A LOT HAS HAPPENED, YET NOT MUCH HAS HAPPENED

[Wildstyle K]

I once thought that

M A Y B E I N 2 0 1 0 . . .

things would change, but it seems as although many things have happened, not much has really changed. The only really noticeable change I've seen was Movin 97.5 music, and more music mornings on KZZP. Other than that, everything else for the most part has remained the same. Unfortunately, in addition to this, it also seems that radio is even less interesting in 2010 than it has been prior to 2010. We need more excitement or something stimulating to make radio fun and interesting - and I mean when it comes to people outside of those who are already fascinated with radio. I've said it all before, but we do need more live talent and upbeat atmosphere, especially so in the hit music arena. I don't think it takes much to be just a little more exciting and fun. Look at KYLD and KMVQ, or even KPWR. I'm not saying everyone should be as good as WPOW, but we need to wake up a bit in Phoenix. Everything seems and sounds pretty much the same all day, all work week long, and then we get a hit of excitement and fun on Friday & Saturdays, mostly at night. Yes, I know it was once like this in the past with even less choice in options, but still.. not really an excuse today, in 2010. We need to get back to having fun and being "adventurous" in radio land.

 

[Scrappy]

While I agree 100%, I don't think you'll see much change for the better. In these days of PPM, and corporate radio ruling the board rooms of the valley......."Fun" radio is probably a thing of the past.........Sad, but true, I'm afraid.

 

[Wildstyle K]

While I agree 100%, I don't think you'll see much change for the better. In these days of PPM, and corporate radio ruling the board rooms of the valley......."Fun" radio is probably a thing of the past.........Sad, but true, I'm afraid.

I was afraid that this would be the response I would get, but risked having to hear it again, anyway. I guess times change, things come and go, and life goes on.

 

[musicman3355]

Agreed. Ever since PPM has started to invade the radio world, it's like radio has became too restricted... its Arbitron's fault radio is sounding like an iPod.

 

[azenergyfan]

I would take what is on my IPOD over what is on the valley radio today. My IPOD is jjjjjammmmming another 10-10-10 in a row from the top top top top top of south mountain ;-)

 

[KeithE4]

Agreed. Ever since PPM has started to invade the radio world, it's like radio has became too restricted... its Arbitron's fault radio is sounding like an iPod.

Wrong. It's the listeners' "fault" that they don't want to hear a blabbering dinosaur disk jockey breaking up their music.

Music stations should play music and talk stations should talk. Those DJ's who have real personalities and can talk, should talk. But on talk stations or TV, not on music stations. That may thin the herd, but the best will survive, just not as "disk jockeys."

 

[johndavis]

Agreed. Ever since PPM has started to invade the radio world, it's like radio has became too restricted... its Arbitron's fault radio is sounding like an iPod.

Wrong. It's the listeners' "fault" that they don't want to hear a blabbering dinosaur disk jockey breaking up their music.

Music stations should play music and talk stations should talk. Those DJ's who have real personalities and can talk, should talk. But on talk stations or TV, not on music stations. That may thin the herd, but the best will survive, just not as "disk jockeys."

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

In a world where we have formats splintering into sub-sub genres because the audience demands pure (fill-in-the-blank) is it the station's fault that the audience expects a music station to play music whenever they tune in?

There is room for personalities to be themselves on radio. However, the days of being a talk station for 6 hours in the morning and a music-intensive station the rest of the day are dying. It's no different from what's happening in any other media. I see this as a natural progression to what's happened with television and the internet than reacting to the PPM.

Want talk? Tune into a talk station. Want music? Tune into a music station. Once the audience has defined you, you have to deliver the goods.

 

[michael hagerty]

Agreed. Ever since PPM has started to invade the radio world, it's like radio has became too restricted... its Arbitron's fault radio is sounding like an iPod.

Wrong. It's the listeners' "fault" that they don't want to hear a blabbering dinosaur disk jockey breaking up their music.

Music stations should play music and talk stations should talk. Those DJ's who have real personalities and can talk, should talk. But on talk stations or TV, not on music stations. That may thin the herd, but the best will survive, just not as "disk jockeys."

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

In a world where we have formats splintering into sub-sub genres because the audience demands pure (fill-in-the-blank) is it the station's fault that the audience expects a music station to play music whenever they tune in?

There is room for personalities to be themselves on radio. However, the days of being a talk station for 6 hours in the morning and a music-intensive station the rest of the day are dying. It's no different from what's happening in any other media. I see this as a natural progression to what's happened with television and the internet than reacting to the PPM.

Want talk? Tune into a talk station. Want music? Tune into a music station. Once the audience has defined you, you have to deliver the goods.

True...this is not Arbirton's "fault".

PPM accurately measures what the wearer actually hears in the course of a day.

What we're seeing is a reinforcement of something I've seen since the early 70s when I was a high school DJ. Jocks and radio junkies turn the volume up when the DJ talks. The average listener turns it down, off, changes the channel, makes a phone call or picks that moment to talk to the person next to them.

Sure, there were exceptions...but for the most part, they're long gone...and radio gets the blame for not grooming replacements. Seriously...name a music radio personality under the age of 35 that is compelling enough that you want to hear what he or she says, not just what he or she plays day in and day out (if that's you, my apologies and please tell me where and when I can hear you). Off the top of my head, the youngest I can think of is Dave Pratt, and he's within walking distance of 50....and....not on the radio at the moment.

The audience that wanted more than music from a music station was trained over the last 20 years not to expect it...they've moved on. Leaving an audience, that as John says, has defined what a music station should be and do.

The bummer for music radio is that now, so many technologies can do it better, from the listener's point of view.

 

[Chuck Roast]

...and Michael, you get the progressive jackpot for your excellent summary of the state of radio. Starting about ten or fifteen years ago the big fat heads decided that it was so much cheaper to track the overnights, or play a syndicated show, or just roll the tunes with liners. I am business-minded enough to understand about ten good reasons to do that. BUT, the unintended consequence was the shutting down of the radio minor leagues. Where does one go these days to perform every single day on the air, WITH the benefit of guidance from experienced veterans, and the weekly (or even more frequent) meetings with a wise program DIRECTOR?

To those of you tempted to respond that other forms of media can be a great training ground, that only works to a certain extent. It used to be that even the smallest station in a small or medium market had at least one GREAT talent who could put you on the right path. Now, if that individual even exists, they don't have the time, budget, or inclination to help out. School is great; I recommend college over broadcasting school. But after that, it takes daily experience, over the course of years, to develop a unique personality. And Michael, as you've observed, the audience has been taught not to appreciate that talent.

By the way, you're so right about the "crank up the DJ" sickness we radio junkies have. In fact I'll go you one better. How many of us will admit to "talking up the post" after a cold jingle segue, just to show off for our college friends? OK, I only did it twice.

To sum up, you're right about what radio has become and the new order of separation of church and state, er...music and talk. But some of us are naive enough to believe that ANY format, TARGETED properly to a particular age group, can benefit from RELEVANT talent. Womb to tomb demos don't exist anymore, but does that mean a younger person has NO INTEREST in hearing from a radio "BFF". Bring on a GREAT 20-something talent, and try it. Oh wait, there's that little "minor league" issue. The best advice I was ever given, which I didn't always follow: IF YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SAY, SAY IT.

Love to all,

Stu

 

[KOHS]

Great advice, Stu!

My introduction to radio came in high school. The teacher who managed the station had a reputation for putting students on the spot during class. He would pull out the air check tape from the previous day and play the breaks from the student DJ's. After having several Simon-Cowell-like roastings in class, I learned to avoid the spotlight through the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle.

 

[Wildstyle K]

hehehe I think I was a little too subtle this time.
All I REALLY ask for are more mix shows on the rhythmic and top 40 stations in the Valley.

That's where most of the excitement is for me.

I only disguised that fact by using substitute words like "fun, exciting, interesting.." etc. because I know most people on this board don't care too much for mix shows since many are on a format where back to back mixshow blends aren't a norm.

I'm sure any well done mix shows will not hurt anybody, because there is no other way you can have more music than in the form of a nonstop mix show. This is the main reason why I brought up stations like KPWR and WPOW...etc. who are good at pleasing their audience while still not being afraid to liven things up a bit and provide a party style atmosphere and be a little "experimental with tempo's", if you know what I mean! ;D ..And, they don't just wait until the weekends, but they have set time slots all through the week as well to keep it live and entertaining. More music... isn't that what the people want? Try providing it in a more fun and exciting fashion..

But it's ok - looks like I started a good discussion much deeper than what I was getting at, so feel free to continue.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Well, I'll just say the new 5 o clock mix on KZON is sounding pretty good. It's a good start of things to come...