Here's what K-Rock has provided
WDVE had gotten stale in my opinion. I am, by now, officially sick of The Clarks being played more than AC/DC.
I realize they want to keep a local flavor. Okay- then when was the last time you heard, say, Gruschecky on there? Or G-Force? Or the Science Fiction Idols?
All of whom I would argue are more lively acts than The Clarks, Buzz Poets, and other local bands that we're sick of.
The other thing about K-Rock is that they started playing music that I had grown up with and mixed with the new it made me feel more contemporary.
For instance, I used to hate it that WDVE and WRRK basically ignored all the bands of my high school years save for Guns n Roses- and even then it always seemed it was "Sweet Child of Mine."
Like it or not, and I do like it, Ratt, Poison, and Cinderella are classic rock. People put down hair bands (not that I mind. I put down grunge), but Bon Jovi and Motley Crue have made great revivals and it seems things that are 80s are being fondly recognized by us thirtysomethings who are beginning to be able to buy things.
K-Rock and many other classic rock stations in other markets recognized this, while WDVE and WRRK refused to believe there was an audience for this kind of music.
And to be honest with you I feel pop music has become so urbanized that there is a "younger" audience for hair bands. I have seen it a lot at recent concerts I've attended.
Forget Stern- heck I'm an Imus guy. But I get a sense the blend of music is more catered to my tastes on K-Rock than WDVE.