My suggestion for future "all-Christmas" formats

[Sammy Reed]

First of all, I'd like to say that I know that this sort of thing may be unpopular to some people, but this message board, I would hope, is a forum for people to put ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticisms forward. This is what I am attempting to do right now.
There are people on all sides of the "war issue" who are good people. There are people who, regardless of how they feel about Vietnam, Iraq, or whatever wars the USA is currently involved in, all like to hear Christmas songs. They all have this festive feeling at Christmastime.
They all put forth their money for Christmas presents, trees, decorations, and other things. And whenever a radio station runs an "all-Christmas" format at Christmastime, there are people of all persuasions who would like to hear Christmas songs - and (to put it more to the point of this message board) who figure in the ratings of said stations when they run said formats.
In the last few years, it has dawned on me that there have been a few anti-war protest songs running under the guise of "Christmas" songs. Namely, the John Lennon song that sounds like "On Top of Ol' Smokey" (which is annoying to me in itself), and more modern songs such as "Grown-Up Christmas List" and "From a Distance".
If a radio station wants to run an "all-Christmas" format, targeting all the people they can, I believe they should take into consideration the good, decent people who may not feel the same way about the "war issue", and they should take a respite from playing songs (even if they are supposedly "Christmas" songs) that express one side or another of political issues. It is just this divisiveness that Christmastime should tend toward mending, not reinforce.
There's the basic message of "Peace on Earth, good will toward men". which everyone agrees with, and which can and has been expressed in Christmas songs, without resorting to protest songs. Is that a "sticky issue"?
Yes, there are other minor personal peeves I have with some of the choices of songs during this time, but this issue, which I think is the most important one, is the one I'd rather discuss now.
Now please notice, I didn't call anyone any names or get angry. I hope if there are any replies >gulp< , that at least they will be just as civil.

 

[Big Bopper]

If the world of radio programming were only that simple, Sammy. I agree that Christmas music is no place for protest or political music, but you or I do not have the power to dictate what John Q. Public will want to hear. If you were in control of a station, you could select the music and succeed or fail as a programmer based on how the audience liked or did not like your choices.

Today, every song must be tested for acceptance in your specific target demographic, and, perferably, in your specific market. We could treat this board as a focus group and invite everyone to suggest titles or types of songs to be omitted, and see what the outcome would be.

You don't like protest songs, I don't like low-class, silly, trashy songs like "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" or sexually explicit songs like "Santa Baby."

Who else has a suggestion for songs or types of songs to NOT play?

 

[Sammy Reed]

For the record, I don't care for those 2 songs either. I think you've got a good idea here. Those pet-peeves (such as what could be discussed here) could be weeded out on an eventual basis, but we'll do the best we can with what we get.

 

[Sammy Reed]

Another one I can think of right away - WTFM could've waited until Thanksgiving.

 

[BRH]

I actually like Christmas music, and wish someone in Knoxville would flip early (besides "Love 89", which mostly focuses on mainly religious Xmas music). I hate the fact that our AC station (B 97.5) never flips early, and usually doesn't go all Xmas until a week or two before the holiday. This is one case where I wish we had Clear Channel or one of the bigger companies in the market, because they always flip their AC's early.

Anyway, one of the little bottom feeder stations would be smart to go all Xmas in Knoxville and pick up some listeners. (105.3, 106.1, 96.7). Since none of the big guys are doing it, it would be a good move for one of these signals. Also, Horne's AAA format on 105.3 is a complete mess and waste. If he had any sense, he'd flip to all Xmas until the holidays and then plug in the True Oldies Channel afterwards (like he did on sister 98.3 Sweetwater). That would be a no-brainer for that signal, but it makes too much sense.

 

[RMarino]

I hate the fact that our AC station (B 97.5) never flips early, and usually doesn't go all Xmas until a week or two before the holiday.

Are you sure about this? I remember wall-to-wall Christmas music on B97.5 starting on Thanksgiving or the day after for at least the three years.

 

[RadioGaGa75]

I hate the fact that our AC station (B 97.5) never flips early, and usually doesn't go all Xmas until a week or two before the holiday.

Are you sure about this? I remember wall-to-wall Christmas music on B97.5 starting on Thanksgiving or the day after for at least the three years.

Agreed. . .I'm not sure what RMarino's talking about. To the best of my knowledge, JXB's been doing wall-to-wall Christmas music right around Thanksgiving weekend and going through Christmas ever since Jarnigan's been over there. And he's been there about 5 years or so.

 

[RadioGaGa75]

For those of you who hate Christmas music, gripe all you want, but stations who do nothing but Christmas music this time of year garner HUGE ratings.

 

[Elkhosen]

Yep, the ratings are there and the stations even see an upswing in the number of listeners after they flip back. I typically avoid Christmas music stations, but the wife loves 'em. So, there you go. ;D

 

[RMarino]

Agreed. . .I'm not sure what RMarino's talking about. To the best of my knowledge, JXB's been doing wall-to-wall Christmas music right around Thanksgiving weekend and going through Christmas ever since Jarnigan's been over there. And he's been there about 5 years or so.

I think you got the names mixed up. You are agreeing with me. ;D

 

[BRH]

Agreed. . .I'm not sure what RMarino's talking about. To the best of my knowledge, JXB's been doing wall-to-wall Christmas music right around Thanksgiving weekend and going through Christmas ever since Jarnigan's been over there. And he's been there about 5 years or so.

I think you got the names mixed up. You are agreeing with me. ;D

Maybe they have the last couple of years, but I do remember them flipping to Xmas for Thanksgiving weekend, and then flipping back to regular programming with Xmas mixed in for a couple of weeks before returning to all Xmas. Maybe thats been several years ago though. Anyway, I was mainly wondering why we can't have one of the stations that flip really early in Nov. (like many of the larger market, chained owned AC's do). I know people gripe about the Clear Channels and CBS's of the radio world, but I often think they do a better job than smaller groups like Journal and South Central. I've always wished CChannel had entered Knoxville like they did in Chattanooga, Asheville, Lexington, etc. I get bored with stale radio and I like the fact that Clear Channel and CBS aren't afraid to flip formats and try new formats pretty quickly. It seems like nothing ever happens in Knoxville radio. It's the same old status que for years on end. I'd rather have someone like the big companies who flips formats more quickly till something sticks. And I really don't think the whole "corporate" or voicetracking thing is an issue anymore as even the smaller companies now do the exact same thing too. Anyway, just my opionion. I wish either Journal or South Central would sell out to Clear Channel. (or even someone like Entercom). I like CBS too, but they don't fool with smaller to medium markets much.

 

[RadioGaGa75]

Agreed. . .I'm not sure what RMarino's talking about. To the best of my knowledge, JXB's been doing wall-to-wall Christmas music right around Thanksgiving weekend and going through Christmas ever since Jarnigan's been over there. And he's been there about 5 years or so.

I think you got the names mixed up. You are agreeing with me. ;D

Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking when I posted that response to BRH's comment.

 

[BRH]

I knew I was correct. After all Xmas music for Thanksgiving weekend, B97.5 is back to regular programming with an occasional Xmas song mixed in. This is what they always do before finally going all Xmas later in Dec. That's why I said I wish we had an AC that went fulltime Xmas early in Nov., like many other markets.

 

[Kent T]

We do not need CC in Knoxville. Ever listened to WUSY in Chattanooga lately? Predictable voicetracked automated crap. WUSY used to be a real contender in personality driven Country radio. Now they are a barely listenable station. CC also ruined a superb Classic Country station which had a loyal audience and decent ratings for a low watts stick. I want more local and small regional operators in our area. Journal is a good company if conservative and so is South Central. But there is no viable way you will get a Hip-Hop, Rhythmic AC, or other such in the Knoxville market. It's not sellable. Hip-Hop is viable in Chattanooga, enough businesses which are owned by that demo who buy advertising. Just a matter of demographics.

 

[Sammy Reed]

I'd like to get something out of the way that's bothering my conscience lately.

In an earlier post, I said "WTFM could've waited until Thanksgiving."

I made that comment at a time when I didn't have my website, and forgot that when I had the website before, I always "launched" the Christmas page of my site on the day before Thanksgiving. Since I have my website again, I plan on doing that this year, too.

So all I have to say is, For stations that will have Christmas music this year - which I personally wish was all of them, but that's just me I guess - If you don't start the Christmas music too much earlier than the day before Thanksgiving, don't worry. I won't have room to talk, so I won't complain.