Has anybody gone to satellite for Standards?

[mwebster]

I read all the posts here about standards stations changing to other formats but I have not seen much, if any, mention of people going to XM Radio or Sirius for standards. Has anybody subscribed to either service and how is the music on the standards channels?

I've read advertisers don't like to advertise on standards stations because they don't think the audience buys things. If standards listeners are slow to go to satellite, maybe the advertisers are right? It could also mean if standards fans don't give XM Radio and Sirius much business, the standards channels might be discontinued.

I have not subscribed (although I did do the free trial online). I do get XM's music channels through DirecTV and I like them much better than the former Music Choice channels (and listen more). I like the mix on XM's 40's and 50's channel (the latter includes both oldies and standards). The Frank's Place channel is same old, same old limited-selection stuff that drove me away from my local former standards station. There is/was a lot more to standards than the rat pack and the other Vegas lounge regulars.

 

[Chuck]

> I have not subscribed (although I did do the free trial
> online). I do get XM's music channels through DirecTV and I
> like them much better than the former Music Choice channels
> (and listen more). I like the mix on XM's 40's and 50's
> channel (the latter includes both oldies and standards).
> The Frank's Place channel is same old, same old
> limited-selection stuff that drove me away from my local
> former standards station. There is/was a lot more to
> standards than the rat pack and the other Vegas lounge
> regulars.
>
I purchased a Sirius subscription because I liked the two standards channels (one big band, one vocals) that I was getting on my DISH TV receiver. A few months after subscribing, they merged the two channels into one, which actually made the channel sound a lot more like the radio station I program (www.kzqx.com).

Sirius "Standards 75" is not bad, and I listen to it when I'm traveling. I like it better than the Jones Network's "Music of Your Life." It also sounds a lot better than most small AM stations which seem to be the last bastions of Standards. Unfortunately Standards 75 seems to have a rather limited play list which becomes quite apparent if you listen for several days in a row, like you might do on a road trip.

Of course, there are plenty of other things to listen to on satellite radio, which can keep you amused as you drive along.

 

[JeremyAndrews]

> I read all the posts here about standards stations changing
> to other formats but I have not seen much, if any, mention
> of people going to XM Radio or Sirius for standards. Has
> anybody subscribed to either service and how is the music on
> the standards channels?
>
> I've read advertisers don't like to advertise on standards
> stations because they don't think the audience buys things.
> If standards listeners are slow to go to satellite, maybe
> the advertisers are right? It could also mean if standards
> fans don't give XM Radio and Sirius much business, the
> standards channels might be discontinued.
>
> I have not subscribed (although I did do the free trial
> online). I do get XM's music channels through DirecTV and I
> like them much better than the former Music Choice channels
> (and listen more). I like the mix on XM's 40's and 50's
> channel (the latter includes both oldies and standards).
> The Frank's Place channel is same old, same old
> limited-selection stuff that drove me away from my local
> former standards station. There is/was a lot more to
> standards than the rat pack and the other Vegas lounge
> regulars.
>

40s On 4
50s On 5
Sunny (I love the instrumentals they play. They also mix in some great standards vocals)
and to a lesser extent Frank's Place

Other then that, we still got WOKY and my vinyl. I had an obsession with standards in 2000-2001 when I was 13-14 (Was glued to WW1 Standards) which is probably why I still listen.<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[Les]

> I read all the posts here about standards stations changing
> to other formats but I have not seen much, if any, mention
> of people going to XM Radio or Sirius for standards. Has
> anybody subscribed to either service and how is the music on
> the standards channels?


I don't like the idea of paying for music when I listen to very little
of it.

From back in the day I built up a collection of a thousand or so
B/EZ vinyl LP's and a few CD's. Mostly duplicates or things
stations dumped when changing format. When suffering abject boredom I
copied most of my favorites over to CD. Also, a number of years
ago, bought a Pioneer CD changer of the variety that takes the
multi-CD "cassettes" and, largely at yard sales, bought about 20
of the "cassettes". They're loaded with distinct genres and I
can change the whole slug with minimal inconvenience. When I want
music in the house...and that's not often....it's a free source.
The random feature prevents obvious reptition. Only problem is
that this particular changer type is one of the least reliable ever
made. Over time I've owned three of them (for different applications)
and only one, the very first one I bought more than 10 years ago,
gives good continual service. The others failed within a year and
are impractical to repair. I dunno if they're even still making
them!

Oh, in the car? Mostly talk. On long trips "books on tape".

And I'm not even 70 yet!<P ID="signature">______________
"environmentalism is collectivism in drag."
--George Will (or won't)</P>

 

[Tim]

Nitch formats are called "nitch" for a reason....they are not mass-appeal. It's a sliver of a sliver. Standards has become a nitch format...even though some stations foolishly hang on.

Usually if fairly large ad dollars come on a standards station it's derived from the station's all-news morning show, or it's sports play-by-play or talk programming. That means it's not the music-programming that drives most of the ad dollars they get.

Think about it....if the average AM standards listener is 65 years old today....when he/she was 25 years old....40 years ago...what was big on the radio then? Beatles, Mamas & Papas, Rolling Stones, Temptations, Supremes, and so forth. Even early 1960's top 40 was still in their heads...not Sarah Vaughn or Mel Torme and other middle-of-the-road or Big Band songs. That was the popular music of people who are in 2006 in their late 70's or older.

Does that tell us anything about why the few stations left programming standards are generally a failure?????? Why is this so difficult to understand? You may not agree personally...but it makes sense with most of the general public.

And, like what's been posted a million times....radio hobbyists, musicians, and radio people don't think about radio and music like most of the general public...so, our opinions are biased by our hobbies/vocational background.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by John T. Arthur on 01/08/06 02:39 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[Braswell]

Stereotypical

> if the average AM standards listener is 65
> years old today....when he/she was 25 years old....40 years
> ago...what was big on the radio then? Beatles, Mamas &
> Papas, Rolling Stones, Temptations, Supremes, and so forth.
> Even early 1960's top 40 was still in their heads...not
> Sarah Vaughn or Mel Torme and other middle-of-the-road or
> Big Band songs. That was the popular music of people who are
> in 2006 in their late 70's or older.

I'm 50, and I like Sarah Vaughn and other 50's-era pop artists. My parents always watched the numerous variety shows on television (Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dean Martin, Lawrence Welk, etc), so I was exposed to this type music. That, plus the local radio station was block-formatted, further exposing me to assorted types of music.

I don't own a I-Pod, but, if I did, my "format" would contain extreme diversity, for example (and chosen by random thought):

"A Million & One" - Billy Walker
"New World In The Morning" - Roger Whitaker
"Ramblin' Man" - Allman Brothers
"Green, Green Grass Of Home" - Tom Jones
"Keep It Coming, Love" - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
"Crazy" - Patsy Cline
"Lido Shuffle" - Boz Scaggs
"Heaven In My Woman's Eyes" - Tracy Byrd
"These Eyes" - Guess Who
"Broken Hearted Melody" - Sarah Vaughn
"Paint Me A Birmingham" - Tracy Lawrence
"Power Of Love" Huey Lewis & The News
"Devil Woman" - Marty Robbins
"Who Will The Next Fool Be" - Charlie Rich
"Guitar Man" Bread
"Take It To The Limit" - Eagles
"(Everytime I Turn Around, I'm) Back In Love Again" L.T.D.

And so on.

To stereotype listeners according to age, and programming stations accordingly, is why we have such "a vast wasteland" (thank you, Mr. Minnow) on the dial today. No matter the format (even standards), playlists consist of 300-400 selections, which eventually gets boring as hell, and there begins the tuneout. Alledgely, the "Jack"-type formats are screaming that variety is what they're all about. Mostly, they're not, but their libraries are larger, and there is some variety.

If we would learn to break out of the stereotype mindset, and talk to people (research...yeah, I know), use our gut, and just do it, we might be surprised at what we could build.<P ID="signature">______________
Jay Braswell - Moderator
Atlanta/North Florida/South Carolina/Georgia Boards</P>

 

[GaryOmaha]

> And, like what's been posted a million times....radio
> hobbyists, musicians, and radio people don't think about
> radio and music like most of the general public...so, our
> opinions are biased by our hobbies/vocational background.

I won't deny this. I love music, I love radio...so I may very well be very different than a "typical" radio listener. So be it. But is there a place (somewhere on Radio-Info, or anywhere else) where we lovers of a genre or niche can go to discuss our likes and dislikes and can avoid getting dissed by those who remind us that we are, in fact, "radio geeks"?

 

[Les]

Depends

> I won't deny this. I love music, I love radio...so I may
> very well be very different than a "typical" radio listener.
> So be it. But is there a place (somewhere on Radio-Info,
> or anywhere else) where we lovers of a genre or niche can go
> to discuss our likes and dislikes and can avoid getting
> dissed by those who remind us that we are, in fact, "radio
> geeks"?

It sorta depends on the niche. If your favorite genre even
remotely "fits" with Soft AC/Standards, you're welcome to start
a thread right here. But, please, not something like 50's rock.
Reasonable criticism of subject material might require a bit of
a thick skin but personal attacks are NOT tolerated on this board.
Please give it a try! <P ID="signature">______________
Artificial intelligence is NO match for natural stupidity!</P>

 

[GaryOmaha]

Re: Depends

> It sorta depends on the niche. If your favorite genre even
> remotely "fits" with Soft AC/Standards, you're welcome to
> start a thread right here.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound vague. I *have* started threads here and always enjoy reading people's thoughts. I just get tired of some folks raining on others' parades (or p*ssing in their Cheerios).

> personal attacks are NOT tolerated on this board.

Absolutely agreed! I help run a discussion board elsewhere, and we have the same rule. Everyone's views must be tolerated. That's sort of my original point.

 

[musicbox]

YES!! Standards and Beautiful/EZ Music.
I don't listen to commercial radio anymore, for obvious reasons, they don't play what I want to hear.

> I read all the posts here about standards stations changing
> to other formats but I have not seen much, if any, mention
> of people going to XM Radio or Sirius for standards. Has
> anybody subscribed to either service and how is the music on
> the standards channels?
>
> I've read advertisers don't like to advertise on standards
> stations because they don't think the audience buys things.
> If standards listeners are slow to go to satellite, maybe
> the advertisers are right? It could also mean if standards
> fans don't give XM Radio and Sirius much business, the
> standards channels might be discontinued.
>
> I have not subscribed (although I did do the free trial
> online). I do get XM's music channels through DirecTV and I
> like them much better than the former Music Choice channels
> (and listen more). I like the mix on XM's 40's and 50's
> channel (the latter includes both oldies and standards).
> The Frank's Place channel is same old, same old
> limited-selection stuff that drove me away from my local
> former standards station. There is/was a lot more to
> standards than the rat pack and the other Vegas lounge
> regulars.
>

 

[DougD]

YES!! Standards and Beautiful/EZ Music.
I don't listen to commercial radio anymore, for obvious reasons, they don't play what I want to hear.

>

Well-stated. I'm 44 and am a BIG 50s- early 60s rock and roll oldies lover, as well as MOYL and standards.

Commercial radio is the pits, no matter what its apologists claim. The boneheaded programmers who only see $$ in the public airwaves sure are thin-skinned when REAL LISTENERS complain about the staleness, repetitiveness, dead playlists and overall drek that goes for radio these days.


"Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."

I will reply to ANY post I see on this board. After all, it's public record. If I dont' want to start my own fight (thread), I'll get involved in another one (here).

BTW, I love 50s rock. As well as standards from that era.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Don't think I'm not tempted. But I don't really have that kind of money to spend.

I had the opportunity a couple of times to walk into a store that sold XM. I tried the Sunny channel and I was hooked. This year they moved that music to the Escape channel. I even heard Michael Buble. How can I walk out of that store without buying? I was 20 years old when I went to Myrtle Beach for the first time after Joy 92 made its debut, and I loved it when I heard it on cable. Even today in Myrtle Beach, if you time it right, you can hear pretty much the same thing with wanted criminals, car ads, real estate ads and community announcements. I called the cable company and they said it was Music Choice and on the digital tier I could get that. I can't afford REGULAR cable. Escape may be close enough to that, though.

I also tried the 40s channel. That brings back memories! Back in the days when I first tried standards radio, that was the good stuff. Soft AC wasn't really my taste any more.

I can't remember whether I've heard enough of Frank's Place.

What I really wish is that someone would do an XM channel like Stardust was at night in 1990 when I was able to listen on cable in a motel room where they had it. Maybe Frank's Place or Sirius standards sound like that; I don't know. All I know is Stardust has played a lot of really good songs over the years that I'm not hearing or not hearing enough. It's not working for me any more.

 

[amlover]

The 50's channel on XM plays a ton of standards now in the regular rotation. They also have a great 2 hour show devoted strickly to the Pop Standards called "Moments to Remember" heard on Sat. morning at 9am Eastern and again Sunday night at 7pm Eastern. If you have XM Satellite Radio please check the 50's channel out. I find myself listening to the channel more than any other on XM.

 

[fred flintstone]

50s on Five is a Real Oldies channel including rock and MOR hits from the 50s (and sneaking into the early 60s). It's more of a nostalgia channel than a standards channel, but a lot of the music they play (especially from the early 50s) would show up on a standards station.
Same for the 40s on Four channel. Here again the cuts are nostalgia pieces, not always true evergreens. Recordings are the original hits by the original artists.

Frank's Place is very much a standards channel - despite the misleading name. It's not all Sinatra (and they don't even seem to play Sinatra any more than they do other artists). The songs are standards but a lot of the recordings and artists are contemporary, as opposed to original hits.

None of these is exactly what ABC Stardust was - the focus of each is narrower (and I tune among them a good deal, depending on my mood). Probably 50s on Five comes closest to ABC Stardust (before the playlist was updated about five years ago) or to Westwood One's former AM Only. Frank's Place is probably closer to Jones' Music of Your Life.

XM Music Channels are also available to DirecTV subscribers; Sirius Music Channels are carried on Dish TV.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Is there anyone here who heard WSAI 1530 Cincinnati before they went oldies? I thought they had the best mix of Standards, much better than the satellite folks have done.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Is there anyone here who heard WSAI 1530 Cincinnati before they went oldies? I thought they had the best mix of Standards, much better than the satellite folks have done.

I used to from time time, though right before they switched they were so bland oldies wasn't too far off.

Now they're sports. At least the last time I checked.

 

[vchimpanzee]

After I missed out on hearing the music with the wanted criminals in Myrtle Beach, I actually looked at equipment. There's so much expense in just getting started, and so many details. Never mind the monthly cost.

 

[fred flintstone]

After I missed out on hearing the music with the wanted criminals in Myrtle Beach, I actually looked at equipment. There's so much expense in just getting started, and so many details. Never mind the monthly cost.

Good point. That may be a barrier for a lot of people (in addition to the problem of knowing which service to go with).

Maybe you'll just have to wait until you buy a car.

In the meantime, DirecTV customers get the XM music channels as part of the service; Dish TV customers get Sirius music channels.

And AOL streams XM's music channels. Many of them are available for free to anybody on their website, including the ones of greatest interest here: Frank's Place and 50s on Five. (40s on Four is available for paid AOL members.)

 

[vchimpanzee]

Maybe you'll just have to wait until you buy a car.

In the meantime, DirecTV customers get the XM music channels as part of the service; Dish TV customers get Sirius music channels.

And AOL streams XM's music channels. Many of them are available for free to anybody on their website, including the ones of greatest interest here: Frank's Place and 50s on Five. (40s on Four is available for paid AOL members.)

What makes you think I don't have a car?

In the house, I don't have any equipment. One of the XM receivers just uses an existing stereo. I don't think it'll work on mine. It plays records and 8-tracks and I haven't even tried it since my father moved out 7 years ago. It may not even still work.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Then there's the problem of the dish or whatever you use to pick up the signal. We were told it would be a dish, but I haven't exactly seen dishes on new cars.