> > Anybody else ever hear the rumor about WRJH going country?
>
> >
>
> That wouldn't make any sense at all. There are already two
> country stations in Jackson... a third would just be
> clutter. Of course, that's assuming they go mainstream
> country. Classic country could be a totally different
> animal. The younger end of that demo would mostly stay with
> Miss and US but the older end would definately dig a classic
> country station.
We do have a classic country station on 970 AM WZQK (the former WRKN), which is a simulcast of Forest's WQST-AM. Since 97.7's signal is best in Rankin County, country is one of the best options, though I agree with you that one more country station would be clutter.
>
> Wenny mentioned below the continuing speculation that Q105
> could go urban. My question on that is why would they do
> that? Granted, I haven't heard Hot 97 in a long time but
> the last time I heard them they sounded really good... but
> heretage is a tough thing to beat when the listeners that
> you target grew up listening to 99 Jamz and that's all they
> know. Urban and CHR listeners tend to be the least loyal in
> most cases but I'd say in this case the heretage of WJMI
> does mean something. Plus, when I heard WJMI while I was
> home for Christmas, I thought they sounded really good. I
> look at their playlist on Mediabase from time to time and it
> appears that they're playing solid music.
>
> The bottom line to this ramble: If Hot 97 couldn't put much
> of a dent in WJMI, what makes you think any other station
> that tried urban would be able to? Just curious as to your
> thoughts! Thanks.
In this case, I think Hot 97's signal comes into play. Sure, they have done and are doing better than some 100K-watt signals as far as ratings, but if they had the power of WJMI, I think they could really give WJMI some stiff competition. However, one thing they or any new urban station would have a tough time going up against is the on-air talent. From what I hear, DJ Finesse is putting up insane numbers at night; Alice Marie (AKA Big Mama Drama) and the Mailman have been there since the 99 Jamz era began in 1994. In such situations, familiarity counts. It's the same thing the former Magic 100.9 was up against with Kixie 107: personalities that no one knew vs. longtime staples/market veterans Stan Branson, Lady V, Rob Jay, Jacob Gray and the syndicated Tom Joyner morning show.
You're also right about heritage. I'm 31 and WJMI was pretty much the only urban station I grew up on. While the music has involved into a predominately hip-hop sound over the last decade, it's one of the few stations around where both the parents and the kids can say that they grew up on. WJMI's presence in the community over the years has also been unmatched.
I will say this: any new urban station that decides to come on the air here better hit the ground running from the start or else it'll be like bringing a pick-up truck to a tank fight.<P ID="signature">______________
"...and the countdown continues until the neanderthals that govern college football do something about their pathetic postseason."--Tim Brando, Sporting News Radio</P>