I had a job interview in Bessemer this past Friday. It's been way too long (two years) since my last trip to Birmingham...lots has changed, lots has stayed the same...
Anyway, I got a chance to sample Birmingham radio again. I didn't listen to every station, but there were a few I was definitely intent on testing. My thoughts:
"900 Gold" WATV: Sheridan's gotten this station back on track as a classic soul outlet, from whence it should have never left. The imaging and the spots are a definite upgrade from hearing Ron January voice virtually everything. I didn't hear "Open Mic", but I did hear Dr. Faush's program before it wrapped up--I'm assuming they haven't really dickered with the morning shows, which is probably wise.
WRAX "The X @ 100.5": I now understand the frustration with The X (the radio station, and hopefully not yours truly). Even after the 'restart', it still doesn't sound terribly impressive as it did when I first got to B'ham in 1999.
WBHJ "95-7 Jamz": I didn't honestly listen enough to craft an opinion, but I never cared for it that much except in the mornings. I mostly wanted to see how far the new signal got out. I still recieved it favorably well in Clanton returning home south on I-65. Can I guess that there's virtually no problem recieving it in downtown Birmingham?
WPSB 1320 "The People's Station of Birmingham": The station I actually listened to the most, if only for the fact I'm already somewhat familiar with its talk lineup thanks to streaming (but not from 1320wpsb.com, which I previously didn't know about). But I couldn't reliably pick up PSB's 5000 watts until I got to Alabaster heading north. Cox seems to be putting an effort into this, and I'd like to think there's an audience building for it. But we'll see.
"Larry Elder, telling it like it is?" At least he's on when they have to power down (lol).
WQEN "103.7 the Q": They sounded more pop/rock-heavy since I last remember listening, but that's not a huge surprise. 103.7 reaches the market better, especially the suburbs.
WUHT "Hot 107-7": Allegedly #1 for R&B hits, and the #1 station that I wanted to sample since I learned of my impromptu trip on Thursday. Given the guff that 'UHT has gotten from posters here (well, one poster, specifically)...count me as one who gets what Citadeld is trying to do here. Musically, I love it. The focus on newer R&B gives it a different sound from Uncle Tommy's urban AC channel, though Kiss has done very well for itself being just that.
Going home, I listened to Michael Baisden. Very little locality to it, but that's my only legitimate complaint. It's not a bad show at all. He interviewed singer Heather Headley and took national calls...promoted her songs and her album. Enjoyed it. I'd like to hear the rest of the week with his relationship topics, but I can't imagine how some (well, one) would imagine that the show is somehow out of place.
107.7 wants the younger end of Kiss' listeners, and they'd likely grab me as a P1. I'm surprised that the morning show (with help from former Jamz' jocks Ced Delaney and Tammie Mac, IIRC?) didn't catch on. But if Steve Harvey ultimately brings the numbers he's brought in other markets, I couldn't really fault his impending clearance. Having mornings AND afternoon drive syndicated seems a bit much though...nonetheless, I hope Hot 107.7 sticks around for the long hall. <P ID="signature">______________
Let us live so that 100 years from now, someone may be proud of us.</P>
Anyway, I got a chance to sample Birmingham radio again. I didn't listen to every station, but there were a few I was definitely intent on testing. My thoughts:
"900 Gold" WATV: Sheridan's gotten this station back on track as a classic soul outlet, from whence it should have never left. The imaging and the spots are a definite upgrade from hearing Ron January voice virtually everything. I didn't hear "Open Mic", but I did hear Dr. Faush's program before it wrapped up--I'm assuming they haven't really dickered with the morning shows, which is probably wise.
WRAX "The X @ 100.5": I now understand the frustration with The X (the radio station, and hopefully not yours truly). Even after the 'restart', it still doesn't sound terribly impressive as it did when I first got to B'ham in 1999.
WBHJ "95-7 Jamz": I didn't honestly listen enough to craft an opinion, but I never cared for it that much except in the mornings. I mostly wanted to see how far the new signal got out. I still recieved it favorably well in Clanton returning home south on I-65. Can I guess that there's virtually no problem recieving it in downtown Birmingham?
WPSB 1320 "The People's Station of Birmingham": The station I actually listened to the most, if only for the fact I'm already somewhat familiar with its talk lineup thanks to streaming (but not from 1320wpsb.com, which I previously didn't know about). But I couldn't reliably pick up PSB's 5000 watts until I got to Alabaster heading north. Cox seems to be putting an effort into this, and I'd like to think there's an audience building for it. But we'll see.
"Larry Elder, telling it like it is?" At least he's on when they have to power down (lol).
WQEN "103.7 the Q": They sounded more pop/rock-heavy since I last remember listening, but that's not a huge surprise. 103.7 reaches the market better, especially the suburbs.
WUHT "Hot 107-7": Allegedly #1 for R&B hits, and the #1 station that I wanted to sample since I learned of my impromptu trip on Thursday. Given the guff that 'UHT has gotten from posters here (well, one poster, specifically)...count me as one who gets what Citadeld is trying to do here. Musically, I love it. The focus on newer R&B gives it a different sound from Uncle Tommy's urban AC channel, though Kiss has done very well for itself being just that.
Going home, I listened to Michael Baisden. Very little locality to it, but that's my only legitimate complaint. It's not a bad show at all. He interviewed singer Heather Headley and took national calls...promoted her songs and her album. Enjoyed it. I'd like to hear the rest of the week with his relationship topics, but I can't imagine how some (well, one) would imagine that the show is somehow out of place.
107.7 wants the younger end of Kiss' listeners, and they'd likely grab me as a P1. I'm surprised that the morning show (with help from former Jamz' jocks Ced Delaney and Tammie Mac, IIRC?) didn't catch on. But if Steve Harvey ultimately brings the numbers he's brought in other markets, I couldn't really fault his impending clearance. Having mornings AND afternoon drive syndicated seems a bit much though...nonetheless, I hope Hot 107.7 sticks around for the long hall. <P ID="signature">______________
Let us live so that 100 years from now, someone may be proud of us.</P>