Magic

[retiredfromradio]

I have to say for an AM station that plays music they are really doing very well in the numbers game. While I think he is probably a little crazy Bob Greene fits the format perfectly. That's exaclty what oldies stations use to do. I know not all of you agree, but when you have been around as long as I have the format and they demos they are reaching are a perfect match. Nice Job!! Wish it were on FM though, but sounds really good on-line.

 

[danikayser84]

Maybe turn on their C-QUAM? Even then that'd just be rubbing salt into the wounds though because not many people have AM stereo receivers...

I'd have to say, WROW is doing just fine on AM, and there's probably better formats for 100.9 anyway (WROW/Magic's demographic tends to favor AM)... I've always wanted "Jamz 100.9" (give Jamz 96.3 a bigger signal) or "100.9 The Cat" (why didn't they put country on 100.9 instead of 104.9 anyway?)

 

[RBW]

I have to say for an AM station that plays music they are really doing very well in the numbers game. While I think he is probably a little crazy Bob Greene fits the format perfectly. That's exaclty what oldies stations use to do. I know not all of you agree, but when you have been around as long as I have the format and they demos they are reaching are a perfect match. Nice Job!! Wish it were on FM though, but sounds really good on-line.

IMHO... Bob is terrible for that format! The main problem is HE DOESN'T KNOW WHEN TO SHUT UP!! The music is the star... NOT him. Again, to me, it sounded way better when they had Ben voicetracking the PM drive! Bob thinks he's stuck in a time warp, perhaps being Ron Lundy's replacement. This is not WABC or WLS, circa 1974 I believe he'd be better suited if the format was 100% "oldies" ... but as a standards station he seems forced to calm it down when hitting the post for Johnny Mathis or Tony Bennett. I don't recall him being quite to that degree when Magic was on FM. Again, he's got "AM Star Syndrome".

Basically (to me) he's just too loud and obnoxious, and tries too hard to TRY to be funny. It's only because of my lousy AM reception at work that forces me to listen to him in the first place.

 

[ChuckRoast]

I agree. Mr. Green, before he retired the first time, did not talk so much. Now he's in love with his own voice and the annoying "Echo" chamber effect Magic 590 utilizes all the time. He used to mention his show being the "Green Room" and focus on playing the music. Now he focuses on never shutting up even gabbing through the jingle segues. He also thinks he's much funnier then he is. I wonder if he just doesn't care because he's planning to retire back to Florida when the weather gets cold.

 

[RBW]

Oh then there's hope ... when he retires next WINTER? I sure hope that's true!! I find it amazing that Jay (or management) would allow him run wild like that. It's shouldn't be that it's just HE who doesn't care, but it's his BOSSES who should care! And their website doesn't permit them to be emailed with questions or comments Very frustrating!!

 

[PaddyCrystal]

Magic's Bob Green is why I tune in to AM on the radio or on my computer. We all need to laugh, too much seriousness in this world! I appreciate radio like it used to be! If I just want music I can go to my music library. I want to hear someone talk and to talk about music and baseball scores. Go Magic!

 

[RBW]

The gregarious Mr Green was off day. I enjoyed my listening experience where the announcer "announced" and didn't shout over jingles and talk over posts when song vocals began.

Just my opinion.

 

[retiredfromradio]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just feel they are offering more in the afternoon than the other options out there. Someone else said it best, if I want just music, I will load my MP3 and play that. I like personality driven radio, especially in the morning and afternoon. The only real problem I have with Magic is that it has so much become Ben Patten radio. 6a-2p then most of the day on Saturday. Not putting Ben down, but I would feel the same way about anyone that did a daily marathon shift. :-\

 

[RBW]

The only real problem I have with Magic is that it has so much become Ben Patten radio. 6a-2p then most of the day on Saturday. Not putting Ben down, but I would feel the same way about anyone that did a daily marathon shift. :-\

At least when Ben is on, it doesn't sound like the "Magic Circus" like when ringmaster Green is in center ring!! And when HE is on, they seem to load-up on those HORRIBLE jingles --- Between 4 & 5 today, I didn't hear ONE (song [into] song) seque.

How many times do I have to complain about this............................................

TONE DOWN THOSE ALL-TOO-LONG OVERPLAYED CORNY JINGLES!!!!!!!!!! I didn't just fall off a turnip truck....... I KNOW what station I'm listening to!! -- I don't need to be reminded every 2.5 minutes.

 

[retiredfromradio]

I'll say my final peace. For an AM station playing music to achieve a 3.8 share 12+, that is absolutely AMAZING!!! Look at the FM's in the market that fall way behind it. These are metro FM's not FM's that are on the outskirts.

 

[RBW]

I'll say my final peace. For an AM station playing music to achieve a 3.8 share 12+, that is absolutely AMAZING!!!

That's absolutely true!

And here's my final word on the subject. I like the music and often find myself being impressed with their playlist. It's just the presentation, sometimes. As far as the personalities go, I prefer those on Dial Global (WABY, WSDE)... Jeff Rollins, Chick Watkins, and Carl Hampton (for example)... They can have "fun" without being over the top.

 

[klutch00]

Methinks that much of this stations success can be attributed to the fact that its predecessor (WKLI) was quite popular and that a significant number of listeners were willing to go the station where the format was exiled despite a compromise in sound quality.

http://albanymagic.com/

 

[PaddyCrystal]

2.9 to 3.8 love 'em or hate 'em. Ratings have gone up since Bob Green has been there. Woo hoo!
Bob's fun and brings everyday fun to the radio and computer!

 

[vinyltapecd]

AM sound quality just does not do this great music justice. The songs that Magic plays have such rich and intricate instrumental backing, great vocals and excellent melodies, but the musical superiority of these songs is greatly compromised by the atrocious sound quality on AM. Now that this type of music is almost exclusively played on AM stations only, it's as if all the effort it took to produce those intricate instrumental backings was a total waste, since no one can hear them anyway.

Of course many listeners stuck with Magic in spite of the switch to AM because the music is that good, especially compared to other radio alternatives. But I will continue to say, over a year after the switch happened, that this type of music deserves FM sound quality and nothing less. And Magic on FM was doing fine in terms of ratings.

This is coming from a 28 y.o. male, btw.

 

[klutch00]

AM sound quality just does not do this great music justice. The songs that Magic plays have such rich and intricate instrumental backing, great vocals and excellent melodies, but the musical superiority of these songs is greatly compromised by the atrocious sound quality on AM. Now that this type of music is almost exclusively played on AM stations only, it's as if all the effort it took to produce those intricate instrumental backings was a total waste, since no one can hear them anyway.

Once again, you must understand that beggars cannot be choosers. If your format isn't able to generate the revenue that's needed to keep your format afloat on an FM facility, which have much debt to service, yet it's possible to keep the format alive on AM and draw listeners there, be thankful you have something instead of nothing!

Of course many listeners stuck with Magic in spite of the switch to AM because the music is that good, especially compared to other radio alternatives. But I will continue to say, over a year after the switch happened, that this type of music deserves FM sound quality and nothing less. And Magic on FM was doing fine in terms of ratings.

This is coming from a 28 y.o. male, btw.

Well, I'm 46 and while I'll admit I like some of this type of music, it was considered uncool to admit you liked the type of music that Magic and similar formatted stations broadcast back in my youth. Magic may have been doing fine in the ratings, but the core audience was older and advertisers aren't interested in that demographic! Broadcasters want something that's going to generate a fast buck, which a standards/EZ/soft AC/MOR format in a medium-sized market has much difficulty doing in 2011. Advertisers are interested in numbers 25-54, and not much else.

You mention AM transmission quality and while it currently is inferior to what's on FM now, it doesn't have to be this way. A quality analog AM stereo system can be implemented and provide sound quality that while it may not match FM broadcast quality, can come close.

Consider this: the powers-that-be at Pamal at least gave Magic's listeners a place to go. This didn't have to happen! Look at the upside: whenever you're taking those trips down to say Poughkeepsie, or up to Utica or the Adirondacks, you'll be able to hold on to the station longer (maybe even for the whole trip!) than you could have if it was on 100.9.

 

[retiredfromradio]

I agree, at least Pamal kept the format. Actually a good idea to do so. What else could you do with AM radio (besides talk, and you already have a power house talk in the market) and pull a 3.0+ in the market (bet they never expected these numbers) . This station could be sold to advertisers who can't afford the $200-$300 a spot the higher rated stations are getting. This is a unique station with experienced air talent (Jay, Ben, Bob Green, Bob Johnson and Richie Norris) all having 10-15+ years experience in the business and it doesn't sound like it's being run by some consultant or corporate owner in Texas or California. AM stations in higher rated markets would give their right arm...heck their left arm (and probably a foot) too to score these numbers on an AM station. This station reflects what radio should be about, P.E.R.S.O.N.A.L.I.T.Y not card readers. New broadcasters can't do personality (if they can even find a job) so most are limited to being card readers...unless you're a graduate of the Bob Green School of broadcasting ...that's a joke for those of you that are tightly wound.

I tip my hat to Pamal for keeping the format and doing such a wonderful job with it . Wish they had taken the same and moved it to FM. I will listen online so I can enjoy the format in stereo.

 

[LibertyNT]

AM sound quality just does not do this great music justice.

You do realize this music was made to sound good on AM right?
Also, AM used to sound wayyy better. Used to have 15khz Audio (now its 10)
and the receivers used to be wide on the AM band, allowing all the audio to come through.
Now The Modern AM receivers (that aren't DX/High Dollar) squeeze the audio to death (you'll get 7khz IF your lucky)

 

[klutch00]

I agree, at least Pamal kept the format. Actually a good idea to do so. What else could you do with AM radio (besides talk, and you already have a power house talk in the market) and pull a 3.0+ in the market (bet they never expected these numbers) . This station could be sold to advertisers who can't afford the $200-$300 a spot the higher rated stations are getting. This is a unique station with experienced air talent (Jay, Ben, Bob Green, Bob Johnson and Richie Norris) all having 10-15+ years experience in the business and it doesn't sound like it's being run by some consultant or corporate owner in Texas or California. AM stations in higher rated markets would give their right arm...heck their left arm (and probably a foot) too to score these numbers on an AM station. This station reflects what radio should be about, P.E.R.S.O.N.A.L.I.T.Y not card readers. New broadcasters can't do personality (if they can even find a job) so most are limited to being card readers...unless you're a graduate of the Bob Green School of broadcasting ...that's a joke for those of you that are tightly wound.

Maybe this could be a model for struggling AMs in other markets, be they larger, smaller or similar size. I think there's a market for full service programming with this being just one example. In northwestern Virginia, a new sign-on, WXVA is trying a full service approach although their musical selection is much more diverse and uptempo. http://wxva.com/

I tip my hat to Pamal for keeping the format and doing such a wonderful job with it . Wish they had taken the same and moved it to FM. I will listen online so I can enjoy the format in stereo.

This format was on FM for several years on WKLI (100.9). Their ratings were usually in the top five! Once again, if the target audience is too far out of the 25-54 demographic, which was the case with the old Magic, then advertiser's resistance becomes more evident! 100.9 has gone through another format change since dropping Magic and as we all know and saw, Magic wasn't brought back. 100.9 has a rock format now. http://www.albanyrock.com/

 

[RBW]

it's as if all the effort it took to produce those intricate instrumental backings was a total waste, since no one can hear them anyway.

3 Cheers to LibertyNT!!~ Indeed... it was AM RADIO where these songs were ORIGINALLY heard, and enjoyed for many years, until FM became the band with "fidelity".

Look at the upside: whenever you're taking those trips down to say Poughkeepsie, or up to Utica or the Adirondacks, you'll be able to hold on to the station longer (maybe even for the whole trip!) than you could have if it was on 100.9.

This also true. Heading west however, Utica has a similar format, which you can hear either on 95.5 FM or 1480/1550 AM. And yes 590 gets pretty far south, where you can choose between them and 1230 Hudson... also (now) 560 Catskill... all with a standards format.

 

[vinyltapecd]

You do realize this music was made to sound good on AM right?

3 Cheers to LibertyNT!!~ Indeed... it was AM RADIO where these songs were ORIGINALLY heard, and enjoyed for many years, until FM became the band with "fidelity".

What a silly and foolish argument. If AM radio is "where this music belongs," then why did the musicians put so much effort into adding rich and intricate instrumental backings with high frequency percussion, etc...when the frequency range and bandwidth of AM make it impossible to hear these things? Just because this type of music received more airplay on the AM band (due to radio's stupidity) does not mean that AM is the optimal band for it. Of course many people willingly listen to it on AM because they have no other choice, as is the case with Magic today.