NEW Smooth Jazz station in Northwest Ohio

[Donald_WBWH]

Hello All,

My name is Donald Isaac - The Station/Operations Manager at WBWH-LP in Bluffton, Ohio at Bluffton University. I am proud to announce that as of this September we will be moving to an all Smooth Jazz format. The tentative name of the station will be "Smooth Jazz and Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH" (The other playlist is an Alternative one which features a mix of Triple-A and Alternative Rock - this playlist will be heard Mon.-Thurs. Nights and is a favorite of the students). During the Smooth Jazz lineup we will feature a variety of Smooth & Contemporary Jazz sprinkled with unique Smooth Vocals from a wide variety of genres and Chill music tracks. We also will make it a point to keep Smooth Jazz as the basis of the station which why we will be incorporating "The Smooth Jazz Promise" which states: (from our Wikipedia Article) "As WBWH goes through its exciting transition to The New "Smooth Jazz & Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH," it strives to keep the sounds of Smooth Jazz as the noticeable basis when the format is on the air. This means that in an hour of 14 songs for example, around 10-11 will be Smooth Jazz songs, and the other 3-4 songs will be Smooth Vocals and/or Chill music songs. WBWH does not strive to play Adult Contemporary and Urban Adult Contemporary songs as its basis as some former Smooth Jazz stations are currently doing... WBWH is looking forward to serving as Northwest Ohio's only Smooth Jazz station."

A Sample playlist during the Smooth Jazz format in a 14 song set:

"Private Party" - Pamela Williams (Smooth Jazz)
"Walk In The Night" - Kaori Kobayashi (Smooth Jazz)
"Let Me Show You" - Bob Baldwin (Smooth Jazz)
"Bluebird" - Sara Bareilles (Smooth Vocals)
"Glamourgirl" - Alex Cortiz (Chill)
"Shine" - Chieli Minucci (Smooth Jazz)
"Look Again" - Nelson Rangell (Smooth Jazz)
"By The Fireplace" - Brian Bromberg (Smooth Jazz)
"Ladyland" - Michael Lington (Smooth Jazz)
"Visions" - Marcus Miller (Smooth Jazz)
"On A Magic Carpet Ride" - Gabriella Cilmi (Smooth Vocals)
"Just As You Are" - Everette Harp (Smooth Jazz)
"One More Chance" - Art Porter/Lalah Hathaway (Smooth Jazz+Vocals)
"Mainstream" - Soulstance (Chill)

-We are looking into streaming possibilities - it is a big goal of ours to get an online stream up very soon. Please contact me directly at [email protected] for any questions you might have about the station. Thank you and please spread the word about our new station.

-Coverage Area: Radio Locator does a pretty good job on this map but the signal can be heard past Findlay, OH toward the NE and past Lima, OH toward the SE in good conditions and with either a high end home radio or car radio.
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WBWH&service=FL&status=L&hours=U

Donald Isaac Jr.
Smooth Jazz & Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH Operations Manager at Bluffton University
Host of "The Chillout Sessions" - Northwest Ohio's first home for Smooth Jazz, Smooth Vocals, and Chill Music

WBWH Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBWH
"Chillout Sessions" Info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-C...nald-Isaac-Radio-Show/162209370464049?sk=info

 

[Jazz_Kat]

Hello Donald and welcome to the forum. I can't speak for others, (because we all have great information and such love for this great format) but I like the playlist. Most of the artists I know and a couple I don't. Which is, again speaking for myself, at least to me, the way it should be. I like discovering new songs and artists. Pamela Williams used to played a lot when Jones Radio Network had their smooth jazz radio network. I also like the vocal artist that you selected, Sara Bareilles. Something different, you know.

Now, this is just me, but I think some today of soft rock/lite rock (whatever you call it these days) and I believe what you call "Country Pop" would work pretty good with C/Smooth Jazz. (Again certain cuts/tracks) I know that it might seem strange to some who have feed track after track of Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker and Sade (certain cuts), Earth, Wind, Fire to name a few. But I think this is a good to add some new vocals to what already out there and in addition the great C/Smooth Jazz instrumentals tracks that are out there today and add new and maybe even younger fans who want would to find out more of artists like Bob Baldwin and Cindy Bradley and vice versa. I think they would be surprise to know this great music (C/Smooth Jazz) is out there. 8)

Just my two cents while I'm listening to Cindy Bradley's Footprints, Lady Antebellum's, Hello World, and Jonathan Fritzén with Jessy J with Fly Away .

 

[Donald_WBWH]

Hello Jazz Kat, thanks for the positive feedback on the playlist. I'm glad you like the artist selections and all. I have listened to BA's Network and it seems that they play the same artists (both instrumental and vocal artists) over and over and could be a big reason why their Smooth Jazz stations have went off the air in most cities. Nothing against those artists though, Kenny G, Dave Koz, Norman Brown, Boney James, and all the other typical core BA SJ artists are among my favorites. BUT I always wondered where the rest of those artists lesser known cuts were and where other great artists like George Duke and Marcus Miller were on their playlist. That's where we will come in, we'll play those core BA SJ artists and their hits but we will also play the lesser known SJ stars (ex. Michael J. Thomas, Matt Marshak - who I interviewed this past year).

Yes! The Vocal track from Sara Bareilles is great (who might be my favorite artist outside of Smooth Jazz), I mixed her in with during my show (The Chillout Sessions) last year on a constant basis. Also check out that vocal from Gabriella Cilm (who I also heavily mix in)i, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHt38RgWhe8
Gabriella is an Australian native who's had tremendous success/popularity in the UK - She has a very unique voice, genres to explain her Jazz Pop, UK style pop, with a Soulful sound.

I know what you mean about those same overplayed vocals from Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker and Sade! I will treat these like the Core BA SJ artists - you may hear them every so often but for the most part the vocals will be ones that are not typically played on the radio. I totally agree with you about the softer Country Pop vocals being mixed with SJ (exactly what I want – unique Smooth Vocals from a wide variety of genres). I did this last year on my show as well with Taylor Swift's "Fearless: Platinum Edition." "Hey Stephen," "Superstar," "Untouchable," and "Forever & Always [Piano Version]" were all tracks that got heavy airplay on my SJ based show. I also really like The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young.” I checked out that Lady Antebellum track - nice, I'll be getting that one mixed in. Those Cindy Bradley and Jonathan Fritzén with Jessy J tunes are also great. I will have those on the air as well! Thanks for your suggestions, please keep in touch and submit more for me. All the best.

Donald Isaac Jr.
Smooth Jazz & Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH Operations Manager at Bluffton University
Host of "The Chillout Sessions" - Northwest Ohio's first home for Smooth Jazz, Smooth Vocals, and Chill Music

WBWH Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBWH
"Chillout Sessions" Info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-C...nald-Isaac-Radio-Show/162209370464049?sk=info

 

[AC Tones]

Welcome, Donald. Best of luck to you and the station. I have gone on record here and elsewhere as saying that, while we may "battle" for listeners, we are all in this "war" together to help keep this genre viable on radio, Internet or otherwise. Pardon me for saying that my fellow warriors do NOT include the aforementioned SJN. The man running the show is delusional and egomaniacal to think that translators picking up his feed is a bellwether of this format's health and/or resurgence. But the more independent operators like yourself surface on the FM band, the better for listeners in your community who really miss and crave this music. Given your sample playlist, FWIW, as a longtime listener, I think you are on the right track. ;D

Jazz_Kat, completely agree about there being a place for certain current Pop/Rock and AAA artists in this format. I am trying my best to incorporate some of these cuts, and to my surprise, folks are not tuning out. They are hanging in there when they play, which is a GREAT sign. The sooner we can turn new, younger, and, dare I say, diehard listeners onto vocals that they would not expect to hear in a typical Smooth Jazz presentation, I believe we greatly improve our chances to revive the FORMAT in the future. What is considered by the majority of the listening public to be a modern day Easy Listening format gradually becomes a viable alternative for adult listeners again, like it used to be. Some may say this a gimmick and desperation indicative of the fact this music cannot stand on its own. They are entitled to their opinion. The music is plenty good to stand on its own for diehards who have hung in there with this format over the last few years. But if you have a vested interest in the survival of this format, you have to know that, in the wake of the TREND of its continued disappearance on terrestrial radio, we need to bust out of the SJN mold, big time.

 

[Jazz_Kat]

Hello Jazz Kat, thanks for the positive feedback on the playlist. I'm glad you like the artist selections and all. I have listened to BA's Network and it seems that they play the same artists (both instrumental and vocal artists) over and over and could be a big reason why their Smooth Jazz stations have went off the air in most cities. Nothing against those artists though, Kenny G, Dave Koz, Norman Brown, Boney James, and all the other typical core BA SJ artists are among my favorites. BUT I always wondered where the rest of those artists lesser known cuts were and where other great artists like George Duke and Marcus Miller were on their playlist. That's where we will come in, we'll play those core BA SJ artists and their hits but we will also play the lesser known SJ stars (ex. Michael J. Thomas, Matt Marshak - who I interviewed this past year).

I think that's what we all ever wanted to hear. We are fine with the "big" stars, but where's the up and coming ones. You hit the nail on the head. ;D

Yes! The Vocal track from Sara Bareilles is great (who might be my favorite artist outside of Smooth Jazz), I mixed her in with during my show (The Chillout Sessions) last year on a constant basis. Also check out that vocal from Gabriella Cilm (who I also heavily mix in)i, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHt38RgWhe8
Gabriella is an Australian native who's had tremendous success/popularity in the UK - She has a very unique voice, genres to explain her Jazz Pop, UK style pop, with a Soulful sound.

Thanks for the link and information. I will have to check that out. 8)

I know what you mean about those same overplayed vocals from Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker and Sade! I will treat these like the Core BA SJ artists - you may hear them every so often but for the most part the vocals will be ones that are not typically played on the radio. I totally agree with you about the softer Country Pop vocals being mixed with SJ (exactly what I want – unique Smooth Vocals from a wide variety of genres). I did this last year on my show as well with Taylor Swift's "Fearless: Platinum Edition." "Hey Stephen," "Superstar," "Untouchable," and "Forever & Always [Piano Version]" were all tracks that got heavy airplay on my SJ based show. I also really like The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young.” I checked out that Lady Antebellum track - nice, I'll be getting that one mixed in. Those Cindy Bradley and Jonathan Fritzén with Jessy J tunes are also great. I will have those on the air as well! Thanks for your suggestions, please keep in touch and submit more for me. All the best.

You had me up to the part about Taylor Swift, I'm not a big fan. ;D (Little laugh) But, if you did very well with these tracks, that shows like Chris/AC said, that this music really doesn't have boundaries. I'm big fan of The Band Perry, I think If I Die Young could be another that works here. Glad you liked that Lady Antebellum track, that's a great thing about them and a few others ones, they may be a quote "country" band, but their music really expand multipliable formats.

Will do. 8)

 

[Jazz_Kat]

Sorry about the double post, I think anyone who have posted a long comment here, knows sometime they don't turn out right and you have edit. I'm also sorry about the late night postings, it's the only time I can sit down and think clearly to type what I'm thinking. :

Jazz_Kat, completely agree about there being a place for certain current Pop/Rock and AAA artists in this format. I am trying my best to incorporate some of these cuts, and to my surprise, folks are not tuning out. They are hanging in there when they play, which is a GREAT sign. The sooner we can turn new, younger, and, dare I say, diehard listeners onto vocals that they would not expect to hear in a typical Smooth Jazz presentation, I believe we greatly improve our chances to revive the FORMAT in the future. What is considered by the majority of the listening public to be a modern day Easy Listening format gradually becomes a viable alternative for adult listeners again, like it used to be. Some may say this a gimmick and desperation indicative of the fact this music cannot stand on its own. They are entitled to their opinion. The music is plenty good to stand on its own for diehards who have hung in there with this format over the last few years. But if you have a vested interest in the survival of this format, you have to know that, in the wake of the TREND of its continued disappearance on terrestrial radio, we need to bust out of the SJN mold, big time.

I agree with everything you said. 8) I have to explain my background, music wise, my parents brought me up on country music. But as I got older, around 16, 17, 18, after many years of loving the format, I kinda got sick of a lot of the songs that were currently out. (Today, I'm becoming a fan of a lot of new acts that are there, go figure. ) Anyways, you get sick of songs about trucks, barns, farms and such quick. LOL So, I was in search for something that I could call "my music". I am a fan of many formats, but I happen to listened to a cd called In The Pocket, featuring Mark Baldwin that I got at a Dollar Tree. I never heard this type of music before and I really like it and found out that it was C/Smooth Jazz. Then, when we first got internet I discovered that you could listen online to radio stations across the country that plays this music and that's how it started for me. It (our music) speaks to me. (I hope that didn't sound weird )

I think your station will start to gain more listeners very soon. Folks will tell other folks about what they been hearing and they will tune in. I been reading some great comments on your site about listeners and songs they haven't heard in ages. 8)

Speaking of songs that could fit in well to what we all are talking about, last night, I was listening to Shania Twain's UP! cd last night, the red disc, and happen to listened to the fourth track called, "Juanita", and thought this is another track that could fit in well. Lots of great spanish guitars in the backgrounds, (reminds me of Marc Antoine) soft vocals too. Now, I know what everyone is thinking, she's a country artist. Forget that or what I learned recently, what they look like, and really listen to the music. Then you'll see what I am talking about. There are tracks on cds that I have that I will be listening to soon and really be paying close attention to tracks that could work for us.

All I am saying is we play keep playing these new (along with the old) and awesome instrumentals tracks like it should be, but let's play these vocals tracks that would really catch folks ears that normally wouldn't listen to our format and turn them into fans. This format isn't dead, that's what "they" what everyone to think. Just a little secert, it's very much alive. ;D

James

 

[Donald_WBWH]

Welcome, Donald. Best of luck to you and the station. I have gone on record here and elsewhere as saying that, while we may "battle" for listeners, we are all in this "war" together to help keep this genre viable on radio, Internet or otherwise. Pardon me for saying that my fellow warriors do NOT include the aforementioned SJN. The man running the show is delusional and egomaniacal to think that translators picking up his feed is a bellwether of this format's health and/or resurgence. But the more independent operators like yourself surface on the FM band, the better for listeners in your community who really miss and crave this music. Given your sample playlist, FWIW, as a longtime listener, I think you are on the right track. ;D

Ac Tones,
Thank you for your good wishes and I am glad you like the sample playlist. The translator idea that BA is using in Orlando and Detroit is kind of out there, fans of other types of music like don't have to struggle to get their station's signal. Honestly though, I would take a translator here in my hometown of Dayton, OH (I live in the city) - there is no SJ on the radio full time ANYWHERE in SW Ohio the commercial dial. The one station that is quite good though is "Jazzy 88.9" WCSU (Central State University) which plays Urban and Contemporary Jazz (I think you would like this station - it is dramatically different than BA's SJ Network). Here is a link to their recent playlist: http://www.wcsufm.org/Playlist.html

I think it is up to small stations like WCSU and ourselves here at WBWH to keep the format alive, because BA's method apparently has not worked or at least doesn't work anymore.

Thanks for all of your kind words and I look forward to talking to you again soon.

Donald Isaac Jr.
Smooth Jazz & Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH Operations Manager at Bluffton University
Host of "The Chillout Sessions" - Northwest Ohio's first home for Smooth Jazz, Smooth Vocals, and Chill Music

WBWH Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBWH
"Chillout Sessions" Info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-C...nald-Isaac-Radio-Show/162209370464049?sk=info

 

[Donald_WBWH]

JazzKat,

-Your 1st post:

Yes, that is right - let's hear some new up and coming artists on an SJ playlist (not always the same overplayed ones). Just look at Mainstream Top 40 and Hot AC radio - their commercial stations are not afraid to play new artists in those genres.

*On Gabriella Cilmi's last name I left off the (i) at the end.

Ok, I have to respond about Taylor Swift - she is actually one of my favorite artists now, I discovered her way after the hype on her first started up and to my surprise she actually has some softer vocal songs which I like. I have some links to some of these softer songs on Youtube, so check them out and get back with me (I'm confident you will like at least some!) (And yes, these songs got positive feedback on my show.)

"Hey Stephen" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jDZ3o_zTiU
'Forever and Always (Piano Version)" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEFnc-2hQKE
"Untouchable" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHcSaPqqkM
"Superstar" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDSz-GSNrTE
"Never Grow Up" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MggNFU0_4Fs
"Last Kiss" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZmRAF0DeI

--Your 2nd post

I wanted to address your musical upbringing - it is the opposite for me, I was introduced to SJ when I was a little kid and it has always been my favorite type of music. As I have gotten older SJ is still my clear favorite music type but I also have started to discover artists that are newer to me and that are in different genres.

I look forward to talking to you soon.

Donald Isaac Jr.
Smooth Jazz & Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH Operations Manager at Bluffton University
Host of "The Chillout Sessions" - Northwest Ohio's first home for Smooth Jazz, Smooth Vocals, and Chill Music

WBWH Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBWH
"Chillout Sessions" Info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-C...nald-Isaac-Radio-Show/162209370464049?sk=info

 

[Jazz_Kat]

*On Gabriella Cilmi's last name I left off the (i) at the end.

Oh, I wonder why it didn't come up right for me. No problem. 8)

Ok, I have to respond about Taylor Swift - she is actually one of my favorite artists now, I discovered her way after the hype on her first started up and to my surprise she actually has some softer vocal songs which I like. I have some links to some of these softer songs on Youtube, so check them out and get back with me (I'm confident you will like at least some!) (And yes, these songs got positive feedback on my show.)

"Hey Stephen" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jDZ3o_zTiU
'Forever and Always (Piano Version)" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEFnc-2hQKE
"Untouchable" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHcSaPqqkM
"Superstar" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDSz-GSNrTE
"Never Grow Up" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MggNFU0_4Fs
"Last Kiss" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZmRAF0DeI

I'm going to have to check these out as well. Didn't mean to knock Traylor, (or offend you in anyway. )you might make me a fan after this songs. Thank you in advance. 8)

I wanted to address your musical upbringing - it is the opposite for me, I was introduced to SJ when I was a little kid and it has always been my favorite type of music. As I have gotten older SJ is still my clear favorite music type but I also have started to discover artists that are newer to me and that are in different genres.

I wish I could have introuduced to smooth jazz a lot earlier in my life, you are very lucky. We have a few awesome posters who post soundchecks of the format many years ago and it sound great.

Always great talking to you here as well. We used to have a lot of posters who used post here, but I'm pretty everyone is just busy these days. 8) But it's always great to hear from them and new folks as well.

 

[AnotherCat]

Like your playlist a lot. And your vocal choices. Real NAC-Adult Alt vocals kind of got pushed off the landscape when BA took over the universe which is sad because those tracks can really spice up a music mix. I am more into finding these songs than looking toward other formats and playing songs and artists that are already getting overexposed on A/C, Urban A/C, CHR, etc. A programmer with good instincts and mass appeal ears can find these songs then play them often enough to build familiarity for the songs and the sound they have so the listener enjoys and expects quality CJazz/NAC vocals instead of other format hand me downs. I am "in between" right now. Was doing music for a brunch on a Clear Channel station till they decided we should play their boring playlist (the songs that killed the format nationwide) and we are in the process of putting up an internet station.

I can't post a list of these songs right now because the master list is on my laptop which needs a part I am waiting for.

 

[Donald_WBWH]

Thanks for the complements AnotherCat and be sure to let me know about your website. Be sure to e-mail me those songs when you can.

 

[Donald_WBWH]

Hello everyone, I wanted to update our process here at WBWH on switching to the Smooth Jazz format. We are currently in the process of building our Smooth Jazz library and also installing a new scheduling system (MusicGen). I have gotten a tremendous response from SJ artists and their labels on help with building the library. I am optimistic that we can air the new format within 2-4 weeks from now. There is still a lot of work to do including possibly streaming online as well. The base playlist that I first listed on here is still going to be how our Smooth Jazz station will sound. We will also make it a point to get artists on our station that normally don't get much if any airplay on commercial stations (examples that have already been on my show include: (J. White, Michael J Thomas and John Hopkins Jr.). If anyone has any suggestions or questions, please e-mail me and I will be glad to get back with you.

I also wanted to let everyone know that my show "The Chillout Sessions with Donald Isaac" will premiere on trumpeter David Well's Chocolate Jazz Radio Website either this weekend or next. I will let everyone know the times as soon as I know. Of course, if you are in the area, you can still listen on WBWH Sundays at 7pm. For now please visit my show's Facebook Page for playlist info and updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chillout-Sessions-with-Donald-Isaac-Radio-Show/162209370464049
and here is a link to Chocolate Jazz Online Radio: http://chocolatejazzradio.com/. Now anyone will able to hear the show nationally and worldwide.

Also, we will be picking up David's "Chocolate Jazz with David Wells & Friends" Radio Show here on WBWH as part of our Sunday night lineup, it will air after my show at 9:00 pm.

 

[DOGMAN849]

Great music streaming online at WBWH!!

 

[Donald_WBWH]

Thank you for listening to my show! The new Smooth Jazz playlist is almost up, possibly by the end of this week.

 

[producer57]

It is a shame that the name Smooth can't finally be dumped
1-I have spoken to many many artists in my time 9 out of ten hate the term Smooth Jazz and wish they weren't called a SJ artist
2-You are a young guy starting a new venture-why hang on to the old
when you use that term you are still validating BA's takeover of the music. You are coining that phrase for future generations

 

[Donald_WBWH]

Producer - I hear your thoughts, I actually had a great conversation with Grammy Award winning producer Jason Miles about just this topic over the summer. Initially we were going to call the station "Smooth Jazz & Alternative 99.3 FM WBWH" (Alternative being our secondary format), but we then decided on "993, WBWH Your BlufftonConnection" as a sort of promoter of our new website and to keep it more local. The initial reason I wanted SJ in the title was that people could quickly identify with what our primary format was, but like you said - most artists in this genre really don't like the labeling probably because of what BA has done to the format.

I want to just let you know that we will be nothing like a BA station as we will play the deep cuts and great songs/artists that the commercial stations ignore. If you haven't already, please take a look at our sample playlist.

Now, we can certainly adjust how we present our content by taking out the words "Smooth Jazz" in our liners. I have heard of Nu-Jazz and Urban Jazz/Contemporary Jazz as other suggestions, but do you have any ideas for names?

Another reason you are probably right is because we won't just be "Smooth Jazz" but also unique vocals and Chill/Electronica tracks will be sprinkled in the the SJ lineup. Plus, artists like George Duke and Marcus Miller will be featured which usually are not played on SJ stations for whatever reason. Let me know if you have any ideas on how to improve this aspect of our new station, I'd really like to continue this conversation. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] (P.S. - I actually have been using a marketing strategy on campus for posters that gives slogan "The New and Young Side of Smooth.")

 

[AC Tones]

Plus, artists like George Duke and Marcus Miller will be featured which usually are not played on SJ stations for whatever reason.

I can tell you why I don't play them, but I won't speak for the other programmers who post here. Once your station establishes a personality or trademark "vibe," and attracts a certain audience, these artists, as talented as they may be, can be difficult to work into your rotation. Speaking from my own experience (and learning the hard way not too long ago), your regular listeners come to expect a certain "sound" from your station. While I am a big proponent of changing pace, for a guy like me who spins a lot of underplayed and lost NAC instrumentals, most of their tunes make for awkward transitions, IMO. They both have a more "straight ahead" approach to their music, and Marcus Miller's stuff is way too funky for my or my core listeners' taste. But for a college station, their music could certainly appeal to a younger demo.

 

[producer57]

You should be ashamed of yourself for not playing Marcus Miller or George Duke. You're acting like they are from some other planet-There is something on their CDs you can play if you really want to. You're still stuck musically in the past. You probably like the fact that some of these artists have been making the exact same CDs for the last 10 years-As far as our young station head goes I like your way of thinking this out-You can be the one to finally put the word smooth to rest for good-It has to start somewhere.
BTW-have you Global Noize-The Jason Miles-DJ Logic CD-It's called A Prayer For The Planet and to me it is totally on the money. This format needs injections of new fresh music that isn't so rigidly structured

 

[Nock]

You should be ashamed of yourself for not playing Marcus Miller or George Duke. You're acting like they are from some other planet-There is something on their CDs you can play if you really want to. You're still stuck musically in the past. You probably like the fact that some of these artists have been making the exact same CDs for the last 10 years-As far as our young station head goes I like your way of thinking this out-You can be the one to finally put the word smooth to rest for good-It has to start somewhere.
BTW-have you Global Noize-The Jason Miles-DJ Logic CD-It's called A Prayer For The Planet and to me it is totally on the money. This format needs injections of new fresh music that isn't so rigidly structured

Having good knowledge of where Actons head is musically I can assure you he is not stuck in the past. He does resurrect some of the stuff long forgotten that still has a very current feel and keeps the pace very nicely. Marcus and George are hit or miss with me personally. I did play a couple off of George's last one. Would love yo get / hear something new from Jason. Unfortunately the last one I received that was worked for radio was "To Grover with Love" and that concept has been worn out so I would welcome new music from Jason especially with a DJ Logic influence. Do not see it anywhere on line. Can you point me to it?

Nock

 

[AC Tones]

You should be ashamed of yourself for not playing Marcus Miller or George Duke. You're acting like they are from some other planet-There is something on their CDs you can play if you really want to. You're still stuck musically in the past. You probably like the fact that some of these artists have been making the exact same CDs for the last 10 years-As far as our young station head goes I like your way of thinking this out-You can be the one to finally put the word smooth to rest for good-It has to start somewhere.
BTW-have you Global Noize-The Jason Miles-DJ Logic CD-It's called A Prayer For The Planet and to me it is totally on the money. This format needs injections of new fresh music that isn't so rigidly structured

My apologies in advance for hijacking Donald's thread, but I am nonetheless compelled to respond to my friend producer57:

Ashamed of myself???? Please. I specifically articulated why those artists don't work on my station or with my regular listeners, yet you chose to ignore what I said and attack. That's fine. It won't sway me in the least. Not sure who you are, but by and large, I have read nothing but negativity from most of your posts, and you contribute very little to our discussion. Not sure where the bitterness comes from. Maybe you're an artist who used to be king of the world back in the good old days of Smooth Jazz radio in the 90s when labels and artists gouged listeners for $20.00 a CD and before guys like Culbertson, Koz, White, and Elliot came along. If anyone knows who I am as a programmer or has been listening to my station, I do things my way, and will not cave to pressure from labels, artists, promoters, or know-it-all industry guys who frequent this board. I play what works for me and the listeners I attract. Let's hear your station. Let's hear your show. Let's hear your CDs. What exactly are you doing to further this genre other than constantly griping about BA? In my mind, BA is yesterday's news, as are the people who continue to whine and use them as an excuse as to why they are not succeeding or getting spins these days. We'll let the listeners decide who is doing more right now to help this music survive. I love smart industry guys who have everyone else's answers but their own. What exactly did I say to give anyone the impression that Marcus Miller and George Duke are from another planet?? Did I not say they were talented artists?? If you can lower yourself to listen to my station for an hour, you'll understand why these artists don't work in my overall programming strategy. I have my base listeners, and will be true to them. Please don't lecture me about what music is good for me or my base. I have a pretty good idea about that, sir.