Another Question for Gregg

[longleggs]

Gregg,

I have a PD question for you. How much actual say so does a Program Director have on the playlist these days? For example, most classic rock radio stations tend to play 90 percent of the same songs. Fortunately 92.3 is not quite as bad as most, but there are some songs that get repeated over and over. It gets very generic. I mean, I like most of these bands but would classic rock radio die if it went one day without playing Led Zep, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Van Halen and a few others.

That is why I love the request hour at 5:00. It was a thrill hearing Sugarloaf the other day, Dr.Hook, UFO,Uriah Heep, etc. Those bands, which had some big hits, seem to only get occassional airplay, while Led Zep is going to get heard four or five times a day. I don't know, I just get tired of hearing the same old staples every single day.

 

[Gregg Rivers]

Again I stand the risk of divulging proprietary information on this forum, so I'm limited to what I'm willing to say. But the long and the short of it is this... Our play list and the play lists of most stations (regardless of format) is based on the results of auditorium tests. Titles that score well in these tests get played, those that don't test well do not get played as much if at all. If you're so inclined, you may do some research yourself as to how these tests are performed. Google is an excellent place to start your search. The bottom line is we want to play the songs that the majority of our target audience likes the best. Titles that don't score high with that majority may be LOVED by a few folks, but the song may be a tune out factor or unrecognizable by the majority of listeners. It's a delicate balance that I get gray hairs about daily. I have to keep telling myself "You can't please EVERYONE!" I wish I could, but it just ain't gonna happen. In whats called a "closed format" like classic rock, classic country or oldies there are no new titles to add. So you have to be careful not to let the station get stale. That's why new tests are done and those scores are taken in to account. Some songs that test well one time, may not the next. A title that didn't score well before may get a better score on the next test. So the play lists of stations is in constant flux. As for how much "say" I have on the play list... I've been told by my bosses that I am the PD. LOL Hope that clears that up! My job is to make this station successful. I have a whole list of tools/staff at my disposal to assist in that goal. I use and rely on them as much as possible. Winning is not a one man job. I don’t pretend to do it alone. Further I’m not here to be the boss. I’m here to make this station a winner! Thanks for listening! I really mean that! Hope that helps!

 

[Sandscott]

I have a question to expand upon the conversation. I live in between 92.3 and the Memphis stations so I can listen to both (and usually go with 92.3). When I hear the Shut Up and Rock show, the listeners really hit on songs not in regular rotation. In Memphis, they never do that even when 103 has the lunchtime request show. It is just the standards. Are the different cities taken into account or is the playlist more of a naturally generated thing? I know I get excited to hear stuff I haven't heard in ages and I honestly think most listener do as well.

 

[PedroOrange]

I know I get excited to hear stuff I haven't heard in ages and I honestly think most listener do as well.

I've heard this a lot as well. I think you can stick to the format, but play a song that was a bona fide hit that doesn't get a lot of airplay. I could be naive, but I think that could really connect with listeners.

I remember listening to a Top-40 station and hearing a song from '98 that was a hit, but did not chart high enough to be a recurrent or gold. It's a nice blast from the past.

Pedro

 

[J-Rod]

Basically I think that Gregg is doing exactly what you have been talking about... Gregg lives in this Area... and he knows that Jackson isn't Memphis.. and takes that into account..


Also you need to remember that the "target Audience" of 92.3 is Gregg... and i think he does a great job targeting that audience... ha ha

and he also does a great job keeping the younger rockers like myself interested...

Gregg... keep up the good work...

 

[IdentityProgramming]

As a consultant and listener, 92.3 needs to expand it's play list.

How much Led Zeppelin do you need to hear? Use deeper cuts.

Just my two cents.

Gary Begin

 

[Sandscott]

There is a lot of repetition just like there is on most other classic rock stations (Rock 103 and 98.1 The Max out of Memphis are perfect examples). However, there is a little more diversity than other classic rock stations. There is too much Zeppelin and AC/DC. I still am aiming for Dee Snider's return and a few more deep cuts.

 

[Gregg Rivers]

Please see previous post.

 

[Meepster]

You're not going to try to bill them for that are you Gary?

Seriously...How couldthere EVER be "Too Much Zepplin?"

I'm not following you...

 

[Sandscott]

When you hear the same tired songs NUMEROUS times a day, it is too much. Instead of playing Zep six times a day, play them twice and then throw in a song by Uriah Heep, Canned Heat, more Alice Cooper, more Nugent, UFO, etc.

 

[radiofan4life]

Looks to me from the Arbitron numbers that Gregg is doing something right. Great trend Gregg. Keep it up. You'll always have critics.

 

[J-Rod]

i'm going to have to go with Meep on this one...

Too much money,
Too much fun,
Too much Zep...

all are impossible...

Like I said Earlier, Keep it Rockin' YPGR, holla if you need anything

 

[Double M]

I wish I could pick up Rock 92.3 better. I've heard good things about it. I live near Millington so sometimes with all the Memphis stations it's hard to pick up. I heard a little bit sunday.

 

[razor411]

Gregg,

I was in your neck of the woods the other day and noticed that things were a lot different than the last time I was there....which was about three years ago. Froggy (uuugh....sorry, but I've never been a fan of that frog stuff) was called Eagle 104 and the air staff was all different. Conrad was doing the morning show and afternoons was a guy named....Jake? maybe. I met him at a "Rascal Flatts" show that was in town. He seemed like a decent guy. What ever happened to these folks?

Also, "Chick" was on in the middays on 92.3 and the afternoon team was "Burke" and somebody. Are these guys still around or was in all CC voice-tracking?

Station sounds good, but the last time I was here I would hear a liitle more current stuff. Do you guys still do this?

 

[Gregg Rivers]

Gregg,

I was in your neck of the woods the other day and noticed that things were a lot different than the last time I was there....which was about three years ago. Froggy (uuugh....sorry, but I've never been a fan of that frog stuff) was called Eagle 104 and the air staff was all different. Conrad was doing the morning show and afternoons was a guy named....Jake? maybe. I met him at a "Rascal Flatts" show that was in town. He seemed like a decent guy. What ever happened to these folks?

Also, "Chick" was on in the middays on 92.3 and the afternoon team was "Burke" and somebody. Are these guys still around or was in all CC voice-tracking?

Station sounds good, but the last time I was here I would hear a liitle more current stuff. Do you guys still do this?

Conrad retired due to health problems last year. He's diabetic and has other health problems. His doctor suggested it would be a good time to rest and enjoy life. So he did. He told me his CPA also said he'd make more money if he quit working! LOL I can believe that! He still comes by to visit from time to time. I hug his neck every chance I get.
I don't remember "Jake." Jared was the PM drive guy and the last Program Director under CC ownership and "The Eagle" moniker. He moved to Clarksburg after leaving Jackson. I'm thinking he's still there.
"Chick" aka Leslie Wolf went to work for Rock 103 in Memphis I think in 2003 or so. Later she left that job to sell pharmaceuticals. She still does part time work at Rock 103 and I talk to her via myspace from time to time.
"Burk & Baker" did afternoons several years ago. That was a local show, not voice tracked. Burk took an offer to work for CC in Augusta, Georgia as Program Director and is now Market Ops man for the CC cluster there.
As for the music on Rock 92.3 now I'd have to say, "It’s more focused" than before. WYNU is The Classic Rock Station. We play classic rock.

 

[razor411]

I always liked listening to Conrad...he was not a radio person, but his on-air presence was very warm and friendly. Something you don't hear a lot of in the biz these days.

So...."Leslie Wolf" in Memphis was "Chick" in Jackson...I never relized that. I remember when she was on the air there.

Maybe the afternoon guy I am talking about was on before you came over. I remember Jared from the stations across town from you. The afternoon guy I am talking about had a very upbeat delivery. Lots of caller interaction. I think he was there when your tower came down.

 

[Gregg Rivers]

I'm thinking you're refering to Jay Patrick???? The last time I talked to him (several month ago) he was living in and working for a staion in Nashville but I don't recall which one.

 

[Meepster]

I can interject that I believe that my old homey Jim Sykes was on the air at "The New 92 FM" when the tower fell. I did some pat time for him back n the day when he was PD there.

 

[J-Rod]

And also don't forget Gregg, there was an obnoxious little part-timer there about three years ago, that made sure the station kept running.. Ha Ha..

I was listening Yesterday, I heard songs that I had literally "never heard before"

but I guess that comes from being a classic rock fan that grew up in a different time..

keep up the good work.

 

[razor411]

Thanks Gregg....That's who I was thinking about. If it's the same jay he is on 97.1 in Nashville...running the Bob and Tom Show and I think doing a weekend show. I could never catch his name. One more question and I will leave you alone. Is Ernest Harper still making the rounds in sales? I worked with him back in the 80's.