Houston Can't Hold a Good Jazz Radio Station.

[TroyG]

This is like the third time this city has lost a real fine elevator music station. We've lost KJZS (106.9 FM) & KHYS (98.5 FM), and KHJZ makes it three. The former 2 were sold to The Mexicans. KJZS to Univision-which now plays Spanish Pop; And KHYS (Now KTJM) to Lieberman-which now plays Regional Mexican, with an emphasis on Musica Duranguesne-which incorporates heavily on Brass, Clarinets, Drums and a harp. I believe the only way you can hear Smooth Jazz nowadays is on The Internet, HD Radio, and on XM radio. The latter two are both commercial-free. The other alternative would be your I-Pod. Again, this happens to be a dying format we're talking about. Lately, it's now been relegated by corporate weasels like CBS & Clear Channel.

I believe if KHJZ went under, I think Radio-One would be a good choice to flip KROI to Smooth Jazz; It already owns WJZZ-A very popular station in Atlanta, and it is run by African-Americans-in which smooth jazz is targeted at. It's time to let our voices be heard.

 

[ChuckTiller]

"KJZS (106.9 FM)...KJZS to Univision-which now plays Spanish Pop" is incorrect. "The Point" KHPT is 106.9 which COX bought from Salem Communications for $80 million dollars and 5 stations from other markets.

When KJZS was on 106.9, it was a rimshot which did NOT cover Houston very well. Salem later moved the tower south to Splendora, a tower which Salem still owns.

Do not look for Radio One to change KROI. They are very happy with Praise 92.1. Smooth Jazz is targeted to more than just African-Americans.

The problem with Smooth Jazz is that the format was ruined by the bean counters. Research, research, research driven is what I heard while I was on KHJZ. Maxine Todd told me, "Chuck, we are research driven."

KHJZ was not the same as when it 1st came on the air in 2002. As more vocals were added, it was clear that the dilution was made to counter KODA Sunny 99.1. If you go back to a formula of 2 instrumentals to a vocal and open up that playlist, the results might fare a lot better. But then, what do I know?

Sunday, I did it again. I drove around listening to 95.7 The Wave in my Impala. It sure sounded good.

 

[TroyG]

I think there is a bottom line, Chuck-And it's both The Ratings & The Money They're Making. And the factor is pure, plain & simple. When KHJZ flipped formats They're looking at what really works, & Their last format drove that station off the radar map. It was a popular station among office workers & doctors' offices, but they did'nt see it that way. Out goes Kenny G, David Benoit & Vanessa Williams, in goes Mariah Carey, The Jonas Brothers, & Snoop Dogg. KHJZ's goal as Hot 95-7 is to take on 104, The Boxx, & Mix.

 

[ilistentotheradio]

KHJZ's goal as Hot 95-7 is to take on 104, The Boxx, & Mix.

As a programmer, I completely disagree. If they're "taking on" anyone, it's KRBE. Since they're targeted toward different demographics, I see no way they'd be aiming to take on KPTY or KBXX, and especially not KHMX. Anything that rolls off of these stations is "extra".

Just because stations may share some songs doesn't make them "competition".

 

[luckros]

I think that HOT 95-7 is aimed directly at KRBE and and somewhat at KPTY.

 

[davideduardo]

I think that HOT 95-7 is aimed directly at KRBE and and somewhat at KPTY.

If you look at core artist overlap, it is positioned directly between KPTY and KRBE.

 

[Mediafrog+]

"KJZS (106.9 FM)...KJZS to Univision-which now plays Spanish Pop" is incorrect. "The Point" KHPT is 106.9 which COX bought from Salem Communications for $80 million dollars and 5 stations from other markets.

And don't forget that KJZS was followed by Talk/Oldies KKHU and Z-Rock KKZR before Salem took over.

When KJZS was on 106.9, it was a rimshot which did NOT cover Houston very well. Salem later moved the tower south to Splendora, a tower which Salem still owns.

For what it was, the old stick wasn't all that bad, but couldn't hold up with the MC signals in the south side of the market. Wasn't there some sort of earlier upgrade around the time KJZS launched in late 1990? I recall the signal was somewhat improved from the KJOJ days. The 1998 move to the 2000' stick made a huge difference.

Do not look for Radio One to change KROI. They are very happy with Praise 92.1.

Despite their apparent money problems, I've wondered if Radio One would go after one of the CC sticks, move the Praise format there, and sell 92.1...resulting in a new format on that frequency. Highly doubtful, but an interesting thought.

KHJZ was not the same as when it 1st came on the air in 2002. As more vocals were added, it was clear that the dilution was made to counter KODA Sunny 99.1. If you go back to a formula of 2 instrumentals to a vocal and open up that playlist, the results might fare a lot better. But then, what do I know?

When KHJZ was just a few days old and still running jockless, I made a lengthy aircheck and stashed it away without listening to it. When rumors started circulating about the possible demise of the Smooth Jazz format, I dug out the cassettes and listened to them in the car during my commute and errands, so I could compare KHJZ "then and now." You are right, it appeared to be a 2:1 instrumental/vocal mix back then...and the vocals weren't so much of the material that would become so tiresome as the format aged. The station also seemed to have slightly more lively processing in the beginning as well, although that might have been a holdover from KIKK-FM (I always thought they had excellent processing for the Country format.)

 

[Willis1000]

>New York and DC also lost their smooth jazz stations recently.
>Houston ISN'T the only one.

Don't forget Denver. And Las Vegas just let their PD go. Sounds like they're next.

 

[TroyG]

Also, Don't forget Indy. Their station was replaced by WNOU-As in Radio NOW 100.9-Which like Hot 95-7 & 104 KRBE happens to be a Top 40 station. It was originally at 93.1 (Now NewsRadio WIBC).

 

[mrtexmex2007]

(Now KTJM) to Lieberman-which now plays Regional Mexican, with an emphasis on Musica Duranguesne-which incorporates heavily on Brass, Clarinets, Drums and a harp.

Well this is not inportant but, Duranguense has no clarinets!! They are composed by two saxophones!! Two keyboards, a bass drum, and a snare drum!! Well most of the duranguense bands, the other duranguense bands have only keyboards and percussion!! And there is a duranguense band that plays instrument that sounds like an Accordion but its played like a harmonica!

 

[TroyG]

Well, I really do love the band Los Horoscopos-which is led by The Terrazas Sisters Vicky-The Brunette. & Marisol-The Blonde These girls really do have some good eye candy.

 

[oldjohnny]

(Now KTJM) to Lieberman-which now plays Regional Mexican, with an emphasis on Musica Duranguesne-which incorporates heavily on Brass, Clarinets, Drums and a harp.

Well

(Now KTJM) to Lieberman-which now plays Regional Mexican, with an emphasis on Musica Duranguesne-which incorporates heavily on Brass, Clarinets, Drums and a harp.

Well this is not inportant but, Duranguense has no clarinets!! They are composed by two saxophones!! Two keyboards, a bass drum, and a snare drum!! Well most of the duranguense bands, the other duranguense bands have only keyboards and percussion!! And there is a duranguense band that plays instrument that sounds like an Accordion but its played like a harmonica!

this is not inportant but, Duranguense has no clarinets!! They are composed by two saxophones!! Two keyboards, a bass drum, and a snare drum!! Well most of the duranguense bands, the other duranguense bands have only keyboards and percussion!!

That's not true. Bands don't have the exact equipment you described above. A lot of bands only use one keyboard, one sax, and two bass drums (a big one and small one). Lot of them use trumpets and wood blocks. Bands also use the whole drum set instead of the snare drum.

I've seen a couple of uprising bands that use clarinets. David should be able to tell you all of the different instruments since he has more expertise on Regiona Mexican Music.

(Now KTJM) to Lieberman-which now plays Regional Mexican, with an emphasis on Musica Duranguesne-which incorporates heavily on Brass, Clarinets, Drums and a harp.

And there is a duranguense band that plays instrument that sounds like an Accordion but its played like a harmonica!

I'm think the instrument is called the Melodica.

 

[mrtexmex2007]

True, but your talking about bands as in Bandas, Original Bandas Like El Recodo come with Tubas, Harmonies, Trumpets, Trombones, Clarinets and percussions!! Duranguense bands are similar to bandas but not as original!! There are also Techno Bandas, they have Clarinets, Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Keyboard, electric Bass and drums. Some have Digital percussions!! I know about spanish regional music, im in a regional band!!!

 

[oldjohnny]

Do you even know about spanish Regional music (if there is such term)? You don't even know what the Melodica was called. I'd bet you didn't even know that Duranguense is in a way American music.

Dude, you must not have a clue what a "Duranguense band" is. They don't have specific instruments. I've seen up and rising bands use clarinets and it is Duranguense. You'll see some of the most diverse small Duranguense bands in Mexico (even though sadly some will never make it to stardom). My spanish is just as bad as the next white guy, but even I know that your description of "Duranguense" bands is not accurate. Banda is Banda and Duranguense is a sub-genre of Banda (So Banda is THE ORIGINAL, not Duranguense like you claim). All the way from Banda Machos' Hit single "La Culebra" to Kiko from "El chavo de Ocho" dance( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Qg3eqWWzE&feature=related )(hehehehe), all of it is Banda.

You show that you don't know what your talking about by saying you are in a Regional Band. a Regional Band? It's either a Norteno, Banda, Ranchero, Mariachi, etc. There is really no such thing as a Regional band.

 

[ChuckTiller]

I always find it amusing how conversations evolve. Hence:Houston Can't Hold a Good Jazz Radio Station.
It started with a subject I know a lot about to a subject, as Sgt Schultz on "Hogans Heroes" would say, 'I know nothing.'
Both subjects are important, however ladies and gentlemen, please stay on topic. (By the way, I have been guilty of this as well and do my best to not change the original intent of the thread.)

 

[TroyG]

Thanx 4 The reminder, Chuck.

 

[davideduardo]

Well this is not inportant but, Duranguense has no clarinets!! They are composed by two saxophones!! Two keyboards, a bass drum, and a snare drum!! Well most of the duranguense bands, the other duranguense bands have only keyboards and percussion!! And there is a duranguense band that plays instrument that sounds like an Accordion but its played like a harmonica!

As has been said, Durangüense is a subset of Banda. A Banda is pretty much a brass band, with the tuba emphasized. Sometimes, a lot of the brass section is played by synthesizers (keyboards using samples) so the Banda or Banda Durangüense can be smaller. The clarinette, not domininant in most Bandas, is dominant in Durangüense.

The classic sound of Durangüense is Patrulla 81's Como Pude Enamorarme de Ti, and you hear in it the distinctive clarinet lead (the clarinet may be played on a keyboard, of course), with the brass section behind it. Patrulla uses keyboards as well as "real" instruments, so it is a good example of Durangüense.

Banda goes back 100 years; Durangüense is basically a thing of the last 5 or 6 years.

The term "Regional Mexican" was invented in the US. Stations that play banda, or norteña or durangüense, etc. in Mexico are called "grupera" stations, not regional Mexican. The term was created here to "lump together" the various kinds of music like ranchera and norteña that come from the different parts of Mexico. A listener would either call the music by its exact kind, like norteña, or just call it "música mexicana."

 

[davideduardo]

Well this is not inportant but, Duranguense has no clarinets!!

Name me a Patrulla 81 or Horóscopos or Creadorez song that does not have a clarinet. The clarinet (or clarinet sample on keyboards) is the distinctive element of Banda Durangüense that sets it apart from its big brother, Banda Sinaloense.

 

[oldjohnny]

I always find it amusing how conversations evolve. Hence:Houston Can't Hold a Good Jazz Radio Station.
It started with a subject I know a lot about to a subject, as Sgt Schultz on "Hogans Heroes" would say, 'I know nothing.'
Both subjects are important, however ladies and gentlemen, please stay on topic. (By the way, I have been guilty of this as well and do my best to not change the original intent of the thread.)

Now ain't that funny?

Now, anyone know if Hazz HD-2 is up now?

 

[Media_Maven]

According to www.******************, KHJZ rose from 2.4 in Dec. '07 to 3.1 in Jan. '08 (the most recent info available on this site), ranking it higher than 80s KHPT or Churban KPTY, which had a 2.6 and 2.3 respectively. If I were programming one of those stations, I'd gladly welcome a 3.1 with KHJZ's affluent adult demo.