BA Launches New "Chillout" Format

[Bill Harmonic]

Here's the demo. This is much different from what WQCD tried. The word "chill" is the only similarity, and it's totally out of place with this music. Talk about a format that misses the mark...

http://www.usrn.com/usrnweb/pages/content/chillout/ChillOutRadioDemo_031610.mp3

If I hear this correctly, this is all the usual vocal suspects from the BA list. I only heard one thing that was different and that was very briefly. BA has always touted itself as being out of the box if they played one or two different songs a shift. The question is that if it's all about the vocals then what happens to the instrumentals? There was one or two played in the demo (nothing that wasn't on the BA list) but it sounds like what KTWV is attempting to do. This would be a natural evolution for BA in that they have never been very comfortable with instrumental music. They have always believed that the vocals were the glue that held everything together and that the instrumentals were the step children they had to be nice to. Since the Wave has broken ground, they now have the license to try this on other levels. Can't fathom how this is going to compete with an AC or Hot AC head to head especially in the PPM world? It's probably in their minds an alternative to AC or Hot AC. You also need to look at what they call it very closely. They never said they were playing Chill music but instead they said this is chillout radio. Take a chill pill, relax, same old same old and no smooth. Vocally, what you've heard for years but more of it, less instrumentals and a new coat of paint. Now Rocky watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! 

 

[AC Tones]

I only wish there was an emoticon for "yawn."

 

[Nate Wesley]

Ya'll are seriously overreacting to the name. From Dana Hall's "Urban First" Newsletter:

BROADCAST ARCHITECTURE HAS ANNOUNCED the March 29 launch of the “Chillout Radio Network,” which BA owner/president Allen Kepler describes as a “combination of hit songs” found on Rhythmic AC, CHR, Triple-A, Urban AC, AC, and “even . . . a few instrumentals” targeted to 35-44-year-olds. Core artists include Sade, Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Seal, Maroon 5, Kenny G, and Corinne Bailey Rae.

BA is the consultancy most associated with the Smooth Jazz format nationally, and Kepler has spoken before of a next-gen version of the embattled format with a broad variety of hip vocals. Format flagship KTWV (94.7) Los Angeles, “The Wave,” has also landed in a similar neighborhood under new PD Jhani Kaye. It is not, Kepler emphasizes, connected to the “chillout” genre (which could be described as “smooth techno”) which has shown up on a handful of stations such as KLBU Santa Fe, N.M., and, briefly, WQCD (101.9) New York, which eventually reverted to more traditional Smooth Jazz, later becoming Alternative WRXP.

I'm not a big fan of BA because of what they've tried to pass off as 'jazz', but this is clearly not the same beast they've specialized in. It sounds as if they're crafting a 'Cadillac CHR' aimed at adults, which has been the audience that BA has tried to super-serve before. It's not that crazy an idea, really. And if it transitions them away from that four letter j-word altogether, all the better.

 

[AC Tones]

Ya'll are seriously overreacting to the name. From Dana Hall's "Urban First" Newsletter:

BROADCAST ARCHITECTURE HAS ANNOUNCED the March 29 launch of the “Chillout Radio Network,” which BA owner/president Allen Kepler describes as a “combination of hit songs” found on Rhythmic AC, CHR, Triple-A, Urban AC, AC, and “even . . . a few instrumentals” targeted to 35-44-year-olds. Core artists include Sade, Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Seal, Maroon 5, Kenny G, and Corinne Bailey Rae.

BA is the consultancy most associated with the Smooth Jazz format nationally, and Kepler has spoken before of a next-gen version of the embattled format with a broad variety of hip vocals. Format flagship KTWV (94.7) Los Angeles, “The Wave,” has also landed in a similar neighborhood under new PD Jhani Kaye. It is not, Kepler emphasizes, connected to the “chillout” genre (which could be described as “smooth techno”) which has shown up on a handful of stations such as KLBU Santa Fe, N.M., and, briefly, WQCD (101.9) New York, which eventually reverted to more traditional Smooth Jazz, later becoming Alternative WRXP.

I'm not a big fan of BA because of what they've tried to pass off as 'jazz', but this is clearly not the same beast they've specialized in. It sounds as if they're crafting a 'Cadillac CHR' aimed at adults, which has been the audience that BA has tried to super-serve before. It's not that crazy an idea, really. And if it transitions them away from that four letter j-word altogether, all the better.

Like I said, they are doing EXACTLY what Jhani Kaye is doing at KTWV. BFD. Very similar presentation to what their product was before, with fewer instrumentals. Personally, I am ECSTATIC over the name change and their further de-emphasis on instrumentals, as an outlet that features contemporary jazz music (which frankly, is hipper than it has been in YEARS). There is nothing "hip" at all about their product. It is predicated on safe, familiar, and overplayed vocal cuts. Like one poster said prior, Soft A/C stations are already playing these songs, so this product is FAR from unique. Best of luck with it, guys. Thanks for giving Internet broadcasters an unprecedented opportunity to build lasting relationships in the industry. We appreciate it.

 

[jazzyone]

I only have THIS for the gurus who are about to launch the "bullshlaka radio network" the lipstick is red but the pig is still a pig"....NO DAMN IMAGINATION!

 

[majaman78]

Ya'll are seriously overreacting to the name. From Dana Hall's "Urban First" Newsletter:

BROADCAST ARCHITECTURE HAS ANNOUNCED the March 29 launch of the “Chillout Radio Network,” which BA owner/president Allen Kepler describes as a “combination of hit songs” found on Rhythmic AC, CHR, Triple-A, Urban AC, AC, and “even . . . a few instrumentals” targeted to 35-44-year-olds. Core artists include Sade, Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Seal, Maroon 5, Kenny G, and Corinne Bailey Rae.

BA is the consultancy most associated with the Smooth Jazz format nationally, and Kepler has spoken before of a next-gen version of the embattled format with a broad variety of hip vocals. Format flagship KTWV (94.7) Los Angeles, “The Wave,” has also landed in a similar neighborhood under new PD Jhani Kaye. It is not, Kepler emphasizes, connected to the “chillout” genre (which could be described as “smooth techno”) which has shown up on a handful of stations such as KLBU Santa Fe, N.M., and, briefly, WQCD (101.9) New York, which eventually reverted to more traditional Smooth Jazz, later becoming Alternative WRXP.

I'm not a big fan of BA because of what they've tried to pass off as 'jazz', but this is clearly not the same beast they've specialized in. It sounds as if they're crafting a 'Cadillac CHR' aimed at adults, which has been the audience that BA has tried to super-serve before. It's not that crazy an idea, really. And if it transitions them away from that four letter j-word altogether, all the better.

Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here!!!

 

[AnotherCat]

My guess is that it's a pre-emptive move to try to keep some of their remaining affiliates who are ready to bolt the format and if "Smooth A/C" succeeds they don't want the credit to go to an out-of-format interloper like Jhani Kaye. This does look like the BA playlist without instrumentals and it is pretty much already in place at WSJT (Tampa/St.Pete) . All they have to do is drop the 2 -3 instrumentals they play per hour and they are there. Is there really room in the A/C realm for a format that is softer and more gold oriented than mainstream A/C? Can such a format win with the target demo or is it going to pull 45-64 which backs them into the corner they were already in.

Unfortunate choice of name though, because most people in their target demo know chill/chillout as another type of music entirely. I'm not in that demo but I know if I heard "chillout radio" was coming to my market I'd be pretty p*$$ed if I turned it on and heard "Rock With You" or a 23 year old Anita Baker song.

When will a new radio format be developed that plays new music and not stale records from the late Michael Jackson?

It seems like the strategy to win in a PPM world is to over-rotate overfamiliar music and with owners wanting immediate success that appears to be the safest (only) way to go. A station could create a mass appeal leaning format that targeted adults with interesting music that hasn't been fried to death but it would take time to build the brand and build the following. That time is a luxury nobody has. It's the radio parallel to the lack of artist development in the record biz. Instant, transient gratification then out the door and time for the next big (transient) thing

 

[AnotherCat]

Just heard the demo. (Did NOT have to download it thank gawd) Gotta say that "In The Air Tonight" and "Soldier of Love" are pretty depressing songs to be playing a segue on a station that says "music that feels good." All the positioning elements/sweepers sounded really dated and sappy to me.

 

[Jazz_Kat]

Have you all read this article about BA's new format?

http://www.alltheexcess.com/2010/03/going-in-for-chill.html

 

[spiritof67]

So, why would I listen to this? Why would anyone listen to this?

 

[Media_Maven]

My .02 cents: In my opinion, Kepler/BA deserve all the blame for the failure of Smooth Jazz format in the US. As many of you have correctly observed, the BA-consulted stations had no imagination or innovation in recent years. I'm listening online right now to CROSSOVER FM 105.1 out of Manila, Phillipines, where there are -- can you believe this -- not one but TWO SMOOTH JAZZ terrestrial radio stations competing for the upscale, jazzy-pop listening audience. Listening for the past hour, I'm hearing songs that sound like they appeal to listeners primarily in their 30s & 40s (older & younger too, I'm sure) -- not 65+

While they aren't featuring so many instrumentals, the vocals they're playing are far better than the tired RnB cuts that killed off all of the once-great Smooth Jazzers in the US. Had CD-101.9, KKSF, and all the others featured THIS kind of fresh music, with these talented vocalists (I've never heard most of these songs/artists before, and I'm drawn to a great many of them on just the FIRST listen!), and blended it properly with the great instrumentals from Chris Botti, Boney James, Rippingtons, Paul Hardcastle, et al, there's absolutely NO REASON Smooth Jazz wouldn't have continued to be a healthy format that would continue to nurture the development of more great Smooth Jazz.

It looks like the future health of the format, as far as terrestrial radio goes, will depend on our friends at CROSSOVER FM & DREAM FM in Manila, Doug & Mary Kirk keeping the format alive at WAVE 94.7 in Toronto, Canada, and a handful of others. How ironic that the originators of the genre (BA?) killed it in the home country, and the imitators abroad are doing a FAR better job keeping it alive!! Would love to hear your responses to my thoughts...

MediaMaven in Michigan

 

[AnotherCat]

The revitalization is already underway. Being "forced" back into being an "underground" format is the best thing that has happened in a long time because now there are an extremely diverse group of players on the field, some returning after exile, after over 10 years of one little clique controlling everything. This is giving a lot of different approaches to programming the music a chance to develop and find an audience - the traditional relaxation driven smooth, vocal oriented but with interesting vocals, R&B flavor, some that lean towards what used to be called "New Age" but was actually a catchall for mellow music that was not R&B leaning, and the one I came up with : Instrumental Oriented Adult Alternative - which takes the "smooth" and "jazz " handcuffs off and gives room to bring back the rock, world, pop, and AAA elements that were phased out when BA took over.

All this is happening on Brunch shows, NonCommercial stations, and the internet but that is how an increasing amount of people are getting their music now and it is becoming easier every day and the original "underground buzz" is what catapulted this music into high profile in the early 90s. This time we've just got to learn from the past and not F it up by allowing one person/company or one approach to take everything over and push everyone else out. There are still people out there who want to do that even though they promote themselves as being innovators. Not many but it only takes 1, as we have learned

 

[salemjedi54]

I agree that when R&B was added to the format that it killed it in some aspects. Reading some of the posts here on this thread make it sound like yall TOTALLY dislike R&B. I hope that I am wrong.

 

[Nock]

Is there anyone that actually likes BA? Attended a very good concert last night that featured a contemporary jazz artist and had the opportunity to go back and visit with this person after show. ( I will protect the identity so this person is not black balled by the folks who attached the handcuffs to the musicians) Ripped BA in the conversations I had. How did they get so powerful to ruin it all? How did they get people to believe this crap?

Nock

 

[Jazz_Kat]

Looks like this format will be targeted to new radio stations. The smooth jazz network will not be replaced by the chillout radio format, from what I heard. Now, a local station can choose to switch from the smooth jazz format to the chillout if they want to.

In closing, there will be two networks. I don't why this is, since they pretty much played the same thing. I think the smooth jazz (the BA stations) will go away one by one due to the ratings and such, leaving them to focus more on their chillout format.

 

[AnotherCat]

The demo voiceover guy's tone and delivery sounded really dated and really weird - like he was smiling through clenched teeth.

 

[recto101]

Look at BA they started this KKSF ID's with Smooth Jazz Network.

Check out this website Contemporary Jazz

http://www.contemporaryjazz.com/

With Live 365 Network

 

[Grooveboutique]

Is there anyone that actually likes BA? Attended a very good concert last night that featured a contemporary jazz artist and had the opportunity to go back and visit with this person after show. ( I will protect the identity so this person is not black balled by the folks who attached the handcuffs to the musicians) Ripped BA in the conversations I had. How did they get so powerful to ruin it all? How did they get people to believe this crap?

Nock

It's a mystery as to how they accumulated so much juice and influence.

In all other client-consultant relationships, the consultant makes recommendations and the client can choose to follow or ignore them. After all, they're footing the bill, so they're calling the shots.

Yet in the case of BA, it was the complete opposite: BA made the directives and PDs were pressured to follow each one to the letter. The penalty for non-compliance was the threat of job loss or actual recommendations of replacement to OMs and GMs.

No one ever questioned the wisdom (or idiocy) of BA's instructions, "strategy", and marching orders: they just went along (most reluctantly), and the result was a format that is no longer in existence, for the most part.

Incredibly, even stations/PDs that weren't BA clients drank the punch and ended up following their lead. They cut and pasted BA playlists over their station's sound, even if the playlists were from markets that were 1,000 miles away, and were based on research results that had absolutely nothing to do with the listener tastes, preferences, or expectations in their own market.

It was insanity that was bound to fail, and the reality of PPM put the big BA and smooth jazz ruse into harsh focus.

Hilariously, Kepler follows the smooth jazz PD protocol of blaming everyone and everything but his own laziness, complacency, and arrogance for the format's problems. His signature line of "trying to implement a Nordstrom format in a McDonald's economy" was a classic blame-the-listener maneuver, and a slew of major market sj PDs took the same path, blaming everything from the weather to Arbitron to the labels to the artists for their station's ratings tailspin.

The idea of a sophisticated and melodic instrumental-based format should have been the go-to listening experience in this economy. Unfortunately, the ride is over and the format has become a noxious punchline that was destroyed by BA and its adherents.

Thanks, guys. And best of luck with that new frosty thing that you're currently purveying. Love to know which retailer it compares to in our current McDonald's economy. Circuit City perhaps?

 

[Nock]

Welcome to the board Rafe! Appreciate you not sugar coating what really happened in fact I could probably speak for most participants on this board. Fortunately I believe that handcuffs have been taken off the artists as I am spinning some of the best new music in a long time.

Nock ---- You may remember me from the "Icy" days and the liners you cut for me in Nashville.

 

[AC Tones]

Is there anyone that actually likes BA? Attended a very good concert last night that featured a contemporary jazz artist and had the opportunity to go back and visit with this person after show. ( I will protect the identity so this person is not black balled by the folks who attached the handcuffs to the musicians) Ripped BA in the conversations I had. How did they get so powerful to ruin it all? How did they get people to believe this crap?

Nock

It's a mystery as to how they accumulated so much juice and influence.

In all other client-consultant relationships, the consultant makes recommendations and the client can choose to follow or ignore them. After all, they're footing the bill, so they're calling the shots.

Yet in the case of BA, it was the complete opposite: BA made the directives and PDs were pressured to follow each one to the letter. The penalty for non-compliance was the threat of job loss or actual recommendations of replacement to OMs and GMs.

No one ever questioned the wisdom (or idiocy) of BA's instructions, "strategy", and marching orders: they just went along (most reluctantly), and the result was a format that is no longer in existence, for the most part.

Incredibly, even stations/PDs that weren't BA clients drank the punch and ended up following their lead. They cut and pasted BA playlists over their station's sound, even if the playlists were from markets that were 1,000 miles away, and were based on research results that had absolutely nothing to do with the listener tastes, preferences, or expectations in their own market.

It was insanity that was bound to fail, and the reality of PPM put the big BA and smooth jazz ruse into harsh focus.

Hilariously, Kepler follows the smooth jazz PD protocol of blaming everyone and everything but his own laziness, complacency, and arrogance for the format's problems. His signature line of "trying to implement a Nordstrom format in a McDonald's economy" was a classic blame-the-listener maneuver, and a slew of major market sj PDs took the same path, blaming everything from the weather to Arbitron to the labels to the artists for their station's ratings tailspin.

The idea of a sophisticated and melodic instrumental-based format should have been the go-to listening experience in this economy. Unfortunately, the ride is over and the format has become a noxious punchline that was destroyed by BA and its adherents.

Thanks, guys. And best of luck with that new frosty thing that you're currently purveying. Love to know which retailer it compares to in our current McDonald's economy. Circuit City perhaps?

Easily one of the best posts I have read on this board in the 18 months I have been here. I am not giving up, brother. There is TOO MUCH great contemporary jazz music being made in the studio these days. I still think there is room for "a sophisticated and melodic instrumental-based format," albeit on the Internet. That's exactly what I am trying to deliver. Perhaps when Kepler's "new" coat of paint on his old garbage product cracks, it may make a return on terrestrial radio in small to medium-sized markets in a couple of years. But no doubt, it won't be easy---akin to bringing someone back from the dead.