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Great songs that test poorly

Many of you know now that I'm in retirement and working for a LPFM, I like to come up with concepts that fly in the face of the "business" of radio. Call it a "hobby", "delusional" or whatever, but here's what I'm looking for that some of the data folks that follow this site might be able to help me with.

All genres of GREAT tunes that don't "test" well enough to make it on commercial radio. I'm guessing that "data" gets tossed. If there is a source that I could cull some tunes from, it would be much appreciated. I also realize that a lot of music that doesn't test well is because it's bad to start with, so I do understand that.

Mike
A follow up to this post. We are currently populating our music mix with what we are billing as "music that commercial radio has abandoned". Soft launch using a just replaced automation system underway. Launch with fund raising in January and hopefully fully "humming" by March. Give our "hobby" a listen if you have a few minutes at KLBP.org.
 

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A follow up to this post. We are currently populating our music mix with what we are billing as "music that commercial radio has abandoned".

One thing I've been made aware of thanks to this site is the "all or nothing rule." Whenever you say something conclusive, someone will come up with an exception. So I'd suggest you say "music that SOME commercial radio has abandoned." Because I promise you someone will find a station that's playing some of those songs.
 
One thing I've been made aware of thanks to this site is the "all or nothing rule." Whenever you say something conclusive, someone will come up with an exception. So I'd suggest you say "music that SOME commercial radio has abandoned." Because I promise you someone will find a station that's playing some of those songs.
If someone (or a lot of people) wants to listen to challenge the claim, then it's a "win"! ;)

m
 
Give our "hobby" a listen if you have a few minutes at KLBP.org.
Hope you or whoever does the website design will consider making the listen live links more obvious (like putting “listen live/online” above the links, like you did on the merch page). Also, there doesn’t seem to be a way to actually buy the merch on the Merch page & your donation page says people who donate won’t get anything. This all being said, I haven’t listened yet but the music mix looks cool. Are you going to create a way for listeners to request songs on shows?
 
Hope you or whoever does the website design will consider making the listen live links more obvious (like putting “listen live/online” above the links, like you did on the merch page). Also, there doesn’t seem to be a way to actually buy the merch on the Merch page & your donation page says people who donate won’t get anything. This all being said, I haven’t listened yet but the music mix looks cool. Are you going to create a way for listeners to request songs on shows?
The website is an absolute mess. It's on the list of priorities. Our focus is getting the on-air sound to a good place THEN ask for money. Even with the station floundering for the past 5 years the donations have at least kept us afloat. When I got there the focus was on "fundraising" and I pointed out until the station sound good we're asking people to give to something that sounds like s**t, so we're working on that until January for - hopefully - a big "relaunch" - and, yes, with a better website.
 
All genres of GREAT tunes that don't "test" well enough to make it on commercial radio. I'm guessing that "data" gets tossed. If there is a source that I could cull some tunes from, it would be much appreciated. I also realize that a lot of music that doesn't test well is because it's bad to start with, so I do understand that.
Music research is proprietary, commissioned by each station or ownership group to find out what they should play... or not play. It is never public data and never given to outsiders (unless by a dissident employee or some staffer who was fired and wants to hurt the station).
 
A follow up to this post. We are currently populating our music mix with what we are billing as "music that commercial radio has abandoned". Soft launch using a just replaced automation system underway. Launch with fund raising in January and hopefully fully "humming" by March. Give our "hobby" a listen if you have a few minutes at KLBP.org.
I question the placement of the transmitter. Where it's currently located, in the Port of Long Beach, half of the signal is wasted over water. With only 100 watts, have you considered moving it further NE, even just 3 miles into Long Beach proper? You would be able to double or more the number of potential listeners.
 
I question the placement of the transmitter. Where it's currently located, in the Port of Long Beach, half of the signal is wasted over water. With only 100 watts, have you considered moving it further NE, even just 3 miles into Long Beach proper? You would be able to double or more the number of potential listeners.
It's in a horrible location, no doubt. It's my understanding that we can't move it any closer to Long Beach because of 99.1 in San Diego. I'm glad we have a terrestrial signal and in the downtown Long Beach area it comes in great. We plan to utilize that aspect more for events like the Long Beach Grand Prix and other Long Beach oriented events (and the big changes coming downtown soon). However, our strength and our fundraising and promotional value will be through our stream.
 
It's in a horrible location, no doubt. It's my understanding that we can't move it any closer to Long Beach because of 99.1 in San Diego. I'm glad we have a terrestrial signal and in the downtown Long Beach area it comes in great. We plan to utilize that aspect more for events like the Long Beach Grand Prix and other Long Beach oriented events (and the big changes coming downtown soon). However, our strength and our fundraising and promotional value will be through our stream.
KLBP-LP faces two issues here. First, is the closeness to KGGI in Riverside and second, the 71.4 dBu incoming field strength from KKLA on second-adjacent. Both of these severely limit where KLBP-LP can be sited.

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The website is an absolute mess. It's on the list of priorities. Our focus is getting the on-air sound to a good place THEN ask for money. Even with the station floundering for the past 5 years the donations have at least kept us afloat. When I got there the focus was on "fundraising" and I pointed out until the station sound good we're asking people to give to something that sounds like s**t, so we're working on that until January for - hopefully - a big "relaunch" - and, yes, with a better website.
I was looking at the website for KLBP, and you seem to have some interesting specialty music shows. Will those be going away with the new format? I'll definitely give it some more listening through the stream. I didn't care much for the Rock Hour last night, but will check out the 'Morning Chill' tomorrow with the Indie/Easy Listening. That sounds intriguing!
 
I was looking at the website for KLBP, and you seem to have some interesting specialty music shows. Will those be going away with the new format? I'll definitely give it some more listening through the stream. I didn't care much for the Rock Hour last night, but will check out the 'Morning Chill' tomorrow with the Indie/Easy Listening. That sounds intriguing!
All the shows are staying (that want to stay), with new shows to be added. We're focusing on the "specialty programs" being on in the evenings and weekends. For now, the days will be a "jukebox" of a HUGE mix of various genres of music. We're furiously adding tons of music to that mix and already we're developing a diverse sound of genres - lots of forgotten music (that doesn't "test" well commercially) and really great new and local music - provided by a young and very sharp music staff. There are several radio vets that are keeping all this on track. We're very excited and hope to have all our ducks in a row by the first of the year. Thanks for listening and the feedback. We're taking seriously ALL feedback (try that at your local corporate run station ;) )
 
All the shows are staying (that want to stay), with new shows to be added. We're focusing on the "specialty programs" being on in the evenings and weekends. For now, the days will be a "jukebox" of a HUGE mix of various genres of music. We're furiously adding tons of music to that mix and already we're developing a diverse sound of genres - lots of forgotten music (that doesn't "test" well commercially) and really great new and local music - provided by a young and very sharp music staff. There are several radio vets that are keeping all this on track. We're very excited and hope to have all our ducks in a row by the first of the year. Thanks for listening and the feedback. We're taking seriously ALL feedback (try that at your local corporate run station ;) )
Will also check out the music mix.

That's what I like about LPFM's....the passion to bring the public unique, creative, and local radio. It's ALWAYS more interesting to listen to than corporate radio, for us 'outliers'. Best of luck to you, Mike!
 
I listen online to Jeffro Radio out of Chicago a lot. They mix new and older hits going back to 1980 with some "Oh Wow" songs that usually made Top 30 at some point in time. You can find their weekly playlist at Online Radio Box. They also do specialty weekends, usually over holiday weekends where the playlist can expand to include 70s and sometimes 60, depending on the theme. The UK also has a station online called "Cheesy FM" which plays a huge variety of that type of music. I can also access that on Radio Box. Not sure if their playlist is posted there.
 
A follow up to this post. We are currently populating our music mix with what we are billing as "music that commercial radio has abandoned". Soft launch using a just replaced automation system underway. Launch with fund raising in January and hopefully fully "humming" by March. Give our "hobby" a listen if you have a few minutes at KLBP.org.
I hope that is not the version you are using at the top of the hour.
 
I listen online to Jeffro Radio out of Chicago a lot. They mix new and older hits going back to 1980 with some "Oh Wow" songs that usually made Top 30 at some point in time. You can find their weekly playlist at Online Radio Box. They also do specialty weekends, usually over holiday weekends where the playlist can expand to include 70s and sometimes 60, depending on the theme. The UK also has a station online called "Cheesy FM" which plays a huge variety of that type of music. I can also access that on Radio Box. Not sure if their playlist is posted there.
Plus.. Jeffro's cheesy jingle resings are awesome!
 
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