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My Thougths on Q101

J

Jonathan

Guest
It pains me to post this... it really does. :-( But I have to be honest. Here are my thoughts of Q101 during my recent trip home that I just posted to my blog.

I resolved to not think of the station or listen to the radio much while I was down there but I did listen some. Quite honestly, radio in my old market (Meridian, MS) really depressed me. My old station (WJDQ/Q101) has gone completely into the sh**er. The music is ok for the most part (a bit too rhythmic, especially during the day, though) but everything else sounded awful. Quite honestly, it sounded half assed. There are liners that were running for several months before I left almost two years ago! I didn't get to hear the night guy but I got to hear everyone else. I'm sorry but they all sucked. Laziness, no preperation at all. The morning show is syndicated! SYNDICATED! There are now only two live morning shows in Meridian now (WOKK and WMOX) that I'm aware of. And Saturday night now has Open House Party (one of the crappiest shows ever put on the air in any market--I can't stand it!). It really broke my heart... I was honestly depressed. The station has no soul, no personality. Everything that made the station special when I was there is now gone and dead. In the CHR format, you always have to have something going on that creates a buzz and gives people a reason to listen. Jay King, the program director of WYYW, has said many times that radio stations in that type of format should "sell the sizzle." Unfortuantely, there's no sizzle to be had when then grill is cold. Before we were cookin' with gas... but no more. I'm not saying that my being there did or would give the station its success but at least someone was there/would be there who gave/gives a damn (seemingly, unlike those who are there now). I hate to say it but Q101 sucks. Hard.
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Jonathan on 01/04/06 03:35 AM.</FONT></P>
 
>Its like that everywhere. Especially middle sized towns. I remember when Y 101 in Jackson was cool. But now its 50 cent hip hop based pop tunes with computerized music tracks that sound like Band in a Box software. They'll play a few Rock or Emo-type pop songs but its mostly hip hop these days. And of course that bad sounding blasting audio. It sounds like a cheap 80's boom box with the "stereo wide" switch turned on. blech. US96.3 sounds worse. The morning crew sounds like they are all eating the microphones. I bet its a sea of red lights and pegged meters in there. yuck. Turn down the knobs a tad. I can't listen to that crap like that.
 
> It pains me to post this... it really does. :-( But I have
> to be honest. Here are my thoughts of Q101 during my recent
> trip home that I just posted to my blog.
>
> I resolved to not think of the station or listen to the
> radio much while I was down there but I did listen some.
> Quite honestly, radio in my old market (Meridian, MS) really
> depressed me. My old station (WJDQ/Q101) has gone
> completely into the sh**er. The music is ok for the most
> part (a bit too rhythmic, especially during the day, though)
> but everything else sounded awful. Quite honestly, it
> sounded half assed. There are liners that were running for
> several months before I left almost two years ago! I didn't
> get to hear the night guy but I got to hear everyone else.
> I'm sorry but they all sucked. Laziness, no preperation at
> all. The morning show is syndicated! SYNDICATED! There
> are now only two live morning shows in Meridian now (WOKK
> and WMOX) that I'm aware of. And Saturday night now has
> Open House Party (one of the crappiest shows ever put on the
> air in any market--I can't stand it!). It really broke my
> heart... I was honestly depressed. The station has no soul,
> no personality. Everything that made the station special
> when I was there is now gone and dead. In the CHR format,
> you always have to have something going on that creates a
> buzz and gives people a reason to listen. Jay King, the
> program director of WYYW, has said many times that radio
> stations in that type of format should "sell the sizzle."
> Unfortuantely, there's no sizzle to be had when then grill
> is cold. Before we were cookin' with gas... but no more.
> I'm not saying that my being there did or would give the
> station its success but at least someone was there/would be
> there who gave/gives a damn (seemingly, unlike those who are
> there now). I hate to say it but Q101 sucks. Hard.
>
Another once legendary station has gone on life support. The Q has had far greater days than these. But this is what happens when you sell your radio soul to Screw Channel. You lose all aspect of local programming and music direction. Whatever the f---ers in San Antonio say goes.
 
> >Its like that everywhere. Especially middle sized towns.
> I remember when Y 101 in Jackson was cool. But now its 50
> cent hip hop based pop tunes with computerized music tracks
> that sound like Band in a Box software. They'll play a few
> Rock or Emo-type pop songs but its mostly hip hop these
> days. And of course that bad sounding blasting audio. It
> sounds like a cheap 80's boom box with the "stereo wide"
> switch turned on. blech.

So I'm not the only one who noticed Y's audio processing. A few years ago, they had a very crisp, clear-sounding audio. I wish they'd go back to that.
<P ID="signature">______________
"...and the countdown continues until the neanderthals that govern college football do something about their pathetic postseason."--Tim Brando, Sporting News Radio</P>
 
> > >Its like that everywhere. Especially middle sized towns.
>
> > I remember when Y 101 in Jackson was cool. But now its 50
>
> > cent hip hop based pop tunes with computerized music
> tracks
> > that sound like Band in a Box software. They'll play a
> few
> > Rock or Emo-type pop songs but its mostly hip hop these
> > days. And of course that bad sounding blasting audio. It
>
> > sounds like a cheap 80's boom box with the "stereo wide"
> > switch turned on. blech.
>
> So I'm not the only one who noticed Y's audio processing. A
> few years ago, they had a very crisp, clear-sounding audio.
> I wish they'd go back to that.

> I'm just impressed that there still exists folks in this business that listen so intently to so many different stations to give critiques. Maybe it's old age,but I have a hard time putting up as a listener to the general lack of quality on the airwaves in the Jackson area. Guess it's like the people who work at the chicken plant not being able to eat the product. Where's my ipod?
<P ID="signature">______________
"ain't gonna let 'em catch the Midnight Rider..."</P>
 
> > It pains me to post this... it really does. :-( But I
> have
> > to be honest. Here are my thoughts of Q101 during my
> recent
> > trip home that I just posted to my blog.
> >
> > I resolved to not think of the station or listen to the
> > radio much while I was down there but I did listen some.
> > Quite honestly, radio in my old market (Meridian, MS)
> really
> > depressed me. My old station (WJDQ/Q101) has gone
> > completely into the sh**er. The music is ok for the most
> > part (a bit too rhythmic, especially during the day,
> though)
> > but everything else sounded awful. Quite honestly, it
> > sounded half assed. There are liners that were running
> for
> > several months before I left almost two years ago! I
> didn't
> > get to hear the night guy but I got to hear everyone else.
>
> > I'm sorry but they all sucked. Laziness, no preperation
> at
> > all. The morning show is syndicated! SYNDICATED! There
> > are now only two live morning shows in Meridian now (WOKK
> > and WMOX) that I'm aware of. And Saturday night now has
> > Open House Party (one of the crappiest shows ever put on
> the
> > air in any market--I can't stand it!). It really broke my
>
> > heart... I was honestly depressed. The station has no
> soul,
> > no personality. Everything that made the station special
> > when I was there is now gone and dead. In the CHR
> format,
> > you always have to have something going on that creates a
> > buzz and gives people a reason to listen. Jay King, the
> > program director of WYYW, has said many times that radio
> > stations in that type of format should "sell the sizzle."
>
> > Unfortuantely, there's no sizzle to be had when then grill
>
> > is cold. Before we were cookin' with gas... but no more.
>
> > I'm not saying that my being there did or would give the
> > station its success but at least someone was there/would
> be
> > there who gave/gives a damn (seemingly, unlike those who
> are
> > there now). I hate to say it but Q101 sucks. Hard.
> >
> Another once legendary station has gone on life support. The
> Q has had far greater days than these. But this is what
> happens when you sell your radio soul to Screw Channel. You
> lose all aspect of local programming and music direction.
> Whatever the f---ers in San Antonio say goes.
>

whos the morning show? kidd craddick? isnt he on every cc station..all of them!
sorry johnathon about your former station. but it is happening everywhere. they own wfmf. back in my youth my favorite station. but now it too sounds like every other lame station in the country..oh yea my second favorite station of my youth..q101 meridian..i lived between the two.
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
________________________________________________________________________________

"It sounds like a cheap 80's boom box with the "stereo wide" switch turned on.


________________________________________________________________________________


i had one of those :)<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
____________________> ____________________________________________________________
>
>
> "It sounds like a cheap 80's boom box with the "stereo wide"
> switch turned on.
>
>
____________________> ____________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> i had one of those :)
>

where have all the cowboys gone?
 
> ____________________>
> ____________________________________________________________
>
> >
> >
> > "It sounds like a cheap 80's boom box with the "stereo
> wide"
> > switch turned on.
> >
> >
> ____________________>
> ____________________________________________________________
>
> >
> >
> >
> > i had one of those :)
> >
>
> where have all the cowboys gone?

Video killed the radio star....
>
<P ID="signature">______________
"ain't gonna let 'em catch the Midnight Rider..."</P>
 
> Another once legendary station has gone on life support. The
> Q has had far greater days than these. But this is what
> happens when you sell your radio soul to Screw Channel. You
> lose all aspect of local programming and music direction.
> Whatever the f---ers in San Antonio say goes.
>

Ok this post pissed me off. NOT what Jonathan said but what this 937QID guy said. Blaming the whole thing on Clear Channel is BS. And no where in Jonathan's post did he blame CC. He blamed lazyness on the part of those who are there now, on air and programming.

CC may have had a bad rep in the past but they DO ALLOW you to program locally. I have so many resources at my station to program the way I want to it's pathetic. San Antonio doesn't get involved. Ever. (Yes I realize I'm in a bigger market than Meridian but it doesnt matter, the resources are there for all).

If the local jocks sound like crap, it's because the program director isn't airchecking them and working with them. San Antonio isn't responsible for that. If the imaging isn't being changed out, it's LAZYNESS LOCALLY. San Antonio isn't responsible for old sweepers. If Open House Party has been added to Suday nights it's because the PD couldn't find or train someone himself to do the shift. San Antonio doesn't dictate stations to run Open House Party. THAT'S A LOCAL PROBLEM.

The only thing I kind of understand is the syndicated morning thing. That's the reality of a small market. Although, if Jonathan is correct that there are only TWO other local shows, I'd try EVERY local option before I went the syndication route.
<P ID="signature">______________
-brian holmes
APD/nights - 104.5 WSNX Grand Rapids
weekends - 92.5 KISS FM Toledo
Owner/Webmaster - www.ThePowerPig.com - Tribute to WFLZ/Tampa & www.Q105TampaBay.com - Tribute to WRBQ/Tampa</P>
 
I have to side with you on this one, Mr. Holmes. I started working at Q101 just before Apex sold to CC. Every programming decision that was made while I was there was made locally. When I became Music Director in 2002, we did use some call out from a couple of other stations but they were stations that also targeted our target demographic (Women 25-34) and were in similar markets. Every decision we made regarding music, promotions and presentation were made by myself and David Day (then the PD).

Also, I should note the Open House Party is a product of SuperRadio and not Premiere (owned by CC). They would rather their stations NOT carry that show, I'm sure. Also, nothing was ever forced on my station. We carried Kid Kelly and Rick Dees (at that time, both Premiere products) because we felt that they fit our station and gave us something extra that would benefit our listeners.

I really hope that Ron (the GM) will get a PD in there who will return the station back to its former glory and sounding great again. I hate knowing that it sounds so terriable right now.

Jonathan

> Ok this post pissed me off. NOT what Jonathan said but what
> this 937QID guy said. Blaming the whole thing on Clear
> Channel is BS. And no where in Jonathan's post did he blame
> CC. He blamed lazyness on the part of those who are there
> now, on air and programming.
>
> CC may have had a bad rep in the past but they DO ALLOW you
> to program locally. I have so many resources at my station
> to program the way I want to it's pathetic. San Antonio
> doesn't get involved. Ever. (Yes I realize I'm in a bigger
> market than Meridian but it doesnt matter, the resources are
> there for all).
>
> If the local jocks sound like crap, it's because the program
> director isn't airchecking them and working with them. San
> Antonio isn't responsible for that. If the imaging isn't
> being changed out, it's LAZYNESS LOCALLY. San Antonio isn't
> responsible for old sweepers. If Open House Party has been
> added to Suday nights it's because the PD couldn't find or
> train someone himself to do the shift. San Antonio doesn't
> dictate stations to run Open House Party. THAT'S A LOCAL
> PROBLEM.
>
> The only thing I kind of understand is the syndicated
> morning thing. That's the reality of a small market.
> Although, if Jonathan is correct that there are only TWO
> other local shows, I'd try EVERY local option before I went
> the syndication route.
>
 
I have to agree with Jonathan and BHolmes. The station sounds like a shell of what it used to be. I'm not saying it was perfect during the Apex days, but today it's just not happening. During the 80's and 90's, there was a "life", personality and vibe to that station. You knew exactly what you were going to get in terms of music, contest and what the station stood for in the community. People could identify with the station and the marketing was bigger than life.

Going syndicated in the morning wasn't a good move long-term for a heritage station in a town like Meridian. But then again, how much of that special "heritage" is left? I'm surprised, management let that happen, if they in fact, had control over the decision.

Otherwise in Meridian, commericial production/imaging was awful across the board. Amateur radio production at its best.
 
> I have to agree with Jonathan and BHolmes. The station
> sounds like a shell of what it used to be. I'm not saying it
> was perfect during the Apex days, but today it's just not
> happening. During the 80's and 90's, there was a "life",
> personality and vibe to that station. You knew exactly what
> you were going to get in terms of music, contest and what
> the station stood for in the community. People could
> identify with the station and the marketing was bigger than
> life.
>
> Going syndicated in the morning wasn't a good move long-term
> for a heritage station in a town like Meridian. But then
> again, how much of that special "heritage" is left? I'm
> surprised, management let that happen, if they in fact, had
> control over the decision.
>
> Otherwise in Meridian, commericial production/imaging was
> awful across the board. Amateur radio production at its
> best.

> What's a bit confusing about this subject is the blame put on CC or programming, while the responsible party is obviously the GM for not apparently having the directional capacity to steer the ship, if you'll excuse my maritime allusion. The point some folks in this business miss is the fact that the PD does nothing without management approval, and in the small market of Meridian, rest assured that the PD is not the manager. The GM is.
<P ID="signature">______________
"Nothing but blues and Elvis,and somebody else's favorite song...."</P>
 
> > I have to agree with Jonathan and BHolmes. The station
> > sounds like a shell of what it used to be. I'm not saying
> it
> > was perfect during the Apex days, but today it's just not
> > happening. During the 80's and 90's, there was a "life",
> > personality and vibe to that station. You knew exactly
> what
> > you were going to get in terms of music, contest and what
> > the station stood for in the community. People could
> > identify with the station and the marketing was bigger
> than
> > life.
> >
> > Going syndicated in the morning wasn't a good move
> long-term
> > for a heritage station in a town like Meridian. But then
> > again, how much of that special "heritage" is left? I'm
> > surprised, management let that happen, if they in fact,
> had
> > control over the decision.
> >
> > Otherwise in Meridian, commericial production/imaging was
> > awful across the board. Amateur radio production at its
> > best.
>
> > What's a bit confusing about this subject is the blame put
> on CC or programming, while the responsible party is
> obviously the GM for not apparently having the directional
> capacity to steer the ship, if you'll excuse my maritime
> allusion. The point some folks in this business miss is the
> fact that the PD does nothing without management approval,
> and in the small market of Meridian, rest assured that the
> PD is not the manager. The GM is.
> use to be a great radio station,especially considering a town the size of meridian..major market talent, awesome programming.i remember when the station launched and Brock Boulette was P>D>we exchanged programming ideas.i use to love to listen to Q101,now when i drive thru meridian i don't listen to any of the stations, just plain old homogenized radio in the true CC tradition...
 
> If the local jocks sound like crap, it's because the program
> director isn't airchecking them and working with them. San
> Antonio isn't responsible for that. If the imaging isn't
> being changed out, it's LAZYNESS LOCALLY. San Antonio isn't
> responsible for old sweepers. If Open House Party has been
> added to Suday nights it's because the PD couldn't find or
> train someone himself to do the shift. San Antonio doesn't
> dictate stations to run Open House Party. THAT'S A LOCAL
> PROBLEM.

Well, I used to live/work in the Pine Belt (Laurel/Hattiesburg) market, and competed with q101 on a regular basis. And I can tell you that, having been back in Meridian quite a bit (at least once a month on weekends) that the q truly DOES stink! I could program a better radio station with one hand tied behind my back and an old 80-386 PC! And I've been out of radio since the beginning of the 90s till this past year!
 
Here is what I think!!!! O and for those of you wondering who I am, I am the
APD, and night jock of Q101!!! Let's start A with the morning show!!! Kid Kraddick for the record is #2 in this market and last we checked was moving in on being #1 in this market! The two live morning shows in this market are boring and dying!!!! I was against Kid at first, but now after seeing what that show can do I stand behind him all the way! What he lacks in the local light, we as the programming staff had made up for!
B: as for the rest of the station we are a top 40 station the urban music is at the top of call out for the south! White women 25-54 loves the crap (I don't get it but they do) hell it sad but i have grandma's walking up to me in this market asking me the name of the new 50 cent song! For the record we only play at the most 2 urban songs an hour during the day if even that!!!!
C: Q I will admit doesn't have the sound it did years ago, but when you go from a crew of 7 to 3 in a year in a half people get burnt out! Everything that is done on this station is done here now.... For an example I do the music logs, imaging, website, a night show, train new employees (4 the whole building), and help the engineer 2 to 3 days a week!!!
D: The reason you hear the imaging from years ago on this station is one Johnny you know how hard it is in this building to get the GM to open up for a new jingle package!! 2 if you were here all year long you would notice that we rest a lot of the imaging! Every station that I have worked for will run imaging, then rest it for a while! If you were here now, you are not hearing alot of that imaging because I as of the first took all the old out and replaced it with all new imaging!
E: You came here during the holidays... All stations big market nor small are running on a second hand crew. Our staff wanted to spend time with their families and who am I to deprive them of that??? On my trip to Omaha, Ne Alice in Little Rock, Mix in K.C, Channel in Omaha, KFRX in Lincoln, even listening on the net to KDWB sounded like crap!
F: I will admit that Q could do better with prep... One you didn't listen to me, I do nothing but prep when I can! I wish I could get Bill and Lee to do a little bit more prep, but hey Bill is PD not me!
G: Also Jonathan you know I like you bro but you have to admit you have been bitter toward Q ever since they turned you down as P.D.!!!!!
 
Just to clarify, I never applied for PD at Q. I don't know where that came from but it never happened. As for everything else, refer to the email I sent you about 10 minutes ago.

Jonathan

> Here is what I think!!!! O and for those of you wondering
> who I am, I am the
> APD, and night jock of Q101!!! Let's start A with the
> morning show!!! Kid Kraddick for the record is #2 in this
> market and last we checked was moving in on being #1 in this
> market! The two live morning shows in this market are
> boring and dying!!!! I was against Kid at first, but now
> after seeing what that show can do I stand behind him all
> the way! What he lacks in the local light, we as the
> programming staff had made up for!
> B: as for the rest of the station we are a top 40 station
> the urban music is at the top of call out for the south!
> White women 25-54 loves the crap (I don't get it but they
> do) hell it sad but i have grandma's walking up to me in
> this market asking me the name of the new 50 cent song! For
> the record we only play at the most 2 urban songs an hour
> during the day if even that!!!!
> C: Q I will admit doesn't have the sound it did years ago,
> but when you go from a crew of 7 to 3 in a year in a half
> people get burnt out! Everything that is done on this
> station is done here now.... For an example I do the music
> logs, imaging, website, a night show, train new employees (4
> the whole building), and help the engineer 2 to 3 days a
> week!!!
> D: The reason you hear the imaging from years ago on this
> station is one Johnny you know how hard it is in this
> building to get the GM to open up for a new jingle package!!
> 2 if you were here all year long you would notice that we
> rest a lot of the imaging! Every station that I have worked
> for will run imaging, then rest it for a while! If you were
> here now, you are not hearing alot of that imaging because I
> as of the first took all the old out and replaced it with
> all new imaging!
> E: You came here during the holidays... All stations big
> market nor small are running on a second hand crew. Our
> staff wanted to spend time with their families and who am I
> to deprive them of that??? On my trip to Omaha, Ne Alice in
> Little Rock, Mix in K.C, Channel in Omaha, KFRX in Lincoln,
> even listening on the net to KDWB sounded like crap!
> F: I will admit that Q could do better with prep... One you
> didn't listen to me, I do nothing but prep when I can! I
> wish I could get Bill and Lee to do a little bit more prep,
> but hey Bill is PD not me!
> G: Also Jonathan you know I like you bro but you have to
> admit you have been bitter toward Q ever since they turned
> you down as P.D.!!!!!
>
 
THAT IS JUST WHAT I HEARD!!!! YOU NEED TO STOP BEING A BEY@TCH..... LOL YOU KNOW I LIKE YOU BRO.... I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHAT PEEPS ON HERE WOULD SAY!!!!!!
 
> E: You came here during the holidays... All stations big
> market nor small are running on a second hand crew. Our
> staff wanted to spend time with their families and who am I
> to deprive them of that??? On my trip to Omaha, Ne Alice in
> Little Rock, Mix in K.C, Channel in Omaha, KFRX in Lincoln,
> even listening on the net to KDWB sounded like crap!

OK... I was one of the folks that said I came down during the holidays... but I am down there at least one FriDAY through Sunday night midnight or so a month. And I'm telling you, Q101 is LESS than a shell of its former self, and the only people to blame for that is management and current corporate behemoth CC. If you're working with a crew of 4 people and having to do all you say you're doing at the station, management and ownership are the only ones to blame....

oh, and if Clear Channel is requiring you to do all that stuff, then I'm glad I don't own stock in that company.... that practice is a sign of financial troubles that will surely rise to visibility in short fashion!
 
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