Album Oriented Instrumental (AOI)

[AC Tones]

C5 mentioned that maybe we need to drop "Jazz" from our new format name. "Smooth" might not be doing us a whole heck of a lot of good either. What do you guys think of "Album Oriented Instrumental" (AOI)? ;D I was having a private conversation with Nock offline and we talked about how we like to go deep on albums and that we typically spin cuts that are NOT the ones chosen to promote as singles. As a programmer, I like to embody at least the spirit of the "Album Oriented" concept of AOR, and melding together the best contemporary instrumental music from a number of genres, to include New Age, NAC, Smooth Jazz, Electronica, and Chill. What do you guys think? Should I patent it? Well, if someone decides to, remember you heard it here first!

 

[Bill Harmonic]

New format? And just what is the new format? Chris, I understand where you're going but I believe you've put the cart before the horse. Don't worry about what to call it right now (The Wav works just fine for me when I tune in). Just play it. By the way, I don't play "singles" either. I'm looking for that special cut that fits the ambience, tempo and texture that my show is trying to achieve. I would like to hope that the record companies will get the message to just send the whole thing out because there aren't that many left who use the singles. There has not been one single that I've used in the year the show has been on the air so I just wait for the whole thing to arrive or like a lot of us, I go hunting for music myself. Once you've labeled something then you've put in in a box which limits your possibilities. I don't mention smooth jazz or have any other name for the music in my show at all. In the PR for the show (Facebook. Linked In, my show's package, etc.) I do say smooth and mellow which lay people get. I also describe the music (in PR) as a mix of contemporary instrumentals and eclectic vocals. If you're looking for something to tell the industry what we are, then I think you may have to wait a bit to see what floats to the surface. We've had this discussion before and I for one believed we should have dropped "jazz" out of the jargon long time ago. Let's worry about developing a direction and see where this thing is going first before we start to name it and to be honest, I think there will be a ton of different paths to follow before it comes back out the other side of the forrest, if it ever does. Call it what you want. I let my listeners tell me what they think it is and so far they have not come up with the snappy, one size fits all, answer.

 

[AC Tones]

Just having fun, Bill. I am not REALLY serious in this suggestion. The board has been quiet for a few days and just felt like mixing things up with you guys. Like you said, I really could care less what anyone else calls it. And there is NO WAY in God's creation I have the time to launch such a crusade. When my wife doesn't have a "honey do" list a mile long for me, the station consumes the rest of my time!

 

[landtuna]

Seriously, I agree with dropping the "jazz" part of the brand. Listening to KYOT here in Phoenix there is very, very little true jazz being played smooth or otherwise. I have always thought this was a misnomer and a more accurate definition would be "easy listening". No need to create a new genre.

 

[AC Tones]

Seriously, I agree with dropping the "jazz" part of the brand. Listening to KYOT here in Phoenix there is very, very little true jazz being played smooth or otherwise. I have always thought this was a misnomer and a more accurate definition would be "easy listening". No need to create a new genre.

I hear what you are saying, landtuna, and I am sure everyone else who posts on this board does as well. I guess Bill's point is (and it is hard for me to argue with him), that we are in the process of redefining what this genre is through our respective programming strategies and we'll leave it up to others to give it a name eventually. But I think it is fair to say that it is an awkward time for us from a big picture, long-term marketing standpoint, in the wake of so many terrestrial radio flips and the emergence of a growing number of Internet streams saying that they are "Chill...Chillout...Ambient...NAC...Smooth Jazz...New Age...Lounge" and the like. The fact is, there are very distinct differences between these genres in terms of their elements, but the one common theme that I see in all of them is "instrumental" music. To Nock's point in a previous thread, I foresee a great deal of confusion amongst listeners who just lost their "Smooth Jazz" FM station (or never had one to begin with) and are looking for somewhere to go. Down the road, we are going to need to settle on something NEW and SIMPLE to market this format effectively, IMO.

I just like to provoke "constructive" discussion---we all are tired of "destructive" discussion here. The only problem I would have with calling it "Easy Listening" (although I agree that is basically what it is in its most simplistic terms) is the negative connotations that comes with it from a marketing perspective and its common association with "Beautiful Music." We would be better off sticking with "Smooth Jazz," IMO.

 

[Nock]

My younger brother, who I have quoted before, put it best ------ "Stoney Music for Adults"

Nock

 

[GMan4341]

I'm with you, AC Tunes. We definitely can't use "easy listening". Easy listening=elevator music=BORING!! For example, Dave Koz's Greatest Hits CD..song "Badabing", I really love that song. That's what I consider smooth jazz. AC Tune, are you a program manager for a radio station? If so, I need your help in the ATL. We lost our only jazz station, WJZZ. That's where I went to discover good smooth jazz music and new artists in the genre. I rarely use my PC as a radio around the house. Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists? I'm also thinking of start a new thread(topic) on building a great smooth jazz station and the building blocks to doing that..from concept to reality.

 

[Nate Wesley]

How about "Cool Sounds" or "Smooth Sounds"?

It's flexible; your station could utilize the very best mix of instrument-dominant forms (all flavors of jazz, chill, New Age, even some R&B and world music that might fit). And by leaving the 'jazz' label behind, you latently satisfy the purists.

 

[passtheword]

I'm with you, AC Tunes. We definitely can't use "easy listening". Easy listening=elevator music=BORING!! For example, Dave Koz's Greatest Hits CD..song "Badabing", I really love that song. That's what I consider smooth jazz. AC Tune, are you a program manager for a radio station? If so, I need your help in the ATL. We lost our only jazz station, WJZZ. That's where I went to discover good smooth jazz music and new artists in the genre. I rarely use my PC as a radio around the house. Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists? I'm also thinking of start a new thread(topic) on building a great smooth jazz station and the building blocks to doing that..from concept to reality.

I would agree that smooth jazz shouldn't be called "easy listening" just for the fact that it isn't. Just remember, though, that there are many of us easy listening fans out there who also listen to smooth jazz; we don't think "elevator music" is "boring". I've been listening to beautiful music since I was a teen (I'm 41 now), but I'm a big smooth jazz fan, too. My 70-year old dad is also a big beautiful music fan, but he loves smooth jazz, too. We have a smooth jazz station here, and he always has it on. Although I agree that people shouldn't equate smooth jazz to "elevator music", "muzak", etc...unfortunately, that's the mindset of many non-smooth jazz fans. To them...it's all one and the same...smooth jazz....easy listening...elevator music.

AC...I like that idea of incorporating the "instrumental" terminology in place of the smooth jazz name. After all, smooth jazz incorporates more than just "jazz" and includes a wide variety of different genres. If we got rid of that "smooth jazz" name, the jazz purists would finally be happy, too, since they cringe knowing that smooth jazz bears the "jazz" name.

 

[TheBigA]

Sorry to say, but to focus totally on instrumental music would perpetuate the "easy listening" image.

Even traditional jazz stations know they need to add vocal music to the mix.

 

[AnotherCat]

I don't like "Smooth"..it is beginning to have the same connotations as "EZ" or "Easy" which equals "Old peoples music." My perspective is "Instrumental Oriented Adult Alternative" It's a mouthful but defines where we need to go IMO...

 

[Nock]

Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists?

Try WCLK on the non comm band. Listened to it a lot when I was in town last. Not bad.

Nock

 

[AC Tones]

I'm with you, AC Tunes. We definitely can't use "easy listening". Easy listening=elevator music=BORING!! For example, Dave Koz's Greatest Hits CD..song "Badabing", I really love that song. That's what I consider smooth jazz. AC Tune, are you a program manager for a radio station? If so, I need your help in the ATL. We lost our only jazz station, WJZZ. That's where I went to discover good smooth jazz music and new artists in the genre. I rarely use my PC as a radio around the house. Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists? I'm also thinking of start a new thread(topic) on building a great smooth jazz station and the building blocks to doing that..from concept to reality.

I would agree that smooth jazz shouldn't be called "easy listening" just for the fact that it isn't. Just remember, though, that there are many of us easy listening fans out there who also listen to smooth jazz; we don't think "elevator music" is "boring". I've been listening to beautiful music since I was a teen (I'm 41 now), but I'm a big smooth jazz fan, too. My 70-year old dad is also a big beautiful music fan, but he loves smooth jazz, too. We have a smooth jazz station here, and he always has it on. Although I agree that people shouldn't equate smooth jazz to "elevator music", "muzak", etc...unfortunately, that's the mindset of many non-smooth jazz fans. To them...it's all one and the same...smooth jazz....easy listening...elevator music.

AC...I like that idea of incorporating the "instrumental" terminology in place of the smooth jazz name. After all, smooth jazz incorporates more than just "jazz" and includes a wide variety of different genres. If we got rid of that "smooth jazz" name, the jazz purists would finally be happy, too, since they cringe knowing that smooth jazz bears the "jazz" name.

PTW, I guess I have another long lost brother out there in addition to majaman78 I am 41 and very soon to be 42. My folks are 75, and I grew up in a household that piped in the "Beautiful Music" of WLIF in Baltimore back in the 70s. Let me tell you something, brother. You are going to love my Christmas program beginning Christmas Eve at Noon Eastern. Majaman78 will tell you all about it. Nothing but the Living Strings, Bert Kaempfert, Ronny Aldridge, Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Mantovani, Geoff Love, Waldo de los Rios, The Hollyridge Strings, David Rose, John Klein, just to name a few. Make sure your Dad tunes in .

 

[AC Tones]

I'm with you, AC Tunes. We definitely can't use "easy listening". Easy listening=elevator music=BORING!! For example, Dave Koz's Greatest Hits CD..song "Badabing", I really love that song. That's what I consider smooth jazz. AC Tune, are you a program manager for a radio station? If so, I need your help in the ATL. We lost our only jazz station, WJZZ. That's where I went to discover good smooth jazz music and new artists in the genre. I rarely use my PC as a radio around the house. Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists? I'm also thinking of start a new thread(topic) on building a great smooth jazz station and the building blocks to doing that..from concept to reality.

Wish I could help you, Gman. I know a couple of my present listeners used to tune in to WJZZ and are sad that it is gone. If you have a computer, I'd love to have to you! I do my absolute best to keep my listeners current. As for the "Easy Listening" music thing, when it comes to this time of the year, I have a soft spot in my heart for the music my folks used to listen to (many of the artists I listed in another response). But for the rest of the year, I am an AOI guy all the way!!!! ;D (sorry guys, I HAD to do it )

 

[AC Tones]

I don't like "Smooth"..it is beginning to have the same connotations as "EZ" or "Easy" which equals "Old peoples music." My perspective is "Instrumental Oriented Adult Alternative" It's a mouthful but defines where we need to go IMO...

IO Double A, works for me, Cat!

 

[AnotherCat]

Sounds like the name of a state RnR and Gavin used to call it Adult Alternative before the Smooth Jazz monicker came up and AAA kind of co-opeted the concept so the trades went with the SJ thing. When you say "adult alternative" them you start thinking of it as an altnernative to the stuff you hear on A/C and oldies stations and when you say instrumental oriented you are back into focusing on and thinking of instrumental music that is not necessary "smooth and relaxing"

Back before the oldie-cover/relaxation mandate one of the most common responses we got from listeners and from shoppers (I was doing music retail and radio at the same time back then) was that this was a new, different kind of music that they could get into. Not scary or over the top but not same-old or boring.

 

[passtheword]

I'm with you, AC Tunes. We definitely can't use "easy listening". Easy listening=elevator music=BORING!! For example, Dave Koz's Greatest Hits CD..song "Badabing", I really love that song. That's what I consider smooth jazz. AC Tune, are you a program manager for a radio station? If so, I need your help in the ATL. We lost our only jazz station, WJZZ. That's where I went to discover good smooth jazz music and new artists in the genre. I rarely use my PC as a radio around the house. Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists? I'm also thinking of start a new thread(topic) on building a great smooth jazz station and the building blocks to doing that..from concept to reality.

I would agree that smooth jazz shouldn't be called "easy listening" just for the fact that it isn't. Just remember, though, that there are many of us easy listening fans out there who also listen to smooth jazz; we don't think "elevator music" is "boring". I've been listening to beautiful music since I was a teen (I'm 41 now), but I'm a big smooth jazz fan, too. My 70-year old dad is also a big beautiful music fan, but he loves smooth jazz, too. We have a smooth jazz station here, and he always has it on. Although I agree that people shouldn't equate smooth jazz to "elevator music", "muzak", etc...unfortunately, that's the mindset of many non-smooth jazz fans. To them...it's all one and the same...smooth jazz....easy listening...elevator music.

AC...I like that idea of incorporating the "instrumental" terminology in place of the smooth jazz name. After all, smooth jazz incorporates more than just "jazz" and includes a wide variety of different genres. If we got rid of that "smooth jazz" name, the jazz purists would finally be happy, too, since they cringe knowing that smooth jazz bears the "jazz" name.

PTW, I guess I have another long lost brother out there in addition to majaman78 I am 41 and very soon to be 42. My folks are 75, and I grew up in a household that piped in the "Beautiful Music" of WLIF in Baltimore back in the 70s. Let me tell you something, brother. You are going to love my Christmas program beginning Christmas Eve at Noon Eastern. Majaman78 will tell you all about it. Nothing but the Living Strings, Bert Kaempfert, Ronny Aldridge, Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Mantovani, Geoff Love, Waldo de los Rios, The Hollyridge Strings, David Rose, John Klein, just to name a few. Make sure your Dad tunes in .

I'll be listening and let him know to "tune in" also. I've been trying to listen to the Christmas music on the A/C station here like I always do, and get very bored with it. I guess I'm more into the traditional Christmas fare.

Wow...u mean there are actually other people our age out there who do listen/grew up listening to beautiful music? Who would've "thunk it"? We "old people" gotta stick together, don't ya know?

 

[majaman78]

I'm with you, AC Tunes. We definitely can't use "easy listening". Easy listening=elevator music=BORING!! For example, Dave Koz's Greatest Hits CD..song "Badabing", I really love that song. That's what I consider smooth jazz. AC Tune, are you a program manager for a radio station? If so, I need your help in the ATL. We lost our only jazz station, WJZZ. That's where I went to discover good smooth jazz music and new artists in the genre. I rarely use my PC as a radio around the house. Could you direct me in finding an outlet for new smooth jazz music and artists? I'm also thinking of start a new thread(topic) on building a great smooth jazz station and the building blocks to doing that..from concept to reality.

I would agree that smooth jazz shouldn't be called "easy listening" just for the fact that it isn't. Just remember, though, that there are many of us easy listening fans out there who also listen to smooth jazz; we don't think "elevator music" is "boring". I've been listening to beautiful music since I was a teen (I'm 41 now), but I'm a big smooth jazz fan, too. My 70-year old dad is also a big beautiful music fan, but he loves smooth jazz, too. We have a smooth jazz station here, and he always has it on. Although I agree that people shouldn't equate smooth jazz to "elevator music", "muzak", etc...unfortunately, that's the mindset of many non-smooth jazz fans. To them...it's all one and the same...smooth jazz....easy listening...elevator music.

AC...I like that idea of incorporating the "instrumental" terminology in place of the smooth jazz name. After all, smooth jazz incorporates more than just "jazz" and includes a wide variety of different genres. If we got rid of that "smooth jazz" name, the jazz purists would finally be happy, too, since they cringe knowing that smooth jazz bears the "jazz" name.

PTW, I guess I have another long lost brother out there in addition to majaman78 I am 41 and very soon to be 42. My folks are 75, and I grew up in a household that piped in the "Beautiful Music" of WLIF in Baltimore back in the 70s. Let me tell you something, brother. You are going to love my Christmas program beginning Christmas Eve at Noon Eastern. Majaman78 will tell you all about it. Nothing but the Living Strings, Bert Kaempfert, Ronny Aldridge, Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Mantovani, Geoff Love, Waldo de los Rios, The Hollyridge Strings, David Rose, John Klein, just to name a few. Make sure your Dad tunes in .

I'll be listening and let him know to "tune in" also. I've been trying to listen to the Christmas music on the A/C station here like I always do, and get very bored with it. I guess I'm more into the traditional Christmas fare.

Wow...u mean there are actually other people our age out there who do listen/grew up listening to beautiful music? Who would've "thunk it"? We "old people" gotta stick together, don't ya know?

Heh heh, you're in for a surprise....here's sample of what you'll be hearing on the .wav on Christmas eve/day courtesy of the WPIX Yule Log, a program showing a burning fireplace which was shown in the NY city area for many, many years. It highlighted the greatest Christmas tunes from the 50's and 60's.

This program ran for 2 hours and played many of the great classics I grew up with. I actually taped the final showing of this program before WPIX pulled it in 1989 over a great uproar, and made a few copies for friends and family who fell in love with it as I did. I had my original VHS copy dubbed to DVD which I still play several times each Christmas to this day!

I have read the channel 11 Yule Log has since returned to the airwaves, but cannot verify since I no longer can get WPIX.

I prefer this instrumental music to the new Christmas music now out INCLUDING remakes by smooth jazz artists.

The music heard in this clip:

"Joy to the World" - Percy Faith
"A Musical Christmas Card" - Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians
"Sleigh Ride" - The Ray Conniff Singers


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0Qiimoa8A8

 

[AC Tones]

Love The Yule Log, dude!!!! You guys are getting me fired up to start working on the Christmas program!! What was the name of this thread again? Of course we'll need some deep Andy Williams (like "Little Altar Boy"), Steve and Edie, Tony Bennett, The COTB, and Mitch Miller, of course ;D. And I would be remiss if I did not mention James Last. Oh well, I guess it's time to dig up and dust off the Christmas collection.

 

[majaman78]

Love The Yule Log, dude!!!! You guys are getting me fired up to start working on the Christmas program!! What was the name of this thread again? Of course we'll need some deep Andy Williams (like "Little Altar Boy"), Steve and Edie, Tony Bennett, The COTB, and Mitch Miller, of course ;D. And I would be remiss if I did not mention James Last. Oh well, I guess it's time to dig up and dust off the Christmas collection.

And for all you "beautiful music" fans...here a complete listing of the music heard on the WPIX Yule Log program..

I made a checklist last year...and "the .wav" played all of these greats plus much more!!!

Can't wait!!

http://www.theyulelog.com/htmls/music.html