B-94 Is Back!

[kentuckymedia]

If Top 40 only survived on currents, it would be the death of the format. Recurrents and Golds are the key ingredient, its the currents that add the bling to the station!

 

[FCR]

Re: just another boring top 40 station

may be if b94 changes their comedy hd2 station to a new chr i would listen to that!

100.7-HD2 is a new CHR.

 

[Raymond]

Inventor989-

Thanks on the update of Clarke. I don't blame him for losing momentum. What I knew (from people who work at the CC building) is that he literally did not show up. If it were school, he would failed for so many days missed. Therefore, the Cheeseman and his counterpart started to formulate WJJJ without him or his expertise. What a shame. WJJJ was a hot sounding rhythmic CHR. He did well with the music.

I do think Clarke would make an excellent PD at the new B94. Even Mark Anderson would do well. (I thought he was in Dallas. Is Cincy his latest stop and where does he work?)

Raymond

 

[marcus250]

Re: just another boring top 40 station

I tried this URL: http://provisioning.streamtheworld.com/pls/WZPTHD2DIALUP.pls and it didn't work any other suggestions? i am not in the pittsburgh area now so cannot listen to it on the radio!

may be if b94 changes their comedy hd2 station to a new chr i would listen to that!

100.7-HD2 is a new CHR.

 

[kentuckymedia]

Anderson is now Contemporary Brand Manager at Cincinnati and maybe Lexington but he programs WKFS Cincinnati "KISS 107" which was Clear Channel's first Kiss Clone. Formerly programmed by superstars BJ Harris and Randi West.

I honestly wouldnt be surprised to see John Stewart from WZKL in Canton be asked to take over. He has experience programming KBKS Seattle and WSSR Tampa which he took both stations into the Top 5.

 

[pabuzz24]

Re: just another boring top 40 station

I tried this URL: http://provisioning.streamtheworld.com/pls/WZPTHD2DIALUP.pls and it didn't work any other suggestions? i am not in the pittsburgh area now so cannot listen to it on the radio!

may be if b94 changes their comedy hd2 station to a new chr i would listen to that!

100.7-HD2 is a new CHR.

Backdoor stream link for the new B94:
http://provisioning.streamtheworld.com/asx/WTZNFMDIALUP.asx
Tested and works with Windows Media Player

 

[Inventor989]

Raymond- he was totally demoralized by those people, hence the disappearing act. I was in the company at the time, although not in Pgh.

 

[mitchman1960]

It's totally awesome that the B IS BACK! I am in total 100 percent in Clarke being named the new P.D. only if he is given complete control as he rightfully deserves. I have known Clarke for well 28 years of my life. I have worked with him at several of the radio stations he consulted in his career as his music director and p.d. and
when you say these young bucks can learn from him, you are correct!

What I know in this business about programming is all from him. Plus what I know about promotions and sales is from his boss in Greensburg and Jeanette, along with a lot of other things I've picked up along this 28 year radio journey.

I am the operations manager and morning man at WLEM/WQKY, Emporium/St.Marys, P.A. I have seen my share of big markets, San Antonio, plus smaller rated markets, Altoona, Lawton, Oklahoma, Mcallen, Texas, Lake Charles, Louisiana and many small stations in Pennsylvania. I have tasted the big time just like Clarke and have found out that its better to a big fish in a small pond such as I am now.

But Clarke deserves better. Not that working for the owner he works for is bad, because I worked for him too and he's great man to work for, but Pittsburgh NEEDS the energy of Clarke back in at the NEW B-94. Radio needs especially CHR NEEDS the ENERGY of Clarke and a staff that he could build of people who KNOW Pittsburgh and can talk about what the city and the area is all about.


The B needs Clarke and anybody else that put the B can get to put Pittsburgh radio back in touch with city and back in touch with great radio! It's time for the personaliity of our business to come back. It still lives in our small market radio stations such as mine, but lets get it back into the big markets!

 

[1c1n3d]

I started hearing commercials at 12:33pm EST, and the first one was for the deal of the week [which was already sold out?] and it still said to visit www.937thezone.com

 

[SHARC-NET Radio]

The station's links on yes.com still point to the zone as well. I'm sure they'll get it all worked out.

Stephanie Christensen

 

[purplehooter]

If Top 40 only survived on currents, it would be the death of the format. Recurrents and Golds are the key ingredient, its the currents that add the bling to the station!

Exactly. I've had radio friends tell me that they would "only program the hottest songs and get rid of the older stuff" if given the reigns of a CHR and I've told them that they can count most women in my age group out. I like hearing the "hot" stuff, but I also like hearing stuff I know! If I hear a bunch of songs I don't know, I turn it off!

 

[shilton]

If Top 40 only survived on currents, it would be the death of the format. Recurrents and Golds are the key ingredient, its the currents that add the bling to the station!

Exactly. I've had radio friends tell me that they would "only program the hottest songs and get rid of the older stuff" if given the reigns of a CHR and I've told them that they can count most women in my age group out. I like hearing the "hot" stuff, but I also like hearing stuff I know! If I hear a bunch of songs I don't know, I turn it off!

Good Point purplehooter. To prove my case, let's take a danceclub into consideration. If you have ever watched a Club DJ really moving the crowd, you will note he plays the popular songs "people know and love". Toss 1 "new" tune into the mix and you may get away with it. Toss 2 in a row and watch the dancefloor clear out in 2 seconds flat. Simple fact is people are creatures of habit and they like things that are familiar to them. That's why CHR's are so slow to intruduce a new song even if its from a proven artist. Play it 2 maybe 3 times a day until it takes off and always surround it with songs people already recognize and love.

There is another great reason to think that B94's return will be a success. For the first time in years, people are hearing these songs they way they were intended to be played...not sped up to the point that the uptempo's sound like something from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Worked for Kiss when they were the only game in town, but given the choice I wonder how many people even if they don't realize why it sounds different would say "yeah...I like it faster"? I doubt too many.

I am not even living or working in the Burgh and I am excited about this here in State College, PA. I grew up on the B. The B inspired me to get into radio and I thought it was insane when a few bad programming decision left the thing to wither and die. I am listening to the stream right now and I think it sounds super! Can't wait to hear what we can expect in an airstaff.

 

[kenhawk1160]

Dan Mason is the one respectable guy at the helm of a corporate giant these days, and he deserves major props for the rebirth of once-great brands like B94, KFRC and CBS-FM.

Raymond: knowing Clarke since his days at Point Park College in 1977 and working with him twice over time, I would tell you that Clarke's "not showing up" was a direct result of the way he was treated by his superiors. Clarke has always been a "night person"; his bioclock starts later than the average person. This is pure discrimination on the part of his superiors and should have been litigated IMHO. No one noticed the hours he would put in after 5pm when the suits went home. Frankly, that's the only way a lot of the quality work a PD needs to do ever gets done, thanks to the boatload of endless, meaningless politicking and BS that has to be done to get by in Big Brother radio today. Rather than allow for this, they decided to use it against him, to their eternal discredit. When Clarke realized what was going on, his motivation ended...and I don't blame him a bit.

Yes, a PD has to be running at 100% AND THEN SOME. But it is the responsibility of those above the PD to motivate, encourage and back their minions, not just as a srvice to their employees, but to deliver the greatest value for money to their company. Clarke's superior at The Beat does exactly the opposite to anyone he perceives as a threat to his position due to his own fear and insecurity. Ladle a great big helping of "not my team" (Clarke was acquired by Clear Channel in the AM-FM purchase) and, voila, a brilliant career is brought to a halt by a political hack job from a very small, and IMO, evil man.

I reiterate: Jim Meltzer...you know I'm right. You were there. Do the right thing. Wipe the floor with those SOBs.

Inventor, this is a very interesting point you make that rings all too true about someone else in a creative position that was able to deliver results despite keeping different hours: Lorne Michaels, the brainchild behind NBC's Saturday Night Live, who starts his day at around 4pm. 32 years later, his show is still on the air with few changes, despite peaks and valleys in the ratings.

It's too bad that management doesn't support its creative people who do try to contribute, yet don't keep conventional hours. One advantage to working after hours is that you don't have half the interruptions that you do during the day. I work Sunday through Thursday, and I use that day for 'catch-up' time.

The excuse I usually hear, rightly or wrongly, is "I need you here" during business hours. If you have to stay after hours, that's part of your job. It's not a fair deal, but sadly, it's basically the nature of the beast. Clarke and Danny Clayton both did great at the helm of B94.

 

[toddjammin]

What should the call letters be for B 94?
Since WBZZ is not avaliable, I would go with either WBZB or WZZB.

 

[Interested Observer]

What should the call letters be for B 94?
Since WBZZ is not avaliable, I would go with either WBZB or WZZB.

I really don't think that the calls make any difference whatsoever to what the listeners think about the station. That's been beat to death on this board many times. The only people interested in the calls are radio geeks like us...

 

[murt225]

What about call letters like WBCZ or WBCC and have the announcers make it sound like WBZZ....

 

[Raymond]

Inventor and Kenhawk-

So, you're saying "the Cheeseman" wasn't too Clarke happy and insecure in his own position? He has no knowledge of rhythm either. And, rock for that matter!

I agree. Some of the best programming and ideas are done AWAY from the building. That's how you also scope out life and incorporate it into your radio station so you are current.

Maybe Keith Clark will wise up ;D and realize what an asset and threat to CC he has in a guy like Clarke.

 

[FCR]

What about call letters like WBCZ or WBCC and have the announcers make it sound like WBZZ....

Again, the calls don't really matter. They don't need to be like BZZ. CBS will probably change the obvious TZN The Zone calls, but to what, who knows. Calls are one of the last things to be putting a lot of energy into right now.

 

[kenhawk1160]

Inventor and Kenhawk-

So, you're saying "the Cheeseman" wasn't too Clarke happy and insecure in his own position? He has no knowledge of rhythm either. And, rock for that matter!

I agree. Some of the best programming and ideas are done AWAY from the building. That's how you also scope out life and incorporate it into your radio station so you are current.

Maybe Keith Clark will wise up ;D and realize what an asset and threat to CC he has in a guy like Clarke.

It's a shame when talent has to be kept under the microscope like they are today. Big Brother has to monitor your every move.

I know it's important for management to be keyed in as to what's happening in the programming department. But there are regular staff meetings where that goal can be attained. The bottom line is trust.

I made a reference to Lorne Michaels in an earlier post. He once said "we operate on a level of trust. We're not going to come out and say **** **** **** **** **** **** ****." As a PD, you want to have that level of confidence and trust in your people. But after you see reports of talent in the news being investigated by the FCC for what word was said and what stunt took someone's life, then no wonder GM's are biting their nails, afraid of what talent is going to do next.

The FCC also needs to lighten up. TV doesn't get fined for half of what radio is accused of doing in their prime time as opposed to ours.

 

[marcus250]

ita example WRRK

What should the call letters be for B 94?
Since WBZZ is not avaliable, I would go with either WBZB or WZZB.

I really don't think that the calls make any difference whatsoever to what the listeners think about the station. That's been beat to death on this board many times. The only people interested in the calls are radio geeks like us...

nobody seems to care that WRRK wasn't changed to reflect bob f.m. like scott fibish said to WBZB