Nashville Radio

[TheBigA]

The point is are many people who want wider play lists leaving radio and going the satellite radio or ipod route?

The problem is those music lists are very personal. I doubt any two favoites lists are the same. There are a lot of classic rock fans who absolutely hate country music. But there are others who obviously love it. Lots of country fans who know rock songs, so when Kenny Chesney or someone does them in concert, the audience knows.

Same thing with the deep cuts. A few serious music fans who really appreciate it. Most don't really care.

Basically, what I see is that people switch stations. They may have as many as 12 pre-sets on their car radio, so they can always find a song they like. It's not always in one format. But a radio station needs to stick to what it does, so the station has an identity.

 

[SwissVol]

The point is are many people who want wider play lists leaving radio and going the satellite radio or ipod route?

The problem is those music lists are very personal. I doubt any two favoites lists are the same. There are a lot of classic rock fans who absolutely hate country music. But there are others who obviously love it. Lots of country fans who know rock songs, so when Kenny Chesney or someone does them in concert, the audience knows.

Same thing with the deep cuts. A few serious music fans who really appreciate it. Most don't really care.

Basically, what I see is that people switch stations. They may have as many as 12 pre-sets on their car radio, so they can always find a song they like. It's not always in one format. But a radio station needs to stick to what it does, so the station has an identity.

Yes good observation. Listening to the radio has changed quite a bit. There was a time when a person would put on an album and just listen to the entire record. Or cut the radio on and listen. Back then it was fun not knowing what band or what song was going to be played next. I wonder why that kind of radio worked for one generation of listeners and not another?

 

[bub]

My favorite definition of a consultant is "someone who is brought in to tell management how to do their job because management doesn't know how to do their job."

My favorite definition of a consultant is one who asks to borrow your watch and then charges you to tell you what time it is.

 

[Journeyman]

[qoute]Yes good observation. Listening to the radio has changed quite a bit. There was a time when a person would put on an album and just listen to the entire record. Or cut the radio on and listen. Back then it was fun not knowing what band or what song was going to be played next. I wonder why that kind of radio worked for one generation of listeners and not another?
[/quote]
Technology. Back then it was a turntable or an 8-track to personalize your music. And a topr 40 statin would play a very wide playlist you aould Dean Martin and the Beatles on the same station. The I-Pod-borne ablility to only hear what we want exactly when we want it, has made radio's job much more difficult.

 

[SwissVol]

[qoute]Yes good observation. Listening to the radio has changed quite a bit. There was a time when a person would put on an album and just listen to the entire record. Or cut the radio on and listen. Back then it was fun not knowing what band or what song was going to be played next. I wonder why that kind of radio worked for one generation of listeners and not another?

Technology. Back then it was a turntable or an 8-track to personalize your music. And a topr 40 statin would play a very wide playlist you aould Dean Martin and the Beatles on the same station. The I-Pod-borne ablility to only hear what we want exactly when we want it, has made radio's job much more difficult.
[/quote]

Jack FM is kind of ipod radio. Load up a play list, hit random play and go right? Some folks like that wide styles on their ipods. Their play lists are wildy broad. Everything from Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire to Welcome to The Jungle by Guns And Roses. On my little jaunt I took today in Centennial park, I put 3 Melanie songs on for starters continued on with my salute to the various states with "Tennessee Jed by The Dead and Oklahoma USA by The Kinks. I did 3 versions of You Shook me starting with Willie Dixon, continuing on with Jeff Beck's version and ending with Led Zep's killer version. I thought I was being enormously creative and it was fun to listen to this program. Anyway, I wish we had local radio doing this again. No question people are turning to ipods or the Microsoft version Zune? Zune is it called? I still listen to WLAC for news and weather information. I thought WLAC's coverage of those tornadoes back in April was nothing short of excellent. I think news and weather information is very important. If we can just get back to the so called Good old days, everything will be ok again. 8)

 

[retiredradiogm]

I have to comment on the Gerry House discussion. I was very fortunate to have "managed" the BIG 98 for a few years in the late 90's and I can say from a personal and professional points of view...Gerry is the most incredible, unique, hard working, talented, entertainer I've had the pleasure of working with or listening to during my 34 years of Radio management. Let me also add that Gerry is worth every dollar he's paid to continue to deliver his morning show! I know that because he paid me to say it!! Just kidding.....and Chris R. you are the real "wizard behind the curtain" at WSIX. Of course Kieth K. does an awesome job of maintianing the unduplicated BIG 98 BRAND!!!

Dick W.

 

[Bat Fastard]

No issues with Gerry, really. Not professionally, anyway. He works very hard preparing his shows and it sounds like it.

Still, I wonder why WSIX can't do what it once did in the market. Its most-recent 5.1 in the Phase 2 Arb. puts it right back where it was over 20 years ago. In the meantime, the station once ruled the roost in both ratings and revenue, not to mention all those accolades from the industry. Please don't tell me how fragmented the Country audience is in Nashville. It's always been that way and it's no more fragmented now that at any other time in history.

Seems to me, the lack of marketing and promotion $$$ is the culprit. Perhaps talent outside of morning drive is also an issue. Regardless, the station really has little to offer outside of Morning Drive and Saturday Mornings...except when Romer is on, of course.

Anyone care to pontificate on what the station needs to keep from staying a mid-pack performer?

 

[romer979fm]

except when Romer is on, of course.

leave the sarcasm to the professionals! ;D ;D ;D

 

[TheBigA]

Anyone care to pontificate on what the station needs to keep from staying a mid-pack performer?

From what I can see, the only thing beating it is using a very different format. Let's face it...not everyone in Nashville likes country music. If that's what you're playing, and the minority population is where the growth is, you better start adding some programming aimed at them. But as long as you're #1 in your format, you're doing OK.