A few weeks ago I was down the beaches having lunch with friends. I noticed one of those “DJ’ for hire vans in the parking lot featuring rock, country and southern rock. I imagined being transported back to where I grew up and that van would probably have mentioned oldies, disco and maybe classic rock.
Those who support the radio status quo would have you believe that a lot of sameness rules no matter the geography. Well, there’s truth to that as far as chain business and certain amounts of music heard nationally. But we aren’t all alike and that’s reflected in how we vote to even the kind of food we eat to our attitudes and to our opinions. Whether radio is fully utilizing market uniqueness and differences to their full advantage seems to be a subject worth discussing.
It turns out the background music was from a homemade CD from the mobile DJ who works at the restaurant. Between two rock songs I heard Rascal Flatt“s version of "Life Is A Highway” and damn if that didn’t sound good to me. I had a chance to speak to this guy and he told me almost without exception the music requested is a rock/country combo to include both rock and country “oldies.” According to him, it is very popular in Jax for parties and other fun functions.
I will confess knowing very little about country and rock formats but I have to wonder if radio in Jax/North Florida differentiates itself enough from counterparts elsewhere. Regardless of format, those who outperform audience and revenue goals will not see the need to change course. But for those who face various challenges, I continue to wonder why they don’t pursue a different strategy. More on that later.
Beyond Skynyrd, I’m not really sure what defines Southern Rock or if enough of it exists to play a major role in a format. I’m not even sure if Southern Rock is mostly old stuff or if it contemporary too. That mobile DJ who offers a country/southern rock/rock mix of music is responding to his customer demands. I’m just curious if commercial radio stations are known to offer this type of crossover and/or if there is listener demand for it or if even viable. We heard a lot about WRUF-FM this year but I don’t recall reading about the programming and if those in the know felt a different course could have made the difference.
I guess this is a good start. In another post, Mark Tillery had asked a question regarding how radio can remain competitive in an environment with increased alternatives. I’ve wanted to discuss that subject for awhile so this string may wind up being appropriate to do just that. For the programmers out there who do post, I hope you will participate with what follows. I am very much interested in your opinions regarding programming that goes beyond the day-to-day as an alternative strategy. More to come.
Those who support the radio status quo would have you believe that a lot of sameness rules no matter the geography. Well, there’s truth to that as far as chain business and certain amounts of music heard nationally. But we aren’t all alike and that’s reflected in how we vote to even the kind of food we eat to our attitudes and to our opinions. Whether radio is fully utilizing market uniqueness and differences to their full advantage seems to be a subject worth discussing.
It turns out the background music was from a homemade CD from the mobile DJ who works at the restaurant. Between two rock songs I heard Rascal Flatt“s version of "Life Is A Highway” and damn if that didn’t sound good to me. I had a chance to speak to this guy and he told me almost without exception the music requested is a rock/country combo to include both rock and country “oldies.” According to him, it is very popular in Jax for parties and other fun functions.
I will confess knowing very little about country and rock formats but I have to wonder if radio in Jax/North Florida differentiates itself enough from counterparts elsewhere. Regardless of format, those who outperform audience and revenue goals will not see the need to change course. But for those who face various challenges, I continue to wonder why they don’t pursue a different strategy. More on that later.
Beyond Skynyrd, I’m not really sure what defines Southern Rock or if enough of it exists to play a major role in a format. I’m not even sure if Southern Rock is mostly old stuff or if it contemporary too. That mobile DJ who offers a country/southern rock/rock mix of music is responding to his customer demands. I’m just curious if commercial radio stations are known to offer this type of crossover and/or if there is listener demand for it or if even viable. We heard a lot about WRUF-FM this year but I don’t recall reading about the programming and if those in the know felt a different course could have made the difference.
I guess this is a good start. In another post, Mark Tillery had asked a question regarding how radio can remain competitive in an environment with increased alternatives. I’ve wanted to discuss that subject for awhile so this string may wind up being appropriate to do just that. For the programmers out there who do post, I hope you will participate with what follows. I am very much interested in your opinions regarding programming that goes beyond the day-to-day as an alternative strategy. More to come.
