New smooth jazz network

[SiriusJazz]

Kepler & Co. could sell a 5 layer chocolate brownie/icing cake to a diabetic and when the diabetic came out of his coma he'd thank Kepler for the enlightenment that comes with a near death experience. Gotta give them credit for knowing how to spin a sales pitch.

You certainly hit the nail on the head. Spin is their greatest tool at this time. I can recall when their ideas were fresh and a lot of fun, but these days the format is saturated with covers! One right after another. Give it a break! Yes, folks want to hear what they know, but Kepler and Co. have really gone too far in encouraging artists to record them, and call it good. NO!

I refused to play the latest Kenny G. It was not very good cd, and it showed lack of caring on his part. Same for Dave Koz and his latest. Sure, it garnered a lot of attention, but his label got behind that one like gangbusters. Of course it's going to get some attention from those that are tired of KG, now Dave is stepping into Kenny's shoes. Easy to see that one coming. :

Peter White, same thing, a poorly done effort. Rick Braun's, Your's Truly. Oh, the shame. These are artists I love to hear, but not this time around. Kim Waters is excellent, though he too drank the Kool-aid, and I have the feeling he too, didn't have much of a choice. They all want B.A's approval, so they play the game. Not a good idea because fans in this format don't stay loyal for long.

The network is made up of those who are either working for CC, or the weekend "talent", who are friends of Allen. I'm not kidding, and it's not well done at all, I've listened here and there, and it's not sounding any better. But it's not my money being spent, I'm just sharing an opinion. :'(

 

[Nock]

Quote You certainly hit the nail on the head. Spin is their greatest tool at this time. I can recall when their ideas were fresh and a lot of fun, but these days the format is saturated with covers! One right after another. Give it a break! Yes, folks want to hear what they know, but Kepler and Co. have really gone too far in encouraging artists to record them, and call it good. NO!

End of Quote

In case anyone associated with these decisions mentioned actually would read this and get value from it, I also refuse to play covers. I guess it is nice to have that choice. You mentioned (Siriusjazz) artists that I usually look forward to hearing new music from. The amount of covers these artists have put out has kept them off of my show.

Nock

 

[mock3]

In case anyone associated with these decisions mentioned actually would read this and get value from it, I also refuse to play covers. I guess it is nice to have that choice. You mentioned (Siriusjazz) artists that I usually look forward to hearing new music from. The amount of covers these artists have put out has kept them off of my show.

I have to agree. I have been disappointed by the recent offerings that are just covers of old songs. Usually I would rather hear the original. I love the Kenny G albums from the 80s and 90s, but I have no interest in purchasing the new album with the James Blunt cover. Actually I never liked it when James Blunt sang the song. With these covers of pop songs, it almost seems like smooth jazz is becoming an elevator music station. I'd rather hear hip jazz, electronic, etc. Nils, Four80East, and Soul Ballet are all great at composing new, exciting, and original tunes. It's too bad most of those don't hit the radio. I listen a lot to XM Watercolors and every now and then I hear a cut from the Rippingtons that I haven't heard on the radio in a long time. That's always a great surprise.

 

[AnotherCat]

The spring book was the first full book for The Network in Jacksonville and the station dropped in all dayparts and took more of a hit in 35-54 than 45-64, well obviously since it's an oldies driven format. They dropped further with the first trend. Portland just flipped their Network affiliate out of the format. Quote said in essence that the "big name lineup" did not draw listeners or advertisers. Well, of course not. BA's success stories have mostly been a heritage stations in major markets. Thoes stations have listeners who listen out of reflex and habit whether they areactually paying attention or not and write in their diaries out of reflex too. Outside of the heritage stations you have to pull in new listeners. New listeners don't know who Dave Koz is, much less Paul Hardcastle, same with Ramsey Lewis for anyone under 45. Stars reading liners don't matter to anyone but the hardest of the hardcore P1s and they are already on board.

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[orange434]

105.9 in portland which was running primarily network material was blown up for classic hits yesterday...the network really saved that station...and now 104.3 in baltimore, which runs network material in evenings and overnights, looks to be flipped on labor day. both of these stations are cc owned, by the way, the company that was supposed to be pushing the network.

 

[cklw800]

Both CC and Carol Archer of R&R have been doing their part to push the Network. But they will gain new affiliates almost as fast as they lose them. This time FULL satellite network affiliates. The selling point in this case is that the flip is to FULL satellite, meaning no staff has to plug in tracks, etc. Existing cluster staff just babysits and the promotion departments will have to do some extra work maybe. But instead of an existing Smooth jazz station going network, they now get a whole station to go network from the get-go. Any GM would go for that. No real investment. No new music on the system to manage. No one to fire if it blows. It can basically be a laptop station...sitting on a desk in a production studio. Hate to say it but if I were struggling I'd go for it to make bucks I don't have to work too hard for. I predict a new affiliate sign-on could happen in Dallas, St. Louis or Kansas City (with high bets on KCKC there) in short order. Those markets have a big enough population to get a nice sized bite of listeners to go for it for awhile. Especially with Dave Koz adding dinner tips for those driving home from work on his show. Now that Portland's KIJZ is now Kool 105.9 it will be interesting to see what WSMJ becomes on Labor Day, if the rumors are true. Their website looks primed to make easy changes.