Blast from the past... WNOP aircheck on eBay!!

[Imlivinontheair]

Hey All:

I am not promoting this for the sale of the item but did a random search on this former Jazz station on 740 AM and found this gem on eBay. I thought I would pass it along.

I wasn't around for this broadcast but the description sounds pretty entertaining and a lot better than some of the stuff I am hearing these days around the dial.

I can however remember the floating station as we'd cross the bridge and seeing the callsign in lights...ah the good old days

Any comments?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leo-Underhill-R...goryZ307QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[uppendowndadial]

Geez, is there a market for this? Maybe I could sell my airchecks

 

[major]

I'm stupid enough to have bought this. It's very poor quality, but that was the WNOP of the day. I have several CDs of the old jazz ark days, plus over 250 of the final weeks before "The Night the Music Died", on December 31, 2000. They are of much better quality.

I sure do miss them.

If I wasn't married in 2000, I would have bought WNOP for the song that they were sold for ($525,000). But if I had bought it, I wouldn't be married now. I would just be stuck listening to REAL jazz. Plus, I wouldn't have made the mistake the other Catholics made in not applying for the nighttime power increase they could have gotten, but failed to act upon. They'll never get another chance like that from Canada in my lifetime.

Greeting, darksoldier. I know you're lurking out there somewhere.

 

[rzeis]

Hey Major, I know what you mean. I still miss them too. I have several hours of tapes I made before the Catholics took over that I still listen to occasionally.
Funny you brought up the night power increase. If you look at their web site under newsletter, they mention that they are considering a couple options to increase their night power and how it would affect you depends on where you live. I never thought they had a chance to increase night power because of 740 in Canada, but you mention that they could have? Was that when they increased daytime to 2500 watts?

 

[major]

Yes, it was sometime around then. Dick Plessinger told me about this back in 2006. He said there were a few months around the time WNOP applied for the daytime increase when they could have done both at the same time. However, the intellectuals at WNOP decided to apply separately for day/night increases. Well, they applied for daytime first, and the nighttime opportunity dried up in the meantime.

He also told me that there was also a time in the 70s, I think, where WNOP could have applied and gotten 50KW daytime. He said it was theirs for the taking. That didn't happen, either.

I sure miss Dick. His knowledge is irreplaceable to me.

 

[rzeis]

Wow, 50kw. That would have been nice, even if only day time. They probably did not make enough to pay for the electric bill.
Thanks for the info. Interesting.

 

[jcr]

Is there any way to get a copy made (just 1) from those of you have CDs of WNOP from the jazz ark days. Somewhere around the house I have a picture of the floating studios that I took from up on the Cental Bridge in Newport circa 1974. I started listening to Oscar Treadwell on weekends while in high school, and then began tuning in weekdays and weekends to hear Ray Scott, Leo Underhill, Jim Edwards, Max Warner, and others. I began tuning out after Geoff Nimmo took over, seemed like the music just was not the same

 

[hipporadio]

Although I did not hear the 1962 Leo Underhill performance at the time [W-A-Y TOO young – even for a radio geek], I came upon a copy of it in the early-90s. VERY POOR audio quality; and from what I have heard, the Rockit Radio offering on eBay is little-better.

My affection for this station has been ingrained for years... Here’s a recent post to another regional board I visit where the topic of WNOP surfaced, and those who could not experience it were inquisitive about its history:

For those uninitiated to Cincy radio - a bit of background on WNOP... Thru most of its past, it enjoyed EXTREME counter-culture [and counter-corporate] status. Multiple owners tolerated its lack of profitability and "delicious" on-air persona. From the early-60s thru its END [leading to a sale to a venue of the Catholic Church a few years back] it was "Cincy's hole-in-the-wall for great Jazz"... Lionel Hampton called it "The best Jazz station on Earth".

In the 50s/60s, it shared a building with a blue collar [“Sin City”] Newport BAR. Public container ordinances there were such that allowed for the WNOP on-air personnel to head next-door for frequent refills of "refreshment" - AND THEY DID - irregardless of FCC rules!!! Later, the station moved to a barge on the Ohio River with a prominent sign above to greet passer-bys - reflective of Newport's penchant for "flesh joints" and beer halls - WNOP "Radio Free Newport" fit-in PERFECTLY there!

This station was A TRUE "CLASSIC" during an era that rewarded AM Radio... It was right-next-door to market-leading WLW on the AM dial, and I suspect - lived off the "overflow". You've heard the term: "Their reputation outpaces their Arbitron performance" - WNOP was a stellar example. Even in the "AM era", it rarely registered a dignified result - at the end, it was a mere 0.5; but I can only think of a handful of stations that "circulated their unique status" in a fashion similar to WNOP... Howard Johnson's ex-urban-DC "Z-104", WLNG, and Jim Kerr's 1500 WKER Pompton Lakes, NJ [later 15'GHT] are brethren that come to mind.

In the day, visitors to WNOP were greeted by "Sober" – a mythical “Man’s Best Friend” and companion to those less-cogent who occupied the control room... "The Bubble Machine" - a past-prime "wide-mouth" cart machine would wow-thru comedy cuts stored on an NAB C-sized cart when the DJs turned off the microphone to "belch" from their constant beer-drinking.

I just wish there were “interesting” radio stations [like the former WNOP] around today... This business has gotten TOO BIG for its poo-kickers [BOOTS]!

 

[Imlivinontheair]

Glad to see there was some interest in this...I loved the old station too and actually got to DJ there for a while in 1996.

Someone passed on to me a box of old reel to reels circa 1970 most of which is over-the-air recordings of music and some airchecks from WNOP. I would love to get a reel to reel machine with the heads aligned to this tape so I could pull some quality stuff off and make it available online for the diehards out here.

Is anyone open to this???

If you have a pic of the old floating studios can you scan it? Pass it on

Is there any way to get a copy made (just 1) from those of you have CDs of WNOP from the jazz ark days. Somewhere around the house I have a picture of the floating studios that I took from up on the Cental Bridge in Newport circa 1974. I started listening to Oscar Treadwell on weekends while in high school, and then began tuning in weekdays and weekends to hear Ray Scott, Leo Underhill, Jim Edwards, Max Warner, and others. I began tuning out after Geoff Nimmo took over, seemed like the music just was not the same

 

[NoWayNoCC]

Does the current incarnation of WNOP have any listeners at all? Even one?

Everyone attacks WCLU of the '80s for supposedly having no listeners, but I guarantee you it had many times the number that WNOP has today.

Isn't WNOP basically just EWTN nonsense?

 

[major]

I'm Catholic, but I don't listen to it.

Someone must, they live off donations.

 

[darksoldier]

Was great to see that aircheck on ebay. I must order!! As far as where WNOP stands today, it is what it is....for the "overly" faithful. I am not catholic, and dont want to offend anyone who is, but from just checking it out shortly after we signed it off, it sounded almost "cultish". I was actually surprised at the fact they kept the calls...after all we spent the last 2 months airing things like WNOP stands for Weird Nuns Offend People, and We Never Offer Pennance....go figure ??? They even let the stick "cool' for 12 hours so they could sprinkle holy water on the thing because we were so sinful in the final hours.

 

[Imlivinontheair]

I hear ya...
Does anyone out here have any real interest in reviving this format? Either on the air or online???

Was great to see that aircheck on ebay. I must order!! As far as where WNOP stands today, it is what it is....for the "overly" faithful. I am not catholic, and dont want to offend anyone who is, but from just checking it out shortly after we signed it off, it sounded almost "cultish". I was actually surprised at the fact they kept the calls...after all we spent the last 2 months airing things like WNOP stands for Weird Nuns Offend People, and We Never Offer Pennance....go figure ??? They even let the stick "cool' for 12 hours so they could sprinkle holy water on the thing because we were so sinful in the final hours.

 

[rzeis]

I hear ya...
Does anyone out here have any real interest in reviving this format? Either on the air or online???

I would love to hear it again. The closest thing I have found is at www.kplu.org. They play great music and even have a DJ that reminds me of Mark Stevens.

 

[darksoldier]

I hear ya...
Does anyone out here have any real interest in reviving this format? Either on the air or online???

Was great to see that aircheck on ebay. I must order!! As far as where WNOP stands today, it is what it is....for the "overly" faithful. I am not catholic, and dont want to offend anyone who is, but from just checking it out shortly after we signed it off, it sounded almost "cultish". I was actually surprised at the fact they kept the calls...after all we spent the last 2 months airing things like WNOP stands for Weird Nuns Offend People, and We Never Offer Pennance....go figure ??? They even let the stick "cool' for 12 hours so they could sprinkle holy water on the thing because we were so sinful in the final hours.

I think the only way it can be revived in even a remotely successful way is for an entity (NOT the big boys) to purchase an FM in town, then purchase an AM (WCIN) move Smooth to the FM, and combo it with a real jazz AM. Done properly, you would be able to get maybe a 3.5-4 share on the FM, and maybe a 1.5 on the AM. That would get the FM in or around the top 10, and the AM in or around the top 15. The "problem" with the format (for the big boys) is that a Jazz station (Smooth or Real) requires real work. You can't just throw it on the air and expect high revenue. A successful station in the format will have 30-40% of its revenue attributable to NTR. You really have to get out into the market with events, and creative promotions that embrace the advertiser, community, and its listeners. The major companies don't like to 'operate' stations in this way...as it doesn't provide the proper cost benefit on the balance sheet. How many stations are now being run from a closet with a computer, and no staff to speak of?

 

[Elephant]

darksoldier...I agree that a SJ FM could get a 3 to a 4, but a 1.5 on a Real Jazz AM? No way. Look at the stations that now occupy the 1.0 share range:

WNNF 1.7 (145,000 cume)
WAKW 1.5 (close to 100,000 cume)
WFTK 1.4 (had Top 10 morning and afternoon shows)
WDBZ 1.1 (low cume but very high TSL)
WCKY 1.0 (The Bengals station with Top 10 afternoons)
WDJO 0.9 (a more mainstream format than Real Jazz)
WCIN 0.8 (low cume and high TSL)

Besides, the LEGENDARY WNOP couldn't muster a 0.5 before it went off the air.

I think you're looking at a Real Jazz AM station getting a 0.5, and that's generous.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Besides, the LEGENDARY WNOP couldn't muster a 0.5 before it went off the air.

Another factor is that WNOP (at least in the daytime) has a superior signal to WCIN. Interesting side note...the two AM's that have done Jazz in Cincy are harmonically related. 2 x 740 = 1480.

 

[darksoldier]

Besides, the LEGENDARY WNOP couldn't muster a 0.5 before it went off the air.

Another factor is that WNOP (at least in the daytime) has a superior signal to WCIN. Interesting side note...the two AM's that have done Jazz in Cincy are harmonically related. 2 x 740 = 1480.

??? WNOP's signal is no where close to WCIN's....day or night.

 

[darksoldier]

darksoldier...I agree that a SJ FM could get a 3 to a 4, but a 1.5 on a Real Jazz AM? No way. Look at the stations that now occupy the 1.0 share range:

WNNF 1.7 (145,000 cume)
WAKW 1.5 (close to 100,000 cume)
WFTK 1.4 (had Top 10 morning and afternoon shows)
WDBZ 1.1 (low cume but very high TSL)
WCKY 1.0 (The Bengals station with Top 10 afternoons)
WDJO 0.9 (a more mainstream format than Real Jazz)
WCIN 0.8 (low cume and high TSL)

Besides, the LEGENDARY WNOP couldn't muster a 0.5 before it went off the air.

I think you're looking at a Real Jazz AM station getting a 0.5, and that's generous.

WNOP was a 1k day 37.5w night signal in the days of Real Jazz, with 0 promotions, 0 marketing, and 0 ownership interest in its success. I am in no way suggesting 1.5 is a slam dunk. It is the very top end of what I believe the format properly executed, promoted, and marketed "could" do. This in particular if it is part of a combo with the FM smooth. Not real sure what the stations you mention have to do with a Real Jazz station. I think what all those stations, and #'s speak to is more about what they (we) are failing to do, than what can be done. Exception:WAKW. MIX..WNNF...Radio 94.1...whatever the heck it is, will not be commented on by me until there is some long term consistency with the branding of the frequency. I think that FTK was an ill conceived notion in a overloaded talk market, and a not yet vulnerable WLW. DBZ is a URBAN talk, predominately for African Americans who make up 11.3% of the market, and rely upon the same 25 callers every day...uhhh like to see those numbers ever get much higher under those circumstances. CKY "The Bengal's station"...hmmmm, guess thats why I listened to all of the games on the FOX. Both DJO and CIN are underfunded stand alones who both beat 50K WSAI... WTF!!!! Again, my thesis depended upon a properly funded, passionate, informed ownership, operating in combo with a FM, and doing some REAL WORK.

 

[major]

darksoldier...I agree that a SJ FM could get a 3 to a 4, but a 1.5 on a Real Jazz AM? No way. Look at the stations that now occupy the 1.0 share range:

WNNF 1.7 (145,000 cume)
WAKW 1.5 (close to 100,000 cume)
WFTK 1.4 (had Top 10 morning and afternoon shows)
WDBZ 1.1 (low cume but very high TSL)
WCKY 1.0 (The Bengals station with Top 10 afternoons)
WDJO 0.9 (a more mainstream format than Real Jazz)
WCIN 0.8 (low cume and high TSL)

Besides, the LEGENDARY WNOP couldn't muster a 0.5 before it went off the air.

I think you're looking at a Real Jazz AM station getting a 0.5, and that's generous.

WNOP was a 1k day 37.5w night signal in the days of Real Jazz, with 0 promotions, 0 marketing, and 0 ownership interest in its success. I am in no way suggesting 1.5 is a slam dunk. It is the very top end of what I believe the format properly executed, promoted, and marketed "could" do. This in particular if it is part of a combo with the FM smooth. Not real sure what the stations you mention have to do with a Real Jazz station. I think what all those stations, and #'s speak to is more about what they (we) are failing to do, than what can be done. Exception:WAKW. MIX..WNNF...Radio 94.1...whatever the heck it is, will not be commented on by me until there is some long term consistency with the branding of the frequency. I think that FTK was an ill conceived notion in a overloaded talk market, and a not yet vulnerable WLW. DBZ is a URBAN talk, predominately for African Americans who make up 11.3% of the market, and rely upon the same 25 callers every day...uhhh like to see those numbers ever get much higher under those circumstances. CKY "The Bengal's station"...hmmmm, guess thats why I listened to all of the games on the FOX. Both DJO and CIN are underfunded stand alones who both beat 50K WSAI... WTF!!!! Again, my thesis depended upon a properly funded, passionate, informed ownership, operating in combo with a FM, and doing some REAL WORK.

No one should know better than you!

Dennis "The Iron Man" Michaels, got a 1 rating once or twice when he was at the helm. He did a terrific job on the programming end, but as the soldier mentions, I remember the "Jazz Ark" living out of at least three locations during his tenure, I visited all three. The Jazz Mansion on Spring Grove was the last building, then there was the corner of Central Ave. and (I don't remember), and then there was the cubbyhole located more downtown, and I can't remember the street unless I was on it.

Now that WNOP has 2500 watts daytime, a 1.5 could happen. Sorry Soldier, WNOP's signal to the east today, KILLS WCIN in all time periods. Combination of directional pattern/frequency.

I'll have to start buying the ^$@&*@ lottery tickets, so I can buy a station.