DAVE's Music Evolving

[leethalweapon]

Without formats like AAA and to a lesser extent Alternative, people don't get exposed to new (or dare I say different) music. I live in a country that doesn't have a AAA formated station. I would kill for something different (It would make me listen to the radio again). At the moment on the FM band in Melbourne (Australia). As far as commercial stations go we have 2 CHR's, 1 (so called) Hot A/C, 1 Rock/Comedy/Sport station and 2 Classic Hits stations at least 3 of them sound (musically) the same. Add to that 2 government owned stations (1 Classical & 1 Alternative/Talk), and more community stations than you can poke a stick at.

I spend a lot of time when I am at home streaming AAA, Alternative and even some Modern A/C stations from the US, because the music they play is different. Listening to AAA stations has opened me up to a whole lot of different music that I wouldn't be exposed to otherwise. Here in Australia (music) radio has very little to offer to me as a listener, and this is coming from someone who works in the Australian industry. If I do listen, it is generally News or Talk stations that I listen to.

I find it quite interesting that two of the stations here in Melbourne with big followings are community stations. Quite often you will see their name attached to upcoming gigs from such artist's as...
Dave Matthews Band
The Cure
Indigo Girls
Tegan & Sarah
Ryan Adams

This is staple diet stuff for (some) US commercial radio formats, but of the artist's on that list only the Cure gets airplay on commercial radio. Yet these gigs are sellouts everytime. Another thing that I find interesting is the amount of music that crosses over from AAA to "mainstream" formats. The general population (CHR & Hot A/C audience) goes nuts over the new Paolo track, while the AAA audience has been hearing it for about 6 weeks. Add in the low burn factor on most AAA stations, and I think you will find that they still like it after 6 weeks.

I love radio. It is more than a job, it's a passion. It is just that there isn't anything to make me want to be a listener again. Where I work ther are at least two others that feel the same way.

 

[jokerman]

I'll just be glad when they stop playing that 'Rehab' song so much.

 

[monkeymanmoi]

If they’d cut the Finger Eleven, Guster and other such unknowns that can’t muster a mainstream hit then they might be on to something.

Good gawd, I can't tell you how much I despise this comment! ;D Guster has some of the most catchy, wonderful songs I've heard in the past 5 years and they can fill up the Tabernacle in two seconds. No, that doesn't exactly mean they are a mega-band, but I don't get how something that isn't a hit yet can't become one. And your earlier comment about Feist and snobbery is simply ridiculous. She's SO out in left field that her new video is featured in an iPod commercial.

 

[monkeymanmoi]

You are mistaken... those songs were hits! They had mainstream appeal. They were BETTER songs than what Dave is playing. Do you honestly think these songs (played in the last 2 days) will be there in 30 years? Stupid comment!

Del Amitri
Ryan Adams
Paolo Nutini
Roxy Music
Travis
Josh Kelly
Feist
Robbie Roberston
Five For Fighting


Ask your average 18-49 year old if they know these songs? Exactly... they don't...
that's why Dave will NEVER get ratings.

WTF? Roxy Music and Robbie Robertson not known or around in 30 years? Do you have idea what you are talking about? Roxy is already over 30 years old and still played. As far as age goes, I'm 42 and have the new Feist album. And FM was a big, giant slab of "alternative" ideas and music in the early days. It's freakin' crazy that Little Steven's radio show sounds so subversive today when radio actually used to play music like that. I'm not living in the past (all the time!). I like new music as much as the older hits and older non-hits. But, then again, I'm a snob for wanting just a tad bit more creativity.

 

[InTIMadate]

Roxy Music "Avalon" is one of the best albums ever produced or released. It often appears on top lists by music critics and writers everywhere. Bryan Ferry is an international superstar, unique and treasured by an eclectic and educated audience. Their 30th anniversary tour was sold out and one of the best I've seen. Without Roxy Music, the world may never had heard Talking Heads and The Cars. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Music) Without Roxy, Brian Eno may never had the chance to produce amazing music for U2 and others.

Collectively and separately, these musicians offer a missing spice to radio and rock. WXRT, Chicago and the other true AAA formats have always included them in their mix. Their talents have been featured for decades in movies and documentaries and their albums continue to outsell the trash labels are curently producing. Your ignorance must be the side effect of growing up in such a racist, culturally bankrupt environment that was Atlanta in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Asking the average 18-49 Atlanta redneck if they've heard of XTC, Keb Mo or King Crimson doesn't mean the music is bad and shouldn't be heard. I, for one, never wish to hear "Free Bird" again.

 

[formerz93r]

Since we're on the subject of DAVE fm... anyone know what has happened to Michele ?....

 

[InTIMadate]

I think she is programming her Ipod.

 

[al_atl]

She's (Feist) SO out in left field that her new video is featured in an iPod commercial.

I didn't know until a week or two ago that the song in the iPod commercial was a "real" song...I thought it was something they came up with just for that spot. I heard it/saw the music video for it on Much Music (Canadian music video channel...similar to MTV in the US). I liked it in the commercial, now I like the song.

I'm 40-something and listen mostly to very mainstream radio...CHR, soft rock, oldies, a little dance/techno/house and some CBC-1. I do not listen to "AAA" radio or anything that resembles "Dave" or "Jack" or anything like that. Just to give you an idea where I'm coming from.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Since we're on the subject of DAVE fm... anyone know what has happened to Michele ?....

She's run off with Neil Millman.

 

[monkeymanmoi]

Just to give you an idea where I'm coming from.

I hear ya. Most of us this age are kind of set in our ways musically. But I still like hearing new music that is thoughtful.

 

[BIGSTICK]

This station to me a a complete JOKE. Along with all of Atlanta's station's.. This is Market # 8 now, and it sounds like 258, if that................

 

[ClarkKent]

So BRENT doesn't like something on Atlanta radio. You're kidding!! Who'd have thunk it? ;D

By the way, I wonder if the folks in Florence and Muscle Shoals, Alabama think their local radio stinks. That's market 258, if you didn't know.

 

[pbf1]

In fact, it always seems like EVERYONE thinks the radio in THEIR market is the worst, whether market 5 or 285 (the latter being mine, if they haven't moved it again).

 

[FCR]

In fact, it always seems like EVERYONE thinks the radio in THEIR market is the worst, whether market 5 or 285 (the latter being mine, if they haven't moved it again).

cheer up, lad. at least you're not in meadville that got moved to the bottom of the pack.

 

[DToTheJ]

I heard that market converted to Eastlan...

 

[RoddyFreeman]

It's probably true that the grass is always greener, and that people think other markets are better. Not too long ago, I'd visit markets like New York, Philly, DC and others, and thought their radio was much better than most markets. These days, the stations in virtually all markets sound almost the same to me.

 

[middlega]

WTF? Roxy Music and Robbie Robertson not known or around in 30 years?

I'm not at all sure either are identifiable by name by even 10% of the US today, much less 30 years from now.

 

[monkeymanmoi]

WTF? Roxy Music and Robbie Robertson not known or around in 30 years?

I'm not at all sure either are identifiable by name by even 10% of the US today, much less 30 years from now.

How would that be different than just about any band on any station in this city?

 

[SalesWeasel]

WTF? Roxy Music and Robbie Robertson not known or around in 30 years?

I'm not at all sure either are identifiable by name by even 10% of the US today, much less 30 years from now.

How would that be different than just about any band on any station in this city?

30 years from now more people will remember a Robbie Robertson (The Band) or Roxy Music song better than, say, Rhianna's Umbrella...ella...ella...ella...ella...ella...

 

[TheRealOtherNeil]

I thought I would wait until the rabble died down until I joined the fray. I wanted to see how the uninformed would respond before giving the only opinion that really matters-mine.

Is DAVE-FM where they what they should be? No. Are they on the right track? Yes. Will ratings show an improvement? Probably not because the same 50,000 who listen to DAVE are the only ones who know the change has happened. DAVE spends little money on advertising, that’s a mistake.

Back to the music. I am enjoying hearing old “Grandma Elton” and the new Bruce Springsteen. The mix is much better and Margot is doing a great job with the music. There is less repetition of over-played artists (Police, INXS, DMB, and Petty) and more new music. That’s all AAA fans really ask for. If the current format sticks around after the Falcons close the season, the station can make more changes, including a morning show. I said this years ago, a true AAA needs three years to really catch on in the market. The last three years were undone by horrible decisions, in fact, only Michael Vick and Paris Hilton have made worse decisions in the past three years than Michelle Engle did as PD of DAVE-FM.

Brian, SalesWeasel and Intimidate have it right. Roddy though I always respect your esteemed opinion, Michelle and I have not run off, though three months ago I would have run her over if I had the chance. Last I heard, she was running a Baby Gap.