The end of summer is approaching. Over the last couple years, I’ve presented music “specialty” programming in conjunction with the long Labor Day weekend. These things are fun to do. I also think a break from reality is needed. We might as well carry on with some kind of tradition making this a yearly event.
I’ve decided to do this a little earlier than normal because a good number of radio stations across the country have already announced this weekend’s programming so I thought Jacksonville/North Florida shouldn’t be left out.
This is all about The Greatest Hits format. It is going through a rather significant evolution right now. I prepared most of this in the spring but over the last couple weeks, I needed to make a number of changes to reflect a more accurate image of the format currently.
Last year, I did a Top 1000 countdown. Honestly, it was way too long and if this was all real, the average listener would grow very weary of it very quickly. This time it’s 400 songs shorter. I agree with radio pros in that if too many borderline or even obscure songs are presented, it’s a risk not worth taking.
I’ve been learning quite a lot and I got great feedback the last time. Programming has long been a fascination of mine. I can sit for hours looking at song lists. It may make me weird but I believe it also gives me credibility when I talk of what works and what does not. I utilized an all-female panel this time to gain impressions at a local level. MediaBase proved very useful. I’ll explain a little more on that later.
The “Awesome Mix” of course comes from the movie “Guardians of The Galaxy.” I was so very much swept off my feet by that movie. What thrilled me the most was seeing lots of young people and kids being exposed to a good deal of 70’s pop music. Besides programming, I’ve always had a thing for creative radio station promotions.
If the format existed in Jacksonville, I’m sure I would have recommended a promotional tie to the movie. Perhaps as simple as when you hear XXX from the movie, be Caller X etc. for either movie passes or soundtrack CDs or both. BTW, songs from the movie have an * after the title. There’s some great ones featured. Anyway, I see the fun side of radio.
If anyone was looking for lots of 60’s music making the list, you will probably be disappointed. I tried to make this be as real to radio as possible. As is, this could easily be featured on a commercial radio station in Jacksonville and listeners would be very impressed with the variety. Overall, it's not tired and dated. The nature of nostalgia is burned out songs but the trick is to mix in some wow ones along the way. I believe I have done that.
The format is taking on some more rock elements to it. One hit wonders are vanishing. I’ve included a handful of 90’s titles. 90’s is meeting a lot of resistance but probably from the 55+ crowd. There is less R&B and disco this time around. There’s an Adult R&B station in the market and the trend is for less of that in the format.
600 songs is not the norm but there were too many great songs left out for a Top 500. That’s probably another tagline. I tried to keep a typical 45 year old in mind here. I’ve been high on the 70’s @7 feature but I believe that has finally run its course. 80’s @ 8 has never been hotter. That's a keeper!
Anyway, due to character limitations and to heighten the suspense (LOL) I’ll present the songs today and over the next several days. In each segment, I may add a comment or two about certain songs. Enjoy!
I’ve decided to do this a little earlier than normal because a good number of radio stations across the country have already announced this weekend’s programming so I thought Jacksonville/North Florida shouldn’t be left out.
This is all about The Greatest Hits format. It is going through a rather significant evolution right now. I prepared most of this in the spring but over the last couple weeks, I needed to make a number of changes to reflect a more accurate image of the format currently.
Last year, I did a Top 1000 countdown. Honestly, it was way too long and if this was all real, the average listener would grow very weary of it very quickly. This time it’s 400 songs shorter. I agree with radio pros in that if too many borderline or even obscure songs are presented, it’s a risk not worth taking.
I’ve been learning quite a lot and I got great feedback the last time. Programming has long been a fascination of mine. I can sit for hours looking at song lists. It may make me weird but I believe it also gives me credibility when I talk of what works and what does not. I utilized an all-female panel this time to gain impressions at a local level. MediaBase proved very useful. I’ll explain a little more on that later.
The “Awesome Mix” of course comes from the movie “Guardians of The Galaxy.” I was so very much swept off my feet by that movie. What thrilled me the most was seeing lots of young people and kids being exposed to a good deal of 70’s pop music. Besides programming, I’ve always had a thing for creative radio station promotions.
If the format existed in Jacksonville, I’m sure I would have recommended a promotional tie to the movie. Perhaps as simple as when you hear XXX from the movie, be Caller X etc. for either movie passes or soundtrack CDs or both. BTW, songs from the movie have an * after the title. There’s some great ones featured. Anyway, I see the fun side of radio.
If anyone was looking for lots of 60’s music making the list, you will probably be disappointed. I tried to make this be as real to radio as possible. As is, this could easily be featured on a commercial radio station in Jacksonville and listeners would be very impressed with the variety. Overall, it's not tired and dated. The nature of nostalgia is burned out songs but the trick is to mix in some wow ones along the way. I believe I have done that.
The format is taking on some more rock elements to it. One hit wonders are vanishing. I’ve included a handful of 90’s titles. 90’s is meeting a lot of resistance but probably from the 55+ crowd. There is less R&B and disco this time around. There’s an Adult R&B station in the market and the trend is for less of that in the format.
600 songs is not the norm but there were too many great songs left out for a Top 500. That’s probably another tagline. I tried to keep a typical 45 year old in mind here. I’ve been high on the 70’s @7 feature but I believe that has finally run its course. 80’s @ 8 has never been hotter. That's a keeper!
Anyway, due to character limitations and to heighten the suspense (LOL) I’ll present the songs today and over the next several days. In each segment, I may add a comment or two about certain songs. Enjoy!
I have half of these on my part 15 playlist right now.