Bulletin to watch: CBS-FM days from switching back to OLDIES!

[OldiesCat]

Re: Returning this to the thread's subject

The same DJs as before won't cut it. Harry Harrison is gone -- forced out in the Jack flip. Ron Lundy is retired. Dan Ingram wants no part of CBS -- he got fired a year or so before the Jack flip. Bruce Morrow is working for Sirius. Bobby Jay may be persona non grata -- he filed a grievance with AFTRA over losing his benefits in the Jack flip.

The same music as before won't cut it. If all you're playing is Beatles, Motown and 60's music the word will get out pretty fast that it's an old people's station. That's what CBS-FM was playing before the Jack flip.

A boatload of specialty shows won't cut it. If you've got to break format every day for a top-20 countdown or a Beatles show or a doo-wop show you're writing your own epitaph. Most stations don't do specialty shows now because they interfere with the station's sound. Z100 runs "American Top 40" only because Clear Channel owns the station and the show's syndicator.

The way CBS-FM should relaunch is simple: Treat it as a new station playing "Good Time Rock 'n Roll". Sign on jockless -- that's the way a new station hits the air these days. Be broad yet mass appeal in your music -- go from 1964-1989 with plenty of room for New York hits. Do plenty of promotion around the format theme. Add DJs on a gradual basis. Most of all, keep the spotload down. That is how you'll build listener loyalty.

Can't disagree with anything you say. And, on top of that, why muck things up with much "specialty" programming at all? Do what you do best and do it all the time.

(note: this is where the Doo-Wop and early 60s freaks will come out, crying and whining for their streetcorner stuff. 40-somethings would hate that stuff in addition to much before 1967- sorry).

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

The logo, presuming it's the one that WCBS-FM will use, states "New York's Greatest Hits."

Beatles, Motown and the Beach Boys, and continuing through the late `80s, with songs from artists such as Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire, Rod Stewart, the Bee Gees, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Frankie Valli, and John Mellencamp, among many others..."

Judging by the comments of Jennifer Donahue, WCBS-FM GM, I'd say Classic Hits will be the approach. From my experience and perspective, it's a wise decision which will allow the station plenty of lattitude. From that description I gather the station will offer music that offers artist heritage and compatibility and CBS is placing "New York" front and center in its positioning of recently revamped sister station WXRK and WCBS-FM. Smart moves.

How can people turn up your noses at Mellencamp, Joel, Elton John and Springsteen? These are performers who have payed tribute to the legends and have worked hard to craft music that has depth and character. They deserve to have their place in the pantheon of Oldies-Greatest Hits artists.

The Oldies purists, rather than being P-O'd that WCBS-FM likley won't play the Shirelles, Leslie Gore and Chiffons, should be pleased that heritage jocks like Bob Shannon are back, (2) CBS has acknowledged a mistake and (3) Jack is about to be history. You won!

You've got more than half a loaf of fresh bread in your hand. Enjoy the taste, fer cryin' out loud!

 

[Danfm]

Bobby Jay may be persona non grata -- he filed a grievance with AFTRA over losing his benefits in the Jack flip.

I am not sure about that Bobby Jay worked at CBS Radio's then Mix 102.7 during a specialty weekend around a year ago.

 

[adma]

How can people turn up your noses at Mellencamp, Joel, Elton John and Springsteen? These are performers who have payed tribute to the legends and have worked hard to craft music that has depth and character. They deserve to have their place in the pantheon of Oldies-Greatest Hits artists.

***GAGGGGGGG***(and not regarding the artists per se)

Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s.

With statements like yours, no wonder the oldies/classic hits mentality is mired in a cheeseball dime-store coffee-table-book cesspool. Go get yourself a copy of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", fast...

 

[Rockin Rob]

Think about this:cbs radio does not own one oldies station,kearth in los angeles is classic hits i think.My prediction:wcbs fm goes classic hits.

KRTH straddles the oldies / classic hits formats, but is 60% or more pre-70's songs.

CBS lists these oldies stations in its roster: KLUV-Dallas, WODS-Boston. WOMC-Detroit, KXKL-Denver, WRBC-Tampa, WLTH-Portland. That is quite a few.

I believe the Tampa station is WRBQ, the legendary Q105.

 

[lalumia]

Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s.

With statements like yours, no wonder the oldies/classic hits mentality is mired in a cheeseball dime-store coffee-table-book cesspool. Go get yourself a copy of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", fast...

BRAVO!!!...Post Of The Year!!!!!!!!!

 

[OldiesCat]

Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s.

With statements like yours, no wonder the oldies/classic hits mentality is mired in a cheeseball dime-store coffee-table-book cesspool. Go get yourself a copy of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", fast...

BRAVO!!!...Post Of The Year!!!!!!!!!

;D ;D

 

[adma]

Hey, to pitch to Lalumia, a gay-oriented station would be truer to the spirit of Musicradio WABC than a hack "Classic Hits" station. And anyone who's witnessed (and participated in--whatever your orientation) urban Pride celebrations knows what I mean; there, the old Top 40 joie de vivre *lives*...

Oh, and there'd be room for the Marvelettes. As well as Amy Winehouse.

 

[disney fanatic]

Motown will be a part of the new station, according to the press release, but keep in mind that THIS IS NOT going to be a 60's saturated CBS-FM. It's going to play music from the mid-60's to the late 80's... and THAT is the smart thing to do. As much as I enjoy the late 50's and early 60's, I've accepted that it's not coming back to CBS-FM, and I equally enjoy the music they describe in the press release. And I'm fine with that - some John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen from the 80's should sound great next to the Beatles, Beach Boys, Eagles, Donna Summer, and the like...

We're getting an "oldies" station back, and that's good enough for me!

If you look up in the Hudson Valley area, WBPM is doing the same thing that WCBS-FM needs to return on Thursday at 1:01 PM. You can make the difference. They might do the same thing that WBPM's "Classic Hits 92.9" does since the demise of "Cool 92.9" and the ownership from CC to Pamal back in early February.

 

[LinoNYC]

"
Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s."

I suppose after the cultural lobotomy of rap/hip-hop someone might think this way, however oldies are about context. When the above mentioned artists (yes that means: could sing, play instruments, write actual songs) were at their peak in the early 1980s, they had major CHR/MTV hits that were bought by kids and some adults.

Aside from whatever processing, reverb and personalities will be involved in the "new" WCBS-fm the objective is the same as before: selling idealized memories of youth..and the listener's ears to Mad Ave.

Putting quality aside, I'am old enough to remember the likes of The Monkees, Cowsills, Peppermint Rainbow, Sunshine Co. and...Partridge Family.
Whenever one of these groups dared to have a major hit, self-appointed critics would be spewing venom second only to what I used to hear at Sardi's after work.

Didn't matter, the "critic's" preference for humorless art-rock is mostly forgotten today, and "Daydream Believer" still gets 'em.

Lino

 

[wgliradio]

Re: CBS-FM

Besides, that sort of radio arrogance is what has alternatives like iPods, satellite, Internet and more nipping at our heels. If you think radio can just wave a magic wand and everybody will follow along, you are sadly mistaken.

You have that right.

 

[rockroll0617]

Putting quality aside, I'am old enough to remember the likes of The Monkees, Cowsills, Peppermint Rainbow, Sunshine Co. and...Partridge Family.
Whenever one of these groups dared to have a major hit, self-appointed critics would be spewing venom second only to what I used to hear at Sardi's after work. Didn't matter, the "critic's" preference for humorless art-rock is mostly forgotten today, and "Daydream Believer" still gets 'em.

Oh, man, most of that bubblegum stuff SUCKED! And it still SUCKS!
(not including the Monkees hits)

 

[its time w (your name)]

How can people turn up your noses at Mellencamp, Joel, Elton John and Springsteen? These are performers who have payed tribute to the legends and have worked hard to craft music that has depth and character. They deserve to have their place in the pantheon of Oldies-Greatest Hits artists.

***GAGGGGGGG***(and not regarding the artists per se)

Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s.

With statements like yours, no wonder the oldies/classic hits mentality is mired in a cheeseball dime-store coffee-table-book cesspool. Go get yourself a copy of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", fast...

Wow. You are like so cool because you know who Greil Marcus is, and you read "Mystery Train." Im not just impressed. Im intimidated. I better start reading Noam Chomsky before I choke on my own bourgeoisness.

(Normal people going, "What?")

---dont take me too seriously.

 

[fang39]

How can people turn up your noses at Mellencamp, Joel, Elton John and Springsteen? These are performers who have payed tribute to the legends and have worked hard to craft music that has depth and character. They deserve to have their place in the pantheon of Oldies-Greatest Hits artists.

***GAGGGGGGG***(and not regarding the artists per se)

Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s.

With statements like yours, no wonder the oldies/classic hits mentality is mired in a cheeseball dime-store coffee-table-book cesspool. Go get yourself a copy of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", fast...

Wow. You are like so cool because you know who Greil Marcus is, and you read "Mystery Train." Im not just impressed. Im intimidated. I better start reading Noam Chomsky before I choke on my own bourgeoisness.

(Normal people going, "What?")

---dont take me too seriously.

Reading this, I feel like the Caveman in those great Geico TV commercials...."Yeah, I have a comment....uhhh, WHAT?"

 

[its time w (your name)]

How can people turn up your noses at Mellencamp, Joel, Elton John and Springsteen? These are performers who have payed tribute to the legends and have worked hard to craft music that has depth and character. They deserve to have their place in the pantheon of Oldies-Greatest Hits artists.

***GAGGGGGGG***(and not regarding the artists per se)

Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s.

With statements like yours, no wonder the oldies/classic hits mentality is mired in a cheeseball dime-store coffee-table-book cesspool. Go get yourself a copy of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", fast...

Wow. You are like so cool because you know who Greil Marcus is, and you read "Mystery Train." Im not just impressed. Im intimidated. I better start reading Noam Chomsky before I choke on my own bourgeoisness.

(Normal people going, "What?")

---dont take me too seriously.

Reading this, I feel like the Caveman in those great Geico TV commercials...."Yeah, I have a comment....uhhh, WHAT?"

hahahahahahahaha. You probably just have a full time job, thats all. You actually caught my point right down the middle. Most of it, anyway.

 

[adma]

"
Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s."

I suppose after the cultural lobotomy of rap/hip-hop someone might think this way, however oldies are about context. When the above mentioned artists (yes that means: could sing, play instruments, write actual songs) were at their peak in the early 1980s, they had major CHR/MTV hits that were bought by kids and some adults.

Aside from whatever processing, reverb and personalities will be involved in the "new" WCBS-fm the objective is the same as before: selling idealized memories of youth..and the listener's ears to Mad Ave.

Putting quality aside, I'am old enough to remember the likes of The Monkees, Cowsills, Peppermint Rainbow, Sunshine Co. and...Partridge Family.
Whenever one of these groups dared to have a major hit, self-appointed critics would be spewing venom second only to what I used to hear at Sardi's after work.

Didn't matter, the "critic's" preference for humorless art-rock is mostly forgotten today, and "Daydream Believer" still gets 'em.

Lino

Yes, and even the great Lester Bangs made that point about bubblegum. Believe it or not, critics *like* bubblegum.

But when it comes to 60s/70s bubblegum and 80s AC, we're talking about two different things, maybe even more re milieu than re music. Like, candy-striped vs bland beige. Andy Warhol vs Andrew Wyeth.

And believe it or not, the other side won, too, i.e. re your "the "critic's" preference for humorless art-rock is mostly forgotten today"; well, if that were the case, we wouldn't see Nick Drake used in auto commercials, would we? Heck, I'll betcha that even the most obscure track on Led Zeppelin IV ("Four Sticks", I guess) would resonate more positively with savvy under-50s (or under-30s, even) than you realize. Not that it *belongs* on an oldies station; just that it hasn't been, er, "forgotten" as much as you think.

In fact, your statement about "the cultural lobotomy of rap/hip-hop" probably says more about the whole reactionary-hack-traditionalist line behind oldies thinking (as do all those people rallying for a country station for New York, etc, that being the supposed "true spirit of oldies", ecccch).

And with this in mind, bear in mind that if it were simply all about idealized memories of youth, it's an Achille's heel, too, which perhaps goes deeper than the over-55 question. After all, if we keep in mind the symbiosis behind how W(e) A(lways) B(roadcast) C(onservatives) plays homage to its Musicradio past, the oldies thing becomes more like the "Those Were The Days" opening serving ignorant-pinhead boomer versions of Archie Bunker...

 

[its time w (your name)]

"
Believe it or not, people *can* turn up their noses. Because, regardless of their individual merits (which I'm not debunking or denying), they (or at least the way they'd be represented on such a station) have inadvertently become synonymous with the beige, hack AOR/AC-ish radio programming mentality of the 1980s."

I suppose after the cultural lobotomy of rap/hip-hop someone might think this way, however oldies are about context. When the above mentioned artists (yes that means: could sing, play instruments, write actual songs) were at their peak in the early 1980s, they had major CHR/MTV hits that were bought by kids and some adults.

Aside from whatever processing, reverb and personalities will be involved in the "new" WCBS-fm the objective is the same as before: selling idealized memories of youth..and the listener's ears to Mad Ave.

Putting quality aside, I'am old enough to remember the likes of The Monkees, Cowsills, Peppermint Rainbow, Sunshine Co. and...Partridge Family.
Whenever one of these groups dared to have a major hit, self-appointed critics would be spewing venom second only to what I used to hear at Sardi's after work.

Didn't matter, the "critic's" preference for humorless art-rock is mostly forgotten today, and "Daydream Believer" still gets 'em.

Lino

Yes, and even the great Lester Bangs made that point about bubblegum. Believe it or not, critics *like* bubblegum.

But when it comes to 60s/70s bubblegum and 80s AC, we're talking about two different things, maybe even more re milieu than re music. Like, candy-striped vs bland beige. Andy Warhol vs Andrew Wyeth.

And believe it or not, the other side won, too, i.e. re your "the "critic's" preference for humorless art-rock is mostly forgotten today"; well, if that were the case, we wouldn't see Nick Drake used in auto commercials, would we? Heck, I'll betcha that even the most obscure track on Led Zeppelin IV ("Four Sticks", I guess) would resonate more positively with savvy under-50s (or under-30s, even) than you realize. Not that it *belongs* on an oldies station; just that it hasn't been, er, "forgotten" as much as you think.

In fact, your statement about "the cultural lobotomy of rap/hip-hop" probably says more about the whole reactionary-hack-traditionalist line behind oldies thinking (as do all those people rallying for a country station for New York, etc, that being the supposed "true spirit of oldies", ecccch).

And with this in mind, bear in mind that if it were simply all about idealized memories of youth, it's an Achille's heel, too, which perhaps goes deeper than the over-55 question. After all, if we keep in mind the symbiosis behind how W(e) A(lways) B(roadcast) C(onservatives) plays homage to its Musicradio past, the oldies thing becomes more like the "Those Were The Days" opening serving ignorant-pinhead boomer versions of Archie Bunker...

You say conservative like its a bad thing.


New York doesnt have a country station? Thats crazy.

 

[DToTheJ]

Heck, I'll betcha that even the most obscure track on Led Zeppelin IV ("Four Sticks", I guess) ...

See, now, "Battle of Evermore" does it for me...

As far as country in NYC with the PPM's coming soon - I guess it all depends on how many Farmers Markets and Home Depots are established in the greater Metro - and then I'll bet even they would have satellite radio blaring on the speakers...

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

If nothing else, it's encouraging to see the comments stirred up by my trite post regarding the validity of musicians like Mellencamp, Springsteen et al, and their place on the reborn WCBS-FM.

One thing I learned long ago is NOT to criticize other people's taste in music or entertainment (difficult as it may be at time.) It kinda smacks of elitism and what might be called music facism. The, "I'm better than you because I think Pink Floyd and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond is the best damn song EVER written and recorded... not like that Earth Wind & Fire crap you listen to." Music as religion.

Think Mellancamp isn't a bonafide musician, performer? You think Elton John is bilge? Don't think they have a place at WCBS-FM? Fine. I'll not argue the point, because it's quite likely I won't convince you otherwise. From your comments and advice, I think I understand the basis on which you make your statement.

When musicians get together, does a guy like the Paul McCartney says "I'll never play with John Mellencamp cuz his music sucks..." or maybe one of the many blues greats says "friggin' Bon Jovi... I can't belive that SOB has sold millions of records... must be idiots buyin' that crap... I'll never jam with that dude."

This gets to be like the "Thelonius Monk vs. Art Tatum as it relates to the significance of jazz and its impact on social change in the 60's" thing. Damn! I shoulda read more Camus.

As Mick, Chuck and countless others before them said, "it's only rock 'n roll.... but I like it."

 

[LinoNYC]

Like, candy-striped vs bland beige. Andy Warhol vs Andrew Wyeth.

I'll trust you didn't mean that to read as it does, we'll move on.

Heck, I'll betcha that even the most obscure track on Led Zeppelin IV ("Four Sticks", I guess) would resonate more positively with savvy under-50s (or under-30s, even) than you realize.

[bl]Savvy[/bl] -not mainstream. Anyway, the point was more about critics than genre. By the late 1960s (67) rock had sought to make itself "relevant" and it's camp-followers spawned a new generation of (Gonzo) critic who made their points with pen and body-odor. My Father was a major art dealer back then and I was in the midst of that scene from the age of 8 (1964) , I went to all the openings at Dad's galleries and it was fun, looking back though there was alot of idiotic self-indulgence and way too much self importance.

Back to music, when was the last time you heard Ten Wheel Drive, Fairport Convention or the long In-a-da-gadda-vida (sp) The closest I can come in a radio context was the late Allison Steele.

In fact, your statement about "the cultural lobotomy of rap/hip-hop" probably says more about the whole reactionary-hack-traditionalist line behind oldies thinking (as do all those people rallying for a country station for New York, etc, that being the supposed "true spirit of oldies", ecccch).

If you know anything about this sort of hobby board, you know that matters of personal taste trump the exigencies of the marketplace. One of the few that speaks truth to sentiment is David Edwardo Gleason and he must be a glutton for punishment.

Nonetheless Rap=braindead. So there.

After all, if we keep in mind the symbiosis behind how W(e) A(lways) B(roadcast) C(onservatives) plays homage to its Musicradio past, the oldies thing becomes more like the "Those Were The Days" opening serving ignorant-pinhead boomer versions of Archie Bunker...

True. Listen to the callers.

Lino