97.7 Chuck FM Greenville

[carolinaradio]

I heard 97.7 Chuck ID as "WJMZ Anderson in HD - W249CB Six Mile."
I thought the COL was changed to Greenville. Paris Mountain is 30 miles away from Six Mile.
The old site and definitely the new site are almost in the fringe of the signal contour.

Folks, feel free to correct me but I believe W249CB started out as a translator for WTBI-FM, owned by Tabernacle Baptist College and at one time was located on Six Mile mountain, just outside Six Mile. I am just speculating here but a few years back, WTBI-FM moved from 91.7 to 91.5 and increased their ERP to 22.5 kW, so they no longer had a need for the translator. Tower Above Media and Ted McCall is listed as the current owner. Even though the COL is still Six Mile, the "old" translator, with 190 watts ERP, is now located at the WELP-AM transmitter site, about 2 miles outside of Easley on Hwy. 8 toward Pickens. The "old" location is only about 12-15 miles from the "new" Paris Mountain site as the crow flies. So are they transmitting from the old site, hence the W249CB Six Mile ID, or are they broadcasting under their CP from the new site?

Yes, 97.7 was once owned by Tabernacle according to FCC records, as were a couple of other translators in the area. Ted McCall/Tower Above had been relaying WLFJ-HD2? on it, but apparently started leasing it to Cox a week ago. On 12/16 (the day Chuck-FM came on the air), a license to cover was accepted for filing by the FCC. I think it's safe to say that they're broadcasting from the Paris Mountain site, because that signal booms compared to the old one. It's on the same tower as W225AZ 92.9, which relays 660, but has a much better signal because it's not directional.

Like I've said, Cox may be testing the waters with this translator...if it has a good reaction, could we see Chuck move to 98.1. Would eliminate a lot of extra costs for them and probably do around what the current rhythmic CHR format does.

 

[carolinaradio]

Upon further listening of Chuck-FM, they certainly aren't afraid to go back in to the 70s and even 60s. It's good to hear some different 70s songs than the same ones Magic plays over and over. Good 80s variety also. Quite frequently, they get in sets of music that just sound like a classic hits station. This could quite possibly be my favorite 'variety hits' station on the air, albeit a rather 'safe' one. The 90s they throw in are enjoyable, as well (most of them are early-mid 90s). They don't play hardly anything from the late 90s to today at all...when they do, it's one of several (like "100 Years" or "Lonely No More"). It fills a big void left when MY moved away from the older music this year and Magic quit playing a lot of 70s music.

Has anyone else noticed that while the signal is good in Greenville, they seem to have a bad issue on Pleasantburg Dr. between 385 and Pelham Rd? I was parked in a parking lot and lost the signal entirely (after I moved the car a foot, it came back). Interesting, considering that wasn't far at all from the tower.

 

[awp69]

Upon further listening of Chuck-FM, they certainly aren't afraid to go back in to the 70s and even 60s.  It's good to hear some different 70s songs than the same ones Magic plays over and over.  Good 80s variety also.  Quite frequently, they get in sets of music that just sound like a classic hits station.  This could quite possibly be my favorite 'variety hits' station on the air, albeit a rather 'safe' one.  The 90s they throw in are enjoyable, as well (most of them are early-mid 90s).  They don't play hardly anything from the late 90s to today at all...when they do, it's one of several (like "100 Years" or "Lonely No More").  It fills a big void left when MY moved away from the older music this year and Magic quit playing a lot of 70s music.

Has anyone else noticed that while the signal is good in Greenville, they seem to have a bad issue on Pleasantburg Dr. between 385 and Pelham Rd?  I was parked in a parking lot and lost the signal entirely (after I moved the car a foot, it came back).  Interesting, considering that wasn't far at all from the tower.

Although I still would prefer if they played more late 90s to today (which for me, at least, still has me listening to MY as my first choice with this in second), one thing I do like is what you mentioned about how they seem to play "sets" of music. It seems like they'll play some 80s/ early 90s songs and then have a promo before playing a 70s song or something. Yes, it's a variety station, but the way they transition is much better than the way MY may play All-American Rejects then play Gloria Gaynor. Chuck makes their mix less jarring when they go back and forth between older and somewhat newer music.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Charlie FM,...Tom, Dick, Harry FM...Moe, Larry, Curley, Shemp, Joe(Oh, Stop!), Curley Joe FM... Yep,...give it a name, and put it on the air, but remember...they don't last long! For me, I like it. It's a fresh selection of "What's Next?". It all depends on how much it costs to keep it on! The Bot of Today...The PC Jukepod, on deep shuffle!
The only bad element is no jobs; maybe two!

 

[97.7 Chuck FM]

Thanks for listening! All the best for a great 2012.

Chuck

 

[carolinaradio]

Right back at ya, Chuck. Keep up the good work.

Yeah, awp69, they also do claim to play everything, so that makes more sense too! At least they're owning up to what they claim to be. Surprisingly, they rarely play anything slow.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Charlie FM,...Tom, Dick, Harry FM...Moe, Larry, Curley, Shemp, Joe(Oh, Stop!), Curley Joe FM... Yep,...give it a name, and put it on the air, but remember...they don't last long! For me, I like it. It's a fresh selection of "What's Next?". It all depends on how much it costs to keep it on! The Bot of Today...The PC Jukepod, on deep shuffle!
The only bad element is no jobs; maybe two!

Simon in Greensboro, NC is still going after seven years.

 

[Gatekeeper007]

I like Chuck for a name since it is my first name.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Chuck FM is now my favorite listen,...by defalt.
Scooter Lesley.

 

[carolinaradio]

Chuck FM is now my favorite listen,...by defalt.
Scooter Lesley.

Agree. I listen to a handful of stations in the market but I don't listen to any of them as much as I do to 97.7 lately. It really is a breath of fresh air.

 

[awp69]

I find it a little ironic that with all the threads here about on-air staff being let go, that a computer-generated playlist, pumped-in station (well, I'm sure someone is behind the formula behind it) is one of the more popular ones on the forum.

Not saying that's wrong because they indeed are something fresh here. Maybe it's just more of a lesson for the corporate people that if they gave their on-air staff/PM's as much flexibility as their computer run stations, they'd have more success. People still like a local connection.

In any case, I've been going back and forth, mostly, between this, MY and B93.7 just because I do like newer music as well. That said, maybe it's just me, but Chuck seems to be playing more '80s and '90s than they were at first. Could just be when I'm tuning in. Heard things like Jimmy Eat World and Paula Cole, for instance.

The more variety we get around here, the better I feel, even if I still go outside of the market to hear some of the really new stuff around here (new rock-wise).

 

[carolinaradio]

I find it a little ironic that with all the threads here about on-air staff being let go, that a computer-generated playlist, pumped-in station (well, I'm sure someone is behind the formula behind it) is one of the more popular ones on the forum.

Not saying that's wrong because they indeed are something fresh here. Maybe it's just more of a lesson for the corporate people that if they gave their on-air staff/PM's as much flexibility as their computer run stations, they'd have more success. People still like a local connection.

In any case, I've been going back and forth, mostly, between this, MY and B93.7 just because I do like newer music as well. That said, maybe it's just me, but Chuck seems to be playing more '80s and '90s than they were at first. Could just be when I'm tuning in. Heard things like Jimmy Eat World and Paula Cole, for instance.

The more variety we get around here, the better I feel, even if I still go outside of the market to hear some of the really new stuff around here (new rock-wise).

I think the sad thing is, the station with nobody on it is one of the most listenable and most well-programmed.

Yes, I thought I was the only one that noticed that the playlist seemed to be including more 90s. Seems to be playing just as much 80s as always, which is their emphasis, with 70s after that. I heard the Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Deep Blue Something, etc this morning. Seems like they played some hip hop song from the 90s too. I've even heard them play "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch. What's so funny is that even though they claim to play everything, their playlist actually flows well and sounds pretty good most of the time. Not sure how they do it.

Anyway, this station is getting more and more of my listening time, especially since MY is getting kind of boring lately (Chuck seems 'fresher')

 

[awp69]

I think the sad thing is, the station with nobody on it is one of the most listenable and most well-programmed.

Yes, I thought I was the only one that noticed that the playlist seemed to be including more 90s.  Seems to be playing just as much 80s as always, which is their emphasis, with 70s after that.  I heard the Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Deep Blue Something, etc this morning.  Seems like they played some hip hop song from the 90s too.  I've even heard them play "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.  What's so funny is that even though they claim to play everything, their playlist actually flows well and sounds pretty good most of the time.  Not sure how they do it.  

Anyway, this station is getting more and more of my listening time, especially since MY is getting kind of boring lately (Chuck seems 'fresher')

Yes, the feed they're playing is certainly well-programmed. Maybe it's an incorrect assumption that it isn't being programmed here, but whoever it is -- at a corporate office far away or not -- they seem to know how to keep it flowing. Variety hits has got to be one of the trickiest to not sound like a complete mess.

Even MY, which has far less variety, doesn't do very well making things flow right with its much smaller playlist.

I agree that Chuck's overall sound is something "fresh" around here, even if the music isn't. I'd listen to it more if I liked more of the 70s stuff. MY is already sounding stale. But so is just about every other station in this market. Still wish MY would take their "fresh" stance to a new level with more adds and variety. I think if I hear Pink or the Daughtry/Train/Gavin Degraw song of the hour much longer, I'm going to go insane.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

As I said, earlier...Chuck FM is now my favorite listen. However, let me also state that the reception is great...really Blowin' Some Smoke! A clear sig in the very belly of the Pickens Jockey Lot,...that's a hole! A low creek bank...in a valley, normally a bad place for Radio recep. Also, clear in the Belton-Honea Path area. Hats off to the Engineer! Award that man with the Golden tweakdriver, and a free date with Chrissie, the new blond sales girl!

 

[carolinaradio]

As I said, earlier...Chuck FM is now my favorite listen. However, let me also state that the reception is great...really Blowin' Some Smoke! A clear sig in the very belly of the Pickens Jockey Lot,...that's a hole! A low creek bank...in a valley, normally a bad place for Radio recep. Also, clear in the Belton-Honea Path area. Hats off to the Engineer! Award that man with the Golden tweakdriver, and a free date with Chrissie, the new blond sales girl!

I really have to agree, for a 250w translator, the signal is fantastic. The signal is pretty solid in the whole Greenville area and I can still carry it 35+ miles from the transmitter site. One of the best translator signals I've ever heard.

I think the sad thing is, the station with nobody on it is one of the most listenable and most well-programmed.

Yes, I thought I was the only one that noticed that the playlist seemed to be including more 90s. Seems to be playing just as much 80s as always, which is their emphasis, with 70s after that. I heard the Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Deep Blue Something, etc this morning. Seems like they played some hip hop song from the 90s too. I've even heard them play "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch. What's so funny is that even though they claim to play everything, their playlist actually flows well and sounds pretty good most of the time. Not sure how they do it.

Anyway, this station is getting more and more of my listening time, especially since MY is getting kind of boring lately (Chuck seems 'fresher')

Yes, the feed they're playing is certainly well-programmed. Maybe it's an incorrect assumption that it isn't being programmed here, but whoever it is -- at a corporate office far away or not -- they seem to know how to keep it flowing. Variety hits has got to be one of the trickiest to not sound like a complete mess.

Even MY, which has far less variety, doesn't do very well making things flow right with its much smaller playlist.

I agree that Chuck's overall sound is something "fresh" around here, even if the music isn't. I'd listen to it more if I liked more of the 70s stuff. MY is already sounding stale. But so is just about every other station in this market. Still wish MY would take their "fresh" stance to a new level with more adds and variety. I think if I hear Pink or the Daughtry/Train/Gavin Degraw song of the hour much longer, I'm going to go insane.

The playlist is probably researched and is tailored at a local level to fit the market best. For example, Chuck-FM leans older because there is no old leaning AC or classic hits/oldies. Same can go for 98.7 Simon-FM in Greensboro. 101.7 Chuck-FM in Charleston has more of an AC sound and plays some current music.

I'm unfortunately starting to lose hope as far as MY changing. They're going to have to add new music every week to sustain the 'fresh' idea, and they're just not doing it. Can't forget their GaGa or Katy Perry song of the hour, either.

 

[vchimpanzee]

The playlist is probably researched and is tailored at a local level to fit the market best. For example, Chuck-FM leans older because there is no old leaning AC or classic hits/oldies. Same can go for 98.7 Simon-FM in Greensboro.

Simon still sounds mostly classic hits to me, unless it has changed.

 

[carolinaradio]

The playlist is probably researched and is tailored at a local level to fit the market best. For example, Chuck-FM leans older because there is no old leaning AC or classic hits/oldies. Same can go for 98.7 Simon-FM in Greensboro.

Simon still sounds mostly classic hits to me, unless it has changed.

Yes, it's one of the more classic hits based ones. Makes sense since nobody plays much older music in the Triad.

Chuck-FM has been on the air for a month today. I really listen to them more than anyone else now. I wonder how much longer they'll stay commercial-free.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Yep,...I'm still listening, and enjoying the unpredictability. I don't know who's in charge, but his/her smarts will truly show when we all hear how the Stop-sets are structured, Slated, and...how long each runs. Some Boob over at MAGIC thinks that you can still hold TSL with 5-to-6 minute sets; especially weekends. It all remains to be (seen)heard!

 

[awp69]

Well, except during the day when listen to stations outside the Upstate via streaming, Chuck is quickly becoming my go to station in the car. Not sure if it's based on the feedback they've been getting or what, but they're sounding more and more like Charlie did (leaning 80s, 90s and 2000s with just a sprinkle of 60s and 70s). It doesn't seem to be leaning older at all anymore. Yes, they still play some older songs, but almost everytime I tune in it's an 80s, 90s or 2000s song. Loving hearing everything from U2 and Echo and the Bunnymen to the Counting Crows and Jimmy Eat World. They even have an Adele song in one of their promos (although I haven't heard too many currents at all).

And when I do hear an older song, it's usually a quirky fun throwback like Charlie did occassionally (yes, I admit to liking "Copacabana" when I was a kid).

Still go to MY and B93.7 for my newer song fix, but mostly rely on the new rock stations I listen to at work for that.

MY has gotten a little better as far as what they mix in from the past (surprised to hear more guitar driven songs like U2's "In the Name of Love" and "New Year's Day" instead of the typical "With or Without You" that AC migrates towards). But they still are pretty terrible with new adds. And some of the songs they have added are ones that kind of contradict their "like B but without the songs you hate" promo as they're adding more rhythmic songs that I personally could do without.

Anyway, hope Chuck sticks around longer than Charlie did. I'm digging it.

 

[carolinaradio]

Actually, I listened to 97.7 this morning and heard 2 70s songs in 15 minutes- "Bang A Gong" and "What a Fool Believes." I think it just depends on when you listen. Haven't heard much 2000s other than "The Middle" by JEW (only one I remember), but have heard a lot more 90s rock lately (which is a plus). I think I've heard "Rolling In The Deep" once, but that's all.
Like I've said, I enjoy the older songs/70s/80s/90s. Nothing slow, or at least that stuff's only played rarely.

I mainly listen to MY only at night now when I do. The slowness with adds is just too irritating. The stuff they play at night is awfully rhythmic at times, I agree - LMFAO, David Guetta, Usher, Black Eyed Peas, Travie McCoy, Gym Class Heroes, etc

I think Chuck will stick around. Good to hear them running commercials now.