CAN CBS-FM GETS BETTER JOCKS?

[wmgcbs]

The truth is .... Rick Stacey and Jeff Mazzei, their voices and deliveries are mediocre. And the whole voice-tracking the overnight....come on, CBS....you can definitely afford to hire someone to jock the overnights.

Oh wait....CBS claims they're broke!!! I forgot!! They can't even afford a Blue Box. :

Surprisingly, I enjoy Rick Stacy. At first, I wasn't exactly crazy about him, but as time went on, I have made it a point to listen to his Saturday afternoon programs. I would actually prefer him on weeknights instead of Ron Parker, but as I understand it, Rick works over at XM '80's.

On the other hand, I wholeheartedly agree that Jeff Mazzei is mediocre as a jock. But, he was the one who kept WCBS-FM alive on the Internet and on HD-2 for the two years it was gone; I'm sure he's thrilled to finally be on the air on the station he has worked at for decades. It has got to be a dream come true. Additionally, he's apparently very knowledgeable about the music he plays. From what I've heard of the Top 20 Countdowns, he either does some great research or knows a lot about the music (or a combination of both).

Overall, I'd give CBS-FM two thumbs up for their overall jock line-up. It has the right balance of pre-Jack personalities and some fresh voices and personalities to spice up the new version.

 

[mjb1124]

Yes, I agree, Rick Stacey is very entertaining. He keeps things moving at a good speed and interacts well with callers. Maybe he doesn't have the most polished or booming voice ever, but not every jock on the station needs to.

As for Jeff, I think he's improved considerably since July, and he does make a good effort to make his show seem lively even though he is voicetracked. But I would still much prefer to have someone live in the studio, whether it's a seasoned pro like Kinkel or a promising up-and-comer.

 

[disney fanatic]

Maybe they should bring back Bill Brown in the afternoons and move Bob Shannon in PM drive since June 3rd, 2005. I like Bill when he was doing the "Brown Bag" show for lunch time. I hope he's going to come back very soon since he hasn't done a show since June of 2005 where he was playing "Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass right before the flip.

 

[chuckydoll]

Can CBS-FM get better jocks?

Most of the DJs you all want are old, working elsewhere, or out of broadcasting.

CBS-FM is voicetracked overnight and Sunday night because CBS corporate got AFTRA to capitulate. It's no different from what Clear Channel is doing.

I heard CBS-FM yesterday afternoon and it sounded just as it was before Jack. Want better jocks? Improve the flow in the music. Reduce the spotload. Overhaul the imaging. Upgrade the jingles (and do NOT sing them to the WABC logo). Only then do you hire better jocks.

 

[mjb1124]

*sighs* I guess there will always be some people who want the station to sound exactly like it did in (insert year here), and others who want a drastic overhaul. Personally, I think they've struck a good balance between the two extremes.

 

[wmgcbs]

Personally, I think they've struck a good balance between the two extremes.

I completely agree. Most likely that is what they have been aiming for, and I think that, as of now, they are pulling it off well. It sounds contemporary enough to draw in some new listeners while keeping a good number of the typical "Good Times, Great Oldies" listeners. As it has been stated many times before, WCBS-FM cannot be the CBS-FM of the '80's or '90's. Yep -- I loved CBS-FM in the '90's and early '00's, too. But, this is 2008. Kudos to CBS-FM. The programming staff over there seems to really know what they are doing.

 

[htowler]

Maybe they should bring back Bill Brown in the afternoons and move Bob Shannon in PM drive since June 3rd, 2005. I like Bill when he was doing the "Brown Bag" show for lunch time. I hope he's going to come back very soon since he hasn't done a show since June of 2005 where he was playing "Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass right before the flip.

Fontella Bass - Rescue Me Playing right now as I type

 

[htowler]

Re: Can CBS-FM get better jocks?

Most of the DJs you all want are old, working elsewhere, or out of broadcasting.

CBS-FM is voicetracked overnight and Sunday night because CBS corporate got AFTRA to capitulate. It's no different from what Clear Channel is doing.

I heard CBS-FM yesterday afternoon and it sounded just as it was before Jack. Want better jocks? Improve the flow in the music. Reduce the spotload. Overhaul the imaging. Upgrade the jingles (and do NOT sing them to the WABC logo). Only then do you hire better jocks.

CBS-FM on Sunday nights "flips" to Oldies then at midnight it "flips" back to Classic hits. I think you caught it during it's Oldies time.

 

[ChipOrdway]

I never understand why some people keep saying things about bringing people like Harrison or Brown back.

Don't get me wrong, both were great......both ARE great, but let's remember......DJ's are people just like us, and they get old and want to take it easier later in their years. Harrison is a given, of course, but even Bill Brown did almost 40 years in the NY market. Most people are ready to sit back and enjoy life after a career of THIRTY years, let alone 40.

I say let them enjoy their time now, and let's start looking for NEWER talent with the ability to do great radio instead of bringing back names who have called it quits.

 

[scooty430]

The truth is .... Rick Stacey and Jeff Mazzei, their voices and deliveries are mediocre. And the whole voice-tracking the overnight....come on, CBS....you can definitely afford to hire someone to jock the overnights.

Oh wait....CBS claims they're broke!!! I forgot!! They can't even afford a Blue Box. :

Surprisingly, I enjoy Rick Stacy. At first, I wasn't exactly crazy about him, but as time went on, I have made it a point to listen to his Saturday afternoon programs. I would actually prefer him on weeknights instead of Ron Parker, but as I understand it, Rick works over at XM '80's.

On the other hand, I wholeheartedly agree that Jeff Mazzei is mediocre as a jock. But, he was the one who kept WCBS-FM alive on the Internet and on HD-2 for the two years it was gone; I'm sure he's thrilled to finally be on the air on the station he has worked at for decades. It has got to be a dream come true. Additionally, he's apparently very knowledgeable about the music he plays. From what I've heard of the Top 20 Countdowns, he either does some great research or knows a lot about the music (or a combination of both).

Overall, I'd give CBS-FM two thumbs up for their overall jock line-up. It has the right balance of pre-Jack personalities and some fresh voices and personalities to spice up the new version.

Jeff Mazzei may not have a slick or affected voice like Shotgun Tom Kelly or Scott Muni, but he sounds enthusiastic, personable, and fun. I listen to his countdown show from LA every week, and I love the info and background about what he's playing. Jeff really infuses the show with a great local flavor, with little facts and tidbits from a NYC perspective. I always learn something. He connects with the audience, which is more than can be said for most jocks. Great job, IMO.

One exception, I suppose, was his referring to Kiss and Sweet as "punk rock" groups. Oops, they were glam rock. Great show anyway. Keep up the great work.

By the way, PLEASE do some countdowns from the 1955-1963 years! It's late Sunday, nobody will notice! Just once every month or two.

 

[SPRINGFIELDRAD]

Yes, I agree, Rick Stacey is very entertaining. He keeps things moving at a good speed and interacts well with callers. Maybe he doesn't have the most polished or booming voice ever, but not every jock on the station needs to.

As for Jeff, I think he's improved considerably since July, and he does make a good effort to make his show seem lively even though he is voicetracked. But I would still much prefer to have someone live in the studio, whether it's a seasoned pro like Kinkel or a promising up-and-comer.

Excellent post. Very fair. I have no problem if CBS-FM had Jeff on for weekends/swing. The man knows more than I about radio. I thought he did a wonderful job hosting the return of CBS-FM on YouTube.

There is no reason to have voice tracked jox on CBS-FM. Give me a break! Give Les M. less money and pay the price for 24/7 live talent.

 

[oldies76]

Jeff and his Top 20 countdown!!!! Absolutely astonishing stuff! Great to hear such a wide-playlist of hit songs from years past, especially the "lost oldies and hits" featured in the Top 20 on Sunday nights. He recently played a request that I had called about last week, featured in the 1973 countdown: The Dells, "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation". Keep it up Jeff Mazzei...your knowledge of NY charts and Billboard's charts simultaneously is one-of-a-kind.

Yeah, going back to 1955 would be interesting, mentioned by Scooty430.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

Jeff and his Top 20 countdown!!!! Absolutely astonishing stuff! Great to hear such a wide-playlist of hit songs from years past, especially the "lost oldies and hits" featured in the Top 20 on Sunday nights. He recently played a request that I had called about last week, featured in the 1973 countdown: The Dells, "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation". Keep it up Jeff Mazzei...your knowledge of NY charts and Billboard's charts simultaneously is one-of-a-kind.

Yeah, going back to 1955 would be interesting, mentioned by Scooty430.

Absolutely....kill the 35-54 audience completely!!

 

[oldies76]

BACKnUSSR Absolutely....kill the 35-54 audience completely!!

With the countdown or playing hits back to 1955?? Some key artists could work, like Bill Haley, Chubby Checker, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry..etc.....They insert these, or the like every so often daily anyways, so why would it kill?

It's a risk....but the countdown seems popular enough to keep it on the air and it offers a different perspective on what really were the hits back in the day, instead of the same daily lineup.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

BACKnUSSR Absolutely....kill the 35-54 audience completely!!

With the countdown or playing hits back to 1955?? Some key artists could work, like Bill Haley, Chubby Checker, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry..etc.....They insert these, or the like every so often daily anyways, so why would it kill?

It's a risk....but the countdown seems popular enough to keep it on the air and it offers a different perspective on what really were the hits back in the day, instead of the same daily lineup.

Why would it kill the demo??? Because those artists appeal to the 35-54 demo about as much as John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Captain & Tennille, and Grand Funk Railroad appeal to an 18 year old today.

 

[oldies76]

BACKinUSSR Because those artists appeal to the 35-54 demo about as much as John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Captain & Tennille, and Grand Funk Railroad appeal to an 18 year old today.

Ok then..Why is WCBS (a 35-54 station, correct) inserting "selected" songs from the late 1950's and early 60's and other extras, at times throughout the week (mainly evenings and weekends), which you're saying has no appeal to 35-54? Is this wrong what is happening here?

They seem to be getting away with it so far. Maybe they assume, some 55+ might be listening too??

So, maybe they are trying to attract more older demos (selected hits of 1955-1964), along with 35-54 (mid 60's -80's) at the same time. Sounds like a plan that might just work.

 

[mediawatch22]

Speaking of great jocks, there's a VHS tape on E-Bay that's called "Sweet Talkin' Guys" hosted by Cousin Brucie that tells all about the 1950's & 1960's New York guys from ABC, MCA etc.

Enter "sweet talkin guys" in the search on E-Bay. Ive seen it before. Its good.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

BACKinUSSR Because those artists appeal to the 35-54 demo about as much as John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Captain & Tennille, and Grand Funk Railroad appeal to an 18 year old today.

Ok then..Why is WCBS (a 35-54 station, correct) inserting "selected" songs from the late 1950's and early 60's and other extras, at times throughout the week (mainly evenings and weekends), which you're saying has no appeal to 35-54? Is this wrong what is happening here?

They seem to be getting away with it so far. Maybe they assume, some 55+ might be listening too??

So, maybe they are trying to attract more older demos (selected hits of 1955-1964), along with 35-54 (mid 60's -80's) at the same time. Sounds like a plan that might just work.

Because weekend evenings and late nights are for the most part "throwaway" dayparts with very little core listenership, and they are trying to keep a little bit of the station's prior identity by doing so. It is however a dangerous game to play.
It is absolutely true that some 55+ are listening, but if the station begins to cater to them to much, revenues will plummet.