They even sound newer than before, and now say that they play the newest songs by current artists at fifteen minutes after every hour. When WKLB moved to 102.5 I was thinking that Cat Country would finally cease its stubborness to not play artists before the 90's. Boy was I wrong. What really funny is that they have this overdone liner that says "playing today's country hits AND your all time favorites". All time favorites? What a joke. This station wouldn't know an all time favorite if it bit them on the tail. In fact the station sounds newer than it ever has before. Now I know why they dumped After Midnight, too many songs from before the 90's. Cat Country 98.1 should be called New Country 98.1, because that's all they play, and that's all they want to play. When I say classic country, I'm not just talking about the legends of the 50's and 60's. I'm also talking about the legends of the 70's and 80's that WKLB mixes in regularly. What I find interesting is that 98.1 is now playing more new music than ever. I guess they are aggressively going after the younger audience which seems to be their bread and butter. I've got news for Cat Country though, I am 28 and I like classic country much more than new country.
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Let's face it classic country fans, 98.1 is not budging!
- Thread starter radiojay1
- Start date
When the country station I'm at now launched in 1984, they were playing stuff like Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, George Strait (the earlier stuff) and even Anne Murray. Most of that stuff is gold by today's country standards. While I enjoy the classic stuff, too, I understand why those selections are few and far between. Seeing how the northeast is more "cosmopolitan" than most parts of the country, that stuff just won't fly in these parts. It's sad, but true. In other parts of the country you will hear the classics more often because country music is so ingrained into the culture. Markets like Providence, Boston and Philadelphia have to be very careful about adding older stuff to the playlist since there is such a prejudice against this genre of music.
Country has a knack for attracting a listener who never thought they would be interested in the format to begin with, but they discover that it's actually good music. There are so many misconceptions and preconceived notions about country music and country listeners that people assume they don't like it because they don't wear a cowboy hat and boots and go to the rodeo on Friday nights. The newer and hotter stuff is a way for country music to sound fresh and attract that listener who would ultimately say, "Hey, that's actually pretty cool after all".
Ultimately it's a business deicision. And for large and major markets in this part of the country, it's the right one.
Country has a knack for attracting a listener who never thought they would be interested in the format to begin with, but they discover that it's actually good music. There are so many misconceptions and preconceived notions about country music and country listeners that people assume they don't like it because they don't wear a cowboy hat and boots and go to the rodeo on Friday nights. The newer and hotter stuff is a way for country music to sound fresh and attract that listener who would ultimately say, "Hey, that's actually pretty cool after all".
Ultimately it's a business deicision. And for large and major markets in this part of the country, it's the right one.
Cat Country 98.1 WCTK is very good at what they do. You will hear a classic country tune here & there. You can see what they play at their website. But I've heard. The Bellamy Brothers,Judds,Ronnie Milsap & Charlie Daniels Band.
And as it is now, CTK is/has been pulling very good numbers (based on what we can see from the old Arbitron numbers from last year (thanks to whoever isn't buying the book!)). I know true country fans like the classic country; but I have to agree w/ Jeff...in this market it wouldn't fly as when WHIM (damn, I'm old) was playing it, they were still not drawing an audience measureable to charge a good rate to advertise and that is what it ultimately comes down to....
Though the original poster is 28...the reality of this format is it is, largely a 55 plus format.
And that's the problem. A largely 55 plus audience is not attractive to advertisers. Hey...I'm a boomer.
I agree that attitude stinks. But, it's reality.
Throw in 50's country, and you're talking to an audience that's approaching 70. I've been in and around country radio since 1975. I know a lot of those songs are classics... I respect the artists and the music, but they just don't work on radio anymore, aside from a couple of select titles that work with a country classics format.
That's why there are CD players and i-Pods.
And that's the problem. A largely 55 plus audience is not attractive to advertisers. Hey...I'm a boomer.
I agree that attitude stinks. But, it's reality.
Throw in 50's country, and you're talking to an audience that's approaching 70. I've been in and around country radio since 1975. I know a lot of those songs are classics... I respect the artists and the music, but they just don't work on radio anymore, aside from a couple of select titles that work with a country classics format.
That's why there are CD players and i-Pods.
In responce to jeffryan's post
I understand when you say that stations in cities like Boston and Philly need to be careful about what oldire songs they play, but how can you explain the amount of gold that WKLB is playing? I guess it has to do with research and testing, but is this saying that there are more classic country fans in the Boston area, than in the Providence area? Almost every other song is a gold song and they have the Sunday Morning Country Oldies. I would think that Boston would be much more conservative being the biggest city in New England. They are certainly conservative with other stations as far as the playlists and the "safe songs", but thier country station has good variety, and not as much repitition. For someone like me who absolutely can't stand repitition, most station playlists get boring very fast. Like I said, I understand about how the music is carefull researched, but it is amazing to me how people can enjoy hearing the same songs over and over and over. I am very thankful for the internet and the many other choices that are available.
I understand when you say that stations in cities like Boston and Philly need to be careful about what oldire songs they play, but how can you explain the amount of gold that WKLB is playing? I guess it has to do with research and testing, but is this saying that there are more classic country fans in the Boston area, than in the Providence area? Almost every other song is a gold song and they have the Sunday Morning Country Oldies. I would think that Boston would be much more conservative being the biggest city in New England. They are certainly conservative with other stations as far as the playlists and the "safe songs", but thier country station has good variety, and not as much repitition. For someone like me who absolutely can't stand repitition, most station playlists get boring very fast. Like I said, I understand about how the music is carefull researched, but it is amazing to me how people can enjoy hearing the same songs over and over and over. I am very thankful for the internet and the many other choices that are available.
In response to wknd92
You're not that old.
I was listening to WHIM (1110) when I was a teenager (I'm 28 now), also WICE (550). I also had the chance to visit the WHIM and WICE studios. I like all kinds of music from the 40's to today, also classical. WHIM had some great DJs. I remember Charlie Huddle (The Old Farm Dog), Dan Williams, Big Ange (went by Andy Jackson while at WHIM), and Domenic Lewis. I also remember Big Ange, Chuck Stevens, Lisa D., Steve Menna and the Duke Of Doo-wop (I think his name was Joe or Joel Ducas?).
You're not that old.
I was listening to WHIM (1110) when I was a teenager (I'm 28 now), also WICE (550). I also had the chance to visit the WHIM and WICE studios. I like all kinds of music from the 40's to today, also classical. WHIM had some great DJs. I remember Charlie Huddle (The Old Farm Dog), Dan Williams, Big Ange (went by Andy Jackson while at WHIM), and Domenic Lewis. I also remember Big Ange, Chuck Stevens, Lisa D., Steve Menna and the Duke Of Doo-wop (I think his name was Joe or Joel Ducas?).From 1966 to early 1989. The place for Country Music was 1110 WHIM. Keep in mind they were "Traditional Country".
Not "Todays Country Hits" Their mix was mostly Connie Smith, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams. Mixed with the current country on the charts. At any given time. For example: Garth Brooks, Marty Stuart, Keith Whitley. Sure there were other outlets to find country. 1180 JJF (South County) BOS for a short stint. Then CTK entered the scene in 1989.
But I must say this. The old 1110 WHIM. Had a loyal following. Especially for those old shows at certain venues in the area with Eddie Zack & The Hayloft Jamboree. And of course, "Pappy" keeping things going on Eastern Ave for many years.
Not "Todays Country Hits" Their mix was mostly Connie Smith, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams. Mixed with the current country on the charts. At any given time. For example: Garth Brooks, Marty Stuart, Keith Whitley. Sure there were other outlets to find country. 1180 JJF (South County) BOS for a short stint. Then CTK entered the scene in 1989.
But I must say this. The old 1110 WHIM. Had a loyal following. Especially for those old shows at certain venues in the area with Eddie Zack & The Hayloft Jamboree. And of course, "Pappy" keeping things going on Eastern Ave for many years.
1110 WHIM indeed had a very loyal audience with the traditional C+W format. I was there itn the '80's when the studios were moved to 125 Eastern Ave.(an old house that was converted). Was part of the air staff as Dave Allen. I worked with Charlie Huddle, Tom(Tom Allen)Haughey, Jim O'Brien, Bob Chase,and Dan Williams, to name a few.
Dave Gardiner
WVCH 740/WNWR 1540
Philadelphia
Dave Gardiner
WVCH 740/WNWR 1540
Philadelphia
W
WarwickGuy
Guest
First of all, I am 51 years old, and I buy alot more stuff than people younger than me. I am a homeowner and I have the money to buy. Secondly I don't really care what WCTK does now because I have WKLB. Thirdly, WHIM was on the air until 1998 not 1989 and they had a unique knack for mixing in today's country with the classics which is why they had such a loyal following. If the people who ran WHIM had more business sense, there is no doubt in my mind that the station at whatever frequency it ended up on would still be kicking. Comparing PRO fm playing Herman's Hermits to a country station playing a tune from Merle Haggard is totally irrelevant, thus the distinction with formats. Thank you.
Just to clear something up. I never implied that 1110 WHIM went off the air. Or stopped playing country music in 1989. They used to have imaging that said #1 For Country Since 1966. So I used that as a timeline. Because like it or not. When CTK entered the picture in 1989 things changed. And on a historical note. Back in the mid-1970's. WHIM
was on the FM Dial at 94.1.
was on the FM Dial at 94.1.
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