Party

[The-Major]

Re: Jack on 93.1? I sure hope not.

The way I understand it, Jack is for people who don't care what genre of music is played, as long as it was a hit. In other words, they have no taste, no personal preferences, no favorite genre, no experience. They just want to listen to songs that are popular with everyone else, according to the word of testers and consultants.

This is scary. NO - it's downright frightening. 954 is talking about a music radio format on here, and I am in virtual agreement with him. I must be maturing in my old age of 39.

Seriously though I refer to 'Jack' (and all of his clones) as 'LAZY-FM'. It's radio on 'shuffle' mode. There are actually radio stations out there that have the audacity to brag that they are on continuous shuffle mode. I think that our own Josh C. even pointed that out a week or so ago either in here or on another Radio-Info board. I heard bits and pieces of a 'JACK-FM' in Dallas a few weekends ago when I was there. I told my brother to 'shuffle' that station and move on to another one that actually had a real music format. He agreed after they went from The B-52s to The O-Jays.

THE MAJOR

 

[954]

On the complete opposite end of the musical spectrum maybe it's time to return classical music to the South Florida FM radio airwaves ? What do you think about that 954 ? Maybe Clear Channel could do a better job with it than Cox did ?

Me and my ol' record player .... could do a better job with classical than Cox did !

And LOL to your comment about agreeing with me.... Airhead radio,
lazy radio... some people will buy any piece of crap that's marketed
right. Even a radio format best described as miscellaneous.

If they do get Jack, however, they should hire Dee Silvers to
be music diirector. Seriously.

73s

 

[jcolletta275]

954, http://www.davekingworld.com/strategic.htm"]this article[/url] (which was linked to by the author somewhere on one of these boards just this morning) pointed out the differences between radio of the past and radio of the present, and that's one of the key factors: in the olden days, before the dawn of time, people craved a certain type of music and a station stepped in to fill the void. Today, in the civilized modern times, stations create a want for a certain format in the populous through heavy marketing, then fill that void that they themselves artificially brought about.

Welcome to the future. It's a brave new world.

And I'm already sick of it.

 

[The-Major]

954, this article (which was linked to by the author somewhere on one of these boards just this morning) pointed out the differences between radio of the past and radio of the present, and that's one of the key factors: in the olden days, before the dawn of time, people craved a certain type of music and a station stepped in to fill the void. Today, in the civilized modern times, stations create a want for a certain format in the populous through heavy marketing, then fill that void that they themselves artificially brought about.
Welcome to the future. It's a brave new world.
And I'm already sick of it.

Josh - The hyperlink that you posted got corrupted, so I went to your 'Radio Blog' to link to it from there. Good article on the entire 'JACK-FM' concept. (I corrected the link in the quote above.)

I also like your work on the 'Radio Round-Up' although it may take me up to a week to finish reading it all. ;D

THE MAJOR

 

[954]

brave new world

954, http://www.davekingworld.com/strategic.htm"]this article[/url] (which was linked to by the author somewhere on one of these boards just this morning) pointed out the differences between radio of the past and radio of the present, and that's one of the key factors: in the olden days, before the dawn of time, people craved a certain type of music and a station stepped in to fill the void. Today, in the civilized modern times, stations create a want for a certain format in the populous through heavy marketing, then fill that void that they themselves artificially brought about.

Welcome to the future. It's a brave new world.

And I'm already sick of it.

First, the URL is screwed up. It took a few tries before I got it to worlk.

Second, this is nothing new.

I may have read the book 30+ years ago and forgotten most of it, but this doesn't seem
too much different than what Vance Packard wrote about, with the latest technology
added to the mix.

I'd like to say more, but I don't remember a lot of it. One of Packard's books was called
The Hidden Persuaders.

Maybe it reminds me of Marshall McLuhan, too. In high school, I never understood him
and would have forgotten him altogether if he didn't appear in a theatre queue in
Annie Hall.

That said, I can't imagine what kind of mindless idiot would like the Jack
format if the station hadn't first created the need. I guess you could even
sell pus if you packaged it correctly.

A "miscellaneous" radio format. How *!

* This should have been a good old English word starting with Q that
we're not allowed to say any more, because people with a limited
vocabulary think it only means homosexual and some politically correct
lamebrain may be offended. I hate writing to anticipate a censor!

And I guess that was your point.

Interesting link.

Yes... brave new world.... and I'm sick of it, too.

Thanks...

73s

 

[jcolletta275]

Huh... I'm not sure how the link got screwed up. As far as I recall, I posted it correctly.

Anyway, thanks for the compliment, Major! I've always talked (read: "annoyed the heck out of") with my friends about the radio stations wherever I've lived, and I figured that since I'm so opinionated, I might as well use my blog to let the world know what I think. This is, of course, assuming the world cares about my opinion ;D

And yep, 954, that was exactly my point. It's bass-ackwards and just doesn't make sense.

 

[djeddy]

you guys do make a good point about jack. it doesnt work..but maybe it 'could' if its library is vast enough to not repeat the same songs every hour.

what about an actual talk format that's not 'politcal' but rather 'local'.. another real radio format? i know CC has a couple of those in thei arsenal (west palm and orlando both have them). but then again, one that has more latin influence.. not SPANISH but a mix of everything. if it were to happen, i know paul and young ron would be first on the list.

another good idea might be to re-hash the power 96 of old...a new rhythm top 40..led by people that know how to promote these things...bring back funky frank to PD...

..wait he's not Mega's PD is he??

 

[954]

you guys do make a good point about jack. it doesnt work..but maybe it 'could' if its library is vast enough to not repeat the same songs every hour.

Tons of miscellaneous garbage is still miscellaneous garbage.

Just because I like both ice cream and burgers doesn't mean they should be mixed in a bowl.

what about an actual talk format that's not 'politcal' but rather 'local'.. another real radio format? i know CC has a couple of those in thei arsenal (west palm and orlando both have them)..

I don't think there's anything local about the real format.

WFTL -- and WKAT before that -- were all local talk. They talked about congress; they talked about the school board. All from a local perspective.

When I'm concerned about what the idiots on the county commission did last week, I don't really give a flying phig about what the celebrities in Hollywood are doing. Or Cindy Shee-it.

but then again, one that has more latin influence.. not SPANISH but a mix of everything.

I was going to ask why, but maybe you can explain first.

73s

 

[radiolover78]

you guys do make a good point about jack. it doesnt work..but maybe it 'could' if its library is vast enough to not repeat the same songs every hour.

Actually, Jack and his brothers and sisters works well in many markets.

You may not like it, but a lot of listeners do.

 

[jcolletta275]

Not quite, really... unless the Jack format is executed extremely well, it doesn't garner the best ratings. Jack in New York has been proof of that. Nine FM in Chicago is probably the best example of how well the format can do. Everywhere else, reaction has been merely mediocre.

 

[radiolover78]

Not quite, really... unless the Jack format is executed extremely well, it doesn't garner the best ratings. Jack in New York has been proof of that. Nine FM in Chicago is probably the best example of how well the format can do. Everywhere else, reaction has been merely mediocre.

You're incorrect.

Variety Hits stations (Jack, Bob, etc) have been doing well in a lot of places.

I'll name some:

Los Angeles (Jack)
St. Louis (The Arch)
Phoenix (The Peak)
Nashville (Jack)
Portland (Charlie)

and more. Those are just a few. The Jack format has a lot of potential, just as long as the stations continue to grow. You can't remain a jockless jukebox forever and the playlist has to be good too.

Many may think Jack is a "lazy format", but actually, a lot of research and development is needed to make these stations work.

Don't judge the format based on ratings in New York and Chicago.

 

[954]

That just proves there are a lot of airheads out there
who will buy anything if they are told that it's popuilar
-- i.e. told that everyone else likes it and they don't
want to be left out.

Peer pressure can be a tool for evil, y'know.

Or just stupidity.

Excuse my cynicism, please. But when I'm told I
should like something because it's popular, that's
generally when I run off in the opposite direction.

73s

 

[radiolover78]

That just proves there are a lot of airheads out there
who will buy anything if they are told that it's popuilar
-- i.e. told that everyone else likes it and they don't
want to be left out.

So, you're calling the thousands (more like millions) of listeners airheads since they like the format and that they all "don't want to be left out"? Come on.

Excuse my cynicism, please. But when I'm told I
should like something because it's popular, that's
generally when I run off in the opposite direction.

73s

I never said you should like it because it is popular.

 

[954]

I will continue this discussion with you later. Thunderstorm is rolling in!

Gotta go out and water the lawn?

It's been raining on and off all day today.

Josh posted something on this thread yesterday about how radio manufactures its own demand.

You oughta look at the link.

Like I said, they could create a demand for pus by saying everyone likes it.

But it's still pus.

Or... you could wrap sh** in a ribbon and use it for a doorstop, but it still stinks.

If they narketed Jack honestly -- as radio succotash -- nobody would listen.

73s

 

[The-Major]

Anyway, thanks for the compliment, Major! I've always talked (read: "annoyed the heck out of") with my friends about the radio stations wherever I've lived, and I figured that since I'm so opinionated, I might as well use my blog to let the world know what I think. This is, of course, assuming the world cares about my opinion ;D

I care about your opinion. I care about everyone's opinion on here. I tend to agree with your opinion on most topics radio and music related as well (at least those that we've discussed on this Miami board and a few other ones here at Radio-Info). Oh yeah - I am always 'right' too !

As far as the 'Radio Recap' is concerned I've done one of those as well (on my web site) for the entire state of Florida, but mine had a strong bias to it as it was pretty much a simple directory of all of the CHR-POP stations in the state from Key West to Pensacola. I've always wanted to do something more extensive than that such as a description of each station (on-air talent, playlist, special programming, imaging, etc.), and maybe some day in the future I'll get around to working on such a MASSIVE endeavour. I wish I had 954's spare time.

THE MAJOR

 

[radiolover78]

Storm basically passed over, but a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9PM. That disrupts my computer activities! (Usually I turn if off during a storm)

 

[radiolover78]

I just happen to disagree with your opinion on Jack.

It's ok if you don't like it, but many people like the format and it has been a success in many markets. And no, I don't like it just because it is popular.

Also, I did try clicking that link, but it is all screwed up.

 

[The-Major]

Also, I did try clicking that link, but it is all screwed up.

Here's the link again.

I just happen to disagree with your opinion on Jack. It's ok if you don't like it, but many people like the format and it has been a success in many markets. And no, I don't like it just because it is popular.

This has become one of the hottest discussions on here in recent memory. Do you realize that this thread started about 4 days ago by you (Kevin) when you posted something about 'PARTY' and dance music being a viable format here in South Florida, and then you quickly did a 'never mind' on it. I'm glad I took that 'never mind' and ran with it ! ;D

It's been very interesting reading. We've also proven that we can disagree on here and still be professional and courteous about it. That's why I love participating on this Miami board.

THE MAJOR

 

[radiolover78]

The reason why I said "never mind" was because I wanted to add something else, but I couldn't find the Modify button. Then I found it after I made the second posting.

I didn't want to run away from the discussion!

This ended up being a very insightful discussion though and it is just like real life when you are talking with someone. You mention something and before you know it, you are talking about a totally different subject!

 

[954]

That's OK. I can't think of anything else to say about Jack right now anyway.

I was merely re-iterating!

No one thought you were running away!!!

73s