Is there a place for new music in an oldies format?

[jetfli]

One of the unique characteristics of programming an oldies format has always been that there is no new music to draw listeners in the same way other formats do.

But does it have to be this way? Could an oldies format thrive or at least get more attention by introducing new music that fits the format?

I'm talking about music targeted to the same audience that loves the oldies. Such as remakes by the original artists. New tunes with old sounds from favorite oldies artists. Cuts from reunion tour albums. Covers of old tunes such as the ones found on James Taylor's new CD.

And then there's the whole Mod movement in music. Listen to Britt Savage and Twang Deluxe. Some of their stuff stands up so well next to '60s stuff, like their cover of Secret Agent Man or the new Lookin' Like I'm Gonna. Why not mix some of this stuff in with the oldies to see how audiences respond? As it is, new artists like Britt Savage and Twang Deluxe are relegated to alternative stations, yet they've so well captured the '60s mod sound, you'd think the oldies listeners would just grab this stuff up. I did, once I discovered it on iTunes.

While you may argue that an oldies format is about playing favorites, don't forget, people who love the oldies love the radio of their past -- and a big part of radio in that day was breaking new music. As long as it fits in with the old music, why not play some, and see how audiences respond?

 

[gr8oldies]

If I want oldies, I want oldies, not remakes of oldies.

 

[chitchatjf]

My idea would probably to have a current top 10 countdown show back to back with the top 10 of a prior year.

 

[Jay F]

It's interesting to look at the comments on You Tube clips of classic hits era songs. There are many many emotional comments about how much better the music was back then and how today's music sucks. They also comment on how wonderful the past was compared to today, both their personal lives and society in general.

If those comments are any indication I would say no way, classic hits stations should not play current music. This would include new music from old artists or new music with an older style. People listen to older music to escape from this era which they do not particularly enjoy.

Speaking for myself I love both old and new music but I don't really want to hear them on the same station, It seems only AC can get away with it. There are a couple of large market rock stations I can think of mixing classics and currents right now, let's just say it's a ratings disaster.

 

[Oldbones]

If I want oldies, I want oldies, not remakes of oldies.

I agree. Or new songs that "sound old". Ditto for new releases by core artists. For the most part, even at concerts the audience just tolerates the new songs, they came to hear the hits.
I once worked at a classic rock station that threw in an occasional new song by a format artist. Most of the new songs were pretty weak, the experiment didn't last more than a year.
I feel bad for artists that are still actively recording...it's tough to get new material heard.

 

[firepoint525]

http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,90165.0.html

On the above-referenced thread, there was a similar question, about what '80s songs would fit on an oldies format. One of the replies mentioned a long list of '80s songs, but nearly all of them were remakes, leading me to ask why listen to the remakes when the (usually better) originals are still available? Rather than repeat the conversation that took place in that thread, I will just let you read it for yourself.

 

[andreajesus]

http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,90165.0.html

On the above-referenced thread, there was a similar question, about what '80s songs would fit on an oldies format. One of the replies mentioned a long list of '80s songs, but nearly all of them were remakes, leading me to ask why listen to the remakes when the (usually better) originals are still available? Rather than repeat the conversation that took place in that thread, I will just let you read it for yourself.

but see now, in terms of not only the thread you refer to, but your post itself - why listen to remakes? because it's a GREAT way for younger people to get exposed to GREAT songs by GREAT artists; because a blanket statement cannot be made that says "the (usually better) originals"...because you have people such as myself who growing up heard artists like Donny Osmond doing "Puppy Love" and "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" thinking that they were the originals, and then years later finding out that these and other songs that have been made were ORIGINALLY done back in the 50's and 60's - THAT'S why people listen to remakes - it's a good thing... 8)

Andrea

 

[Tom Wells]

Absolutely there's room for new songs if they compliment the oldies. My AM pt 15 runs music in a "bell curve"
that peaks at 1966. The music runs from 1925 to present. I avoid most of the overplayed oldies, include lots of
fast and loud music, and keep adding more music all the time. There are new artists whose material fits perfectly with the existing mix,
such as King Khan and BBQ, Eagles of Death Metal, Amy Winehouse, Miss Alex White.
There are some from the 1980's that sound just like 1966 with original songs, like the Lyres, the Chesterfield Kings, the Fuzztones,
The Cramps and anything produced by Billy Childish.
Until you've heard Seismic Waves "Whatever Happened to Elmer Fudd" segue into Ray Noble's "Who Walks In' you haven't heard a
real wideband oldies trainwreck. I love a good trainwreck. I also run some recordings of trains, demolition derbies, Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy bits.
I began complaining about restricted playlists back in the 1970's, so I've really had fun putting together a station that ignores
all them tiresome rules. Remakes can be OK. For instance, there the great version of "Venus" by Nervus Rex.

I also enjoy putting in the "stiffs" which have gained in coolness as they age, like "Groovy Grubworm" by Harlow Wilcox and the Oklahoma
Oakies (1968), or comparing covers like "Tonight you belong to Me" by Patience and Prudence vs the Lawrence Welk version. 8)
Then there's "Into the Future" by the Vibrators or "Somebody's Gonna get their Head Kicked in Tonight" by the Rezillos.
These are now oldies and fit perfectly into a station retrospecting the past 70 years of music designed to irritate parents.
Just now came on "With your Radio On" by MIA. That's new, but fits in.
I recently added a bunch of "Kookie" Ed Byrnes stuff, Henry Mancini Peter Gunn TV tracks, some titles by GBH, Bad Brains, a live show by the Cramps from 1985, and a live show by Rocky Erickson ( of the 13th Floor Elevators) from 2 months ago.
I still need more in there. My wife says the problem is in classifying formats at all. It's NOT an oldies format, but we do play oldies.

 

[firepoint525]

http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,90165.0.html
On the above-referenced thread, there was a similar question, about what '80s songs would fit on an oldies format. One of the replies mentioned a long list of '80s songs, but nearly all of them were remakes, leading me to ask why listen to the remakes when the (usually better) originals are still available? Rather than repeat the conversation that took place in that thread, I will just let you read it for yourself.

but see now, in terms of not only the thread you refer to, but your post itself - why listen to remakes? because it's a GREAT way for younger people to get exposed to GREAT songs by GREAT artists; because a blanket statement cannot be made that says "the (usually better) originals"...because you have people such as myself who growing up heard artists like Donny Osmond doing "Puppy Love" and "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" thinking that they were the originals, and then years later finding out that these and other songs that have been made were ORIGINALLY done back in the 50's and 60's - THAT'S why people listen to remakes - it's a good thing... 8)
Andrea

You missed the point entirely, while making my point for me. Donny Osmond's music was aimed at the 'tweens of the early '70s, who were not old enough to remember the originals. You can't fool those who are old enough to remember the originals. And it is those older folks who we would be trying to reach with such a format. If you are old enough to remember the originals, you don't want to hear the remakes, unless the second artist did something new and original with the song. And Donny Osmond didn't. He just rerecorded the older songs, probably at the behest of the record company itself. They knew that Osmond's fans wouldn't be old enough to remember the originals, thus they (those fans) would not have anything to compare his remakes with.

 

[Starbucks]

Not all remakes are bad, plus during the beginning of the top 40 era, there were all ready remakes....Duprees, Jay & The Americans, even the British artist 63-65. Today's artist in most cases do not record remakes from the 60's, 70's or even the 90's. Non that were hits. Don't use that Jessica Simpson/Nancy Sinatra "Boots Are Made" ....as an example. There's my proof , it wouldn't work today.

 

[Tom Wells]

Not all remakes are bad, plus during the beginning of the top 40 era, there were all ready remakes....Duprees, Jay & The Americans, even the British artist 63-65. Today's artist in most cases do not record remakes from the 60's, 70's or even the 90's. Non that were hits. Don't use that Jessica Simpson/Nancy Sinatra "Boots Are Made" ....as an example. There's my proof , it wouldn't work today.

I hope I never hear Jessica Simpson's recording. No one but Nancy can ever sing that song.
How foolish to try.

 

[TheFonz]

Not all remakes are bad, plus during the beginning of the top 40 era, there were all ready remakes....Duprees, Jay & The Americans, even the British artist 63-65.

Great point. The Rock & Roll era was born on remakes. Elvis' "Hound Dog" (Big Mama Thornton) and "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (Al Jolson), Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On (Roy Hall), Connie Francis' "Who's
Sorry Now" (from a 1946 Marx Bros. movie) and Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" (Sonny Dee & The Knights) are just a few examples.

 

[andreajesus]

Not all remakes are bad, plus during the beginning of the top 40 era, there were all ready remakes....Duprees, Jay & The Americans, even the British artist 63-65. Today's artist in most cases do not record remakes from the 60's, 70's or even the 90's. Non that were hits. Don't use that Jessica Simpson/Nancy Sinatra "Boots Are Made" ....as an example. There's my proof , it wouldn't work today.

I hope I never hear Jessica Simpson's recording. No one but Nancy can ever sing that song.
How foolish to try.

i've heard Jessica's "remake" - OY VEIS MEIR!! Nancy "rocked da house" in 1966 with that song and Nancy can STILL "rock da house" today, baby!!

Andrea

 

[andreajesus]

Not all remakes are bad, plus during the beginning of the top 40 era, there were all ready remakes....Duprees, Jay & The Americans, even the British artist 63-65.

Great point. The Rock & Roll era was born on remakes. Elvis' "Hound Dog" (Big Mama Thornton) and "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (Al Jolson), Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On (Roy Hall), Connie Francis' "Who's
Sorry Now" (from a 1946 Marx Bros. movie) and Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" (Sonny Dee & The Knights) are just a few examples.

WOW!! I didn't even know that ANY of these GREAT "standards" that i've heard over the years were remakes in the FIRST place - thanks for reminding this oldtime oldies listener, Fonz!!

Andrea in NYC

 

[TheFonz]

WOW!! I didn't even know that ANY of these GREAT "standards" that i've heard over the years were remakes in the FIRST place - thanks for reminding this oldtime oldies listener, Fonz!!

Andrea in NYC

There was a time when commercial Oldies radio DJs did "theme" programming and would do shows about original versions of hit songs. Those days are gone forever. But Sirius/XM satellite radio's '50s channel still programs those kind of shows. "Pink & Black Days" and "Daddy Dave's Hollywood Diner" are two great examples of how radio used to be.

 

[Mike Sharpe]

If I want oldies, I want oldies, not remakes of oldies.

I agree. Or new songs that "sound old". Ditto for new releases by core artists. For the most part, even at concerts the audience just tolerates the new songs, they came to hear the hits.
I once worked at a classic rock station that threw in an occasional new song by a format artist. Most of the new songs were pretty weak, the experiment didn't last more than a year.
I feel bad for artists that are still actively recording...it's tough to get new material heard.

I know what you mean. We used to have a great Oldies station here in Greensboro, NC (93.1 FM...it's now a country station ) but the one thing they used to do that I hated was playing "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys. ARGGHH!!! I absolutely HATE that song...not even an "oldie". Made me violently angry when it came on. And for some reason they would also play Don Henley's "End of the Innocence" (wtf??) Other than that, I miss the station terribly.

 

[gr8oldies]

Doing oldies about 10 years ago, I'd get requests for "Kokomo" though..even though we played absolutely no 80s.

 

[Mike Sharpe]

Doing oldies about 10 years ago, I'd get requests for "Kokomo" though..even though we played absolutely no 80s.

I realize you probably had to play requests, but I think those retards who did the requesting should be shot. I have spoken.

 

[elchupacabras]

Doing oldies about 10 years ago, I'd get requests for "Kokomo" though..even though we played absolutely no 80s.

You beat me to the punch. I was going to cite that as an excellent example of a song that would fit. Or Los Lobos "La Bamba."

 

[radioman148]

Doing oldies about 10 years ago, I'd get requests for "Kokomo" though..even though we played absolutely no 80s.

I realize you probably had to play requests, but I think those retards who did the requesting should be shot. I have spoken.

Those must be the same people who requested "Old Time Rock & Roll" by Bob Seger.