AAA Live Sampler CDs

[Radical348]

Who else collects the annual (or semi-annual) CDs released by AAA stations? These are released by stations around Christmas, feature live performances, and are only available for a limited time. Proceeds usually go to charity.

My favorite this year is KBCO Studio C, Vol. 22. It features some of the more alternative-leaning acts such as Phoenix, Broken Bells, and Moby & a few intriguing combinations (Ben Gibbard/Jay Farrar and Lyle Lovett/John Hiatt.) This one is unfortunately only available at Denver-area stores (not sure why the need for such snobbery - they say it's because it's limited but all the others are limited too and they're still available online for those who want it), but I picked up mine on eBay for not too much. My next faves would be KINK Live 13 and KGSR Broadcasts 18, these two are pretty reliable. Also picked up KMTT Mountain 16, WTTS Collectors Edition 16, WXRT onXRT 12, and WQKL Live from Studio A2 3.

I avoided KTCZ Studio C 22 due to the price - like KBCO it's only available in the Twin Cities, but if you're on their mailing list you can buy it online but they charge $24.97 + shipping : and KFOG Live from the Archives 17 due to the annoying tracklisting. Disappointing as KFOG's my local station and I have most of the previous volumes but just couldn't bring myself to this year. :-\

WMMM/Madison, KPRI/San Diego, and KMWT/Tucson have released volumes in the past but I couldn't find any information on them this year. Same with WXRV/Boston and KBAC/Santa Fe although those two haven't released any in awhile.

 

[recto101]

Wow I never thought AAA Stations would do CD sampler's. I always thought of this as a NAC thing like when KKSF a smooth jazz station did in the 1990's. I like KFOG's Archive track but recently KFOG feels dull now of stories of KFOG owner Cumulus mearging with Citadel and that Morey retired 2 years ago and Big Rick moving to KUFX 102.1 FM. KFOG's future is very questionable.

 

[Radical348]

Many of the stations have been doing them since the 1990s. They're all live and/or acoustic performances.

I don't think there's anything questionable about KFOG's future. They just brought in a new PD & he's doing a great job. DJs change, and quite honestly I was glad to see Big Rick go - he was bland and somewhat uncomfortable on the air.

 

[Natheodan]

KTCZ in Minneapolis has been releasing their "Cities Sampler" for the past 20+ years. They are so popular that people camp out overnight in front of local Target stores to get them. They typically sell out the 50,000 copies in less than an hour. Just eBay cities sampler and see how inflated the priced are for the CDs.

 

[TheRob]

One of the recent KTCZ samplers contained Adele, so that's probably the reason for the popularity. When I lived in Minneapolis, KTCZ was a very AC-ish AAA, and their Studio C CDs weren't hot items.

KTBG here in the Kansas City region prints CDs of acoustic performances as well. But I think KTBG only sells those CDs during pledge drives.

 

[Dick Skinner]

One of the recent KTCZ samplers contained Adele, so that's probably the reason for the popularity. When I lived in Minneapolis, KTCZ was a very AC-ish AAA, and their Studio C CDs weren't hot items.

Best check your sources, The. The Cities Sampler has always sold out.

 

[Radical348]

It's sampler season again. KFOG, KINK, and KMTT all have good ones as usual. KMTT having a good one is surprising, because they're not really AAA anymore, they're classic hits...and last year's wasn't too good.

KGSR's, always previously reliable, is disappointing. But that could also be because they sold out last year.

Cities 97 has set their sampler's list price as $25.97. Ridiculous, especially for a single CD.