AM 670 will be Classic Rock

[Jay F]

Don't they know that nobody listens to music on AM?

670theq.com

 

[Rockin Rob]

I heard them go from The Cars "Magic" to Tina Turner "Simply The Best". Then into Sheryl Crowe's "Leaving Las Vegas" which is a 90's track (as I believe the Tina Turner cut is). Last before I hit the "POST" button: a Bill Gardner "News" break (what's going on today: TS Gustav, near-record high temps in Vegas/Weather, Mega Millions, boxing) then a brief traffic report, into Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".

It's basically Classic Hits/Next Gen Oldies, less the 60's titles but plus a smattering of 90's (some would argue a gold-based AC, less the 2000's). So far, so good, I must say. Will it be a ratings winner? No. Will it generate buzz? Absolutely (it's DIFFERENT)! Will it generate that deserately needed revenue? One can only hope, I'd love to see this format do well.

 

[buzzdemming]

I totally agree Rob,

Music on AM is a bold and welcome move. Its what terrestrial Radio needs to do to remind people what makes local radio special. Kemp did this one right; he hired a boss Jock (in Bill Gardner) and will tweak this station to sound as best as can technically be achieved (stream it if you have a crappy radio).
www.670theq.com

 

[Jay F]

With a jock like Bill Gardner they would have been better off going oldies. Not classic hits, but 50s/60s oldies. Yes the demos would be old but they could actually build an audience and generate some excitement. Nobody will listen to music on AM that can be found on FM.

 

[LAFMDJ]

Great format but should be on FM!

But.... The FCC is now allowing AM stations to rebroadcast their programming on FM translators, should their signal not cover the entire city of license. This may be where they are going in the near future. If so, this is a brilliant move and a great format for the PPM coming to Vegas soon!

 

[landtuna]

Having been a long-time (25+ years) listener of KOOL-FM in Phoenix, and a fan of Gardner, I found his new show on 670 to be significantly "quieter" than the old days. Listening for the first time this morning and for only 2 hours or so it appeared to me he is doing the show "one-in-a-box". He has no sidekicks with which to parry (as he had with John Michaels and Maria Knight on KOOL) and did not exhibit the energy he had at the old gig.

I listened to the streaming version since no OTA signal reaches me here in the southeast Valley so I can't comment on coverage in the COL or via repeater but I wouldn't call what I heard this morning 'classic rock' in the same vein as KSLX or CBS' Rock On. As a long-time Oldies and (traditional) Classic Rock listener this new format, if you can call it that, isn't my cup of tea. It isn't clear to me what demo they are shooting for.

I wish Gardner well but it seems a DJ of his caliber should be doing bigger things in larger markets.

 

[Rockin Rob]

If I'm not mistaken, isn't Kemp also sitting on one of the currently silent CP's, one at 96.7 (KHIJ) and the other at 106.9 (KONV)? If there's enough of a buzz, who's NOT to say they can't just throw the AM format on one of the FM's? Or, at least, build out the CP then swap it out to Univision in exchange for KRGT, keeping both stations as "99.3FM - The Q"?

 

[billalm]

I wouldn't call it classic rock either... However, I just heard Van Halen's "Panama", followed by Katrina & The Waves, New Order and then... get this, April Wine's "Sign Of The Gypsy Queen"!!! Sounds to me like a "Jack" station seriously on shuffle on AM... which is never gonna fly. 106.9 (Kemp) and 96.7 look to have construction permits for signals similar to 97.5 KVEG so I don't see why they wouldn't be a prime contenders for Las Vegas. This seriously can't be a long term format for this signal.... can it?

 

[adamgre]

how strong is the signal in SW Las Vegas? Which part of the city gets the signal the best?

 

[davideduardo]

Great format but should be on FM!

If so, this is a brilliant move and a great format for the PPM coming to Vegas soon!

Las Vegas will not have PPM data till March, 2010.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

I've listened to hours of AM 670 now, through online stream. You people in Las Vegas are lucky to get to wake up and hear Bill Gardner every weekday morning! I've noticed they play some different versions of songs... same band or artist, but different recordings of it. Like a Beatles song with them giggling in it, and talking in the end. Also, this morning, Bill Gardner said Aerosmith "Walk This Way" was coming up, and it was a remixed version with Aerosmith and Run DMC. Why? Did the person in charge of music get the wrong versions or what?

 

[Rockin Rob]

I've listened to hours of AM 670 now, through online stream. You people in Las Vegas are lucky to get to wake up and hear Bill Gardner every weekday morning! I've noticed they play some different versions of songs... same band or artist, but different recordings of it. Like a Beatles song with them giggling in it, and talking in the end. Also, this morning, Bill Gardner said Aerosmith "Walk This Way" was coming up, and it was a remixed version with Aerosmith and Run DMC. Why? Did the person in charge of music get the wrong versions or what?

I'm thinking whomever is scheduling the music brought in his/her own personal music collection on a portable hard drive and downloaded it into the master computer. I am sure, at some point, the sound will be cleaned up, making it another safe/homogenized/vanilla playlist of 300-some songs. One can only hope not, the wide open playlist is a breath of fresh air and might be what radio needs (more selection of music and no consultants).

 

[sam-i-am]

They should call it “Jacked up AM”. It’s a smattering of off-beat B cuts that serve as filler for the gay 80s alt-rock that populates the play list. And they bill themselves as playing the “greatest rock from the 70s & 80s??!!”. get REAL. There’s nothing refreshing here. It’s the worst of the “new” KKLZ combined with the worst of Jack FM. Plus the Live tracks are too numerous and obscure to peak my interest; and live recordings always sound like total crap. You have to question putting compromised recordings on a signal that is compromised to begin with

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

There's certainly room for improvement, and I'm sure it will. It's just getting started... and it ain't so bad! There are songs they've played that shouldn't be played on a station with the "best rock from the 70's and 80's". Though, to me, the best stuff seems to be played when Bill Gardner is on. Sam-i-am, I think you're exaggerating a bit, but I can see where you're coming from.

 

[MusicMaestro]

I've listened to hours of AM 670 now, through online stream. You people in Las Vegas are lucky to get to wake up and hear Bill Gardner every weekday morning! I've noticed they play some different versions of songs... same band or artist, but different recordings of it. Like a Beatles song with them giggling in it, and talking in the end. Also, this morning, Bill Gardner said Aerosmith "Walk This Way" was coming up, and it was a remixed version with Aerosmith and Run DMC. Why? Did the person in charge of music get the wrong versions or what?

I'm thinking whomever is scheduling the music brought in his/her own personal music collection on a portable hard drive and downloaded it into the master computer. I am sure, at some point, the sound will be cleaned up, making it another safe/homogenized/vanilla playlist of 300-some songs. One can only hope not, the wide open playlist is a breath of fresh air and might be what radio needs (more selection of music and no consultants).

My thoughts exactly! Freshness is badly needed in music radio these days, & "more selection of music & no consultants" would be a great slogan for the new station! Cool!! ;D

 

[sam-i-am]

There's certainly room for improvement, and I'm sure it will. It's just getting started... and it ain't so bad! There are songs they've played that shouldn't be played on a station with the "best rock from the 70's and 80's". Though, to me, the best stuff seems to be played when Bill Gardner is on. Sam-i-am, I think you're exaggerating a bit, but I can see where you're coming from.

I reread my post and perhaps I was a little harsh. I was able to get the station in my car today; they must have resumed broadcasting again. Anyway, listened to Bill's show this morning and he's definitely is a breath of fresh air! Nice to hear a professional in this market of rookies. The Music is rock-lite, and I've resolved myself to the fact that KOMP & the Point will have to do for classic Rock for now. RadioLocater has the Q listed as JACK and that's not far off. AM music takes some getting used to again but it's working- I'm listening.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

I reread my post and perhaps I was a little harsh. I was able to get the station in my car today; they must have resumed broadcasting again. Anyway, listened to Bill's show this morning and he's definitely is a breath of fresh air! Nice to hear a professional in this market of rookies. The Music is rock-lite, and I've resolved myself to the fact that KOMP & the Point will have to do for classic Rock for now.

RadioLocater has the Q listed as JACK and that's not far off. AM music takes some getting used to again but it's working- I'm listening.

I heard AM 670 The Q was in "testing mode" a few days ago. I don't know if that lasts a few days, or if it's a one day thing, but I heard that the station would crackle while in this mode. How is it now, from what you can tell? I listen in Phoenix, streaming online, crystal clear.

You're so right about Bill Gardner! It's why I've become a "loyal listener". Even more, he's one of two radio idols that I have. I've listened to him every morning for 4 of the 9 years he was on in Phoenix.

Anyways, this station has so much potential! If it's true what they say, that Kemp has the ability to get it onto the FM dial in Las Vegas... Look out!

 

[davideduardo]

I heard AM 670 The Q was in "testing mode" a few days ago. I don't know if that lasts a few days, or if it's a one day thing, but I heard that the station would crackle while in this mode. How is it now, from what you can tell? I listen in Phoenix, streaming online, crystal clear.

AM directional testing for a new facility can take a few weeks up to months. Much was probably done before the carrier was modulated, with open carrier to allow field measurements.

 

[davideduardo]

My thoughts exactly! Freshness is badly needed in music radio these days, & "more selection of music & no consultants" would be a great slogan for the new station! Cool!! ;D

Add, "no rating, either" and you have it.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

I heard AM 670 The Q was in "testing mode" a few days ago. I don't know if that lasts a few days, or if it's a one day thing, but I heard that the station would crackle while in this mode. How is it now, from what you can tell? I listen in Phoenix, streaming online, crystal clear.

AM directional testing for a new facility can take a few weeks up to months. Much was probably done before the carrier was modulated, with open carrier to allow field measurements.

Thank you, David. So, while we're on this topic, what's the goal with AM directional testing? Is the signal's distance increasing with this testing, or are the tests mapping out how far the signal goes?

When it comes to antennas, signals, and those sort of things, I know absolutely nada!