CBS announced today that starting Monday Ramsey Lewis synidicated morning show will replace its' current syndicated morning show.of Brian McKnight. It seems they just don't get it! The last morning show failed because it is in fact a syndicated show with no local impact. My predictions are the same thing will happen with Ramsey Lewis. So many stations are cutting corners in the wrong places. You might be able to attract listeners with a syndicated show at night but MORNING Drive? In my opinion it's a HUGE mistake. It seems that they have not learned their lesson with past mistakes and continue to drive down the road to failure. I for one was not a fan of Brian McKnight because he had no local impact so why would Ramsey Lewis make any difference? The rumors of a format change on this site for the Wave seems more possible than ever to me with this lame decision. It would appear to me that morning drive is the most important day part of any station so why not do something local? Any opinions?
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Changes at The Wave
- Thread starter radiochick53
- Start date
C
cklw800
Guest
Sorry radiochick53. It's not going to stop there. The Wave is laden with local jocks and that's good. But bad for this format in this current environment. Ramsey Lewis will be more successful than Brian McKnight simply because Lewis is much better known and is rooted in the music he's playing. And no Smooth Jazz station has taken in Lewis without taking in Dave Koz too. Look for that announcement soon. SJ stations simply can't or don't want to have local jocks when they can strap on the BA Network for a lot less. No sick days, vacations, schedule changes or management responsibilities with the air staff. They will save LOTS of money. BA is great at selling the fact that these national hosts are the thing and it's working. We may hate it, listeners may hate it, but it's the only way this format is going to exist. Smooth Jazz for right now is pretty much a NATIONAL format. Localism is out. It is evolving though into a SMOOTH AC where the "J"-word might be taken out. You'll be hearing more AC/Urban AC and smooth pop music. Smooth Jazz radio as you know it now is pretty much out and most certaibly out will be the local jocks very soon. They usually do this a little at a time. But Dave Koz is next in line for The Wave.
S
silkpony
Guest
Yeah, Ramsey Lewis. Who is that? That should "save" a blowtorch with no listeners. All the rave these days is Ramsey Lewis. The money buying public just can't get enough of Ramsey Lewis, whoever that is.
Who made this decision? A deer caught in the headlights? The Wave is starting to sound like an old folks retirement home.
Who made this decision? A deer caught in the headlights? The Wave is starting to sound like an old folks retirement home.
First of all, Smooth Jazz stations never do as well in morning drive compared to other formats. It has always been that way here and across the USA. The prime time period for smooth jazz begins in the mid-day.
Secondly, I agree that it is a smooth AC. I was once told by a smooth jazz programmer that that smooth jazz is really a light adult AC. That is what The Wave has morphed into, slowly since 2002.
Thirdly, Brian McKnight is NOT a broadcaster. He is a good performer, that's it.
Silkpony, how old are you? (No disrespect meant) Youth would be the only reason you would not know about legendary keyboardest and broadcaster Ramsey Lewis. If you don't know, please read and learn about this American music icon. Before judging him, educate yourself, then make an educated judgement. Click on Bio.
http://www.ramseylewis.com/main
and
http://www.narada.com/images/ArtistBio/lewis/lewis_page.htm
Since Ramsey Lewis is a Clear Channel property, it sure isn't for free. Having stated that, I do agree the morning show should be local.
Dave Koz no longer does a daily show. His former daily show, which originated at 94.7 The Wave KTWV in Los Angeles, was replaced by Brian McKnight. Koz felt that the daily show constrained his time and was not able to persue his other musical interests in the way he wanted. He continues to have his syndicated weekend program.
By the way, one of these days, you will be considered one of the "old folks." You won't like being ignored and disrespected because of your age.
Secondly, I agree that it is a smooth AC. I was once told by a smooth jazz programmer that that smooth jazz is really a light adult AC. That is what The Wave has morphed into, slowly since 2002.
Thirdly, Brian McKnight is NOT a broadcaster. He is a good performer, that's it.
Silkpony, how old are you? (No disrespect meant) Youth would be the only reason you would not know about legendary keyboardest and broadcaster Ramsey Lewis. If you don't know, please read and learn about this American music icon. Before judging him, educate yourself, then make an educated judgement. Click on Bio.
http://www.ramseylewis.com/main
and
http://www.narada.com/images/ArtistBio/lewis/lewis_page.htm
Since Ramsey Lewis is a Clear Channel property, it sure isn't for free. Having stated that, I do agree the morning show should be local.
Dave Koz no longer does a daily show. His former daily show, which originated at 94.7 The Wave KTWV in Los Angeles, was replaced by Brian McKnight. Koz felt that the daily show constrained his time and was not able to persue his other musical interests in the way he wanted. He continues to have his syndicated weekend program.
By the way, one of these days, you will be considered one of the "old folks." You won't like being ignored and disrespected because of your age.
S
silkpony
Guest
Chuck Tiller said:
I'm 38 and I know who Ramsey Lewis is. My post was more drama queen than anything else to express my feelings that I really don't think the market is clamoring for Ramsey Lewis.
Ignored and disrecpected came at an early age to me. I'm prepared.
The format is in trouble to say the least and the changes in Houston are just another step in an evolution that will lead to BA finally getting what they want all along which is a soft AC that will play maybe 3 or four instrumentals an hour max. cklw800 and Chuck Tiller both make some pretty valid points. I've been in this format a long time and there's really no way out at the moment. The last station doing close to correct is KIFM in San Diego and everyone else for the most part has been trapped with ownership that wants it all but doesn't want to work for it. Like most of the artists in the format who were dropped off major labels and have now done their own thing, I see contemporary instrumental music going back to where it came from and that's being played in certain dayparts like 7-midnight or weekend specialty shows. There's a place for instrumental music but just not the way it has been in the past two decades. There will still be some bigger stations in the format but its Trouble with a capitol "T". Kind of like "Invasion of the Body (Format) Snatchers.
C
cklw800
Guest
Quick clarification. Dave Koz no longer does a daily local MORNING radio show where it originated. He still does the BA Network daily AFTERNOON show. Voicetracking it will ahead at times when he's touring of course. But Dave Koz is still a daily radio force via the BA Network. His weekend show is still on as well.
I've been out of the smooth jazz loop, since I left The Wave earlier this year. The reason given by The Wave was the one I stated in a previous post. Since that time, I have no knowledge. You're more up to date on it than me.
radiochick53 said:
I would think the opposite, as CBS would not be bothering with a new morning show were they planning to axe the format. This, however, might be "the last chance" to keep the format going.
Ramsey Lewis has been around a long time. Not sure if he's going to be a listener magnet, at least in advertiser friendly demos.
S
silkpony
Guest
This is a hard one to figure out. The Wave in PPM is not in the top 15 in cume, 6+, 12+, 18-49, or 25-54. And now they are going to replace one syndicated morning show with another syndicated morning show?
They're replacing a young guy (Brian McKnight) with an old guy (Ramsey Lewis)? I guess the powers "at be" are going after the Social Security checks? Seriously, how can you pull yourself out from the abyss with that geriatric direction?
Get some young blood in there and spin those CDs!
Here's a clue: Young people don't like to think they will get old, and old people don't like to think that they are old. It's just common sense passed down through the ages.
They're replacing a young guy (Brian McKnight) with an old guy (Ramsey Lewis)? I guess the powers "at be" are going after the Social Security checks? Seriously, how can you pull yourself out from the abyss with that geriatric direction?
Get some young blood in there and spin those CDs!
Here's a clue: Young people don't like to think they will get old, and old people don't like to think that they are old. It's just common sense passed down through the ages.
silkpony said:
They're replacing a young guy (Brian McKnight) who has absolutely NO broadcast experience with an old guy (Ramsey Lewis) who has been doing this for years! I will take seasoned experience over the inexperienced any day.
S
silkpony
Guest
Chuck Tiller said:
Chuck, how old are you? (No disrespect meant) but you said this about the Wave's demo: "When I was at The Wave, the demo was primarily 25-49. I'm certain that may be the same as it has been since it's inception in November 2002."
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,78978.msg582218.html#msg582218
I am 56 and will be 57 in January. Check this link and click on Resume for more information. I haven't updated it, as I have been very busy. However, you will get the idea.
http://chucktiller.com
http://chucktiller.com
S
silkpony
Guest
Chuck Tiller said:
That's my point from my last post. I am in the Wave's demo and you are not. That you'd prefer the old guy over the young guy is a preference from someone who is not in the Wave's demo. That I'd prefer a young person over an old person is a preference from someone who is in the Wave's demo.
If as you stated that indeed the Wave's targeted demo is 25-49 then I would think that any changes made would be toward a younger and hipper image. Just my thoughts.
K
Kevinc
Guest
Ouch.... I hate in it when that happens.
I'm 48 and barely in the demo... but my opinion, for what its worth, is that no matter what the age, if a host is good and engages me in the "conversation" and the music... then I will listen. I would most likely enjoy Ramsey Lewis, not because of his age, but because of his knowledge of the music and those who make it.
Thats it... now I don't even have 2 cents anymore...
kevinc
I'm 48 and barely in the demo... but my opinion, for what its worth, is that no matter what the age, if a host is good and engages me in the "conversation" and the music... then I will listen. I would most likely enjoy Ramsey Lewis, not because of his age, but because of his knowledge of the music and those who make it.
Thats it... now I don't even have 2 cents anymore...
kevinc
That has nothing to do with! I know you are 38, Silkpony as you mentioned in a previous post. A good broadcaster is not restrained by his or her age. You keep hammering away with that "old" reference. Don't mistake the gray in beard as a sign of weakness or out of touch. A cat my age can still be hip. I strongly disagree with your thoughts!
Some good remarks from everyone but again back to the orginal statment on the change I made in the beginning. How can any syndicated show be a winner in Houston? Someone earlier said if "they engage me in conversation" I will listen. How can someone who's not local and doing their show from LA be conversational to a local audience? I don't care if the guy is 80 or 18, if he's not gonna be able to tell me when a refinery here blows up here or a major hurricane is approaching then it's not LOCAL!
S
silkpony
Guest
Chuck Tiller said:
I am going to have to agree to agree with my thoughts. You've morphed the last few posts into the subject being about you -- it's not. If the target demo is 25-49 then the projected image of the station should optimize the cognition of that age group. Just my thoughts.
K
Kevinc
Guest
radiochick53 said:
I was not even talking about it being local or not.. just the fact that I could be engaged and want to listen to someone no matter their age, if their content is good. Localizing is another subject alltogether. I agree, local is better. I need to know traffic, weather, news and even local events that are happening that I might want to attend...but that does not mean that a host cannot connect with me on a different level without those elements. Sure I miss them when they are not there and probably turn to another station to get them, but if I was really into jazz (which I am not) I would really be into listening to someone who has lived the life of a jazz musician and knows the business inside out...no matter where he or she is... and no matter how old..
It really depends on what you are using the radio for. If its pure entertainment, then it doesn't matter to me where the host is based and it doesn't matter what his or her age is, as long as they are fulfilling my need to be entertained. If I am looking for info on local events, news etc... I will seek out a local host who can fill that need. Sometimes we can have both and that is great...but these days we don't always get both.
I think we're all making valid points, but from our own perspectives.
kevinc
A
aunti-terrestrial
Guest
I'm in the Wave's demo, and I'd take Ramsey Lewis over Brian McKnight any day of the week. Jazz isn't known for relying upon teen angst or what's hip on MTV to entertain its audience. Credibility, experience, and talent count with me...if given the choice between someone who recalls jamming with Cannonball Adderly, for instance, over someone who was born right around the time Richard Elliot's first album came out, I'll go for the jazz legend every time.
Ramsey Lewis has been extremely active in the last several years. The Legends Of Jazz series on PBS was possibly the best thing I've ever seen on my television set. He's got a slick marketer, promoting the DVD boxed set release by season. He's been very active on the internet and in networking to develop new fans as well as old contemporaries. The Legends of Jazz Myspace page reads like a who's who in jazz and instrumental music. He's still working very hard to produce others, as well as promoting his own music. His work ethic would put any young pup to shame.
Since the Wave isn't going to go live and local, it's a fairly moot point. It comes down to whether you'd rather hear someone who was there, or someone who had to read about what it was like to be there.
Ramsey Lewis has been extremely active in the last several years. The Legends Of Jazz series on PBS was possibly the best thing I've ever seen on my television set. He's got a slick marketer, promoting the DVD boxed set release by season. He's been very active on the internet and in networking to develop new fans as well as old contemporaries. The Legends of Jazz Myspace page reads like a who's who in jazz and instrumental music. He's still working very hard to produce others, as well as promoting his own music. His work ethic would put any young pup to shame.
Since the Wave isn't going to go live and local, it's a fairly moot point. It comes down to whether you'd rather hear someone who was there, or someone who had to read about what it was like to be there.
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