if that would make a gnat‘s hat worth of difference.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Too bad, because that guitar solo was Richard Carpenter's idea. In fact Richard & Karen loved that solo so much that they hired the guitar player, Tony Peluso, to join their band so he could play it live on stage every night. Richard wrote the song with John Bettis, a very successful Nashville writer. Bettis co-wrote several of their hits, and Richard was influenced by what was happening musically in Nashville at the time. Peluso originally did a softer guitar solo for the song, and Richard stopped him during the session and specifically told him to add the fuzz effect. That's why you hear the solo not only in the instrumental break, but also repeated at the end. And yes it was controversial, it may have been the first time such a solo was done in a power ballad. But that's also the creative genius of the Carpenters.

Having said all this, the song didn't go to #1, perhaps because of that solo. It peaked at #8 in the Hot 100. The band received hate mail because of the guitar solo from fans who felt they had "sold out" and gone "hard rock." Ironically the song charted best in Billboard's Easy Listening chart, where it peaked at #2.

EDIT: Around that same time, The Beatles recorded two versions of Let It Be. The original album version featured a soaring guitar solo from George Harrison. The single version has a softer guitar solo, also done by Harrison, but on a different day.. BTW the original version was produced by Phil Spector. The single version was produced by George Martin.

I never once heard the song before it was on adult standards radio, which is truly ironic.

Also, I've heard the final guitar solo cut off before it was over. It was probably one of the satellite formats.