it's about time a Dance CHR should be attempted

[RadioPhillyFan]

As far as I'm aware, Dance CHR's have always been called "CHR's" - till "Top 40" and "Pop CHR" came into place.

Dance music, is up-and-coming. Breathe Carolina, The Ready Set, The Wanted. All on CHR's and Hot AC's.

Timbaland too, as recently stated.

I think a Dance CHR could hold it's on in a major market, at least in Philly. It happens to be the nations fifth largest city, it's got a lot of younger people, and up-and-coming casinos and dance clubs... And strip clubs.

All that being said, is 2010's a good time for the return of Dance CHR's?

WRDW-HD2 "Hot Wired" in Philadelphia, is a HD signal covering about a third of the WRDW signal (20-30 miles, Wired's one of the strongest Philly FM's, it goes down to n-baltimore and e-harrisburg, without DX, approx 80-90 miles, it's clear within 60)

It plays, Dance/Dance CHR. Mostly remixes of pop songs. A lot of younger people I know actually listen to it, and enjoy it)

Now, Wired is a Rythmetic CHR, almost Pop CHR. I'm thinking, that a Dance CHR could pull in a city like Philly, New York, Pittsburgh, Boston, Buffalo. Cities with high white populations, and cities with young populations, in the northern area of the USA.

Our most listened to stations are AC's and Rock. We also have four CHRs (full market fm) [WSTW, WPST, WIOQ, WRDW and the Hot AC WISX, which plays almost identical to WIOQ and WPST)

So, with our situation, it's kinda acceptable.

Any Philly guys can certainly correct my stretch on calling WISX a CHR leaning Hot AC.

But, thoughts on your market/city and how it will perform with Dance CHR

 

[DJ_Perry]

I was in San Diego the last few days, and Channel 933 and former Urban Z90 were playing 90 percent Top 40 Dance. Nothing super cool, but the ratio of uptempo to downtempo was unheard of. In AZ, the CHRs still have a good amount of Urban tracks in rotation, but I'm hoping that shifts even more so. At least its not Urban out weighing things like previously in recent times

 

[Dancerev889]

"Dance music, is up-and-coming. Breathe Carolina, The Ready Set, The Wanted. All on CHR's and Hot AC's.

Timbaland too, as recently stated."

Are the remixes played on dance stations yes, but a lot of people on board would not consider them dance artists. The are pop artists.

The major radio companies right now are not flipping any major market to a dance station. From talking to friends in the biz over weekend, the upper brass still question when they play too much "dance" in rotation.

For a major market to flip you are going to need success stories. Its all about the money.

Philly does have a station that plays dance. It may not cover all of Philly but it covers the populated areas of South Jersey and I-95 where the clubs are. Z889. If you want to hear another dance station out of market that also does it right check out C89.5 in Seattle. Both stations are up for best US station at this years IDMA's.

 

[RadioPhillyFan]

Yes, they certainly aren't Dance artists, but they can be played.

And I do listen to Z88.9. It's just kind of a hard to get FM in my area of Philly.

 

[ronkaram]

I've come across an unusual station that mixes dance with other music. It's Jack-FM in Berlin. They play some dance, Bruce Springsteen and songs by familiar artists but not songs I've heard by them before. They must be songs released in Europe but not here.
It has the same Jack format with no DJ's. Their website describes them as all hit radio.

 

[TonySantiago]

For a major market to flip you are going to need success stories. Its all about the money.

And THAT right there is the "catch 22". How can one create a "success story" if no one takes that chance to do the format? In the minds of corporate, WKTU is a dance station but WE KNOW BETTER! Yet it won the IDMA for "Best Terrestrial Radio Station". And if corporate for some reason pays attention to the IDMA, then 'KTU is dance, after all it won an award in a dance music oriented presentation. I would have rather seen your station Brett, or C89.5 to have won the award because that is the REAL indicator of what dance music programming is all about.

I formed the NYDMC 18 years ago, to at least show that WE ARE HERE and we want our brand of dance to appear. 3 more chapters have formed since. The ONLY reason why I say to keep the Rihanna's, Chris Brown, Pitbull aspect is to get to that "casual fan". But bring in our brand into this, that casual crowd can perhaps open up to the core sounds and that MONEY can be made here.

Corporate needs to be educated.

 

[2Son]

KMVA Phoenix is still a Top 40 station, but they have been adding more upbeat top 40 tunes quite recently. Even their new sweepers are featuring artists like Afrojack and Calvin Harris (even though the songs are dated now). http://www.hot975phoenix.com/index.aspx

Playlist today:

6:59 PM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
6:56 PM "LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG" - SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE
6:52 PM "TAKE CARE" - DRAKE F/ RIHANNA
6:42 PM "POKER FACE" - LADY GAGA
6:38 PM "WE ARE YOUNG" - FUN
6:35 PM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
6:31 PM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
6:27 PM "YEAH X3" - CHRIS BROWN
6:23 PM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
6:20 PM "TAKE OVER CONTROL" - AFROJACK
6:11 PM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
6:07 PM "THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY" - KATY PERRY
6:03 PM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
5:59 PM "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE" - DAVID GUETTA FT. CHRIS BROWN
5:55 PM "DOWN ON ME" - JEREMIAH FT. 50 CENT
5:52 PM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
5:48 PM "SET FIRE TO THE RAIN" - ADELE
5:39 PM "WE SPEAK NO AMERICANO" - YOLAND BE COOL VS. D CUP
5:36 PM "GLAD YOU CAME" - THE WANTED
5:32 PM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
5:28 PM "TILL THE WORLD ENDS" - BRITNEY SPEARS
5:25 PM "YOUNG, WILD, & FREE" - WHIZ KHALIFA FT. SNOOP DOGG
5:22 PM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
5:18 PM "GOOD FEELING" - FLO RIDA
5:08 PM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
5:04 PM "JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH" - BLACK EYED PEAS
5:00 PM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
4:57 PM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
4:53 PM "STEREO HEARTS" - GYM CLASS HEROES
4:50 PM "LEVELS" - AVICII
4:40 PM "LIKE A G6" - FAR EAST MOVEMENT
4:36 PM "RUMOUR HAS IT" - ADELE
4:33 PM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
4:29 PM "IN THE DARK" - DEV
4:25 PM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
4:21 PM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
4:17 PM "FIREWORK" - KATY PERRY
4:08 PM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
4:04 PM "TAKE CARE" - DRAKE F/ RIHANNA
4:00 PM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
3:56 PM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
3:53 PM "DJ GOT US FALLING IN LOVE" - USHER
3:50 PM "GLAD YOU CAME" - THE WANTED
3:40 PM "DOWN" - JAY SEAN
3:37 PM "TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT" - OUTASIGHT
3:34 PM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
3:29 PM "IT WILL RAIN" - BRUNO MARS
3:26 PM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
3:22 PM "SET FIRE TO THE RAIN" - ADELE
3:18 PM "SUPER BASS" - NICKI MINAJ
3:09 PM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
3:05 PM "I WANNA GO" - BRITNEY SPEARS
3:02 PM "YOUNG, WILD, & FREE" - WHIZ KHALIFA FT. SNOOP DOGG
2:58 PM "INTERNATIONAL LOVE" - PITBULL FT. CHRIS BROWN
2:55 PM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
2:51 PM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
2:47 PM "EMPIRE STATE OF MIND" - JAYZ
2:38 PM "LEVELS" - AVICII
2:34 PM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
2:30 PM "TURN UP THE MUSIC" - CHRIS BROWN
2:26 PM "THE WAY YOU ARE" - BRUNO MARS
2:23 PM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
2:19 PM "PARTY ROCK ANTHEM" - LMFAO
2:09 PM "E.T." - KATY PERRY FT. KNAYE WEST
2:06 PM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
2:02 PM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
1:58 PM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
1:54 PM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
1:43 PM "LAST FRIDAY NIGHT (T.G.I.F.)" - KATY PERRY
1:40 PM "STEREO LOVE" - EDWARD MAYA
1:36 PM "WE ARE YOUNG" - FUN
1:33 PM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
1:29 PM "GLAD YOU CAME" - THE WANTED
1:26 PM "SEXY AND I KNOW IT" - LMFAO
1:22 PM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
1:12 PM "TAKE OVER CONTROL" - AFROJACK
1:08 PM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
1:04 PM "SET FIRE TO THE RAIN" - ADELE
1:00 PM "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE" - DAVID GUETTA FT. CHRIS BROWN
12:57 PM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
12:53 PM "MOVES LIKE JAGGER" - MAROON 5 FT. CHRISTINA AGUIL
12:41 PM "GOOD FEELING" - FLO RIDA
12:38 PM "YOUNG, WILD, & FREE" - WHIZ KHALIFA FT. SNOOP DOGG
12:34 PM "JUST DANCE" - LADY GAGA F / KARDINAL
12:31 PM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
12:26 PM "WHAT'S MY NAME" - RIHANNA
12:23 PM "INTERNATIONAL LOVE" - PITBULL FT. CHRIS BROWN
12:19 PM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
12:10 PM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
12:06 PM "LEVELS" - AVICII
12:02 PM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
11:58 AM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
11:55 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
11:51 AM "STEREO HEARTS" - GYM CLASS HEROES
11:40 AM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
11:36 AM "ON THE FLOOR" - J-LO F/ PITBULL
11:32 AM "RUMOUR HAS IT" - ADELE
11:29 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
11:24 AM "TAKE CARE" - DRAKE F/ RIHANNA
11:21 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
11:17 AM "PUMPED UP KICKS" - FOSTER THE PEOPLE
11:07 AM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
11:03 AM "DOWN ON ME" - JEREMIAH FT. 50 CENT
10:59 AM "GLAD YOU CAME" - THE WANTED
10:56 AM "DYNAMITE" - TAIO CRUZ
10:52 AM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
10:42 AM "YOUNG, WILD, & FREE" - WHIZ KHALIFA FT. SNOOP DOGG
10:39 AM "RIGHT ROUND" - FLO-RIDA
10:36 AM "TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT" - OUTASIGHT
10:32 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
10:29 AM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
10:25 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
10:21 AM "IT WILL RAIN" - BRUNO MARS
10:11 AM "TILL THE WORLD ENDS" - BRITNEY SPEARS
10:07 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
10:03 AM "INTERNATIONAL LOVE" - PITBULL FT. CHRIS BROWN
9:58 AM "TAKE CARE" - DRAKE F/ RIHANNA
9:54 AM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
9:51 AM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
9:14 AM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
8:11 AM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
6:51 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
5:56 AM "WE RUN THE NIGHT" - HAVANA BROWN FT. PITBULL
5:52 AM "JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH" - BLACK EYED PEAS buy on iTunes
5:49 AM "LEVELS" - AVICII
5:40 AM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
5:36 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
5:32 AM "INTERNATIONAL LOVE" - PITBULL FT. CHRIS BROWN
5:28 AM "IT WILL RAIN" - BRUNO MARS
5:24 AM "NAKED" - DEV FT. T PAIN
5:21 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
5:17 AM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
5:08 AM "TURN UP THE MUSIC" - CHRIS BROWN
5:04 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
5:01 AM "LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG" - SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE
4:57 AM "SO GOOD" - B.O.B.
4:54 AM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
4:50 AM "YOU MAKE ME FEEL" - COBRA STARSHIP FT. SABI
4:43 AM "PARTY ROCK ANTHEM" - LMFAO
4:40 AM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
4:36 AM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
4:32 AM "WE ARE YOUNG" - FUN
4:28 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
4:25 AM "E.T." - KATY PERRY FT. KNAYE WEST
4:21 AM "GLAD YOU CAME" - THE WANTED
4:18 AM "TIC TOC" - KE$HA
4:14 AM "SET FIRE TO THE RAIN" - ADELE
4:10 AM "GIVE ME EVERYTHING" - PITBULL FEATURING NE-YO
4:07 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
4:03 AM "TALK THAT TALK" - RIHANNA F/ JAY-Z
4:00 AM "STARSHIPS" - NICKI MINAJ
3:56 AM "TILL THE WORLD ENDS" - BRITNEY SPEARS
3:52 AM "YOUNG, WILD, & FREE" - WHIZ KHALIFA FT. SNOOP DOGG
3:49 AM "TAKE OVER CONTROL" - AFROJACK
3:42 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
3:38 AM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
3:35 AM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
3:31 AM "LIGHTS (FERNANDO GARIBAY REMIX)" - ELLIE GOULDING
3:28 AM "MOVES LIKE JAGGER" - MAROON 5 FT. CHRISTINA AGUIL
3:24 AM "INTERNATIONAL LOVE" - PITBULL FT. CHRIS BROWN
3:20 AM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
3:17 AM "LEVELS" - AVICII
3:13 AM "I GOTTA FEELIN" - BLACK EYED PEAS
3:10 AM "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE" - DAVID GUETTA FT. CHRIS BROWN
3:06 AM "FIREWORK" - KATY PERRY
3:02 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
2:59 AM "THE MOTTO" - DRAKE
2:55 AM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
2:52 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
2:44 AM "I WANNA GO" - BRITNEY SPEARS buy on iTunes
2:41 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
2:37 AM "WILD ONES" - FLO RIDA FT. SIA
2:33 AM "RUMOUR HAS IT" - ADELE
2:29 AM "TAKE CARE" - DRAKE F/ RIHANNA
2:25 AM "WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL" - ONE DIRECTION
2:22 AM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
2:19 AM "BREAK YOUR HEART" - TAIO CRUZ
2:16 AM "GLAD YOU CAME" - THE WANTED
2:12 AM "YEAH X3" - CHRIS BROWN
2:08 AM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
2:04 AM "GOOD FEELING" - FLO RIDA
2:00 AM "STEREO HEARTS" - GYM CLASS HEROES
1:57 AM "WE RUN THE NIGHT" - HAVANA BROWN FT. PITBULL
1:52 AM "SET FIRE TO THE RAIN" - ADELE
1:49 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
1:43 AM "YOUNG, WILD, & FREE" - WHIZ KHALIFA FT. SNOOP DOGG
1:39 AM "PUMPED UP KICKS" - FOSTER THE PEOPLE
1:36 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
1:33 AM "TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT" - OUTASIGHT
1:29 AM "IN THE DARK" - DEV
1:25 AM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
1:22 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
1:18 AM "JUST DANCE" - LADY GAGA F / KARDINAL
1:14 AM "BROKENHEARTED" - KARMIN
1:11 AM "INTERNATIONAL LOVE" - PITBULL FT. CHRIS BROWN
1:06 AM "WHAT'S MY NAME" - RIHANNA
1:03 AM "TURN ME ON" - DAVID GUETTA FT. NICKI MINAJ
12:59 AM "SO GOOD" - B.O.B.
12:56 AM "THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY" - KATY PERRY
12:52 AM "LEVELS" - AVICII
12:49 AM "STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL" - KELLY CLARKSON
12:41 AM "STEREO LOVE" - EDWARD MAYA
12:37 AM "SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW" - GOTYE
12:33 AM "WE FOUND LOVE" - RIHANNA
12:30 AM "TURN UP THE MUSIC" - CHRIS BROWN
12:26 AM "PART OF ME" - KATY PERRY
12:23 AM "FEEL SO CLOSE" - CALVIN HARRIS
12:18 AM "IT WILL RAIN" - BRUNO MARS
12:15 AM "NAKED" - DEV FT. T PAIN
12:11 AM "DOWN ON ME" - JEREMIAH FT. 50 CENT
12:07 AM "ASS BACK HOME" - GYM CLASS HEROES
12:03 AM "TAKE CARE" - DRAKE F/ RIHANNA

 

[Saladressing]

Wow those are tight rotations for Hot 97.5. LOVE the uptempo feel, but might as well just load up the 15 tracks they play on your phone and spin them over and over every day, you'll get the same experience, minus the commercials.

 

[RadioPhillyFan]

Wow those are tight rotations for Hot 97.5. LOVE the uptempo feel, but might as well just load up the 15 tracks they play on your phone and spin them over and over every day, you'll get the same experience, minus the commercials.

You think that's bad? Look up WRDW in Philly... They need to enter a contest for most overplaying station.

 

[2Son]

Wow those are tight rotations for Hot 97.5. LOVE the uptempo feel, but might as well just load up the 15 tracks they play on your phone and spin them over and over every day, you'll get the same experience, minus the commercials.

I know, right? Well, here's hoping they starting adding some more tracks.

 

[RadioPhillyFan]

Personally, I think it's the format - Rythmetic CHR's don't have very much to play right now.

 

[anthonydt06]

It's not due to a shortage of rhythmic songs, it's due to a reluctance to step out of "safe" songs. People can only take so many Pitbull & Flo Rida songs at a time.

That said, I will say the Ludacris remix of Example - "Changed The Way You Kiss Me" actually sounds good. Heard it on KTFM-San Antonio
today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_sxyKxYxNs

 

[Dancerev889]

For a major market to flip you are going to need success stories. Its all about the money.

And THAT right there is the "catch 22". How can one create a "success story" if no one takes that chance to do the format? In the minds of corporate, WKTU is a dance station but WE KNOW BETTER! Yet it won the IDMA for "Best Terrestrial Radio Station". And if corporate for some reason pays attention to the IDMA, then 'KTU is dance, after all it won an award in a dance music oriented presentation. I would have rather seen your station Brett, or C89.5 to have won the award because that is the REAL indicator of what dance music programming is all about.

I formed the NYDMC 18 years ago, to at least show that WE ARE HERE and we want our brand of dance to appear. 3 more chapters have formed since. The ONLY reason why I say to keep the Rihanna's, Chris Brown, Pitbull aspect is to get to that "casual fan". But bring in our brand into this, that casual crowd can perhaps open up to the core sounds and that MONEY can be made here.

Corporate needs to be educated.

I'll keep my comments to myself about the IDMA's. It's not that corporate needs to be educated, it's the fact that they are making the safe business decisions. Top 40 is one of the most expensive formats to run because of the amount of promotion you need to do to get it to get ratings. Now image the amount of promotion you need to for a dance format would need. Don't expect the majors to flip to this, it's gonna be a small company or independent.

No here is the other issue. What music are you going to play on a dance format these days? Are you going to play dubstep? Are you going to be DJ track driven? If thatts the case are these Dj's gonna support the stations, especially with the big ones signed to exlcusive contracts with Sirius XM? Are you going to play Pop artists?

I wasn't at WMC but how many dance artists performed?

 

[Saladressing]

the Ludacris remix of Example - "Changed The Way You Kiss Me" actually sounds good. Heard it on KTFM-San Antonio
today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_sxyKxYxNs

Live 105/SF is playing the original version of that track along with some other electronic stuff in regular rotation. VERY refreshing to see an alt. rocker actually stepping outside of the same list of 20 interchangeable alternative folk songs that have been dominating the format for years now.

 

[2Son]

the Ludacris remix of Example - "Changed The Way You Kiss Me" actually sounds good. Heard it on KTFM-San Antonio
today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_sxyKxYxNs

Live 105/SF is playing the original version of that track along with some other electronic stuff in regular rotation. VERY refreshing to see an alt. rocker actually stepping outside of the same list of 20 interchangeable alternative folk songs that have been dominating the format for years now.

I used to love KITS. I served in Desert Storm and used to listen to tapes that my friend would send to me from Live 105. BTW, I FLOVE "Watch The Sun Come Up (Fred Falke Remix)" by Example from a couple of years back...one of my fav's. My friends who DON'T listen regularly to EDM seemed to love that song as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxBro9HDY8

 

[d21ofnj]

The best example right now I can give of a Dance CHR is B98.5 (WBBO) on Saturday Nights from 10P-2A. Granted, they are a mainstream CHR, but with a "clubhouse" themed program with just dance chr radio edits, can actually do well for a 24/7 format.

 

[TonySantiago]

It's not that corporate needs to be educated, it's the fact that they are making the safe business decisions. Top 40 is one of the most expensive formats to run because of the amount of promotion you need to do to get it to get ratings. Now image the amount of promotion you need to for a dance format would need. Don't expect the majors to flip to this, it's gonna be a small company or independent.

No here is the other issue. What music are you going to play on a dance format these days? Are you going to play dubstep? Are you going to be DJ track driven? If thatts the case are these Dj's gonna support the stations, especially with the big ones signed to exlcusive contracts with Sirius XM? Are you going to play Pop artists?

I wasn't at WMC but how many dance artists performed?

Let me start backwards. In terms of the WMC, you had a couple of artists perform at the parties (Nadia Ali, Jes) but for the most part a lot of these parties promoted were DJ driven. There were smaller venues with emerging artists performing as well. Some were pretty good, others were "ehhhhhh".

Now in terms of what is going to be played for a dance format, you know this answer to this because I've heard it ad nauseam from radio pros...."whatever the market dictates". If this was me, then yes I would have to play Rihanna, Pit Bull, Flo Rida, and Chris Brown (and similar branded) tracks during the day because you still have a casual fan base that think of this as "dance" and want it. And that's where the "safe" part that you and Anthonydt06 mention has to come into play here, and yes....that would be the pop aspect. David Guetta has managed to break in there with his collaborations and that's fine. But at the same time, I would add a Nadia Ali, Jes, other collaborations (such as whatever Morgan Page produces) or whatever artist that is more "dance branded" into the fold.

In terms of DJ's....granted, a station would NEVER be able to get an Avicii, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Laidback Luke, etc to do a weekly mix show. For you to land Stonebridge is a major coup. But there are so many emerging DJ's out there that just need that chance. And on my event at the WMC, we had quite a few DJ's mix that if it was up to me, for some I would give a weekly or daily slot. On that, the station would be rather progressive at those points.

Dubstep? That's an interesting one. Personally I think alternative/modern rock stations should be up on this already (and are ignorant "NOT" to be) since that aspect of EDM can go there with that target audience that wants it. For dance oriented stations..."whatever the market dictates". I think of dubstep as a suburban sound moreso than an urban sound (but that doesn't mean that people that live directly in a city don't follow). For what I'm envisioning for NYC, I think at best a dubstep specialty show should come into play but I don't necessarily think tracks in there would do well on a dance/rhythmic themed station despite the popularity of it. But then I'm talking NYC. A station in San Francisco could do very well with a dubstep approach. Then again...whatever the market dictates.

Now to the first part. Corporate is playing it safe. VERY SAFE. That's why a station like a 'KTU won the IDMA because rhythmically, that has to be one of the SAFEST sounding stations out there and it does well for the demographics that they cover. But, despite what Bartel (APD) was saying at the radio seminar at the WMC, none of the emerging artists out there would have a chance at a 'KTU unless they had a solid guarantee hit. As much as Nadia Ali is getting that airplay with "Pressure" on 92.3 Now, I don't see 'KTU going there with it because it really doesn't necessarily "fit" them. Maybe they ARE playing it, I don't know, but I would think they would choose someone "safe" versus someone that is dance branded, per se.

And regarding the small stations and I'm going to call this out here.....Cary Vance (Promo Only) called the collaboration between record labels and program directors of stations as a "two way street". Now, I know you work closely with these guys Brett so this doesn't pertain to you or Jon at C-89.5 . But despite my efforts to get record labels to send material to a specific radio station in upstate New York, from what I am understanding (and that's from me talking DIRECTLY to some of the record labels A&R reps attending the WMC) there hasn't been any feedback out of them. And when I called the guy to find out what was going on, midway he stated he had "trouble hearing me" : and was going to get back to me the next day. STILL WAITING ON THAT BTW. :-\ . So if a small company is going to do something like this, then they'd BETTER work closely with our dance labels, promotional companies, etc if they seriously mean business about the format.

Sorry for the length...a LOT on my mind.

 

[Dancerev889]

Tony, KTU won because they are top dog, plain and simple. They also have history so that plays into it as well. In my opinion C-89.5 should have won. I envy what they do and hope to get there some day. With the mix shows, why shouldn't radio stations get Avicii or Tiesto them to do a show for them? Its about promoting a brand of music. A few years ago I get why Sirius or XM had them sign exclusives because they were competing against each other. But Tiesto doing a mix show on terrestrial isn't going to take away listeners from satellite radio. A lot of times its the management of these big DJ's that do not understand radio. Besides they all do free podcasts, so its not like the material is not available. Im trying to do things the right way and want permission. Using up and coming DJ's is great, but again are they bringing people to the radio like Guetta would? I want the home run.

Getting Stonebridge was just using my resources.

I know Dubstep is a love or hate thing, but I will tell you that going into the high schools, it maybe one of the most listened to genres right now.

I agree with Cary about things being a two way street. His company is one of the few that does it right. I can count on one hand the amount of promoters and labels that reach out on a consistent basis.

Bartel is right. We need hits, not songs that are good.

 

[TonySantiago]

Tony, KTU won because they are top dog, plain and simple. They also have history so that plays into it as well.

For what they are doing for the audience they are serving, I'm not knocking 'KTU. But they are not serving US. Outside of Hollywood Hamilton's Remix Top 30, 'KTU is not representative of dance. That's just how it is.

Im trying to do things the right way and want permission. Using up and coming DJ's is great, but again are they bringing people to the radio like Guetta would? I want the home run. Getting Stonebridge was just using my resources.

And that's our philosophical difference right there. If you can score a Guetta to get to your station, that's fantastic. But perhaps in my case, I'm looking for the "singles", "doubles" and "triples" and utilizing the farm system because right there you have that shot of a phenom that can potentially score "home runs" and no one knew. Heck, Guetta and Avicii were once "nobodies" too but someone gave them a shot. I don't necessarily need that "long ball". As long as I'm scoring "runs", I'm happy.

I agree with Cary about things being a two way street. His company is one of the few that does it right. I can count on one hand the amount of promoters and labels that reach out on a consistent basis.

I heard him LOUD and CLEAR when he said that. And I wish more promoters and labels would do their work too as well as some radio PDs. That is vitally important.

Bartel is right. We need hits, not songs that are good.

But how can that "good" song be a hit if it isn't given that chance, especially if the person isn't a "name" like an LMFAO, Rihanna, etc.? I'm all for hits, but let's get OUR people in there somehow!

 

[Dancerev889]

Tony, its not about a name being a hit, its the song that has to be a hit. Thats where a PD comes into play. They are the ones that are "suppose" to make that decision. I think you are looking into it to much with name recognition, instead of their are hit songs and songs that are stiffs. Every genre of music has its hits. Dance music has hits and they vary from station to station. Should I play every dance record that comes my way? No, then I would be doing be doing my job as a PD and it would kill my listening audience.

Stations have x amount of spots for new songs. So they pick the best. Its like a baseball team, a team is going to put its best on the field. If they are not good enough they get sent down to the minors or they do make it at all. I dreamed of making the NBA when I was younger, however Im barely 6ft slow 38 year old, that has no shot, even though Im deadly behind the 3pt line.

Commercial radio isnt about getting artists shots, you got to prove you are good enough.

You mention KTU doesnt represent us, but ask an artist what station they want to get on.

With the mixshows, how does DJ Joe Blow help your station? You are opening a door for someone which is great, but what is the return investment? Now if they have big residencies in your city thats makes sense but bedroom DJ Joe Blow brings what to the table?

My point is that these DJ's are the face of the genre right now and they should be helping the promote the industry.