-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Cousin Brucie is Right about CBSFM!!
- Thread starter prescott
- Start date
F
fang39
Guest
prescott said:
UUUGGGGHHH! How many times are we going to keep playing THIS tired old record? Facts are facts. The station needed to become more contemporary by adding 80's and dropping 50's and pre-Beatles 60's from their regular playlist, in order to keep in line with the desired 25-54 demographic. You're not going to be able to attract advertisers with 55+. Plain and simple. I do think the station has done a very good job of spicing up the dayparts with their daily "Hall of Fame" themes. Lots of great tunes that aren't part of their regular rotation. It shows the programming department really working hard to keep the station/format sounding fresh and entertaining.
As far as "Cuz," this is not simply a case of sour grapes as it's not the first time he's spouted off about the station and the state of radio in general. All you have to do is read his "first" autobiography from 20 years ago, "Cousin Brucie-My Life In Rock-n-Roll Radio." Even then, he had no use for post 1969 music. I can remember in the late 80's when Brucie was doing a "Yesterday/Today" countdown on CBS-FM, he nearly had an on-air melt-down when he had to introduce a record by "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince" (yes, "Parents Just Don't Understand" DID get played on 101.1 in 1988!). He went on a 2 minute tirade about "group" names and why contemporary artists couldn't compare with those of yesteryear, like The Platters, The Coasters, The Penguins, et al.
While I respect the man for his many accomplishments in the industry, Brucie did NOT invent Rock & Roll radio, although you'd swear by listening to him (or reading his book) that he did. As someone who at one time owned several radio stations, you would think he would have a better sense of how the business works and what it takes to be profitable--and reverting to the 50's/early 60's is clearly NOT the way to go. If he's so sure that a format heavy on the "roots" of rock & roll would make money, with his considerable stature (and bank account) don't you think he would have moved heaven and earth to get it on the radio somewhere? C'mon Cousin Brucie--PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!!
Knowing that Brucie was looking to bail to Sirius BEFORE CBS-FM was replaced in June 2005 tells me everything I need to know about his loyalities.
Cousin Meyerwitz has become the poster child of oldies. His constant appearences on PBS fund-raisers, his books and the fact that every reporter who needs a quote has his number in their Rolodex is proof of his relentless self-promotion.
CJ
Cousin Meyerwitz has become the poster child of oldies. His constant appearences on PBS fund-raisers, his books and the fact that every reporter who needs a quote has his number in their Rolodex is proof of his relentless self-promotion.
CJ
It would also be nice if "Cousin Brucie" could string together 2 sentances without overusing the words: "me, my, mine, and I" (and sometimes Jody).
You are right. He invented rock and roll, or "Top 40" radio like pigs can fly. ...anybody ever heard of Rick Sklar?
He's just the relentles persuit of self promotion.
You are right. He invented rock and roll, or "Top 40" radio like pigs can fly. ...anybody ever heard of Rick Sklar?
He's just the relentles persuit of self promotion.
... I, by the way, have NOTHING against the relentless pursuit of self promotion...
http://www.myspace.com/thejimilalumia
http://www.myspace.com/thejimilalumia
Re: Yesterday/Today countdown show
>> I can remember in the late 80's when Brucie was doing a "Yesterday/Today" countdown on CBS-FM, he nearly had an on-air melt-down when he had to introduce a record by "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince" (yes, "Parents Just Don't Understand" DID get played on 101.1 in 1988!). He went on a 2 minute tirade about "group" names and why contemporary artists couldn't compare with those of yesteryear, like The Platters, The Coasters, The Penguins, et al. <<
I've often wondered if WCBS-FM went with more of an A/C or hot A/C chart for their currents on the yesterday/today countdown show, would the show have lasted longer. I used to like listening to it, but there were some currents played on there that had no business being played there at all.
And here's something that might be better off as a topic for a new thread, but if they are trying to get younger listeners why not bring back the yesterday/today countown show. Only use the A/C and/or hot A/C charts for the currents.
>> I can remember in the late 80's when Brucie was doing a "Yesterday/Today" countdown on CBS-FM, he nearly had an on-air melt-down when he had to introduce a record by "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince" (yes, "Parents Just Don't Understand" DID get played on 101.1 in 1988!). He went on a 2 minute tirade about "group" names and why contemporary artists couldn't compare with those of yesteryear, like The Platters, The Coasters, The Penguins, et al. <<
I've often wondered if WCBS-FM went with more of an A/C or hot A/C chart for their currents on the yesterday/today countdown show, would the show have lasted longer. I used to like listening to it, but there were some currents played on there that had no business being played there at all.
And here's something that might be better off as a topic for a new thread, but if they are trying to get younger listeners why not bring back the yesterday/today countown show. Only use the A/C and/or hot A/C charts for the currents.
fang39 said:
...that book was utter crap. At best, Morrow lucked into the WABC gig; at any given point in '63-'65, Murray the K on WINS and B. Mitchell Reed on WMCA were vastly superior jocks. And Wolfman Jack's WNBC airchecks are still marvelously listenable, unlike damn near everything Morrow produced after '66...
I wonder if Cousin Brucie should end up on CBS-FM doing his Sunday night's "New York Radio Greats". I haven't listened to Cousin Brucie for many years, but I would love see him again on the "New York Radio Greats" on Sunday nights, maybe soon. Time will tell.
A
adma
Guest
Re: Yesterday/Today countdown show
But the fact that you'd have to use those charts effectively affirms that the oldies--at least in the larger-than-life sense--are dead. As something larger-than-life, the oldies remained alive as long as it responded/corresponded to a pure Top 40 universe. *Not* an AC universe. Remember: Top 40 = "hip"; AC = "square". You're getting the brain-dead saps among so-called younger listeners.
Doesn't mean the gambit doesn't work, and WCBS's success might prove it--but notice the most conspicuous casualty: Lite-FM. The "contemporizing" of approach responds to a different listener climate out there...
FrankF said:
But the fact that you'd have to use those charts effectively affirms that the oldies--at least in the larger-than-life sense--are dead. As something larger-than-life, the oldies remained alive as long as it responded/corresponded to a pure Top 40 universe. *Not* an AC universe. Remember: Top 40 = "hip"; AC = "square". You're getting the brain-dead saps among so-called younger listeners.
Doesn't mean the gambit doesn't work, and WCBS's success might prove it--but notice the most conspicuous casualty: Lite-FM. The "contemporizing" of approach responds to a different listener climate out there...
F
fang39
Guest
disney fanatic said:
Given his propensity to knock the current regime, I wouldn't hold my breath. You can still listen to him on CBS-FM, though. His voice (along with that of Dandy Dan Daniel) is heard on the DJ voice-over portion of their version of Starship's "We Built This City."
X
XM RADIO
Guest
Im a Big Fan of Cousin Brucie, this guy has a great program on Sirius, I listen to his show, and hes Got fans and the ratings go thru the roof with him on Sirius!! Being from the San Francisco bay Area ,, never heard of him after 10 mins I knew this guy was totally 60s and he plays everything! I hope he never goes back to CBS FM ! You guys in New York are so lucky to have Ron Parker,, keep him The guy will never come close to The CUZ,, Bill Rock or THE Legend
Mr Music Norm n Nite,
3 Sirius since 12/06
3 XMs since 1/ 05
Mr Music Norm n Nite,
3 Sirius since 12/06
3 XMs since 1/ 05
A
adma
Guest
Re: Yesterday/Today countdown show
"Should be". That it is so stigmatized, however, reflects the treacherously changed musical/cultural climate we're dealing with.
Though to be honest, if it were all about reflecting the Top 40 universe, why *wouldn't* they? After all, it was a legitimate *mainstream* Top 40 hit. It should be no more inoffensive than, say, Bobby Vinton within a 60s oldies context. (I'm hedging on the "ad nauseum" part.)Batfink said:
"Should be". That it is so stigmatized, however, reflects the treacherously changed musical/cultural climate we're dealing with.
L
LinoNYC
Guest
Re: Yesterday/Today countdown show
In actuality, your comment sums up the Z-100 playlist: http://www.z100.com/pages/media/playlist.html
For business reasons, I have to listen to some of this embarrassing stuff.
Gems such as steve Kingston and Gwen Stefani both of who will thankfully be forgotten following the Christmas rush.
Musicianship is virtually non-existant and songwriting is at the same level as the infantile hip-hop clothing styles.
This ain't no golden age.
-Not sure how this statement is meant to link to your above remarks re: AC, but there are atleast two factors here. WLTW is facing head-on competition for the first time in almost a decade from a company that has run an effective ad campaign that portrayed 'LTW and it's "Lite" moniker as old fashioned, eventhough almost all the music is the same.
Then you have 'LTW's reaction by removing most of the older music and thus driving a portion of their listenership toward the newly re-constituted WCBS-fm.
Anyway, much of the handwringing has been based on the release of extrapolated Arbitron data, lets see what happens in the first PPM book.
Lino
adma said:
In actuality, your comment sums up the Z-100 playlist: http://www.z100.com/pages/media/playlist.html
For business reasons, I have to listen to some of this embarrassing stuff.
Gems such as steve Kingston and Gwen Stefani both of who will thankfully be forgotten following the Christmas rush.
Musicianship is virtually non-existant and songwriting is at the same level as the infantile hip-hop clothing styles.
This ain't no golden age.
-Not sure how this statement is meant to link to your above remarks re: AC, but there are atleast two factors here. WLTW is facing head-on competition for the first time in almost a decade from a company that has run an effective ad campaign that portrayed 'LTW and it's "Lite" moniker as old fashioned, eventhough almost all the music is the same.
Then you have 'LTW's reaction by removing most of the older music and thus driving a portion of their listenership toward the newly re-constituted WCBS-fm.
Anyway, much of the handwringing has been based on the release of extrapolated Arbitron data, lets see what happens in the first PPM book.
Lino
A
adma
Guest
Re: Yesterday/Today countdown show
I'd say that if you find it embarrassing and yet have to listen to it "for business reasons", you're probably not the right person for the job. Not that I'm defending the music; but it'd be like an unsympathetic Mitch Miller sensibility handling FM rock in the Woodstock era.
Though maybe it does delineate the between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place dilemma with 80s-onward oldies; that is, given the changes in music and consumption habits, plus the fact that there was already something rather awkward-fantasy "retro" about the CHR approach in this era (<Ron Lundy voice> "Listen to today's hits the way you might have heard them in the 1960s!"</Ron Lundy voice>), maybe it does have to "skew conservative" to still make sense.
Fact is, the "raised on CHR and still devoted to the spirit" demo of the 80s/90s is probably more limited and less hip than its 50s/60s/70s counterpart--the radio of that later era just didn't develop the same critical mass of "lifer" listeners. Thus, a WCBS today has to operate in a de facto WLTW manner, otherwise, Jack-FM trainwreck territory or something like it...
LinoNYC said:
I'd say that if you find it embarrassing and yet have to listen to it "for business reasons", you're probably not the right person for the job. Not that I'm defending the music; but it'd be like an unsympathetic Mitch Miller sensibility handling FM rock in the Woodstock era.
Though maybe it does delineate the between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place dilemma with 80s-onward oldies; that is, given the changes in music and consumption habits, plus the fact that there was already something rather awkward-fantasy "retro" about the CHR approach in this era (<Ron Lundy voice> "Listen to today's hits the way you might have heard them in the 1960s!"</Ron Lundy voice>), maybe it does have to "skew conservative" to still make sense.
Fact is, the "raised on CHR and still devoted to the spirit" demo of the 80s/90s is probably more limited and less hip than its 50s/60s/70s counterpart--the radio of that later era just didn't develop the same critical mass of "lifer" listeners. Thus, a WCBS today has to operate in a de facto WLTW manner, otherwise, Jack-FM trainwreck territory or something like it...
A
adma
Guest
And, to put it another way: there's no denying that an undisputed 60s rock anthem like "Satisfaction" finds its undisputed place on traditional oldies radio. However, even in the event that WCBS "evolves" into the time frame in question, I reckon that a 90s equivalent like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" would still sound awkward at best. Not because it's "inferior"; rather, because it belongs to a different cultural tableau...
- Status