Another Ft. Smith change

[bchristi]

CHR-dance Rhythm-Mix 94.5, which flipped from talk last fall, has already given up the dance format for classic rock.

I knew dance wouldn't last in Ft. Smith - the market demographics don't support it. I am surprised in the choice of yet another classic rock outlet. This only adds to the further monotonocity of the Ft. Smith market. I think they should have left the talker in place or go adult standards.

Now there are 3 classic rockers, 1 oldies, 4 countries, 2 CHR-pop, one hot AC, and 6 religious. Redundant anyone?

 

[dallasrockradio]

Another Classic Rock? Seems like they should have flipped to modern rock, or at least a decent mix of new rock/classic rock.

 

[Media Mogul]

One of the major reasons for the change is that they were getting the Dance format from Dial Global, and were given notice that the format was going to be discontinued fairly soon. They were having some moderate successes reaching a younger demographic, but in their current situation were at the mercy of the syndicator.

Dennis Snow doing mornings will lend some strength to the format. But the market just has too many stations period. With more frequencies coming!

 

[thefailkitten]

As a college student without access to satellite radio that loves and lives for rock music, I'm really disappointed that the Ft. Smith region does not have a Modern Hard Rock station like Little Rock's The Edge 100.3 or NWA's New rock 104.9... We had 95.3 the x that called themselves a rock station for awhile, but they never really played true new rock IMO and bordered more along the lines of light alternative aimed at teen female audiences. I now listen to Air-1(christian alternative) so that I can at least hear Flyleaf, Red, Skillet... they might be mainstream christian rock but it's really the only thing we have now in ft. smith unless I'm missing something. I tried listening to 100.7 but they don't play enough recent stuff for my taste. I'd rather be hearing bands like slipknot, seether, disturbed, three days grace, but I'm feeling like it's just not going to happen in Ft. Smith for some reason

I can't wait to transfer to a different college so I can finally hear hard rock music on the radio and be in a place that bands dare to come play at ;-)~

 

[j1203]

wasn't there a urban station on 92.3 in Ft. Smith? Whatever happened to it?

 

[kudzooter]

What are the CLs? I wanna give the Snowman a holler. Thanks.

 

[Media Mogul]

wasn't there a urban station on 92.3 in Ft. Smith? Whatever happened to it?

That was 92 KREU (Krew) that the Bakers put on the air in 98-99 or so. The late Polly Crews applied for the license and got it, and Fred ran it for several years before he just outright bought it. First it was "Star 92" with Mac Remington in the morning. Then they went to the urban format, then they realized the power of an FM Hispanic station, and I guess they are now counting their money because from what I gather, that little FM dominates that market.

I read in Entertainment Fort Smith that Fred was going to move the KISR studios to Central Mall. Has this happened yet?

What are the CLs? I wanna give the Snowman a holler. Thanks.

He is on 94.5 in the mornings and 104.7 in the afternoons, and I believe also does some sales for Fort Smith Radio Group as well. 783-5379 is the number over there.

 

[bchristi]

wasn't there a urban station on 92.3 in Ft. Smith? Whatever happened to it?

That urban station was HORRID. Picture loading 10-15 songs on your Ipod and then hitting the shuffle option. The closest thing Ft. Smith has had to a real urban was 102.7 The Vibe before the format tweak in mid-2006. I actually liked the dance format on 94.5. It brought something new and unique to such a bland market.

 

[DMC0796]

I think if you guys will give 94.5 (The Fort) a fair listen, it's not really a "classic rock" station in the "classic" mode. We're playing several of the artist that fall under the new rock and alternative rock categories with a good mix of music that does include some great songs and great album cuts from some classic group.

I'll be the first to agree with you that "rock" radio in Fort Smith leaves a lot to be desired. The network discontinued our "dance mix" format so we decided to go in this direction.

Plus, for all you "corporate radio haters", The Fort should be a breath of fresh air. We're locally owned and operated. We have (at least) a live morning show with a known commodity, and we're the only "rock" station that isn't a corporate entity. At the very least, you could give us a listen and reserve judgment on the station and the format before you even get a chance to listen.

We're also on the internet for those out of the area.

Give a brother a chance before you crap in our Cherrios!

 

[DIZ Guy]

What the hell is the deal with Ft. Smith anyways??????

I used to go there every now and then about seven years ago.....there was no bar scene whatsoever, the one place that I went to closed at 9 pm!!!!!!!!!

The radio market was pretty terrible....

It seems like Ft. Smith could be better, because it is not a small area....

 

[wxman76]

CHR-dance Rhythm-Mix 94.5, which flipped from talk last fall, has already given up the dance format for classic rock.

I knew dance wouldn't last in Ft. Smith - the market demographics don't support it. I am surprised in the choice of yet another classic rock outlet. This only adds to the further monotonocity of the Ft. Smith market. I think they should have left the talker in place or go adult standards.

Now there are 3 classic rockers, 1 oldies, 4 countries, 2 CHR-pop, one hot AC, and 6 religious. Redundant anyone?

Wow, I try to keep up with Ft. Smith radio and never knew that station even existed.

Speaking of redundant, how many markets do you know of that has TWO FM Sports Stations? I love listening to sports radio but I have never seen that before, even in big markets.

 

[dallasrockradio]

I think if you guys will give 94.5 (The Fort) a fair listen, it's not really a "classic rock" station in the "classic" mode. We're playing several of the artist that fall under the new rock and alternative rock categories with a good mix of music that does include some great songs and great album cuts from some classic group.

I'll be the first to agree with you that "rock" radio in Fort Smith leaves a lot to be desired. The network discontinued our "dance mix" format so we decided to go in this direction.

Plus, for all you "corporate radio haters", The Fort should be a breath of fresh air. We're locally owned and operated. We have (at least) a live morning show with a known commodity, and we're the only "rock" station that isn't a corporate entity. At the very least, you could give us a listen and reserve judgment on the station and the format before you even get a chance to listen.

We're also on the internet for those out of the area.

Give a brother a chance before you crap in our Cherrios!

How do I listen on the internet? The website I found still reflects the dance station. ???

So what new rock are you guys playing?

 

[fortsmithrock]

So what new rock are you guys playing?

I have yet to hear any. I'm not gonna sit here and listen to 3 hours of classic crap in hopes of hearing new rock. It's ridiculous.

100.7 makes the exact same claims, that they play new rock. Maybe once in every 75-80 songs will you hear something from 1995+.

Someone needs to do modern rock and do it right. 95.3 had some success before they flopped to rebel, but went way too alternative and poppy. It's hard to take a modern rock station seriously that plays plain white tees and john mayer several times daily.

Look at 104.5 in tulsa and 100.3 edge in little rock. Both do it right, both do well. I know the fort smith market is not the same, but there is great potential. There are a LOT of rock music fans in fort smith, no one has been able to tap into it right yet.

For the person commenting from 94.5, when do you play modern rock? Sparingly on the morning show? I don't think listening to modern rock radio should be a treasure hunt. Try doing a "modern rock block" or something like that from 8-10 pm or something, with nothing but new rock. I bet you could get people to sponsor just that, say "the modern rock block, brought to you by _____, here on Fort Smith's rock, 94.5" as an example. I'll promote the hell out of it to all the people I know. The word will get out quickly if you know where to go.

If it goes well enough, why not try it full time?

There's only so far you can go as a classic rock station, and that is to blend in with all the other ones. I know you claim that you play different stuff, but come on, we've heard it before, but in the end, it's still classic rock, just like the 3 other stations in the area. You'll never be able to stand out and actually offer a unique product, until you go modern rock.

Thanks for reading,
James

http://www.myspace.com/fortsmithrock

 

[bchristi]

I agree this is a chance to do modern rock and do it right. 94.5 is just going to flop as classic rock - Big Dog 95.9 and Rock 100.7 still dominate that market, and now you even have the Rebel trying to mix some classic rock into their country. I think classic rock is definately becoming one of the most tired formats on radio, especially in Ft. Smith.

 

[thefailkitten]

It's good to know that others see the dullness in the radio market here in Ft. Smith that I do. And I must admit as a young adult that the night scene in this area is very lackluster. I don't really get why we don't have a true serious modern rock station in this area. We are a growing region with what is becoming a very good university at our doorstep! UAFS is only going to keep growing with more and more people in my age group wanting to attend college near their own homes and believe it or not we like to rock!!!... with music from our time... I think a good station here could do great things for Ft. Smith and maybe finally get some concerts happening in our town so I don't have to drive all the way to Little Rock, NWA, or OKC to see bands play.

 

[dallasrockradio]

I second what fortsmithrock said.

And if any station wants to play new rock and classic rock both. I vote do it 50/50.

 

[DIZ Guy]

You mean to tell me that they were playing Jon Meyer on a modern rocker in Ft. Smith????

What is that all about...(BTW...I don't like Meyer's music, but the dude obviously has something going on if he dated Jessica Simpson..)

Face it guys, Ft. Smith...YIKES!!!!!

 

[audio radience]

YOU GUYS NEED TO FIGURE OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "ALTERNATIVE" (WHICH IS WHAT THE X WAS STARTING JUNE OF 05) AND MODERN ROCK (WHICH WAS WHAT THE X HAD ATTEMPTED PRIOR TO THAT TIME). GEEZ....NO WONDER THE MARKET SUCKS...NO ONE IN IT KNOWS WHAT FORMAT STATIONS ARE...
I PERSONALLY LIKE HOW "FORTSMITHROCK" IS HAVING A CONVERSATION ON HERE ABOUT RADIO WITH THE SAME GUY HE WAS LAMBASTING EARLIER...REMEMBER "REBEL"??? HE JUST CHANGED HIS NAME TO FIT HIS NEW JOB AT THE NEW 94.5 DUDE....AND HAVE YOU EVER EVEN BEEN IN RADIO??? DOUBT IT...

MY QUESTION IS THIS....HAS "TXRADIOCHIC" MOVED TO THE MOUNTAINS YET????

I'LL CHECK BACK IN A YEAR...I SEEM TO BE REAL BUSY RIGHT NOW...BOOK STUFF, YOU KNOW....LOL.....

 

[fortsmithrock]

YOU GUYS NEED TO FIGURE OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "ALTERNATIVE" (WHICH IS WHAT THE X WAS STARTING JUNE OF 05) AND MODERN ROCK (WHICH WAS WHAT THE X HAD ATTEMPTED PRIOR TO THAT TIME). GEEZ....NO WONDER THE MARKET SUCKS...NO ONE IN IT KNOWS WHAT FORMAT STATIONS ARE...
I PERSONALLY LIKE HOW "FORTSMITHROCK" IS HAVING A CONVERSATION ON HERE ABOUT RADIO WITH THE SAME GUY HE WAS LAMBASTING EARLIER...REMEMBER "REBEL"??? HE JUST CHANGED HIS NAME TO FIT HIS NEW JOB AT THE NEW 94.5 DUDE....AND HAVE YOU EVER EVEN BEEN IN RADIO??? DOUBT IT...

MY QUESTION IS THIS....HAS "TXRADIOCHIC" MOVED TO THE MOUNTAINS YET????

I'LL CHECK BACK IN A YEAR...I SEEM TO BE REAL BUSY RIGHT NOW...BOOK STUFF, YOU KNOW....LOL.....

I never claimed to be in radio. Just a fan trying to bring rock back on to the air.

You could have hit one key, your caps lock key which would have turned caps out, and that would have made your post actually mean something. As it is, I'm not even going to read the whole thing.

I don't care who it is at 94.5, just as long as someone is playing rock. I don't care if its Mickey Mouse.

 

[thefailkitten]

The X was calling itself a rock station up until the day it was gone. I'm pretty sure their message was this... "Today's New Rock... The X 95.3" and it was that way until it went off the air. I never heard them regard themselves an alternative station, but that is all they played really. IMO, their myspace playlist had more rock than the station actually played in a month =P Maybe they should have said more often they were alternative/rock alternative?