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J
JOHN-GANTT
Guest
Heard rumours about Rush going to mornings on WCOS way before I left there the beginning of this year. regardless of what anyone says, (Nothing against jonathon, great guy, worked with him before) This is a way for clear channel to use someone else for their benefit as a last resort before they sell out. They're running scared. Saw the same thing happen when I lived in the Norfolk Virginia market. It'll last a bit. They'll change some formats that will erase existence of what stations you know of now. They have a pattern. Just watch. They're ruining Charlie James dream he worked up to. They did it to Garrett and eventually will have no use for Jonathon. I wish him the best. He deserves it. Clear channel is the reaper with a swinging axe and it does not care who you are as long as you play along. I was out of radio a number of years. Worked at WNOK last before clear channel got hold of it. Years later got a chance to return to WCOS. At first thought it was great, Then saw the truth. Clear channel has a lot of people who seem trustworthy. Almost feel they are your friend, especially when they need something in their favor. In reverse you see the truth when it's your turn. I know there are a lot of people out there who know and feel the same. I once loved radio. Clear channel made me feel different. Good luck Jonathon and Charlie.
Yeah, they're using JR as one of their last true resources before they sell out, for sure. I'll grant you that. They move "the franchise", heart and soul of WNOK over to WCOS(causing simultaneous tectonic programming shifts in both heritage stations) while telling him that it's ok to nose around for other jobs and, if he does find something within the listening area, I'm told, they even told him they wouldn't enforce the non-compete(Buddy, if ever there was a time to get something "in writing", that would be it). They just don't want to have to pay out his contract by firing him. Squeezing the last bit of taste out of the gum before tossing it. You know what the surreal thing is? As bad as Clear Channel is, it isn't even a good bad Clear Channel anymore because most of the main people that made Clear Channel such a gosh darn swell company to work for have jumped ship and gone to Tribune...where(get this) they're starting a broadcast company that will save radio. ??? :
:-[ :-X :'( :-\
:-[ :-X :'( :-\
J
JOHN-GANTT
Guest
Like I mentioned earlier. When I lived near Norfolk Virginia there was a major station WCMS that had mainstays that were there for years. WCMS I understand was just like the old WCOS (great 98). People could relate to it. They felt they were a part of it. One day clear channel just decider to axe the old guys and throw in new talent. The audience lost interest and tuned into the country competition. Next thing you know, the cluster is sold by clear channel and the format gets changed by the new guys that bought it. Once they milked it dry and killed everything it was it could not be reversed. They lost all their audience. Game over. Did clear channel care? No, they lined their pockets and moved on. Once they finish off WCOS trust me, there will be a format change. No one will be left behind. The real shame is they make you feel safe. You're not. I'm sure Woods and Smith are in a comfort zone. It's only temporary. We all feel important and confident when we're on top. We've all been there. Look where we are now. The up side is when clear channel moves out, someone is gonna buy at least one station from the cluster and say hey, let's try something different. Let's put personality back in and include the audience. Hey...there's an idea. Check the pattern for yourself. Pretty much all the clear channel stations in the U.S. use Ace in the morning and Ryan Seacrest later. All other shifts are VT'd. See a pattern. I give CC in Columbia a year if that. All the signs are there.
F
firedboardop
Guest
??? if jonathan Rush has been on for more than 20 years on wnok, at some point does he move to another station or does try to be the first top 40 jock on the air at 50+ years old, I don't know how old he is but he has go to be twice the age of his average listener! What other top 40 stations have kept a guy his ag eon the air? Maybe Rick Dees? How old is Kidd Kraddick? What other station in Columbia or South carolina would have been a better move?
Took the words out of my mouth, firedboardop. I have great respect for what Jonathan has done. But he has to be at least late 40s and he's playing teenage music. What would you all have done? Please don't suggest that they change the format to suit him, or go Adult Top 40. As the only CHR in town, someone else could pick up Ace & TJ, Seacrest, etc and plow over WNOK if they tried to lean Adult. While I am perplexed at this move...country listeners expect a country personality and they all know he is anything but country. All the WCOS listeners have heard of JRush. And do they think he will get any better ratings than Charlie? So I agree this is a strange move. But I am equally surprised it took them so long to realize Jonathan is too old to be doing mornings on a CHR. Also, I doubt he was enjoying doing it anymore. They could have just out right fired him, so I give them credit for not doing that. Still, I am saddened that WNOK, once a great station back when they had Jonathan, Scott, TJ, and the likes, is now going to be basically XM with commercials.
Lhsh said:
I agree Lhsh. However, Whopper has a very valid point. (And thank you, whopper, for your kind words). You are correct. Jonathan has outlived the target demo for CHR. Truth be known, we all had outlived it even back when we we all working together... JR, TJ, me...all of us were outside the target demo as early as 1997. I don't necessarily agree that life ends at 35, but formatically, CHRwise, for all intents and purposes, it does. I even went on to work at 955 the Beat in Atlanta after my last stint at WNOK. The Beat skewed even younger, demo-wise. I was originally hired to do PM Drive there and, almost literally, on the drive to Atlanta, they changed their minds and hired someone in the demo to do PM Drive. I will, say, however, that Cox created a position (creative services director) for me at the same salary. One of the first things I was tasked with doing was coming up with a production system for The Beat. What station do you think I based the system on? WNOK, of course. Hard as it may be to believe, Cox did not have a production system from client to air (to speak of) until I got there. Now Cox uses a version of the one we used at WNOK. The reason I mention all of this is to illustrate one thing...that just because you're older, doesn't mean you can't contribute. Maybe JR can contribute at WCOS, but why tell him he can look around for jobs if they have long range plans for him? My point is that Jonathon could be vastly more utilized in cluster management. After all, WNOK's place in the community was established and solidified BY Jonathon Rush, so why not put him in a position that truly utilizes his talents? My gripe, I guess, is not so much his unceremonious transition to WCOS, but the fact that he could actually be used to help re-establish WNOK's(and WCOS's, honestly) prominance in the market by putting him in an upper management position that uses his experience, talent and committment. Just sayin'...
Scott you make a really good point. If they really want the prominence that both stations had in the 1089's and 1990's, why not put him in upper management instead of these other people that they are bringing in from outside of Columbia. He knows the stations and the demographics better than anyone and I think he could make them flourish. It will be really interesting to see how well he fits in with WCOS and the country listeners
F
firedboardop
Guest
Isn't Jonathon From Batesburg? Or Saluda? He may be a good ole country boy! I have been to downtown Batesburg and Saluda, even if he was raised in one of those town limits, he is still from the country. He may in fact end up being be a better country announcer that he was Top 40. And most of the country morning shows I hear, they talk about the same stuff that most morning shows talk about. Maybe not as much about Linsey Lohan, but alot of the stuff is interchangeable.
J
JOHN-GANTT
Guest
I'm sure JR will do just fine.He's good at what he does it's just a shame he's not working for a better company that would appreciate him for his real talent and not just use him for their benefit. Sort of like using a hen for eggs. When it's done laying.....straight to the broiler. :'(
The thing is, WNOK has been an 18-34 station for some time now and they have been doing great in that demo, especially mornings. Why change? The GM sent a letter out to agencies and advertisers explaining the change and he said Ace & TJ are number one with 25-54 and Women 25-49. So is that the hook here? A Charlotte show is going to claim the upper demos of Women? On a station that plays 12-24 (maybe up to 28) music?
I gotta step in here; some of those who post about CHR stations and try to portray the playlist as 'targeting' teens and under 25 year olds simply know not what they speak of.
I mean, let's look at the most recent CHR top playlist chart, according to R&R.
#2. Jesse McCartney "Leavin'" --- #22 on the Hot AC chart.
#5. Kid Rock "All Summer Long" --- this song is not one targeted to kids. It's an adult and male-leaning tune, if anything.
#6. Katy Perry "I Kissed A Girl" --- #17 on the Hot AC chart.
#10. Jordin Sparks "One Step At a Time" --- #24 on the Hot AC chart.
#11. Secondhand Serenade "Fall For You" --- adult females are eating this one up.
#14. Coldplay "Viva La Vida" --- pretty darn solid Hot AC tune, and doing well with adult females as well; #2, HAC, #11 on the AC chart.
#16. Leona Lewis "Better In Time" --- tell me how this song appeals solely to teens, please. #35 on the Hot AC chart.
#17. 3 Doors Down "Not My Time" --- an adult rock-leaning song. Popular band with adults and males. #1 on the Hot AC chart.
#19. Natasha Bedingfield "Pocketful of Sunshine" --- #8 on the AC chart.
#30. Daughtry "What About Now" --- #9 on the Hot AC chart.
In fact, 19 of the Top 30 songs in the most-recent AC chart are or were on the CHR chart at some point and time, as well.
So can we, then, conclude, that a well-programmed CHR is a station for teens, adults 18-34 and 25-54, as well?
I mean, let's look at the most recent CHR top playlist chart, according to R&R.
#2. Jesse McCartney "Leavin'" --- #22 on the Hot AC chart.
#5. Kid Rock "All Summer Long" --- this song is not one targeted to kids. It's an adult and male-leaning tune, if anything.
#6. Katy Perry "I Kissed A Girl" --- #17 on the Hot AC chart.
#10. Jordin Sparks "One Step At a Time" --- #24 on the Hot AC chart.
#11. Secondhand Serenade "Fall For You" --- adult females are eating this one up.
#14. Coldplay "Viva La Vida" --- pretty darn solid Hot AC tune, and doing well with adult females as well; #2, HAC, #11 on the AC chart.
#16. Leona Lewis "Better In Time" --- tell me how this song appeals solely to teens, please. #35 on the Hot AC chart.
#17. 3 Doors Down "Not My Time" --- an adult rock-leaning song. Popular band with adults and males. #1 on the Hot AC chart.
#19. Natasha Bedingfield "Pocketful of Sunshine" --- #8 on the AC chart.
#30. Daughtry "What About Now" --- #9 on the Hot AC chart.
In fact, 19 of the Top 30 songs in the most-recent AC chart are or were on the CHR chart at some point and time, as well.
So can we, then, conclude, that a well-programmed CHR is a station for teens, adults 18-34 and 25-54, as well?
So can we, then, conclude, that a well-programmed CHR is a station for teens, adults 18-34 and 25-54, as well?
Musically, maybe. But the other elements, including relatable breaks, particularly morning shows, cannot possibly serve 12-54s. If it's all about the music, we're toast. See your kid's ipod for details.
Musically, maybe. But the other elements, including relatable breaks, particularly morning shows, cannot possibly serve 12-54s. If it's all about the music, we're toast. See your kid's ipod for details.
Relatable breaks: 'American Idol' has, for the past, what, seven (?) TV seasons, has been a (mostly) pop-oriented program, that has DOMINATED pop culture in its runs, and also scores well with all of the above-mentioned demographics.
If your morning show is adult-relatable, and yet kid-friendly, or can also do things FOR the kids enough to please them AND the parents for doing that, in the proces, they'll get there 12-17s, their 18-34s, and their 25-49s easily.
Musically, you have to know your audience for each daypart and adjust (or daypart) accordingly. A well-programmed CHR (in my opinion) will be safer in AM drive and middays, and a bit more youth-targeted at night, with a good transition from mid-afternoon to 7pm.
If you do that, you get 12-54 in AMD, you should compete for 18-54 in middays and afternoons, and be competitive 25-54, too; then own 12-24 at night, which shoulc translate to top-tier 18-34 numbers.
And I disagree that CHR stations "must" follow pop music trends, per se. Yeah, music trends from urban to rock-leaning, to adult-oriented, and back and forth and to and fro, all the time...
...but the SUCCESSFUL CHRs will adjust their recurrents to keep their balance when needed so as not to run off their base of listeners.
Besides, I think we're past the era where "anything" urban will run off a 35-49 year-old listener, anyhow. Heck, I couldn't BELIEVE how many women in their mid-30s to 40s were all about wanting to hear Flo Rida's "Low" this past spring and summer.
It's about playing the RIGHT songs, doing the RIGHT breaks and contesting the RIGHT promotions. Radio Disney's meant for kids, and they do a darn good job at it. CHR isn't necessarily "meant" for kids; it's "meant" for kids, their parents and adults who just enjoy the pop variety and culture that the station is in-tune with.
If your morning show is adult-relatable, and yet kid-friendly, or can also do things FOR the kids enough to please them AND the parents for doing that, in the proces, they'll get there 12-17s, their 18-34s, and their 25-49s easily.
Musically, you have to know your audience for each daypart and adjust (or daypart) accordingly. A well-programmed CHR (in my opinion) will be safer in AM drive and middays, and a bit more youth-targeted at night, with a good transition from mid-afternoon to 7pm.
If you do that, you get 12-54 in AMD, you should compete for 18-54 in middays and afternoons, and be competitive 25-54, too; then own 12-24 at night, which shoulc translate to top-tier 18-34 numbers.
And I disagree that CHR stations "must" follow pop music trends, per se. Yeah, music trends from urban to rock-leaning, to adult-oriented, and back and forth and to and fro, all the time...
...but the SUCCESSFUL CHRs will adjust their recurrents to keep their balance when needed so as not to run off their base of listeners.
Besides, I think we're past the era where "anything" urban will run off a 35-49 year-old listener, anyhow. Heck, I couldn't BELIEVE how many women in their mid-30s to 40s were all about wanting to hear Flo Rida's "Low" this past spring and summer.
It's about playing the RIGHT songs, doing the RIGHT breaks and contesting the RIGHT promotions. Radio Disney's meant for kids, and they do a darn good job at it. CHR isn't necessarily "meant" for kids; it's "meant" for kids, their parents and adults who just enjoy the pop variety and culture that the station is in-tune with.
I'm somewhat unsure of why you're posting. I don't recall anyone saying specifically that CHR stations specifically target teens and "under 25" year olds.
As for CHR following trends, maybe you don't think they have to, but they do, nonetheless. Matter of fact, if you're a program manager for a monolithic broadcast entity, let's say, um, Clear Channel, for starters. You can bet the market manager is playing whatever the corporate programmer is telling him or her to play. And, sorry to say, they do follow pop trends...it's the bane of their existence.
Regarding the urban product, WNOK was heavily dayparted up until 2001(can't say for sure what they did after I left). They were emulating Star 94 out of Atlanta. For all intents and purposes, it was Hot AC during the day and more or less mainstream CHR at night. By and large, the Columbia populace has never "run" from any urban product, but then again the product has been well researched and mass appeal oriented(i.e. John Secada, Janet Jackson, Marc Anthony, etc) before it ever sees the light of day airplay-wise.
Ultimately, WNOK was pretty much all things to all people of all ages for a long time. The general rule of thumb was program during the day to the adults 18-34, superserve the 25-34s and any 25-54 that wanted to come along was welcome. At night, it was programmed to the young people so that when they turned their radios off at night in the living room, kitchen or car, it was on that same station the next morning when the adults usually were using the living room, kitchen or car....and the cycle began again.
As for CHR being for or not being for kids, I liken CHR the way it used to be to being a well balanced diet...for all people, kids and adults.
As for CHR following trends, maybe you don't think they have to, but they do, nonetheless. Matter of fact, if you're a program manager for a monolithic broadcast entity, let's say, um, Clear Channel, for starters. You can bet the market manager is playing whatever the corporate programmer is telling him or her to play. And, sorry to say, they do follow pop trends...it's the bane of their existence.
Regarding the urban product, WNOK was heavily dayparted up until 2001(can't say for sure what they did after I left). They were emulating Star 94 out of Atlanta. For all intents and purposes, it was Hot AC during the day and more or less mainstream CHR at night. By and large, the Columbia populace has never "run" from any urban product, but then again the product has been well researched and mass appeal oriented(i.e. John Secada, Janet Jackson, Marc Anthony, etc) before it ever sees the light of day airplay-wise.
Ultimately, WNOK was pretty much all things to all people of all ages for a long time. The general rule of thumb was program during the day to the adults 18-34, superserve the 25-34s and any 25-54 that wanted to come along was welcome. At night, it was programmed to the young people so that when they turned their radios off at night in the living room, kitchen or car, it was on that same station the next morning when the adults usually were using the living room, kitchen or car....and the cycle began again.
As for CHR being for or not being for kids, I liken CHR the way it used to be to being a well balanced diet...for all people, kids and adults.
The only problem with porgramming all things for all people is the corporate geniuses that tell the local programmers what to play. Like you, I miss the locally owned stations that let the programmers pretty well do their own thing especially if they understood the demographic of their area. WNOK and WZLD and even WYYS in their day were pretty able to do that and it really worked well.
Ssummers said:
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