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KLUC vs. KVEG music

vegasradio said:
KUNV used to play local music when it was student run. It should be again, but they serve some old fart, not the community. We already have a jazz station, yet the do what they want.
Click to expand...

KUNV plays traditional and mainstream jazz, which is quite different than the smooth jazz played on the Oasis. The audiences are very different in fact. Smooth jazz is today's easy listening background station. Mainstream jazz is listened to the jazz and music fan. You'll notice that on KUNV, they'll go in to great detail as to who all the musicians were on a particualr recording. They would never do that on KOAS.....nor should they.

As to why KUNV serves the jazz community instead of the students is very simple. Money. Even though the student-run "Rock Avenue" was recognized both locally and nationally for its progressive playlists for alternative rock, that target audience will not send money for pledge drives. Jazz fans tend to be older upscale residents that have lots of discretionary income....and will happily donate money to UNLV to keep the jazz on the radio.

With all that said, I do agree that KUNV should serve the students and resurrect the Rock Avenue...or whatever would fit today's college student. It is a college station that should serve the college community....not a bunch of "old farts" that have nothing to do with the college. But money is what makes the world go round so I never expect KUNV to return to its original roots.....unfortunately.
 
Demodave, you actually "get it." I have been here for a long time, both in and out of radio, and I see both sides.

When KNPR quit playing jazz, there was an immediate need for an outlet for those fans left without a station. Those die-hard jazz fans won't settle for "smooth jazz" . . . especially if it includes Kenny G. Im not editorializing here, I'm just stating the truth. He is but one of several examples of "jazz" that isn't entirely "jazz" to that particular demo.

But . . . With the numbers of upscale and educated people elevating in this town, all at once there needed to be an outlet for those listeners to hear "their" music, and KUNV was the logical choice. They put out a great product, have very knowledgeable jocks, and they get the job done. And the jazz fans unequivocally support "their station." Money talks, as they say . . .

But I, too, miss "Rock Avenue." I miss the promotion of local bands. And I think while KUNV does a great job at what they're proscribed to do, we need another outlet for "live and local" that supports new bands here in Vegas. There's a lot of talent here that doesn't have a chance of being heard in their own home town.

Ideas? Anyone? HD subchannels would be great, but the HD radio thing hasn't yet lived up to the hype. How do we get local bands back on local airwaves?

Beth Lano
 
KUNV Memories

I have fond memories of "Rock Avenue" on KUNV in the 80s. They truly did support local music. I'll give you a great example. My friend Chris Fredianelli was in a band called Rainy Daze. Their song "Gina" became a very big hit on KUNV in 1985. That year Tears for Fears (who were huge in that moment in time) played the LV Convention Center and based on the buzz they were getting from KUNV, Rainy Daze opened up for them. It seemed just about everyone in the audience knew and loved "Gina"...all based on college radio airplay!

The first time I ever heard U2 was on KUNVs rock avenue. They broke "I Will Follow" in 1981. I knew that band was going to be huge. Nobody else in LV played them until KOMP in 1983 (I loved KOMP in 1983, they were like an alternative station). Then by 1987 when I got bored with and lost all interest in U2 just about every station in LV was playing them.

My favorite song KUNV ever played was called "Bates Motel". They pounded it in 1981 but I don't recall the artist. I have tried to do some internet research but can't find that song anywhere, it's too obscure. I guess I'll never find out.
It was such a good song that it has stayed in my mind all this time.

Rock Avenue had some entertaining talk shows too. One was "Punk Rock Dom". I was really surprised when I heard Dominick a decade latter in 1991 hosting a talk show on KLAV. He then worked for AM 840, I think it was when their call letters were still KVEG.

Another talk show on KUNV was called Touchdown-Fuddle (SP?) which was co-hosted by Tom Hawley of Channel 3 traffic fame. He worked at a few different radio stations in the 80s including KMZQ and KNUU. I wonder if Tom himself even remembers he worked at K-News? lol.
 
Re: KUNV Memories

I also remember growing up listening to KUNV's Rock Avenue. Even the jazz they played during the day was very cutting edge stuff. I discovered Pat Metheny because of KUNV. They would even throw in some Steve Vai back in the day....on their JAZZ show!!

Speaking of great college stations, I love KCRW from Santa Monica. Interesting talk shows, cutting edge adult alternative and electronica music. If you have eclectic tastes in muisc, check out their website, kcrw.com.

I love how we have hijacked the KLUC vs KVEG thread. And hello to Beth!! I hope all is good for ya'!!
 
Kenny G

I can relate about what Beth says about Kenny G. Although a big commercial success, he is by far my least favorite "jazz" artist. He is so boring and vanilla sounding, he watered down everything that was good about instrumentals. Sometimes I have avoided listening to KOAS just because I fear they are going to play Kenny G and I just don't want to hear him.

For some reason, I like just about every other jazz artist who crossed over to pop. I love Chuck Mangione, especially "Give It All You Got". I liked Spyro Gyra. One of my all time fvorite songs is "Take 5" by Dave Brubeck. So I have no problem with commercial crossover jazz, but please no Kenny G!
 
In re-reading the posts about smooth jazz vs traditional/mainstream, I should, in the interest of full disclosure, tell you that I have worked with Kenny G on several occasions. (I don't have to say I enjoyed it, though!) He could have gone the mainstream route, but he chose what sells. And he has a huge fan base. Go figure.

Jay- Chuck Mangione is a good example of someone who did it right. So is Brubeck, and if you really want to hear a cool Brubeck tune, check out Al Jarreau's version of Brubeck's "Blue Rondo A la Turk." Here's a YouTube link . . . it's awesome.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc34Uj8wlmE

And Dave, I am well, thanks for asking!! Hope you are, too.

I heart good music . . .

Beth ;D
 
Actually, that link I sent is the Brubeck version, I am looking for the Jarreau version . . .

B
 
I too miss KUNV for that as well....I remember when Dino was hosting "urban sunrise"...I know they played the hell out of erotic city by Prince and never got fined...lol...I liked KUNV for 2 reasons...they had different formats, a true community station...reggae shows, jazz, rock, urban...more importantly, a GREAT training ground for people to break into the business....Where are tomorrow's talent coming from? What's worse is to see people MUCH more talented than yourself, who aren't working.
I will always have a love for radio and wish it well. At least the national contesting phase died...I sure wish voice tracking would too. I miss the "personal touch" of a request line...actually beng able to meet the DJ who lived here(not VT from Dallas)...my kids used to LOVE meeting Rick Kelly when he was on KLUC...or Lark Williams...(what a doll!)
I hope I live to see radio make a big comeback and some of these big wigs wake up and come to their senses...
 
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