As a former Vermont broadcaster I think I have the right to throw in my two cents. It's encouraging to hear that the Central Vermont area finally has an almost full power FM dedicated to country. When I ran Northcountry 102, we had listeners all across Vermont, New Hampshire and parts of New York as well as a few listeners in Quebec. We always liked to think that we were number 1 above 2,500 foot elevation because when we pinpointed our cards and letters they were all from upper elevation addresses; people who lived and breathed the rural lifestyle of the Northcountry. Not too many skiers or small village hippies. Our audience was comprised of the loggers, truckers, dairymen and well, basically the chuck population of the region. We also had the flatlanders who were discovering country for the first time and they loved it because Barely Manenough and Kool and the Gang just didn't sound right when you were looking out over a scenic vista. We knew that we could rally at least a thousand folks armed to the teeth at our studio if Madeline Kunin tried to shut us down.
We relied on classic country. We played everything from Mother Maybelle and Jimmy Rodgers and the Sons of the Pioneers, Bob Wills and the whole gamut to currents. Remember a day without George Jones is like a day without Sunshine! Our playlist turned over about every 45 days. I think we played about 2,500 titles in different rotations. It worked well for us. We were an R&R reporter and got in on all the touring acts from Boston to Albany to Burlington and Montreal. We had tons of giveaways from the labels. We produced a show called the New England Opry every Sunday which featured local and national acts.
We had personalities too..Big Jim, Debbie and Greg, Siouxzie Rustle, Wild Willie, Caveman and a cast of part-timers who could bust your gut. We had to instill a "No Guns Allowed" policy in the studio because the California owner was afraid someone would pick him off when he came to visit. I hope the folks who have the station now realize that Northern NE has its roots in Country and Western music more so than in pop or rock. Somebody can make a real monster of that signal.
I know Vermont has changed a lot because of the arrival of the statist seeking socialist rable, but come on, take back that state.. Rejoin America. A good god guns and guts country station can start a revolution in them thar hills.
The last thing "Kracko" is going to do is give the folks in the Oprah House any bulletin board material.. ;D.. Nice try Marbles..