Breaking: WDXX returning to country, pairing with WINL for unified "Dixie Country"

[Nate Wesley]

Breaking: WDXX returning to country, pairing with WINL for unified "Dixie Country"

RDP wondered why he heard a Fuzion 100 talent on WINL "Win 98.5". That was smoke, and Radio Insight has sniffed out the fire: WDXX and WINL are destined to join forces as "Dixie Country, 98.5 & 100.1" on Monday.

Linden's 98.5 was already a coverage monster over the Black Belt areas south of Tuscaloosa, putting a listenable signal over Selma and Dallas County itself. Now paired with Selma's 100.1, a simulcast(?) will extend toward Prattville and and west of Montgomery. IIRC, both still have individual contracts with Alabama Crimson Tide football, so they're bound to attract listeners like flies to manure. (See what the UAB fan did there? )

Will it share a morning show? Will there be separate spot loads for 100.1 itself? Guess we'll just hafta see.

Your thoughts, please.

 

[R.D.P.]

Wow. This is amazing news. I wonder what how my friends at Kix 101.5 FM will respond? This change may be good for Mr. Mike but in the long run, I think Kix will hold its own.

Dan <><

 

[R.D.P.]

I knew Fuzion was a failure. Going back to Country may prove to be a success but then again I wonder if their old listeners will flock back to them or stay with Kix now?

Just curious.

Dan <><

 

[R.D.P.]

Now that Selma will have two Modern sounding Country stations competing for the audience, I see one of them tweaking to a more classic sound, within a matter of time. Not saying which one will do it. I'll just have to stay tuned.

But if a tweak were to happen, WNPT would give that person some major competition too. Their Classic Country brand has a very moderate sounding signal here in Selma.

Oh well, can't let these country blues get to me. I know this market has way too many Country stations already. No need to rehash that. Still have plans of doing something that's outside of the box, once I sign on with this new LPFM radio station.

My goal is to be different and exciting and do something that isn't Country related at all.

Man this change at WDXX stinks to high heavens. I don't see it working out. Yes I had issues with Fuzion but going back to Country now, is a big mistake.

What say you Mr. Gower or anyone else reading.

Dan <><

 

[busterluck]

WDXX is not a Montgomery station

Now that Selma will have two Modern sounding Country stations competing for the audience, I see one of them tweaking to a more classic sound, within a matter of time. Not saying which one will do it. I'll just have to stay tuned.

But if a tweak were to happen, WNPT would give that person some major competition too. Their Classic Country brand has a very moderate sounding signal here in Selma.

Oh well, can't let these country blues get to me. I know this market has way too many Country stations already. No need to rehash that. Still have plans of doing something that's outside of the box, once I sign on with this new LPFM radio station.

My goal is to be different and exciting and do something that isn't Country related at all.

Man this change at WDXX stinks to high heavens. I don't see it working out. Yes I had issues with Fuzion but going back to Country now, is a big mistake.

What say you Mr. Gower or anyone else reading.

Dan <><

This lame brain move proves the signalof WDXX does not penetrate Montbomery in order to get ratings AND any business. What is Reynolds thinking? 98.5 covers a lot of swamp land and not much population. Someone has sold him a bill of goods.

 

[R.D.P.]

You may be right on WINL but the WDXX change is working so far. it looks like Mr. Mike is getting his Selma mojo back again. I didn't think think doing country again was going to work. It looks like my own thoughts are wrong. Mr. Mike may have saved himself from going completely under here. I hope this change won't cause Kix to ditch country and go for something else. Kix has been building them a loyal audience since they came into existence. Hate to see all that go down the drain because of this flip.

Dan <><

P.S. No matter what happens with Kix, still going to support you and the family Mr. Paul. Not going to turn my back on you. Thanks for the continued influence on this soon to be radio broadcaster.

 

[Nate Wesley]

This lame brain move proves the signalof WDXX does not penetrate Montbomery in order to get ratings AND any business. What is Reynolds thinking? 98.5 covers a lot of swamp land and not much population. Someone has sold him a bill of goods.

Who said anything about Montgomery? It doesn't need another country competitor, and there's no indication this new effort is even concerned with River Region ad dollars.

100.1 returning to country at all IS a concession that the 'Fuzion Montgomery' experiment failed. The old Dixie was Selma-focused, and WINL has been reliably West Alabama centric since its debut. You're effectively combining the efforts of the two largest country stations in the Black Belt. I don't even like country or care for the stations involved, and I think its pretty shrewd move to join the efforts of both.

 

[Rick Peters]

18 months later

...and 2.5 million dollars in inceased debt (if Reynolds purchases Demopolis), and here we are, right back where he started. A lot of cows are being hit with a lot of electrons.

 

[R.D.P.]

I look for Dixie Country to do well. Not too sure if Kix will be able to survive. Look forward to seeing if my pal Mr. Paul and his wonderful family, will offer a response to this change. While I wait, I've decided to go into a heavy advertising blitz. Now passing out flyers advertising some of the singers I plan on playing, over this new LPFM start up. I'm ready to file for the license, build things out and sign on.

Dan <><

P.S. To Mr. Nate, well said sir. The old Dixie was a Selma player. The new version is going to be the same way. They're not even interested in the Gump any longer.

 

[alexaps28]

Dan,

I can promise you this. Nothing is going to change for KIX Country 101.5 because of any changes the guys across town have made. Clearly they do not know what they are doing behind the wheel as they have returned to the exact poorly programmed country format that they ditched one year ago for the failure known as fusion 100. The biggest difference between a year ago and now in over their head in debt from the failed project as well as servicing the huge debt service owed by WINL in Linden (which by the way is a 6 month lease). They could not make it with Country a year ago..... so I would not count on this "project" either. The bank is not as forgiving as the listeners.

KIX is still going to be Country, JAM still Adult Urban, and ALEX Classic Hits...... No changes.

 

[R.D.P.]

Scratch those thoughts I had in mind.

Want to change them.

Mr. Mike, far as this newcomer is concerned, doesn't know how to run a radio station. He dropped Country and moved to Montgomery with his Fuzion idea. We all saw where that went. Now that he's back doing Country, it may not work for him in the long run. I know the listeners will forgive him but will the bill collectors do that, when they come knocking at 505 Lauderdale Street? This new idea is a mixed bag for me. I thought it was a mistake. Then I came along and said that it might just work. Now that you have given me the inside story, Mr. Paul, I now have nothing to worry about. I can say that this idea may end up hurting Mr. Mike in the long run. It's true that "Dixie Country" is very popular now but within the next year, I see them making another flip. When that happens, those people who are tuned in now, will return to Kix to get their Country fix here in Selma. Mr. Mike, as I see it, is in a lose lose situation. I just don't see him doing too well with this new hair brain idea. Besides been listening to both stations today. The satellite fed parts of the program was acting up. The 98.5 FM side of things, didn't go back to the music, at the same time 100.1 FM did. This is going to be a real hoot to enjoy. I'm now going to sit back and watch Mr. Mike mess himself up again. I know Fuzion was a joke. This new radio station may prove to be a even bigger joke. While I watch things get even worse for Mr. Mike, I'm going to chug along and work at getting Selma's newest radio station up and going. My plans now are to advertise heavy, file for the license, await for the CP, raise the money needed to build it out, get the station in business and then turn it on. Plan on running this new LPFM broadcast like a well oiled ship.

Dan <><

P.S. I'm still opened to doing the 8:30 A.M. Sunday Broadcast of Elkdale on here too. If you or your Church wants to have this slot on my new LPFM start up, let me know.

B.T.W. One other issue I have with this idea. Why have two stations catering to the same thing, when the signals overlap with each other, especially here in the Dallas County area?

 

[Nate Wesley]

I can promise you this. Nothing is going to change for KIX Country 101.5 because of any changes the guys across town have made. Clearly they do not know what they are doing behind the wheel as they have returned to the exact poorly programmed country format that they ditched one year ago for the failure known as fusion 100. The biggest difference between a year ago and now in over their head in debt from the failed project as well as servicing the huge debt service owed by WINL in Linden (which by the way is a 6 month lease). They could not make it with Country a year ago..... so I would not count on this "project" either. The bank is not as forgiving as the listeners.

Woof tickets.

You conveniently say 'poorly programmed country' as if there were another in-town/in-region station challenging WDXX for country advertisers, and there wasn't. Kix only became viable because of Broadsouth's ill-fated format change, and the pretty safe bet that WBFZ wasn't at all thinking about one. Now you're gripping because new leadership came in and smartly asked, "Why the hell aren't we making the Ford Taurus again?"

(Okay, perhaps the Ford Taurus example doesn't work--its not a best seller. Perhaps a more appropriate example relevant to this board: "WABD" moving from 104.1 to 97.5, and how the better sounding [IMO] 107.3 Hit Music Now just can't make a dent. People are only as loyal as their easiest options, and too many people associate 100.1 with country music--and more than the AC format it just dumped.)

KIX is still going to be Country

...and it will also stay a 250 watt translator going up against two Class Cs with Tide football. They don't have 'kix', but they've got 'stix'.

 

[busterluck]

Is Bill Jones still at WDXX? He was the brain child behind FUSION. I dounbt if 2.5 million was spent building the tower and Mongtomery studio for FUSION. If Reynolds buys Demopolis it must be cheap. Westburg got it on their repossession for around 700K. I think bill Jones was listed as manager and PD of FUSION.

 

[alexaps28]

Hey Nate,

I'm still liking a debt free translator combined with two other debt free FM's in Selma (one a 50,000 watter) with a proven sales staff over Confuzion Country up to their heads in bank notes..... second mortgage this and second mortgage that to the sum of around 2 million. Oh and by the way, KIX was planned even before DXX even changed formats the first time.... we just had to wait on the translator freeze of 2003 to free up. It takes much more than "Big Stix" to make it in this business. Radio is a very "Fun" business to be in when the bank does not own you.... We are having fun... I can't speak for the guys at DXX.... but I would guess it's not such a joy ride.

 

[R.D.P.]

...And I like the fact that a new all local Christian radio station is coming soon to Selma. This new radio station won't be like the 21,500 watt broadcast of AFR at 91.1 FM or the 6000 watt broadcast of Moody at 89.5 FM. They broadcast their programming through the bird. (Satellite for those who aren't smart enough to figure it out) My new set up will be broadcasting some local Church services and a wonderful mix of Contemporary Christian Hits and Oldies from the studio of the station. I'm fixing to offer this city a compelling reason to check out my new LPFM radio station. Already gone into heavy advertising mode. Trying to get the word out about this new start up. Want to attract an audience and provide them with a top notch and quality based radio station. One that will do more of the music and less of the talking points. Christian radio in Selma is about to get a complete makeover and man I'm stoked over it. I'm so ready to turn this new radio station on and begin broadcasting. Hope to do it, within the next year or two. Yes I know that some will come along and say that your new LPFM will be a weaker signal but hey look at it this way, it's not the signal that matters. It's the content that will. Since the other two powerful Christian radio players do mostly talk, this new outlet will be very compelling and entertaining.

Dan <><

P.S. I expect this station to be a hit right out the box.

 

[irishmark]

Dan,

I can promise you this. Nothing is going to change for KIX Country 101.5 because of any changes the guys across town have made. Clearly they do not know what they are doing behind the wheel as they have returned to the exact poorly programmed country format that they ditched one year ago for the failure known as fusion 100. The biggest difference between a year ago and now in over their head in debt from the failed project as well as servicing the huge debt service owed by WINL in Linden (which by the way is a 6 month lease). They could not make it with Country a year ago..... so I would not count on this "project" either. The bank is not as forgiving as the listeners.

KIX is still going to be Country, JAM still Adult Urban, and ALEX Classic Hits...... No changes.

Nor should there be any changes. Listeners aren't stupid. Especially country listeners. They know who abandoned them. And they don't forget that.

 

[Nate Wesley]

Nor should there be any changes. Listeners aren't stupid. Especially country listeners. They know who abandoned them. And they don't forget that.

We'll see how loyal they are when they want to venture out of town, hear Dierks or the Tide hoops score, and pick up static.

 

[R.D.P.]

Erase those thoughts I had and let's fish for these.

Kix Country is live and local. Dixie Country is a mix of local and satellite. Now which product do you think the people will want to check out the most. If something is broadcasting off the bird, that presentation won't have mass appeal. Now when you look at Kix Country, they have everything working to their advantage. No debt, a popular morning program, a very entertaining presentation, a broadcast of a very popular local Church, a crystal clear HD sound quality and people that are very active in the local community.

Now I'll admit the signal on Kix is not that big but hey they cover this city very well. It wasn't their intention to become a full powered FM station, on their analog signal. They just wanted to provide Selma with a format, Mr. Mike and company left behind some time ago. That audience was pissed off, after Confuzion signed on and wanted to have their country back on the radio again. Mr. Paul and his family heard their cry and did everything they could to make it happen. Now we got Kix, because of those requests and they're doing very well, last I heard.

WDXX saw their ship was sinking real fast. They made a dumb butt decision recently and went back to Country. Bad move on their part. When you're deep in debt, I suppose one will do whatever they can to get themselves out of it. If WDXX is looking to reclaim their mojo again, I just don't see it happening myself.

Look at it this way sir, just because a radio station may cover the general market of Selma only, that don't mean jack to me. The weaker signals will sometimes outshine the bigger boys and do very well. Kix is a fine example of that.

Dan <><

P.S. I stand behind that dumb butt remark and won't back down. No I'm not a big fan of cuss words myself. Trying to stay clear of that lifestyle myself. And yes I see my little LPFM broadcast doing very well, once I get it on the air. I see myself being a hit right out the box too, since I'm going to fill in the CCM format hole that still exists here.

 

[irishmark]

We'll see how loyal they are when they want to venture out of town, hear Dierks or the Tide hoops score, and pick up static.

They'll hear Dierks on Kix. And frankly, the Tide score is on the TV they're watching.