> > > > There is one fundamental flaw with a format like Jack.
>
> > It
> > >
> > > > lacks the most important ingredient needed for
> > > > success...mass appeal! It is safe to assume that the
> > same
> > >
> > > > listener who enjoys Madonna's earlier tracks will also
>
> > > like
> > > > Chicago? Possible...but doubtful.
> > >
> > >
> > > The fundamental flaw in your logic is that early Madonna
>
> > and
> > > Chicago are staples of soft rock radio stations from
> coast
> >
> > > to coast. So, yes, it's very likely that the same
> > listener
> > > will enjoy early Madonna and Chicago.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Jack sees a spike up in the markets where it is
> launched
> >
> > > > because its new and different but ultimately the shiny
>
> > > > newness wears off and listeners begin to realize that
> > the
> > > > song they are hearing at the moment they may
> enjoy...but
> >
> > > > whats on the flip side of that track may not be so
> > > enjoyable
> > > > to them. Stations cannot be all things to all people
> > and
> > > > thats exactly what Jack sets out to do with its WE
> PLAY
> > > > ANYTHING style.
> > >
> > >
> > > JACK sees a spike where it's launched owing to
> curiosity.
> >
> > > Then the listener wises up and realizes the format is
> > merely
> > > a 24/7 iPod Shuffle without benefit of personalities,
> sex
> > > appeal, humor, or anything else that program directors
> > seem
> > > really keen on.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > A Country fan listens to Country Music radio because
> > they
> > > > know what to expect...the kind of music they
> personally
> > > > enjoy. Same with CHR, A/C, Oldies, etc. Jack is too
> > > > unpredictable. Hear a song you like here...the next
> > tune
> > > > sucks. Its destined to cause tune-out.
> > >
> > > Jack's unpredictability is catered precisely for those
> > > indecisive twits who say, "I like all types of music."
> > Even
> > > if that were true, nobody likes all types of music *all
> > the
> > > time*. When you've got that special little lady
> swooning
> > > from the red wine/rohypnol elixir you've cooked up, and
> > > Isaac Hayes is providing the soundtrack to your
> seduction
> > on
> > > JACK-FM, the very last thing you want or need is to hear
>
> > the
> > > station awkwardly segue to "Come On Eileen".
> > >
> >
> > Interesting stab at "Come on Eileen". If you were to
> > believe most cover bands' setlists (and they hate them),
> and
> > see anyone under 25's reaction to them, the most
> successful
> > station in the US should only be playing:
> > 1. Come on Eileen
> > 2. Jessie's Girl
> > 3. Summer of '69
> > 4. Song 2 - Blur (and they all sing the first "woo hoo"
> too
> > soon)
> > 5. American Girl
> > 6. Sweet Home Alabama
> > 7. Laid - James
> > 8. Dancing with Myself
> > 9. I Want to Be Sedated
> > 10. We're Not Gonna Take It
> > 11. Livin' on a Prayer
> >
>
> Much as I'd truly love to believe that you've been keeping
> years and years of charts depicting statistical analysis on
> the 25-and-under crowd's reaction to the songs on "most
> cover bands' set lists", I cannot. Simply put, nobody goes
> to see that many cover bands, or pays such close attention.
> Even if that were untrue, however, you've missed the point
> of the Eileen reference altogether. The nature of the
> (failing) JACK format doesn't lend itself to the scenario
> I'd outlined. No more, no less. Far be it for me to
> assault the genius of Dexy's Midnight Runners. After all,
> they have one more #1 charting single than I do.
>
No I didn't miss the point and the rip was actually on the typical setlists.
The kids don't know what they like, they like what they know ( and I have no idea who coined that phrase, but it's one of my favorites ).