AM 670 will be Classic Rock

[Steven Rixx]

"The problem isn't publicizing the station, it is owned by Kemp, which also does outdoor advertising and has several billboards dedicated to the Q. Bill Gardner is a great jock, but a terrible fit with the music they're playing. To hear him introduce acts like Flock of Seagulls and New Order makes me cringe. They should flip to all-out 50s and 60s oldies. He would be more in his element and more people would take notice."

There is a sweeping difference between effectively marketing a station and just putting up some billboards. Just as there is between buying a schedule and running a spot once a day for 10 days vs. running a spot 10 times a day for 10 days. Also, you consider Bill Gardner a "great jock" but cringe when he introduces certain groups? Is it his voice, what? Great jocks know how to manage the music and easily transition from song to song just as great personalities know how to manage content and transition smoothly from element to element. As far as flipping to an all out 50's and 60's format, I think time brokered talk would be more likely if they were to flip. The station isn't going to flip to suit the personality though, unless the personality is also an owner, and only then if it suits the maket. I'm wondering, do you think "more people would take notice" because of the flip, or because Bill Gardner would be "more in his element?"

 

[Organizer]

Mr. Gardner's credentials and his voice speak for themselves. He's a true veteran, very resourceful, professional delivery, pleasant, friendly and loaded with information that fills in where there are no production elements or "bits." But it's like two different programs, one when he's speaking and one when the music is playing. I was pointing out that his style is perfectly suited to an oldies format, but not suited at all to the one they're running. Try as he might to "manage the music" and make those transitions, it doesn't work. Great jock, terrible fit.

And you make a valid point about the amount of promotion Kemp is doing. True, billboards alone won't do the job and the ones they've posted don't really sell the product effectively. In part, it was an observation that it's a little surprising that any Vegas AM station (KXNT notwithstanding) gets any promotion at all, let alone its own set of billboards.

Time brokered talk might turn a coin for management, but it would be the death of the station as far as building any listener base goes. Not that that's a consideration these days...

 

[Demodave]

Mr. Gardner's credentials and his voice speak for themselves. He's a true veteran, very resourceful, professional delivery, pleasant, friendly and loaded with information that fills in where there are no production elements or "bits." But it's like two different programs, one when he's speaking and one when the music is playing. I was pointing out that his style is perfectly suited to an oldies format, but not suited at all to the one they're running. Try as he might to "manage the music" and make those transitions, it doesn't work. Great jock, terrible fit.

Kinda reminds me of when the Big Kahuna was doing mornings on KKLZ while they were classic rock. Legendary oldies jock that sounded really out of place.

 

[Jay F]

Bill Gardner is leaving the Q.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

I got so many emails from so many people with this news Saturday morning. People know me all to well! ;D

His first day at the Q was my first day at ASU. Time to email Kris Abrams in Phoenix and tell him Bill is available... GET HIM BACK. Oh, I can dream.

 

[RNUT]

is that King guy taking over? I hope not he sucked! He was bad!

 

[bilco]

from today's TRI news
"Bill Gardner and Kemp Broadcasting end what Bill tells me was “a noble experiment” to simulcast his morning show on Las Vegas-market classic rock AM KMZQ (670) and Phoenix-area KMZQ-FM, Payson (99.3). Bill loves Vegas and the experiment he and Kemp launched in August 2008 was to let the former KOOL-FM, Phoenix morning star originate a show for both Phoenix and Las Vegas from Sin City. Now he says “GM Gary Cox gave me the news that my contract will not be renewed when the first year runs out on August 15, and it’s an amicable parting.” Bill’s worked in San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia and other major markets, as you can see on his personal website. KMZQ-AM and KMZQ-FM will be fulltime “Best rock of the 70s and 80s”, and Bill Gardner, from the family includes Al Gardner of WBT, Charlotte and Andre Gardner of WMGK, Philadelphia, is looking. He’s at [email protected]."

Bilco

 

[Penrod Rightout]

I enjoyed working with Bill when he did mornings on KFM-102 back in the early 90s, talented guy who's also a pilot and flight instructor.

Mr. Gardner's credentials and his voice speak for themselves. He's a true veteran, very resourceful, professional delivery, pleasant, friendly and loaded with information that fills in where there are no production elements or "bits." But it's like two different programs, one when he's speaking and one when the music is playing. I was pointing out that his style is perfectly suited to an oldies format, but not suited at all to the one they're running. Try as he might to "manage the music" and make those transitions, it doesn't work. Great jock, terrible fit.

Kinda reminds me of when the Big Kahuna was doing mornings on KKLZ while they were classic rock. Legendary oldies jock that sounded really out of place.

...which could be another thread for the boards, "Great Jocks that were really out of place"

 

[Demodave]

...which could be another thread for the boards, "Great Jocks that were really out of place"

I remember hearing that Big Marty was on the air at KFM-102 when it changed from album rock to country. I guess he was there for a couple of months before moving over to KOMP. I can't imagine Big Marty selling country tunes on the air.