Gregg75 is right!

[TonySantiago]

Good points Tony, I haven't given up and was at a moment of weakness when realizing the limited amount of Pure Dance that is in the mass consciousness of the US versus European countries and even parts of Canada. Correct, dance pop can serve as a bridge or a "gateway." In some ways it feels like we are on the brink of the tipping point but it hasn't tipped over yet which was where my frustration came into play, for fear that the masses will not ever "get" this music.

If the Dance Hits format as we know it today was accepted into the mass culture as it is in other areas of the world I, as many others here, would rejoice - because it is largely, after all, good music in our opinions. However there is something valuable about this music staying underground in this country because by in large it doesn't get bastardized as alternative rock did after the grunge explosion of Alice In Chains/Nirvana/Soundgarden. After these bands reached mainstream acclaim, it wasn't long before every Creed, Candlebox, Collective Soul and Smashmouth were canvassing the country's airwaves with copycat music (and horrible music in the opinions of many).

It's still early in that sense. Honestly on a New York level I never expected ANY CHR station to play something remotely dance. I never relied on Z-100 to do that. So when 92.3 Now launched, I thought that if they were going to do something to get at Z, to add in a few dance tracks to the rotation...about 3 or so. When Pulse and Party disappeared off 87.7, things started to improve along the way. I'd NEVER expect to have heard Dennis Ferrer's "Hey Hey" on a CHR station...albeit for a brief time.

I also can understand your argument about the underground and "bastardization" of the music getting mainstream. It's risky to say the least, but then again a whole lot of us have been "screaming" to hear this music on the radio and while we have had some "spurts" here and there, we're still not (IMHO) where we should be. So it's a "rock and a hard place" but this is where we ask, do we want this mainstream effect so that we can hear more on the radio because "we love this music so much"? Or do we stay underground for the sake of keeping it "real" because "we love this music so much?"

Besides, I think if we did get more exposure of our music, a new "underground" would happen along the way, whatever sounds that could represent the future

 

[Morpheux]

I'll have to amend my post to delete Mega/Austin. Seriously? The station signs on to FM HD1 then signs off a few days later? As I said, I've pretty much given up. Supporting the Dance Hits format in the US is like being a roadie for the roller derby in the 1970s (I don't even know that that even means other than to say that, you loved it, but you knew in your heart that it was going positively NOWHERE).

I'm going to strongly disagree with that comment NOR will I allow you to just "give up" like that.

I just finished playing Kim Sozzi's "Rated R" on my show and yes, there is a rap part in there. Love it or hate it (I'm also saying this to Morpheux since he started this thread) if the rappers out there are going to embrace dance, we have to allow that in...so as long as they accept OUR sound and not get all "gangsta" and throw it to a sound like a Hot 97, Power 106, etc.

The rap part in Kim Sozzi's "Rated R" sounds great. It's also not necessarily a new concept as there are plenty of dance songs from the late 80's and 90's with rap verses.

The concern is a valid one and it should not be brush off. How many core dance artists are on hit radio? When I see a Kim Sozzi type all over CHR then I will do a couple of back flips. And this is coming from someone that actually likes the pop dance stuff out there right now.

Eminem is great at what he does....just don't ride the dance bandwagon until the wheels come off and prevent core dance artists from gaining airplay time.

 

[Saladressing]

I used to make the point that CHR "should" be 1/4 parts of pop, hip-hop, rock and dance. Now that dance-pop has taken over many of the slots that CHRs used to give to hip-hop, that forumla would have to be amended but it would sure be nice if pure dance could become more of a mainstay at CHR nationwide.

Would be great if a "New CHR" sound that leaned Dance and borrowed from the Z-103.5 model took hold in America. Adding in some top alt/active rock, pop, dance-pop, rap/hip-hop, etc. With many markets now lacking Urban Contemporary and Pure Alternative Rock outlets, not to mention Pure Dance outlets, a station like this with an upbeat & modern CHR presentation - relying heavily on social media and mobile - could have a lot of exclusivity in its market and could open up huge new markets for artists of various genres. Somewhat like the outstanding Nova stations in Australia but more edgy. Positioned as the hip, 21st century alternative to "your mom's" CHR.

 

[TonySantiago]

I used to make the point that CHR "should" be 1/4 parts of pop, hip-hop, rock and dance. Now that dance-pop has taken over many of the slots that CHRs used to give to hip-hop, that forumla would have to be amended but it would sure be nice if pure dance could become more of a mainstay at CHR nationwide.

Would be great if a "New CHR" sound that leaned Dance and borrowed from the Z-103.5 model took hold in America. Adding in some top alt/active rock, pop, dance-pop, rap/hip-hop, etc. With many markets now lacking Urban Contemporary and Pure Alternative Rock outlets, not to mention Pure Dance outlets, a station like this with an upbeat & modern CHR presentation - relying heavily on social media and mobile - could have a lot of exclusivity in its market and could open up huge new markets for artists of various genres. Somewhat like the outstanding Nova stations in Australia but more edgy. Positioned as the hip, 21st century alternative to "your mom's" CHR.

Gotta build and educate the crowd first before pure dance formats can come to play here.

There are more of the potential/casual fans out there than the core fans.