kiss, power, jamz imaging

[radiogeeek2006]

All 3 stations are using male and female vo's for there imaging. Kiss I can live with cause theyve always done it, Power sounds akward with it, and Jamz just sounds like garbage! Powers attempt to sound mainstreem has been a disaster! There current male imaging vo is more suatible for a country station, the best Power ever sounded was when they used John St. John (From the bay area) back in the 92.3 days. Jamz imaging is a joke! Nothing is produced localy and each sweepers says the sam thing "more music" is that the slogan? or the same 2 sweepers after every song? Jamz recently changed the male voice (I beleive its Dr. Dave from loosecanon .net) GREAT VOICE, poor production value. Byron needs to get off his high horse and get someone local in the building to image that station the way it should sound! The female voice is a sales girl in the building (talk about saving money) her delivery is week and boring. Kiss.......well kiss is kiss. Whatever happend to having STRATEGY behind the imaging? The programming on both Power and Jamz sound great, but weak imaging backing it up.


Opinions?.........

 

[Wildstyle K]

MOVIN... 97.5!
Well Movin 97.5 is still attacking Mix 96.9 with the "here's a song you wont catch on Mix" before playing it. (Then I mentioned something on this board about that not making much sense to attack Mix when KZZP is more on their side of theme sound, and recently I heard an attack against KZZP..) Movin is sounding good to me, despite the fact that certain things about their format are awkward. They play hit music from back in the day and today, but when it comes to alternative hits, they only play the new alternative, while everything else they'll play both the current and back in the day stuff. It's also a little funny with the classic slow jams they use as back in the day hits - things that would make you think it's an r&b or old school r&b station upon first tune in, then they also play Kings of Leon and Owl City with Taylor Swift...etc, but I'm not complaining. Saturday night block party is still the highlight to me, although I could listen all day. As for me personally, the back in the day hits along with the current music is what makes the station appealing, in addition to the fact that they always have about two extra songs that Kiss doesn't play in their current hits. I believe KMVA could make a very good rhythmic or rhythmic top 40 if they decided to completely go in that direction. Movin would sound great(er) if they adopted more of a Movin 99.7 sound WHILE keeping the back in the day stuff sprinkled in like 99.1 KGGI.

101.5 JamZ, JAMZ
I always thought KZON imaging sounded good, but wished they kept the "JamZ 4 1 1" the way it was when they first started doing it with the Timbaland beat in the background and different people saying the "4 1 1".. but one cannot expect something like that to always stay the same forever because at some point it has to be changed up. Overall, I think KZON imaging sounds perfect for JamZ and their current state. Another thing is that they keep the station pretty "safe" and consistent all day long, including within the mixshows, but still manage to make it all fun and interesting. Normally I would hate too much consistency, safeness, and plain mundane sound, but KZON picked a perfect angle of rhythmic formatting to be able to keep consistency without becoming boring, and as you can see, being "safe" while still keeping it a bit interesting works well in ratings. The only problem with being "safe" is that it causes you to tend to repeat a lot. It would be nice if the KZON dj's got to put in more work at the station. A 12:00 and 5:00 mix show along with a 9:00 mix shouldn't hurt too much, and I doubt at least a 20 minute quick mix (or two) every evening would not hurt. I also want Jasmine to have more airtime as well. I do wish, however, they would get rid of the Jeremih "Birthday Sex" edit they have at 137 BPM and use one of the other two edits they have (preferably the uptempo with talk intro at 129bpm), and also use an edit of "beautiful" by Akon at it's normal speed. It would be nice if KZON pitched all their music, but NOT more than 3 bpm's over the normal speed. I also love the fact that KZON always comes through with the holiday mixes and does not talk too much. Bumpin their mixes on a Holiday Weekend makes me feel so fly like a G6.

POWER 98.3
Some of the Power 98.3 imaging, I'm not TOO fond of (because of the way the voice sounds) but that doesn't mean I despise it. It's acceptable and it works for them. I do wish they kept the girl for the "more hit music in 60 seconds". Their "Power 98.3; This is Power Music" line is pretty good and accurate at representing what they play. I also like their version of mainstream sound they're taking. They are not trying to be chr or top 40, but rather that type of rhythmic that includes rhythmic material with a slight or little bit over slight urban lean (or r&b, hip hop, and hip hop influenced pop hits). The weekend mixes are perfectly done and sound good for who they are, and the amount of mixes they provide on a daily basis keeps me pretty content. They hit the jackpot, cha cha cha cha cha cha chaching with their mixshow programming. I'd say their format overall sounds right, especially amongst a few of the other stations they share the dial with. At first, I didn't understand how the "Old school at noon" fit in and why, but now I get it..... (If anyone wants me to explain in much further detail, let me know). Although I do like classic hip hop (or what is considered classic hip hop now), I still secretly wish for Power 98.3 to do something else at noon.... (After all, Mike D, Max Methods, and many other remix producers are putting in a lot of work on remixes that could and should be used in certain styles of mix shows.... hint hint). I would love it if Power went to be much more like Power 106 in L.A, but without interfering with their weekend mix shows. The Power 7@7 followed by the new music at 8 followed by the 98 minute shakedown is great.

104.7 KISS FM, PHOENIX!
Well well well.... KZZP... what can I say? They are a typical rhythmic top 40 station. Of course all the imaging and most of what they do will fit and sound good because they have and keep a very established format. The problem I have with them is the fact that they talk too much at certain times of the day / week (which is where KZON and KMVA come to the rescue), and the lack of mixes throughout the week. I know the station is designed to sound fun and interesting without mixes, but the lack of mixes does take away a lot from the station, especially with what they COULD be playing in mixes for their type of format they are. Frankie V is perfect on KZZP (or pretty much any rhythmic or top 40 type format), and I also have to admit I love Special K's attitude. She is a great gal. Club Kiss is a great feature. It's enough to make me want to evacuate the dance floor.

I can't complain because there was once a time where I could only dream of having this much rhythmic activity going on. I remember when just having one rhythmic (like KZON) was only a dream for me. Now look at where we are! I should really embrace and be thankful, although I still believe all this would've been and sounded SO SO SO SO SO much better if we had it all in the late 90's - early 00's!!!! There is a reason I love rhythmic and top 40 formats and mixshows that most (or probably all) of you don't even know the reason why. I do believe that 2010 will be a phenomenal year for the rhythmic and top 40 sound, especially with with all the pop and dance hits that are on the way. I'm truly wishing all stations the best (even while I'm in London) although I can't help but to feel that at least one is not going to be with us by the end of the year. Ra ra rah ah ah roma romama ga ga oh la la la what great times we're in now.

 

[ufrustrated2]

They all suck!!!

 

[IreneCaraFan]

A PD once told me... Less is More! Something good for all of us to remember!

 

[Wildstyle K]

By the way, I don't think the Power 7@7, or Drop Top 7@7 and every single thing I gave opinions on is still in existence precisely as it once was scheduled in the past, but still decided to share my thoughts on those things. .

As far as the less is more way of life here, that's one thing I will not miss when it comes not only to radio, but music production amongst a few other things when I go overseas!

 

[azenergyfan]

I really really really really really ( can you tell how much) wish Movin would give us pure dance at night. I am cool with the ac ish mainstream ish mix ish playlist during the day but once the sun goes down can we get some major beats pumping. I even be ok with what they do on saturday night pumping every night.

They could do this:
Move Bush man up to afternoons following seacrest man - who cares if its on a day delay too, its celebrity gossip, not like its a talk show taking calls or something LOL
Get Pistol Pete to do nights as Movin High Energy Nights or something like that

We need it on the radio, so much great music is out there and I think if it only was at night would be enough for me!

 

[Ford]

I really really really really really ( can you tell how much) wish Movin would give us pure dance at night.

And I really, really don't understand the need for a "pure dance" show or a "pure dance" station for that matter.

Apart from the consistent ratings failure of the dance format in Phoenix, I'm fairly certain it has been a failure on the revenue side as well.

If you have information to the contrary, please present it here.

 

[Wildstyle K]

I really really really really really ( can you tell how much) wish Movin would give us pure dance at night.

Tiesto.... Calvin Harris..... Agnes...... KISS100 London  ;D
(...and that's even if I don't listen to Radio 1, 1xtra which is URBAN, or pirate radio stations!!!)

I'm sure my father wont be too pleased with me pumpin dance hits everywhere I go when I'm supposed to be presenting myself as the son of the Ambassador, but I'm sure that there is no law saying just because I'll be under diplomatic services, I can't represent, love, or play the music. After all, the last time he served Ambassador, I was the main one playing Angelina, Alice Deejay, Jocelyn Enriquez, Moloko, Amber...etc. and I do both Jay & Jane by La Rissa for the maids, guard, driver, gardener, people on the streets...etc.

They enjoyed it, despite not speaking the language!

Well...anyway, once I leave, I pray that by the time I come back here, things have changed in the U.S, musically. On the top 40 / hit music side of things in the U.S, despite all the rapping on house beats and people abandoning hip hop to jump on modernized booty bass, electronic or electro-pop sounds, people are still missing out here.....

But still I have love and appreciation for Phoenix and most of what's happening on the dial. I would see how a dance show (done correctly) could work on Movin. If you listen to their Saturday night block party, that's a perfect example of what they could do, but just throw in a tad more dance material. I'd prefer KissFM to do this on Sunday nights rather than a talk show because honestly when that comes on, I just hike right on over to Newstalk 550 KFYI or something else.

 

[johndavis]

But still I have love and appreciation for Phoenix and most of what's happening on the dial. I would see how a dance show (done correctly) could work on Movin.

Not in this country. Pop music is completely different in the US. Yes, it's shifted from the pseudo-ghetto that passed for pop here 5-10 years ago, but you could put Kiss 100 London on Z-100 in New York and vice versa and the response on both sides of the pond would be "WTF is this crap?" Music stations that don't play familiar music die.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Not in this country.  Pop music is completely different in the US. Yes, it's shifted from the pseudo-ghetto that passed for pop here 5-10 years ago, but you could put Kiss 100 London on Z-100 in New York and vice versa and the response on both sides of the pond would be "WTF is this crap?" Music stations that don't play familiar music die.

I don't think people understand specifically what I mean by "dance show".
Of course the traditional way is not going to work. We need people to think outside of the box for once and try something new (kind of like some stations here in Az are already doing and people don't even notice...)

For example: http://www.4shared.com/file/132093065/e31b3c0f/Dj_KDM_-_Electro_HipHop_House_.html
A specialty show like this at a set scheduled daily/weekly time (make sure you analyze and take specific note on how the songs are mixed and arranged), with SOME stuff from established dance artists and producers like Tiesto, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Cascada...etc sprinkled in a bit I bet could work.

Of course swapping Z100 and KISS100 would not work well because no one here would know Cheryl Cole, N-Dubz, Chipmunk, Alexander Burke, Agnes, Example, Wiley, and unfortunately, even Taio Cruz!!!! .....but this does not stop a specialty dance mix show from working (if done correctly at a set time on the proper format TODAY). As a matter of fact, swapping stations and adding a simple mix show are two completely different topics. Despite the fact that I've been intentionally not mentioning it, there are already enough dance hits in regular rotation in traditional rhythmics and top 40's to successfully do a mixshow or something geared towards that same exact material and a bit more sprinkled in, and I should remind people that dance does include more than just the same ol' traditional songs with repetitive beats that most people and dance formatters give attention to and wonder why it doesn't work.

Remember - breakbeat, booty bass, electro-pop, freestyle - ALL those are a form of dance music and ALL those are present today, on most traditional top 40's and rhythmics. If played all together (Similar to how Movin mixes up their Saturday night block party) it can be appealing. People have to remember "open your minds and forget the old fashioned way of thinking"! No more of this "well if we do dance, then we must only accept this one type of sound of repetitive beats and what's known as the traditional "techno" sound and ignore anything that has different beat styles". If you're going to open or operate a station with only one type of sound containing all repetitive beats, then you might as well also do an all reggaeton station as well. 

Bottom line, dance can work if done correctly, and if people know what dance really is. I think part of the confusion is that here in the U.S. these days, everything is pop now, including what used to be "techno". Imagine what all this stuff that's out today would be labeled as in the late 90's before everything became pop. Less is more, but that doesn't mean we should start acknowledging less genres and label everything as pop or r&b. Lets go back to calling it what it really is. If Akon or Jay Sean does freestyle, call it that. If Pitbull or Lil Jon do house, call it that. If Flo Rida or Ciara does Booty Bass, call it that, and all that is a form of dance. Those things are not really dead, it's just that people today no longer know any better. In reality, CHR's are popping up left and right and thriving today, with much of the reason behind it being the fact that these electronic sounds have resurfaced and many artists today have "abandoned" their former sound to jump on this "new" sound. No one knows what to call it anymore, so they just take the easy route and call it all pop and chr's just gobble it all up and wonder "hmmm well pop has suddenly become big again...wonder why???" Oh and lastly, just because an artist started out or is considered an artist of a certain genre, that doesn't mean that everything they ever do in their life is also that genre too.

 

[azenergyfan]

Agreed - I believe Movin gives us alot of variety on their saturday night mix show and the energy is very high on that show. Yes the traditional Energy Arizona station is not going to work, I admit it. What I wont admit to is that any kind of dance speciality day part will never work.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Bottom line, dance can work if done correctly, and if people know what dance really is.

Oops - I think I should be more specific and make it very clear what I mean by this, and do it now rather than waiting until later when I know I'll eventually have to do it anyway. Saying "dance can work" doesn't just mean "Oh, he must mean a complete 24/7 dance format.... which will never work" and then letting no further thought process on the subject occur in your brain. As a matter of fact, I left that entire sentence incomplete (although I believe it still remains rather factual, even in its incomplete state). Dance (or whatever) can work.... in a variety of ways! To conserve time, lets just pick specialty programming as an example, and examine the ways in which it can be done; Most people hear "specialty programming" and automatically assume "ok, some one or multiple hour nonstop show of the same music" or something similar. Like I said earlier about the old fashioned way of thinking (or thinking in general in other sections of this board..), time to open minds, get more creative, think more, and stop settling for safe and mediocre (and this applies to ALL areas of life, not just radio programming).

Now think about it; I know some people are thinking "an entire hour or two of.......? What is he, nuts?" Well, does a specialty show HAVE to be one hour? Does it have to be two hours? Does everything have to follow a traditional "politically correct" measurement in time? No! As a matter of fact, I wouldn't mind even just ONE 10 -20 minute quick mix every evening weekly (similar to what 103.9 Arizona's Party Station used to do) with regular hits & remix exclusives and some extra's thrown in, and I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, IF done correctly - and knowing me, I always have an example prepared for everything I talk about, so here it goes!:

Rhythmic Radio Quick Mixx..... in less time... only 10 MINUTES!
Dj KDM Boogiedown-Quikk Mixx 1209.1.mp3

Rhythmic Top 40 Quick Mixx..... also in less time... only 10 MINUTES!!
Dj KDM Boogiedown-Quikk Mixx 1209.4.mp3

Rhythmic Hits - From BACK IN THE DAY, AND TODAY! (no pun intended) - also 10 MINUTES!
Dj KDM Boogiedown-Quikk Mixx 0110.1.mp3

Just sit back for a moment, L I S T E N . . . study, and analyze those quick short mixes for a moment; Think about all the ways in which these type of things can be used to better or enhance a station; Think about how the mixes were done, what you heard, and how music was arranged, and THE AMOUNT OF TIME it can all be completed in.. Now just imagine adjusting and tweaking a few things to make it fit whatever you desire for your station, keeping in mind that it doesn't necessarily all have to be the same exact songs or type of remixes I chose to use. Also think about how much more fun this would be than a top hits of the day countdown, or how this could proceed or follow the top countdown, and also the fact that you could have listeners listen out for a song in the mix and call in for a prize once they hear it. Now those who are open to it, imagine.... while keeping these same mixes in mind, just sprinkling in a few extra dance (or whatever!!!) hits you please - IF it fits the format and CAN be played.

And lastly, keep in mind that what I just presented was only ONE example!!! ONE!!! 10 MINUTES!!! Do you know how many stations I hear mess up or do worse things for a longer period of time on a daily basis and can't figure out why they are dying? There are so many ways to do fun and interesting things in life and make them work - if you want to! It can be done! I'm sure if we can design the space shuttle and develop technologies to explore the universe and find out the proximity of black hole or gama ray from an average sized planet in the next galaxy, we can also VERY SIMPLY think of ways of not only doing more fun and interesting things on radio, but also make room for a few more dance hits on one station, just like every other nation existing in this planet. This formula should not be as difficult to figure out as achieving world peace.

I cannot see how any of the simple things I've presented here can hurt anybody's imaging.

Now, enjoy the rest of your week and have fun.  ;D

 

[johndavis]

I cannot see how any of the simple things I've presented here can hurt anybody's imaging.

I'll say it again:

Music stations that play unfamiliar music die. Trust me, I've worked for enough of them.

If dance records become popular, they'll get airplay.

If they don't, then they won't.

People listen to what they know.

 

[Gusto]

I really really really really really ( can you tell how much) wish Movin would give us pure dance at night. Get Pistol Pete to do nights as Movin High Energy Nights or something like that

Hey I thought this topic was about the imaging of our CHR Stations! I'm really tired of this idea on Movin (of all stations). The PD is not a fan of dance. He has said "dance is not a format", but rather is "production music" (beats for their commercials). Which is ironic because in recent months, they have been forced to play Kid Cudi, Pitbul, LMFAO, David Guetta, and the newer BEP stuff which is produced by electronic acts. Granted this stuff is Top 40, but it clearly shows that the sound is more than just tools for advertising (how ignorant). And BTW, why would anybody suggest Pistol Pete to be on ANY station??

 

[CHRwatcher]

How did we go from the imaging of theses stations to dance? I would rank those threee stations mentioned on the subject like this:

1. KISS
2. KZON
3. KKFR

KISS although others may think there imaging is over use and boring, it works! It always has and they'll ALWAYS have the others chasing them. KZON about a month ago, got a WHOLE LOT better, the new voice sounds awesome and the imagining is crisp and to the point! KKFR, well I think for what the stations worth it sounds decent? Kind of like the person who is putting the production together does not want to be there and with KKFR's recent issues, I woudn't be surprised if they ask the imaging person to pull some weight on the sales production end as well! Which as a listener would be a plus, then they would be able to get rid of the person who's doing it now because that voice sounds like a stuffed up HS junior! That can't be local, but it sure is horrible! KKFR needs a make-over, KZON is right there and KISS is rolling, in my eyes.