Maybe "Standards" needs a new name

[IdentityProgramming]

"Standards" does have a new mane. It's called "A Touch of Class" and is Identity Programmings latest format offering. It's our exclusive creation that we're trying to
syndicate. If you know of someone that might be interested, give me a heads-up and if I sign them to the format, I'll send you a "finders-fee."

It's a great networking opportunity and a way to help a fellow broadcaster grow his business while creating something exceptional.

"A Touch of Class" can be heard on our demo page on our website:
www.identityprogramming.com

All inquiries and comments can be made directly by e-mailing me:
[email protected]

Thanks in-advance for your help. It's truly appreciated.

Gary Begin
Identity Programming
Jackson, TN
(731) 437-0536
www.identityprogramming.com
[email protected]

 

[BlueHen]

Nevertheless, I propose reviving an antiquated term: Middle-Of-the-Road (MOR). Other terms which might work could include 'MOR/standards', 'MOR/nostalgia', 'Traditional MOR' or 'All-time Standards'. I would not suggest the term 'classic' though. Just some thoughts.

I agree on 'classic.' It excludes new music. Classic rock or classic country stations are basically oldies stations for their respective genres. But I have to disagree on MOR. Back in the day, wouldn't you call MOR a hybrid between beautiful music and contemporary pop? Whereas MOR was the link between the two styles, that link really wouldn't exist today because of the absence of beautiful music. Contemporary pop is what you hear on AC now. The need to distinguish between two styles by creating that "middle ground" between them has disappeared because today's music is one-sided.

A new station just launched in Phila, "Martini Lounge Radio," where they're playing all Sinatra for the month of September as an introduction. That sounds too limiting to me, as I would expect to hear nothing but Rat Pack music. But that description might be fine for what it is.

You mentioned 'All-Time Standards.' Close to that is CHWO in Toronto with "All-Time Favorites." Some stations seem to have it right by emphasizing the nature of the music and avoiding any association with age. WEZV in Myrtle Beach is "Easy Radio" and WZRU in Roanoke Rapids NC is "Easy Favorites." I haven't seen 'traditional' used. Traditional pop might work, which is the only Grammy category remaining for this kind of music.

 

[semoochie]

I recall MOR as being BETWEEN Mantovani and Rock, not a hybrid of the 2 thus Middle-of-the-Road.

 

[klutch00]

I agree on 'classic.' It excludes new music. Classic rock or classic country stations are basically oldies stations for their respective genres. But I have to disagree on MOR. Back in the day, wouldn't you call MOR a hybrid between beautiful music and contemporary pop?

Semoochie is right. Nevertheless, didn't MOR start in the late '50s before traditional mood music or 'beautiful' music? I don't think 'beautiful music' made an impact until the early '60s and that MOR was before that.

Whereas MOR was the link between the two styles, that link really wouldn't exist today because of the absence of beautiful music. Contemporary pop is what you hear on AC now. The need to distinguish between two styles by creating that "middle ground" between them has disappeared because today's music is one-sided.

You could argue that today's 'standards' stations are a 'middle ground' between AC, (what is left of) Soft AC, Big Band/Nostalgia and the Traditional EZ formats of the past.

A new station just launched in Phila, "Martini Lounge Radio," where they're playing all Sinatra for the month of September as an introduction. That sounds too limiting to me, as I would expect to hear nothing but Rat Pack music. But that description might be fine for what it is.

I agree that it is too limiting and too long as an intro and feel that the "Rat Pack" approach would be more appropriate. If they play more modern music by artists such as Diana Krall, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr, and the more modern music by Artists such as Tony Bennett as well as other appropriate songs (George Michael's "Kissing A Fool" comes to mind), they'll have a good musical mix. Unfortunately and in my not so humble opinion, I think they're doomed. WHAT is a class 'C' station in a major city. If the station had a stronger signal - even if was daytime only, they might have a chance. For their sake, I hope I'm wrong!

You mentioned 'All-Time Standards.' Close to that is CHWO in Toronto with "All-Time Favorites." Some stations seem to have it right by emphasizing the nature of the music and avoiding any association with age. WEZV in Myrtle Beach is "Easy Radio" and WZRU in Roanoke Rapids NC is "Easy Favorites." I haven't seen 'traditional' used. Traditional pop might work, which is the only Grammy category remaining for this kind of music.

I recall CHWO using the term 'pop-standards' as well, which I feel could also work. The terms for the two other stations you mentioned would also work, but IIRC those stations are more Easy Listening of some sort or another than they are anything else.

 

[dbdigital]

Maybe go the route that country music took. All the country stations today seem to be the home of "today's hot new country" and country music has sure reinvented itself. So how does "Rediscover Today's Hot New Standards" sound?

Or Modern Standards or Contemporary Standards... anything but Adult Standards.
(MSR - Modern Standards Radio)

Michael Buble, Diana Krall, or Rod Stewart's interpretations of The Great American Songbook would qualify as Modern Standards. Barry Manilow's rehashed 50s & 60s pop hits would not. There's a difference.

Just so you know, format flipper extraordinaire, Saul Levine, has trademarked the Great American Songbook name, according to LA Radio:

"Saul Levine will fill the Pop Standards void in the marketplace with a plateful of Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and Frank Sinatra. “This will be called ‘The Great American Songbook,’ as we’ve trademarked it. I was fortunate that we got that through. Nobody had thought of trademarking it,” remarked Saul."

He's flipping KMZT 1260 from Classical to Talk radio October 29 (and changing the station's calls to KGIL). But the Talk format is only during the day. After 7 P.M. the station plays Adult Standards or his "Great American Songbook" format.

db

 

[jh]

Saul changes formats more than some people change underwear, but the return to the KGIL calls is nice. LA would seem to have glut of talk, maybe the standards should be full time.

 

[JIBGUY]

I have searched for an indentity for my two stations which are a cross between pure adult-standards (40's-60's) and light oldies pop (50's thru 70's)... and I have settled down with "Memories 740"" and "Memories 730". Says it all in one word.

 

[dmargalotti]

and I have settled down with "Memories 740"" and "Memories 730". Says it all in one word.

The problem with the "memories" moniker is your excluding a new generation of listeners who may just be discovering songs from the Great Am. Songbook. It's not their memories. I spent 11 out of my 21 years in radio programming Standards. We always tried to avoid dating the format by saying "remember when..." or, "how about this one from 1941...". It's exclusionary. I'm not sure what to call it anymore...but the music should always be presented as being a part of our culture, not our history. There are always tv shows, movies, and commercials using this type of music. Those are the references your want to highlight...because they are now, they are contemporary. I never liked "standards". I even had a GM suggest "American Standards" upon which I had to tell him that was the name of a toilet maker.

 

[doublecashkgb]

"Standards" does have a new mane. It's called "A Touch of Class" and is Identity Programmings latest format offering. It's our exclusive creation that we're trying to
syndicate. If you know of someone that might be interested, give me a heads-up and if I sign them to the format, I'll send you a "finders-fee."

It's a great networking opportunity and a way to help a fellow broadcaster grow his business while creating something exceptional.

"A Touch of Class" can be heard on our demo page on our website:
www.identityprogramming.com


Gary Good luck. But your idea isn't new, Red & KLAC both used the "Class" positioner. New Standards have been around awhile now, what are you doing that is unique? Have you
spent the time and money that a Chuck Hillier or Brad Chambers have with this format?.
Have you ever done a standards format before.?