New York City Dance Fans....STAND BY

[TonySantiago]

With today's firing of Broadway Bill Lee, a legendary dance music on-air personality, along with the recent dump of the Baltazar/Goumba Johnny show as well as overnight personality Jewelz, WKTU in New York City appears to be making some sort of major change. And with the unpredictability of radio (remember legendary oldies station WCBS flipping to "Jack"), there is no telling whether or not 'KTU will be keeping to the rhythmic format or flipping to something else.One thing is clear, if 'KTU is going to make a change then dance fans had better get ready to be vocal about it. The Metro New York Dance Radio Coalition (which ran from 1993 to 1996, at the launch of 'KTU) WILL return to make it perfectly clear that there is a huge dance music audience in New York that wants the format to remain. And this time around we will be pushing CURRENTS, harder than ever.New York dance music fans....stand by. Maybe nothing will happen but we'd better be ready in the event something does.

 

[FreestylePete]

To be honest Tony as of the past few months I have wished ktu would either go much more current or just change formats. That first day KTU signed on after they played every body dance by C&C and then Magic carpet ride but the 3rd song was Mariah Carey and that point i knew it was the pure dance station we expected but i stood by it for over 9 years hoping for more currents and it never did. Stations like Party 105 out in long Island and the former Party 93 in Miami all playing the newer European stuff sounded amazing while ktu sounded dated. Whats worse even Latino Mix with The Freestyle Flashback show had amazing freestyle mixes on lunch hours that played 1/3 new freestyle while ktu still refused to play one new freestyle song. So in this respect i wish ktu would either flipper to a totally new genre of music or just start playing at least 50 percent new dance music. With Broadway bill lee gone whos really left to listen to? The freestyle show on Sunday nites is sounded better with the one or two new songs they play each sunday but thats not enough fresh music. I will definately support the cause for bringing dnace music back.

 

[TonySantiago]

Pete,I will say that, in regards to what you wrote, if 'KTU were to change format tomorrow.....mazel tov!That is why come the moment 'KTU decides to make the flip, the Metro New York Dance Radio Coalition comes back. CBS Radio is in total shambles so unless some magical lightning bolt hits management, I do not see Mix 102.7 making any changes. If anything, Mix 102.7 will be the ONLY game in town and I could only see them INTENSIFYING their classic dance format further.That is why WE have to take action...to demand what WE want out of a dance station. Party 105.3 is AMAZING and should have been the type of dance station based here. A while back ago while Jarad still had WLIR on 92.7, we were pushing for them to simul Party 105.3 on that signal as well. And while Party 105.3 sounded good then, it sounds WAY better now.You are the freestyle expert here and if there is indeed new freestyle that 'KTU hadn't touched, then by all means a new dance station SHOULD. I just don't want a repeat of Hot 97 at the end where freestyle overtook everything and all else went to the wayside. All dance genres should be equally represented to reach the diverse listening community that is New York.Sure, I hear the talk about the "magic demo" - women 25-54. Yet I strongly feel that (and yes this goes back to an earlier and good argument by John Parker; it's in the KTU PLEASE thread of the NEW YORK forum) if women were given more opportunities to hear currents, then they could embrace the sound and enhance the listening experience.Like I had said, dance music fans should be on "stand by". Because WHEN (and I really believe more on WHEN...not IF) 'KTU changes, we will be ready to make our case known.

 

[JustinCase]

All Access is reporting Hollywood Hamilton and Goumba Johnny will be taking over afternoon drive on KTU..

 

[TonySantiago]

The Hollywood Hamilton/Goumba Johnny pairing was DAMN GOOD the first time around.They originally had the late PM shift (currently occupied by Vic Latino) when 'KTU first launched in 1996 and there was good energy with that. I knew that Hollywood Hamilton did SOMETHING over at 'KTU which got him fired, thus "breaking up" the pair.I guess the STUPID question here is....why did they "fire" Goumba if they had planned on bringing him back?

 

[JayD]

I dont see what format change could come from getting rid of Bill Lee and adding Goumba and Hamilton... Definitley not a move to bring in a current format. Maybe more of a classics format? Maybe more classic pop hits? I think theywill stay the same...What I would LOVE is - KTU Classics by Day (same format as now), and KTU Currents by night (6 or 7pm onwards).... like WLIR did.. that why they satisfy both age groups and they dont lose their identity with old folk...

 

[JustinCase]

I had heard at the time, that the fix was on and Hollywood exited over some contest "irregularities." Darn shame too cause that was a great show... I like Broadway, I'll miss him on afternoons while listening at work, he's awesome... I'm sure he has been or will be well taken care of, but I guess I can see that KTU needs to do something to shake things up. With current dance music near the bottom of mainstream America's priority list and the classics heavy, this Rhythmic Variety is keeping KTU alive, may be some drivetime shows with a little buzz is what the Beat of New York needs to get a boost.

 

[TonySantiago]

To the RADIO-INFO staffers.I have noticed on the opening page that this thread is being noted as a "rumor" that NYC will get a dance station. That is NOT the case. I am telling dance fans to "stand by" in the event 'KTU DUMPS the dance format. And should that happen, that we would get the dance music community get together and DEMAND to get a current based station happening in New York City.For the record, New York is NOT getting a current leaning dance station. At least NOT YET anyway.

 

[JayD]

And should that happen, that we would get the dance music community get together and DEMAND to get a current based station happening in New York City.

How do we start that now? Why wait?

 

[TonySantiago]

How do we start that now? Why wait?

I'm waiting because right now in the minds of your casual listener in New York, we have TWO dance stations. As bad as 'KTU can be with the overplaying of classics, they do play some currents. Pushing for a third at this time would not make sense, based on those facts.That is why I am waiting for a "shoe" to drop. Once one of the stations drops format for something else, that is when we come out and present our argument for a current leaning dance station like WDRE in Long Island (Party 105.3).Believe me, easier said than done but we just have to be patient.

 

[JustinCase]

At this point in time, I can't see a current dance station being viable in NYC with dance being so low profile around the country as the latin and hip hop sounds are in control of mainstream dance floors... it's just not likely under current conditions...As much as hard core dance fans may like Party 105 out on the Isle or the internet station Energy 98, there just isn't numbers to make them viable right now. Party is the 14th rank station in the Hamptons-Riverhead, NY market (#259) with around a 2 share. Party doesn't even make the ratings in Nassau-Suffolk rankings...As much as many of us are frustrated with KTU's slow jump on currents, you do what you must to keep billing at a level where you survive and with the lack of dance stations around the country right now, they probably have as many listeners as the few remaining rhythmics (non-hip hop) left in the country combined.

 

[TonySantiago]

At this point in time, I can't see a current dance station being viable in NYC with dance being so low profile around the country as the latin and hip hop sounds are in control of mainstream dance floors... it's just not likely under current conditions...

Agreed to an extent. Right now, with all of the negative publicity regarding hip-hop along with the recent ratings on the NYC stations, hip-hop is starting to saturate. It WILL NOT disappear but things have hit a peak and are now dropping off. Reggaeton..still going strong. However, I compare it to disco in some ways. Disco was a rage, but how long did it last before the sound became "tired". With the same repetitive beat which makes ten songs sound like one, unless reggaeton artists do something creative it really is a matter of time before the craze dies down.

As much as hard core dance fans may like Party 105 out on the Isle or the internet station Energy 98, there just isn't numbers to make them viable right now. Party is the 14th rank station in the Hamptons-Riverhead, NY market (#259) with around a 2 share. Party doesn't even make the ratings in Nassau-Suffolk rankings...

Party 105.3 is a class "A" station. They do not have a strong signal. It's barely catchable in Western Suffolk (Huntington). That is the ONLY reason why the station ranks that way. But in comparison to what they were doing with the FM Channelcast, the numbers HAVE improved. If Party had a signal like 'BLI, the numbers would be much higher.

As much as many of us are frustrated with KTU's slow jump on currents, you do what you must to keep billing at a level where you survive and with the lack of dance stations around the country right now, they probably have as many listeners as the few remaining rhythmics (non-hip hop) left in the country combined.

If New York was a market like, lets say, Hartford or Rochester, I could buy into that argument about the small amount of listeners into dance. A 'KTU would be a blessing there, no question. However, New York City is an extremely friendly dance market. Maybe I am overestimating here, but I do believe people in the NYC region are more open to hearing newer dance here than a Hartford or a Rochester. Not saying there aren't fans of dance in Hartford or Rochester, but the openness towards dance perhaps isn't as big as it is here in NYC.I do think it will take some time, that I understand. I strongly feel that once we lose a 'KTU or Mix 102.7 folks MAY begin to realize that much more could have been done with the dance format to keep it viable. At that point, people may open up to the currents and demand a station in that direction.

 

[Sum1special]

Hey Folks-- Since your "DANCE MUSIC ALLIANCE" is planning on trying to get your voice heard check out this link, this is at least a inside track to a certain degree..http://www.ktu.com/cc-common/globalcontestfinder.html?contest=13482

 

[OttoM]

Hey Folks-- Since your "DANCE MUSIC ALLIANCE" is planning on trying to get your voice heard check out this link, this is at least a inside track to a certain degree..http://www.ktu.com/cc-common/globalcontestfinder.html?contest=13482

No it isn't. It's a marketing database. Any comments made to 'KTU there will be read by a promotions intern or MAYBE a promotions coordinator. You'd be better off trying to e-mail Jeff Z. directly!

 

[TonySantiago]

I caught that website...yup, marketing.To be honest, whatever is happening over at 'KTU ISN'T Jeff Z's fault. I truly believe his hands are "tied" by higher ups (also known as the SALES department). I've met Jeff years ago when they gave me the tour of 'KTU. He isn't a bad guy. It's just all the research that sales gets that make him stuck to putting the 60,000,000th run of "Night Fever".They just have to "rebrand" the station altogether if 'KTU wants to become a significant player instead of number 13 on the Arbs.

 

[Oldiesmike]

What CC should do is flip KTU to an oldies format maybe the greatest hits of the 60s and 70s without limitations or like sunny 1045 in philly which would be more better and call it sunny 1035 and hire some of the former cbsfm djs for regular weekday shows and Jeff Mazzei as Program Director, just my opinion. But i will admit at one time KTU was pretty good when it first started in 96 and Hollywood Hamilton & Goumba Johnny were there, Bill Lee, Diane Prior at night, Efren Sifuetes midday etc. then as the years went on the station started going in different directions with djs getting shifted, fired, leaving etc. I'm thinking CC has another format idea for KTU up their sleeves especially when the dj lineups are getting ripped apart slowely.

 

[TonySantiago]

It just might be that way Oldiesmike...who knows.At least going oldies, it wouldn't interfere with CC's other New York offerings.Nevertheless...when 'KTU does drop off, the Metro New York Dance Radio Coalition will be ready.

 

[PuertoRicanSoul]

Tony,It's hopeful that once KTU makes its Whoopi-cushion transition, maybe old school NYC electro can have a shot alongside currents.....I like that idea that another member on this board had....Old school dance by day...currents by night. And hopefully they won't leave soulful and tribal house by the wayside in this renewed crusade to keep the heritage dance format alive.By the way, regarding HOT 97 HD, I haven't checked it out yet but I'm not holding my breath. My idea of hearing old school hiphop on a station cannot be realized without also hearing the Aleems, Marshall Jefferson, Colonel Abrams thrown in. That's how NYC dance radio was. None of these tight-demographic formats. Much like how the OLD WKTU, WBLS and Kiss once did it....you know how it was...those stations back in the 80s blurred the lines between hiphop, eletro/dance, funk, jazz etc. Radio is sickeningly segregated now.

 

[lalumia]

I agree....when was the last time you heard massive hits like "Hip hop Be Bop Don't Stop" by Man Parrish or "Native Love" by Divine(,well, actually, you'll be hearing a NEW version of that one very shortly...)

 

[PuertoRicanSoul]

lalumia:I shudder anytime I hear of a NEW version of a classic in the works. But I digress....I just don't understand why must a "nationalized/cookie-cutter" approach to radio continue to undo NYC radio. Ironic how NYC was the city of envy, far as variety and innovation in radio airplay was concerned, whereas now the NYC radio market fell prey to broadcast-gentrification. YUCK!PS-->Give me a radio station that can play Lonnie Liston Smith's "Expansions," followed by Maurice's "Acid"....De La Soul's "Buddy".....War's "Galaxy".....Five Star's "All Fall Down".....Jimmy Castor's "It's Just Begun"...KRS-One's "South Bronx".....Jimmy Bo Horne's "Spank"....Cybill Jeffries' "Love So Special".....Xena's "On The Upside"....This is the type of blurring between the "formats" that has to come back to NYC radio!!! I didn't even know there was a musical difference between these songs until someone decided that hiphop and dance shouldnt be on the same radio station.Peace From Brother Soul!