My Lost Hits Stations

[superfan]

Hello there, my fellow music fans:

After listening to the radio and hear the same, overplayed "Greatest Hits" over and over again. I tried to find some radio station(s) that play all of the hits. Though I have found some stations, with more variety, I wanted to find some station that specializing in playing songs, that we really don't here enough. At that point, I wanted to create a unique sounding radio station and playlist. These stations would play the rest of the hits. From here, I started my Missing Songs in Action radio stations thru Slacker. I broke down each station per decade and tried to include every Billboard Top 40 hit that I felt, radio airplay is lacking. These stations, each have extrmely deep playlists and I would say about 95% of the selections are my own picks (yello heart symbol). The other 5% will be Slacker's choices that may include a "Greatest Hit" or a song that is from a different decade. I listen to these often and hope you check them out.

1960's Missing songs in action: http://slacker.com/r/Cvcdb

1970's Missing songs in action: http://slacker.com/r/5zwP

1980's Missing songs in action: http://slacker.com/r/5WsB

1990's Missing songs in action: http://slacker.com/r/5zVf

After that, I discovered Grooveshark. I was able to create rather large playlists from these decades. Well over 1100 songs from each decade from the 1960's-1980's. Nearly 800 songs from the 1990's. One can filter search the playlist to find a song/artist and play that song or songs. Or one, can select up to 1000 songs and/or mix them up.

Lost hits of the 1960's: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Lost+Hits+Of+The+1960+s/60020088

Lost hits of the 1970's: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Lost+Hits+Of+The+1970+s/36121606

Lost hits of the 1980's: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Lost+Hits+Of+The+1980+s/59874055

Lost hits of the 1990's: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Lost+Hits+Of+The+1990+s/59780760

Lost Hits of the 2000's: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Lost+Hits+Of+The+2000+s/81185439

I have combined my lost hit decade playlists to create separate generation ones. The same individual decade playlists will remain active. Nothing totally new and different, from what I posted earlier, but nonetheless, I hope you check these out and enjoy.

Lost Hits 1960-1979: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/LOST+HITS+1960+1979/77431408

Lost Hits 1970-1989: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/LOST+HITS+1970+1989/77098664

Lost Hits 1980-1999: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/LOST+HITS+1980+1999/77431484

Lost Hits 1990-2009: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/LOST+HITS+1990+2009/81185576

If there is a song request, please let me know and I can add them to the proper station/playlist. Most and best of all, this listening experience is absolutley free. Hopefully, I can get you to say "OH WOW!"

Thanks for checking this out, and program directors, even if you expand your playlists on your oldies/classic hits stations, to include this songs. I think it will be a service to your listeners and the artists themselves.

 

[davideduardo]

...and program directors, even if you expand your playlists on your oldies/classic hits stations, to include this songs. I think it will be a service to your listeners...

It's also an excellent and almost fool-proof way to get yourself fired, as most of us actually in radio have seen, either up close or at least close by.

 

[oldies76]

Most and best of all, this listening experience is absolutley free. Hopefully, I can get you to say "OH WOW!"

Thanks for checking this out, and program directors, even if you expand your playlists on your oldies/classic hits stations, to include this songs. I think it will be a service to your listeners and the artists themselves.

I'll check them out...btw, many small market radio stations have much bigger playlists than your typical 600-800 repetitious major market ho-hums, Also many AM's around the country have large playlists as well, but certainly not as big as what you are presenting. Keep up the great work and welcome aboard to the discussion boards.

And yes, there is also the "business" side of radio which several will counteract our wonderful, fulfilling ideas.....for the way radio SHOULD sound like, well at least it used to anyways.

As I've said, maybe for the 117th time, every song is playable today, they just have to be managed and played at the right time.

Have fun Superfan!

 

[allenv]

Congrats on daring to think a little outside the box and best of luck. I'll check you out....

 

[FRR]

Great list. For some reason I can not open the sacker site, only the grooveshark one. Suggestions?

 

[superfan]

Thank you oldies76 and allenv for having me aboard and your positive comments. In my listening area, it is true, that AM stations have more variety than the FM ones. I don't work in radio, but have a great interest in it. Stations do have to make money, and with safe playlists, will keep the casual listener from tuning out. I am probally in the minority when it comes to wanting to hear all the top 40 hits and not just the greatest. However, I think that a lost hits format would work, if people give it a chance.

FRR: I was able to get to these Slacker stations thru these links. However, it did take a few minutes for each station to play. I wish I had a better answer for you and hopefully, you and others will be able to get to them.

 

[allenv]

Super you wanting to hear lots of songs is not in the minority if you get out and talk one on with listeners and potential listeners...I'm not going to beat this horse to death but hopefully as time goes on in this format more programmers will come forward and be given some opportunties that haven't been force fed the kool aid of it can only be successful if done the same old way..Good Luck and I applaud you're daring to be different.

Allen

 

[PirateJohnny]

...and program directors, even if you expand your playlists on your oldies/classic hits stations, to include this songs. I think it will be a service to your listeners...

It's also an excellent and almost fool-proof way to get yourself fired, as most of us actually in radio have seen, either up close or at least close by.

I wondered who would be first to reply: David or michael.

 

[wrsg915fm]

"Misery" by the Dynamics...whoa, baby! SO MANY great tunes! At our station, WRSG, we would have the freedom to play as much of this as we want. ;D. Now, to get this music, in the right way, of course.

 

[FRR]

I only found a couple of remastered tunes on the 60's Grooveshark list. Most were original releases

 

[superfan]

I only found a couple of remastered tunes on the 60's Grooveshark list. Most were original releases

If you know what those were, I can try to update that and thanks a million for checking this out.

 

[RIN3GUY]

I am probably in the minority when it comes to wanting to hear all the top 40 hits and not just the greatest. However, I think that a lost hits format would work, if people give it a chance.

Superfan, Welcome to the forum! Minority or not, you have a lot of good company here. I am relatively new to this board myself, but am 100% with you. Check out my posts on the thread, "Classic Hits: Evolution or Revolution" for some lively banter on this very issue. Maybe even a few fireworks at times.

 

[michael hagerty]

...and program directors, even if you expand your playlists on your oldies/classic hits stations, to include this songs. I think it will be a service to your listeners...

It's also an excellent and almost fool-proof way to get yourself fired, as most of us actually in radio have seen, either up close or at least close by.

I wondered who would be first to reply: David or michael.

Michael's tired.

Michael...I mean me...I mean I...have no problem with loving a wide range of music (I'm sure it would stun some of you to find out how eclectic my tastes are), and setting up stations online is a great idea.

Where I've hit the wall is that I've put a tremendous amount of time and energy into researching and writing so that the realities of commercial broadcasting can be understood, only to see the same stuff pop up over and over again ("It can be done").

Well, heck, you can do anything...once. And as David notes, the job loss and financial fallout is not something you want to see close up.

And now there's a new phrase..."radio the way it always was". Really? Where? When? What successful commercial station in a competitive market ever played every record to make their Top 40 playlist forever from then on just because it was once a Top 40 record?

 

[oldies76]

And now there's a new phrase..."radio the way it always was". Really? Where? When? What successful commercial station in a competitive market ever played every record to make their Top 40 playlist forever from then on just because it was once a Top 40 record?

What round is it?? 9, 10, 11...lost count.

Michael, they can be played, just at the appropriate time. A big difference than playing them whenever you want. One or two "rare oldies" per hour is what's suggested.

The problem today, is that 85-90% of top 20 position hits from the mid 60's to the mid 80's are ignored today.

 

[superfan]

Yes, I think if one or two lost hits are played an hour, it wouldn’t disrupt a station’s playlist.

A way to find out if this would work is to play one, particular lost hit in the morning and/or afternoon drive, and have the listener decide whether he/she would like that song added to the main playlist. They could vote for it on the stations website, and one lucky listener can win a general prize, like a gift certificate. There is a potential for higher listener participation and more advertising. Certainly not an original idea by any means, but what would be your thoughts? Getting the listeners curiosity would be a start.

 

[Biondi4Mayor]

Yes, I think if one or two lost hits are played an hour, it wouldn’t disrupt a station’s playlist.

A way to find out if this would work is to play one, particular lost hit in the morning and/or afternoon drive, and have the listener decide whether he/she would like that song added to the main playlist. They could vote for it on the stations website, and one lucky listener can win a general prize, like a gift certificate. There is a potential for higher listener participation and more advertising. Certainly not an original idea by any means, but what would be your thoughts? Getting the listeners curiosity would be a start.

Love it! Too creative for radio though. You'll get the response like, "those songs that didn't test well, won't ever be played" and "only fanatic listeners do things like visit the website or participate".

Anyway, back to the real topic of the thread, you've got some great stations my friend. Keep up the good work!

 

[superfan]

Love it! Too creative for radio though. You'll get the response like, "those songs that didn't test well, won't ever be played" and "only fanatic listeners do things like visit the website or participate".

Anyway, back to the real topic of the thread, you've got some great stations my friend. Keep up the good work!
[/quote]

Superfan, Welcome to the forum! Minority or not, you have a lot of good company here. I am relatively new to this board myself, but am 100% with you. Check out my posts on the thread, "Classic Hits: Evolution or Revolution" for some lively banter on this very issue. Maybe even a few fireworks at times.

Thank you for your kind words and I am happy to share these with you and for all.

 

[michael hagerty]

And now there's a new phrase..."radio the way it always was". Really? Where? When? What successful commercial station in a competitive market ever played every record to make their Top 40 playlist forever from then on just because it was once a Top 40 record?

What round is it?? 9, 10, 11...lost count.

Michael, they can be played, just at the appropriate time. A big difference than playing them whenever you want. One or two "rare oldies" per hour is what's suggested.

The problem today, is that 85-90% of top 20 position hits from the mid 60's to the mid 80's are ignored today.

And how do you determine the appropriate time to play a record that a significant portion of the audience (let's say 33% on up) has indicated will cause tune-out? Because that's the only reason you're not already playing the record.

And knowing that, you're proposing to do that 48 times per day. 336 times a week. 17,520 times in a year.

When you could do it....zero.

And Oldies, I'm still waiting for the answer to the question you quoted at the top.

Superfan, don't get me wrong: I think what you've done is great. It's just that transplanting the concept to commercial radio in a competitive situation is fraught with peril. And your idea of judging whether you're on the right track or not by listener response...maybe you missed the last go-round, but 6% max of your audience will participate in anything (and that top number comes if there's something in it for them like a prize). 94% interact by pushing the button. They don't tell you when you're doing something right or wrong. They either stay or go. And you don't know until it's too late.

 

[superfan]

Michael:
I am brand new to this board, and by reading this thread, this is not a new topic. I guess I would need to find and read about “the last go-round”.
I do not work in the industry, just a listener. I cannot image how difficult it must be to maintain a station of any kind. Commercial radio has to compete against all sorts of competition, with rival stations, Satellite, Internet, CD’s, and MP3 players. Many other internal factors, unknown to me and the general public, do take place.
Your numbers and points certainly make sense and I didn’t mean to spark any debate. I am fortunate to create what I did and thank you for viewing my work.

 

[landtuna]

I'm sure it would stun some of you to find out how eclectic my tastes are...

Not me! I've seen your sport coats on TV. ;D