Jack FM is here in Jacksonville

[nfladxer]

I thought I was the only one who still missed Cool 96.9 but after reading the posts I guess I'm not the only one.

I started listening to them back around 1990 when I was a teenager and I'm so glad that I have several hours of them on tape (need to get those out and convert to CD). I loved the DJ's and for some reason the two that I still remember are Smokin' Joe Beamer and Mimi Monroe. Are they still around? It was the best Oldies station I've ever heard and I have to admit that they are the reason that Oldies/Classic Hits are now my favorite format.

IT_Guru, your early '90's airchecks of Cool 96.9 in Jacksonville might be more valuable than you think, especially to some of those in the radio business. Unfortunately, both Mimi Monroe and Smokin' Joe Beamer (aka Smokin' Joe Hager) have since passed away. If my memory serves me correctly, Mimi died suddenly in the mid '90's, and Joe passed away as a result of cancer in early 1999. So, you see, you have some real broadcast history, highlighting two exceptional radio performers, when they were rocking the airwaves, and keeping it - Cool 96.9!!

 

[IT_Guru]

IT_Guru, your early '90's airchecks of Cool 96.9 in Jacksonville might be more valuable than you think, especially to some of those in the radio business. Unfortunately, both Mimi Monroe and Smokin' Joe Beamer (aka Smokin' Joe Hager) have since passed away. If my memory serves me correctly, Mimi died suddenly in the mid '90's, and Joe passed away as a result of cancer in early 1999. So, you see, you have some real broadcast history, highlighting two exceptional radio performers, when they were rocking the airwaves, and keeping it - Cool 96.9!!

Nfladxer, it's sad to hear about Mimi and Smokin' Joe Beamer. Back then radio was fun to listen to and I remember how the DJ's interacted with the audience. I remember one time I had called the station to make a request and they put me on the radio talking to the DJ who then played my request. It's on one of my tapes.

Occasionally, when there is a good tropo event you can hear several of the Jax stations in Atlanta and there were times that I got to listen to Cool 96.9 in the mornings on my way to work it really made my day.

I still visit Jacksonville a couple of times every year but I guess this summer I won't be listening to the radio while I'm there now that Magic 107.3 is gone.

 

[John FL]

The string's subject is Jack. But something else has resulted that has really hit a nerve. In casual conversations I've had with co-workers, friends and even with radio folks I correspond with outside of Jax, they all agree that radio for a market our size offers so very little in format variety. Being competitive - I get all that. But sadly, today a competitor gets the edge by verbal attacks and even posting negative comments about another station or even former format in social media. I always considered broadcasting a noble profession and business. When the leaders/managers engage in it, they drag the industry to a place it shouldn't be. I'm all for competition and if you want to beat the other guy, how about delivering a better quality product that actually focuses on the listener? As far as Jack goes, there were a number of below the belt comments directed @Magic 107-3 to include the on-air talent and even "The Cat" that was a part of Tony Mann's Saturday Night promo spot wasn't spared. Really, IMHO that's totally unprofessional.

I moved to Jax in the late 90's and my early perceptions of radio here was a good one. Local-ism was till pretty strong. Perhaps surprisingly, the station that got more of my attention was WAPE. The Morning Zoo with Hoyle and Steve and gang was a very well done morning program. Hit music in the late 90's was really good. Tony Mann, early on was actually my favorite DJ because he sounded like he was having a ball. My perceptions about him were right. He really gets into the music after having seen him in action. I was a little homesick for S. Fla but WAPE had a certain vibe that brought me home. Eventually I got used to Cool 96.9. The station was far different than what I was used to hearing but then I was hooked. I always thought I had a vast hit music knowledge but there were quite a few songs on the playlist I never heard elsewhere. Stations reflected the community tastes.

Rock 105 was huge then too. My boss was big on that station and always talked about Lynyrd Skynyrd.. He couldn't believe I never heard "Sweet Home Alabama" and this was 1997 - 23 years after the song was released. Many years later I checked both the Top 100 song list of 1974 and every weekly survey for that year for WABC - the CHR station I listened to then. They never played it because apparently it wasn't a hit. In S. Fla, many of the contemporary stations I listened to leaned rhythmic and Lynyrd Skynyrd just didn't fit. Radio did an outstanding job not being cookie-cutter or offering generic playlists but they really were the soundtrack of the local community.

I wasn't too familiar with Smokin' Joe Beamer. Tom Murphy was filling in for Joe for quite some time while he was ill. I didn't know how grave the situation was but Tom always acted like it was still Joe's show. I remember Tom's touching words on the air when Joe passed. Tom eventually got Joe's shift but he was just so professional about it all. Ego wasn't appropriate. Tom's human side really impressed me. From that moment I considered Tom a friend on the radio and really all the jocks on Cool 96.9 made me feel like they were speaking just to me.

Times change and listener's tastes change too. What should be constants are quality standards striving to be the best you can be and even decency. As I have read all the posts and even reflect on my own feelings, I have to say it's a shame the powers that be chose not to build and evolve a product that was popular and successful but prefer to blow it up.

 

[nfladxer]

Well said, JohnJax! And as far as the discussion about the wide appeal of Oldies/Classic Hits radio, I think IT_Guru summed it up quite well: "Back then radio was fun to listen to and I remember how the DJ's interacted with the audience." RADIO WAS FUN TO LISTEN TO! What a concept! LOL

 

[IT_Guru]

In my opinion what ruined radio was the deregulation in 1996. Companies like Clear Channel, Cox and now Cumulus spent all of their money buying as many stations as they could in markets throughout the country. Then, in order to stay profitable and with the help of technology the voice tracking began and jockless formats like Jack started springing up.

Before that, the Oldies, Top 40 and other formats sounded different in each market. The stations were live and local. I listened not only for the music but the entertainment that the DJ's provided. I loved WAPE too and to some extent Rock 105. Almost every station made me feel like they were there just for me. The DJ's sounded as if they really loved what they were doing. There was an incentive to make your station the best because you were not competing against yourself or trying to "protect" one of your other properties from competition from another company.

 

[Jay F]

My thoughts are that radio that has no personality is like somebody's IPod programmed for them with produced liners, processing, and crossfading for the music.

and commercials

 

[nfladxer]

FYI - Just noticed tonight on my HD tuner and on the FCC website, the new official call letters of 107.3 Jack FM have been changed from WJGH-FM to WWJK-FM. An obvious move to reflect the format change. Wonder what they'll be next year?! ;D

 

[radiobum]

wouldn't it be better (although not accurate) for jack stations say "whatever YOU want"?

don't listeners think all stations play what they want ? i mean they do if it's locally programmed.

i realize what stations mean is 'whatever genre we want'.

 

[Rob]

How are you guys doing after Beryl's aftermath? You guys ok? My friend in Middleburgh still has power and phone. It got crazy though.

-Rob

 

[IT_Guru]

To everyone in Jax, us Oldies/Classic Hits fans in Atlanta are feeling your pain. Our Oldies/Classic Hits station in Atlanta (Atlanta's Greatest Hits) switched to All News 106.7 Tuesday morning.

Hoping both cities get another Classic Hits/Oldies station really soon.

 

[John FL]

To everyone in Jax, us Oldies/Classic Hits fans in Atlanta are feeling your pain. Our Oldies/Classic Hits station in Atlanta (Atlanta's Greatest Hits) switched to All News 106.7 Tuesday morning.

Hoping both cities get another Classic Hits/Oldies station really soon.

Jacksonville is a wonderful place to live but radio in this town is just pathetic. There are elements of Jack that I would have liked to have seen incorporated into Magic. Dropping 95% of the rock would have been a great starting point. In its' place I would have added more pop/easy/great to listen to at work tunes. Featuring music no no newer than the very early 90's while going deeper into the 80' offering a softer side of that decade. The 60's presents challenges. However, I agree with what CBS Radio is doing there. There is limited play but when a 60's tune is presented, the title featured goes beyond the same 20 songs.There's lots of Beatles album cuts harly anyone features. It is a great trade-off giving older listeners a bone while younger listeners see the station as 70's, 80's and even 90's. That is where the format is and where it should be. A number of times, I suggested dayparting the workday so that songs such as Blinded by the Light and Life in the Fast Lane and a number of others were not featured. IMO, those songs did more harm than good in establishing Magic as a competitive at work station. This all may sound like after the fact stuff but those @ Magic actually saw merit in all of this but it was corporate who saw things differently. Sadly, this approach was never tried. I still say things could have turned out differently.

As far as the Christmas format goes, there was such a great opportunity for a killing. When Magic flipped to Christmas, I got on the horn very quickly. Renda Broadcasting is so predictable and I knew they would overreact. I wasn't alone in knowing Christmas would be a big flop because it was too bloody early and the weather was way too warm. I suggested they admit to the mistake. If they made an announcement on their FB page, got a promotional message out on those electronic billboards and got the CC TV stations to run a story that it was too early to feature Christmas music, this would have had a very negative impact on WEJZ. They would have been stuck with the format or they would have perceived as just being a follower if they pulled the plug. In my mind, Christmas could have been a big turning point.

But really none of us know what goes on behind the scenes. Time and time again, when new management comes on board the focus becomes more about them and their legacy and impact on the market. RIFs happen all the time but potentially I saw financial gain if they could have really tapped into and grown a very large female audience who today are literally all over the dial. I just march to the beat of a different drummer. Why and how no one in this town has the guts and the vision to directly compete for a lot of WEJZ's listeners just makes no sense to me at all. So in the meantime Jax just keeps rocking on and there's very little else.

 

[nfladxer]

To everyone in Jax, us Oldies/Classic Hits fans in Atlanta are feeling your pain. Our Oldies/Classic Hits station in Atlanta (Atlanta's Greatest Hits) switched to All News 106.7 Tuesday morning.

Hoping both cities get another Classic Hits/Oldies station really soon.

Jacksonville is a wonderful place to live but radio in this town is just pathetic.

The last two posts illustrate that Jacksonville is not alone - radio has lost it's way. Besides lost and missing formats, there are several knowlegeable and talented radio people ready and willing to contribute in a big way in the radio industry here. Unfortunately, the OM's and PD's, in many cases, are unable to make changes THEY know would work, because the REAL power to make decisions lies elsewhere. Here's something for the powers that be to digest: In the just introduced new 2013 line of Denon Home Theatre receivers, the ones many average consumers may purchase, only the most expensive receiver includes an AM section! Do you see any handwriting on the wall? It's just a sad scenario!

 

[mediawatch22]

Radio as we knew it and loved it is all but over. The only fun, local radio is going to come from smaller radio groups or mom and pop operations. Even with that, the revenue for radio is on a decline, both nationally and locally. Small owners can't afford to have a full staff of air talent and behind-the-scenes people anymore.

As corporate America sees it, radio will continue to be a mere promotional tool for their digital entities such as I-Heart Radio. The internet and all things digital is their future, not terrestrial radio. Local PD's are on the way out. Local OM's are being eliminated. It'll all be regional or even nationally controlled with no input needed on the local level. Salaries aren't what they used to be by any means. Perks are all but gone. Companies like Clear Channel will continue to eliminate jobs as they downsize and establish their hubs and networks. They have to. Clear Channel is carrying a ton of heavy debt that they can never pay back. It's in the billions....way in the billions.

There is no passion for being competitive and gung-ho anymore. People are too worried about their jobs to think about long-term plans for their station.

It's not that I'm a pessimist. I used to have a great deal of passion and dedication to radio and the competitive spirit that goes with it. I have a track record and resume that many only dream of. But, unfortunatly, there is a new reality out there and we all need to get used to it.javascript:void(0);

 

[gamefreak]

I do not work in the radio industry but could a make a few remarks on Jack FM and other radio stations. Why not dedicate portions of the day or week and play different music. The workday at Jack can center on a more Adult Contemporary approach. Being somewhat heavier music wise than Lite 96.1, however avoid a lot of the heavier rock titles. Focusing on Fun Pop, Soul, R&B Crossovers and some of the lighter Rock and Alternative Selections from the 60's thru today. Nights could be heavier with more Rock fare, and not just the tired out stuff 96.9 plays. Try deep cuts and lesser played tracks, like JohnJax's comment about playing lesser known Beatles songs.

You could even dedicate weekend nights to certain music as well. Fridays could lean on some music signaling the end of the workweek. What better way than to lean on the pop selections from the 80's.

Saturday Nights could play more of a selection of Classic Alternative rock music. Playing anything from Punk Rock, New Wave, Indie, Old-School Rap, Electronic and so on.

Sunday Morning could go do an Acoustic Show playing Live and Unplugged versions of songs.

Sadly I know that doing specialty shows and dayparting radio stations is what corporate wants to move away from.

Try being all over the map but know when to lean heavier on certain types of music. Also try not to play too much what the other stations overplay.

 

[IT_Guru]

I do not work in the radio industry but could a make a few remarks on Jack FM and other radio stations. Why not dedicate portions of the day or week and play different music. The workday at Jack can center on a more Adult Contemporary approach. Being somewhat heavier music wise than Lite 96.1, however avoid a lot of the heavier rock titles. Focusing on Fun Pop, Soul, R&B Crossovers and some of the lighter Rock and Alternative Selections from the 60's thru today. Nights could be heavier with more Rock fare, and not just the tired out stuff 96.9 plays. Try deep cuts and lesser played tracks, like JohnJax's comment about playing lesser known Beatles songs.

I like the idea and I've found there are a few stations that do this (mostly non comm) but unfortunately the only time you'll hear lesser played tracks are during the weekends on stations that do specialty shows. For example, I have found a college station that plays jazz during the week and oldies on the weekends. I have found another station that plays Hot AC and from 12:00-1:00 during the lunch hour they play all 80's and on the weekend they do a "Time Warp" weekend where it's all 80's.

I always looked forward to coming to Jax because the stations used to be so much better but now radio in Jax is just as bad and sounds the same as it does in Atlanta. 96.9 the Eagle sounds EXACTLY the same as 97.1 The River in Atlanta and plays the exact same songs over and over and over.

In Jax, it seems like Cox, Clear Channel and Renda have taken over all the stations and in Atlanta Cox, Clear Channel and Cumulus pretty much own everything now which just makes to bad programming that only gets worse as time goes on.

 

[carolinaradio]

If you think radio is bad in Jacksonville or even Atlanta, come to one of the worst radio markets in the southeast, Greenville SC. Radio here is absolute garbage and I would take Jacksonville's any day. Our Chuck FM is about all that's any good.

 

[Marv-L.A.]

Is this station still airing the 1970s edition of Casey Kasem's American Top 40, which thet used to air on Saturdays at 6AM, or did they drop it after they flipped?