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Jax "PPM SAGA"

You sound like a good man John. Thank you for your words and you have more insight than you may realize. There were others in the buildings that had talent but were misguided and spent most of their time ducking the bullits. Moonshadow was one of the more talented people in the station. One of those who could put the ego aside and learn from others who know how this was to be done. I can't say I have regrets today, I just see mistakes I made, they are nothing more then lessons to be learned. I too had a format in mind for both Sunny and Kool but the owner was not interested. "The Ocean" would have been alot of fun to do but that's not how it went. There is a station on the west coast that is doing exactly what I wanted to do in Jax with some success, Oh well. It is what it is. I am traveling back to Jax from Memphis today and I am about to be set behind a desk again. Thank goodness I will be able to stay in one place for awhile. BTW, Had you come to the station and asked to speak with me, I would have met with you and we would have talked. Listeners are the best programming research a PD can have. Not listening is the wrong way to do things...

Time to catch a plane....again....When I opened my eyes this morning, I didn't know what town I was in. Does that make me a rock star...yea...that's a good one.
 
Briggs and others, as much as I try to put this thing to rest, some of your comments just require additional response. Now that we are civil and respect each other, I believe it’s important in the business of radio to get things out in the open.

You say “Listeners are the best programming research a PD can have. Not listening is the wrong way to do things.” I should have sat down with you – my bad and something I believe I will always regret. I used this forum instead as an anonymous writer to make my points because I knew Kool would be doomed if things didn’t change. But if we have to be honest, you and others did not consider what I said or recommended. It's not about being right or wrong, it's about knowledge and understanding and I really know the format.

In some ways, I have come to understand why that happens. It’s very apparent on this board but I’ve experienced and seen it on other boards as well. There is a condescending attitude that exists by those who are in the business directed to those who are not. I can’t tell you and others how many times I’ve made comments on the boards that are dismissed but if someone in the biz says the same thing I did- sometimes even in the same string – they are met with lots of positive pats on the back. One of the posters on your Sam Phillips post appreciated your recent comments. Gees, I've practically went through the male version of giving birth in this string so I'm at least grateful I had one response in you. It is what it is.

I very much enjoyed your Sam Phillips post and your perspective and love of the Blues. It explains a lot to me. Speaking as a “friend” here, I will still maintain a position I posted about dozens of times – the Blues feature did not belong on Kool even though you can make the connection that without the Blues, rock ‘n roll as it began would not have happened. The average listener did not make the connection and all they wanted to hear was music that was familiar to them. Why you guys didn’t offer a fine program like Beatle Brunch on Sunday mornings proves to me that no one was thinking long term for the format and that still saddens me big time.

In an earlier post, I said you weren’t supported and that’s why, if you have noticed, I have never placed full blame on you. That would not have been fair. But if we are all honest, format bias and short term thinking ruled business decisions. You no doubt had a lot to buck. We as a market are not fortunate to have those in charge who are willing to take a chance and work hard to earn real success.

I wish things can be different here and I wish we had another player in this market. I look at Tampa and they have 5 offerings for mainstream adult stations in the Dove, a CBS Radio brand of classic hits (the one I want here), an Eagle, a Point and an AC. What do we have here? It’s obvious, we offer far less. Our latest trends paint such a clear picture of what is wrong about our market. Eagle is making some poor music choices as they attempt to keep the format fresh. I see so much opportunity for a challenger.

Briggs, you are a gentleman and a lover of music. I can’t fault you for that. I hope I didn’t say anything offensive in this post because that was not my intent. In the meantime, I am very happy for your success outside radio. Maybe one day we can sit over a cup of coffee to discuss “Ocean” or in my case “Mega” or “Big” and all things that could have been but never were.
 
I cannot argue with any of your comments. Maybe some day we will get a chance to sit down and talk. I would love to share some things with you as a listener that may surprise you. Sometimes perceptions can lead us to conclusions. It's difficult when we don't have all the information. Those meetings behind closed doors are meaningful, it's wrong to talk about things that are discussed in those meetings. Statements were made to me over the years I have never repeated, and never will. Your insight is not far off from reality...not far at all.
 
To Briggs and John,

Just reading the conversation exchange between you two has given me a lot of thoughts of what I have felt radio should always be and should have been. For those who want to know, I was mburg at one point a longtime ago on here on this board back when the message board looked like it was from the 90s. Anyways to get to my points first I have B.A. in Communication from Flagler College. For my final two years of college there I had a weekly morning show on WFCF 88.5 FM and my senior I was also the Operations Manager which was fun in its own right. I am wondering if me sitting like this and not going into radio is good for me or not considering what I have done. I know the industry is in the dull drums right now and does not look to get any better overtime right now. Also it seem like all the opportunities I did apply for I never heard back from and I think some of it was the man up stairs' part due to the fact I am taking care of my grandmother is slowly dying so helping her out is only right in my heart. Briggs any advice to the newbie on the block here?

Also Briggs, as I have read more of your post I do not blame you for one bit getting the hell out of dodge by leaving Kool and Sunny when you did. I know you had a lot of ambition to make Kool a great station, but now knowing you had a lack of support from upper management it was a failure to start with. If a big advertising blitz had been done I still feel Kool might be on the air at this very moment, but it is no fault of your own. Also your comment about Jax lagging behind in radio just basically puts the last nail in the coffin as I am concern with the radio dial in this market. I can't mention the fact how many stations just sound so boring. Florida's largest city yet the radio dial sags behind Orlando, Tampa and Miami. Pitiful at best (might be an understatement). You seem to have a bright idea for radio programming and that is what radio lacks. See I have had these ideas for years of having a radio station with a master playlist of songs that would fit the format and not dry out (as in 800 to 2,000 songs plus depending on the format that would be in regular rotation). I would also be interested to learn insight from you from what is to be a PD since you have been there and done that.

John, your post with the songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s were wonderful and I have decided to use that is a basis to rebuild my playlist with a few additions I feel would be appropriate to it. The songs you have listed, with some high energy talent would be an instant PPM winner here in Jax when the PPM does start. All I can see now with the PPM is failure amongst a lot of stations. I hate to say it but the only bright spot that seems to light up on the dial this year is 102.9 for going Alternative and literally smashing Planet Radio 107.3. I hate to predict this, but I feel if Planet does not shape up Lex & Terry will be without a home in the near future here in Jax. Just my two cents.

Well everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving no matter where you are! Travel safely and shop safely on Black Friday!

Josh Wilson
Flagler Alum 2009
 
Josh, thank you and it’s good to see you around. I didn’t know you were mburg and I wondered for a long time where you were. You are doing a kind and unselfish thing in putting family first. You will not regret your decision.

There’s so much to say about the music and the format. Since I posted the list, I’ve probably made a dozen changes and that’s the way it should be. I hope you do end up in broadcasting. I also hope you can eventually work for someone who doesn’t stifle creativity and innovative thinking.

I’ve said for a very long time there is power in great music. I agree with you that high energy talent plus a greatest hits format representing multiple decades and styles of popular music would be a big winner. However, when I put the lists together I also was realistic in understanding most stations here would only be able to support a limited talent pool and that’s still O.K because the music would do a lot of the talking. Voice tracking could and would still work in the schedule.

The possibilities for special programming are almost endless, limited only by the programmer’s imagination. I’ve mentioned this before but there are a number of songs on the lists that are there for special programming only as some of these would never find their way in regular rotation.

If I were in radio, I would try to make it fun and an enjoyable experience for the listener without beating them over the head with factoid stuff. That’s a turn-off. One such song I listed from the 80’s is “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” This is not exactly a very well-known tune and one I would not present in regular rotation. The beauty of it is Dusty Springfield is featured on it. It could be a part of a first and last artist hits special, A-Z or even a simple statement by the jock after playing a 60’s Dusty Springfield to announce the Pet Shop Boys tune and adding Dusty was still popular well into the late 80’s. Songs such as that one serve to bridge time from the 60’s to the 80’s. In some cases, I went well into the late 80’s as a way to prepare for the eventual 90’s additions. There is growth potential in this format because of it is pop based orientation and variety. I see it lasting longer than Eagle based types because of their very narrow music interpretations. It wouldn't surprise me to see them in 4-5 years become adult alternative, but we'll see.

That’s just one example of having fun with the format, giving the jock (even in voice tracking) something to say, giving the listener something different to hear and just bringing life to a station. It doesn’t take a lot of effort. Today, the leading classic hits stations don’t do the kind of special programming as oldies stations did in the past. Gone would be an all 70’s weekend or twin spins of every artist played all weekend long. Normally CBS-FM presents special programming only once an hour in the second song following a stop set at the bottom of the hour. I like that, it's very effective and especially today with programmers responsible for multiple stations, it would be a realistic expectation but the results can be priceless as listeners would find a wow factor virtually every hour.

I thought of Mega and BIG because I would want to impress on the listener the massive music library and the variety. Even with a limited promotions budget, the listener would draw the correct conclusion that this station played a lot more music and less repetition than its main competitor.

Right now, I’m in South Florida for Thanksgiving and I have WMXJ’s oldies/hybrid classic hits playing on the radio. Over the years, WMXJ went through ownership changes but the constant that existed was in the GM, Mr. Dennis Collins. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times in station promotions. There, he assured me (for decades) they were sticking with the format. He grew up loving the music and thought there would always be a market for it. I give him a lot of credit. When others abandoned the format, he stuck with it and saw its evolution to what now exists. He probably could have flipped the station to something else that would have enriched him more but he didn’t. He is an exception and he keeps the listener in the center of his decisions. I’m very high on CBS Radio too because they gave their PD’s the latitude to build something good for their market and their listeners. Today, they are the leader in the classic hits format. There are too many stations and not everyone can be tops in billing. Perhaps one day, we can have our own version of Dennis Collins here or an outfit who thinks like CBS Radio and radio here will improve as a result.

Josh, I hope you fulfill your dreams. The email address I have listed in my profile is valid should you have any questions about the music choices or format. It’s an exciting format and I know it’s perfect for PPM. Maybe a bunch of us who love radio should get together one day. I've even been thinking of internet radio for Jax as a last resort. There would be no $$$ in it but maybe it could be an outlet for so many who would just love "being on the air." I'll leave that to others as I don't have a clue how that would work. To all, my very best for a happy and healthy holiday season.
 
John Jax, it sounds like you might enjoy The Giant X - 147 KXOA www.147kxoa.com

The playlist doesn't totally mesh with your lists from the 60's 70's and 80's, but it's a mix of 1400+ titles from those eras (about 45% 60's, 45% 70's and 10% 80's-90's with a lot of oh-wow titles, especially Motown..But a good portion of the music does appear on your lists. And some not...No MOR-pop crossovers or novelty songs. A mix of timeless rock & roll and Soul.
 
George, I appreciate hearing from you and in providing the many readers to this site with another music radio choice. Please understand that I don’t want to appear to give a critique to your station’s interpretation of classic hits. Given the absolute obsession that radio leadership in Jax has in attracting younger demos, I was careful to avoid resurrecting a warmed-up rehash of what was once the oldies format.

I noticed, to site one example, Chuck Berry as an artist featured on your station. In my humble opinion, Chuck Berry is an artist who was well ahead of his time nor should his immortal classics ever be forgotten. But to feature him in regular rotation along with the Knickerbockers and Buckinghams would be a recipe for disaster. There are ways to incorporate early rock ‘n roll via special programming as I outlined earlier. When done correctly, listeners will not only expect it but they will embrace it as it serves yet another way to not play the same things over and over.

Across the country, there are still pockets of LPFM’s and AM’s that are in a better position to forge into real oldies territory. I’ve taken the position of walking a very fine line as I made my pitch for bringing what I consider adult hits to the market. This is a very tough market to affect change for this because pre-conceived outcomes rule and not documented success that is being enjoyed across our wondrous country.

I’ve said a good deal over the years on this subject and I choose not to repeat myself. For those who fear poor showing in 25-54, I ask that you consider carefully not only the music presented in this string but to read the following article. http://www.examiner.com/x-5468-NY-Media-Examiner~y2009m7d27-Program-director-Brian-Thomas-gives-CBSFM-back-to-fans

It has been such a source of inspiration for me. It also proves that as the old song says “It Takes Two.” Well intentioned GM’s and PD’s can make the case all they want but they also need the support of the owner. Such was the case as illustrated in this article. They made the decision to kill the format as it dropped out of the Top 10 in 25-54. But they realized, the format needed to be tweaked and not scrapped. That's what I have been saying forever. One has to also consider that a big outfit such as CBS-Radio did not bring the format back for sentamentality reasons only - it had to be viable and make money.

For any reputation I have earned (hopefully), I stand by my belief that adult hits would be great in PPM AND in 25-54. The times have changed, competition has changed, radio music listening accounts for 50% of the time, the format has changed and the thinking MUST change.

2010 is almost around the corner. Will the same kind of thinking that has made this radio market the absolute worst of any major market in Florida be allowed to continue? For the health of the business, I pray it isn't so. But we have lost so much valuable time.
 
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