Pushing The Envelope

[vchimpanzee]

I think what he meant was, they were not running the sat at the time he heard DSB; maybe someone at the station threw that on to fill time.

Right. Memories had DJs, but I just didn't hear a DJ when that was played.

Here are some other Memories songs. Actually, some of these might also have been played locally and I just didn't know it because I didn't hear a DJ to prove they weren't.

"Time of the Season" by The Zombies
"Game of Love" by Wayne Fontana (that one might not be too extreme now, and the local station may still be playing it)
"No Time" by The Guess Who
"Dancing Machine" by The Jackson 5 (this one I'm absolutely certain was the satellite format)
"Babe" by Styx
"Baby Hold On" by Eddie Money

 

[vchimpanzee]

I heard "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny and Cher, which was the theme from their TV series, on the local morning show. Sonny really couldn't sing. I don't know how they were so successful. I know they were funny on their show but they had to make it big as singers. Well, we know Cher has talent.

I should mention there is a columnist in the newspaper for the town where this station is located who got a new iPod as a Father's Day present. Loaded with the songs his son thought he would like. He didn't say what artists but assured us Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller were not among them--although they did some good stuff, he said.

The local morning show on the Timeless Favorites station did "Gimme Some Lovin'" by Spencer Davis Group and "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett. There was no oldies station in the market at the time. The way this morning show evolved, when they finally went all oldies you couldn't tell the difference! Untril the day they did the satellite format in the morning. Wow, THAT was a shock.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I heard "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny and Cher, which was the theme from their TV series, on the local morning show.

The next day, I heard "Old Cape Cod" by Jerry vale at the same time.

 

[Prais]

Funny. I'm going the other way.

Just added Russ Morgan, "Does Your Heart Beat for Me." Also "Dance with a Dolly" and Somebody Else is Taking My Place." We've been playing "Cruisn Down the River", too.

Added Glenn Miller; "Boulder Bluff" and "Wham." Occasionally, "Boogie Woogie Piggy."

 

[Prais]

Chimp said;I heard "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny and Cher, which was the theme from their TV series, on the local morning show. Sonny really couldn't sing. I don't know how they were so successful. I know they were funny on their show but they had to make it big as singers. Well, we know Cher has talent.
_____
Chimp,
We/ve had this discussion before.

You are certainly entitled to YOUR opinion. THAT is what it is YOUR OPINION.

I hate to sound like a broken record rebutting you, BUT...., If you are about 60 (stretching the HIGH target for this kind of station), Cher is your lady. Sonny & Cher charted 11 times, (with 1 #1) and in addition, Cher (solo) has charted 23 more times -with 7 MORE #1 songs. Her music should be programmed about as often as Aretha or Sinatra.

In this music format, there are fewer FEmale artists than Males. (As Chick Watkins would see it) this makes it imperative to play more Cher.

The Beat Goes On is from Jan of '67 - that's senior year of high school if you are 60. This song STRONGLY belongs in the Timeless or Adult Standards format- or any format looking to attract 60 year olds.

Brown Eyed Girl,despite some people feeling that it is "overplayed" ALWAYS tests well - thats why it's in those playlists. People still enjoy it.

Gimme Some Lovin is a bit "rhythmic" but really would also qualify.

With respect, YOU need to understand that those formats CANNOT keep heavily playing songs for our PARENTS and survive.

If that music is "to heavy" for you, you REALLY need an i-pod.

 

[passtheword]

With respect, YOU need to understand that those formats CANNOT keep heavily playing songs for our PARENTS and survive.

If that music is "to heavy" for you, you REALLY need an i-pod.

Or...internet radio. That's where I go. All those long-forgotten radio formats from years ago now reside on the internet.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Or...internet radio. That's where I go. All those long-forgotten radio formats from years ago now reside on the internet.
[/quote]I don't have the money for any of this, and I will argue till the cows come home that it's not how old you were when the song was popular. It' s how good the music is. Chuck says there are teenage girls listening to his station.

I'm not paying any more for Internet access (for most purposes it does fine) or having the problems some web sites cause, or the problems that come with adding sound.

 

[Prais]

Chimp says, "It' s how good the music is."

Chimp, that statement is extremely SUBJECTIVE.

That means a subject's (YOUR)perspective, particular feelings, beliefs, desires or discovery made from information pertaining to a personal experience.

"GOOD" can be DIFFERENT for you in Carollina than it is for ME in Michigan or my busia in Chicago.

With respect, while YOU (intentionally or not) shut out the world, away from the internet, satellite, and modern comunication, the world continues to spin and those OLD songs that we both like, become LESS IMPORTANT to ANY radio format.

"In the Mood" was recorded in 1942. It is a rule for programmers that "you enjoy MOST the music that was popular when you were in high school." This means that In the Mood MOST appeas to people in high school between 1940 & 1944. If you were 18 in 1944 (66 years ago) you are 84 now.....at least 24 years older than the (oldest) demographic for the "Timeless" style staton.

Do the math again, and you will discover WHY all those late 60's songs (even the "rock" style ones like "Gimme Some Lovin')) wind up being played.

 

[landtuna]

... I will argue till the cows come home that it's not how old you were when the song was popular. It' s how good the music is. Chuck says there are teenage girls listening to his station.

I will agree.....and disagree.

"Good" songs from any era are appreciated and listened to by people of all ages - if the younger ones are able to discover the song that is. Since Big Band/Swing music isn't popular on radio today it takes something like a PBS special to make youngsters aware of this type of music. The same exists for early RnR, Doo Wop, Folk Rock and other lesser known genre's. Once they are exposed to it the chances they will like some of it are expanded.

But music tends to imprint. Those of us growing up in the 50's will always be partial to the sounds of Buddy Holly, Rick Nelson and Fats Domino. Even if a particular song doesn't strike our fancy they do tend to remind us of those special times in our youth when music was a fundamental part of growing up experiences.

My kids will never experience my particular love for early RnR music since it wasn't a part of their youth but they will appreciate listening to the songs out of that genre they consider worthwhile.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Chimp says, "It' s how good the music is."

Chimp, that statement is extremely SUBJECTIVE.

That means a subject's (YOUR)perspective, particular feelings, beliefs, desires or discovery made from information pertaining to a personal experience.

"GOOD" can be DIFFERENT for you in Carollina than it is for ME in Michigan or my busia in Chicago.

With respect, while YOU (intentionally or not) shut out the world, away from the internet, satellite, and modern comunication, the world continues to spin and those OLD songs that we both like, become LESS IMPORTANT to ANY radio format.

"In the Mood" was recorded in 1942. It is a rule for programmers that "you enjoy MOST the music that was popular when you were in high school." This means that In the Mood MOST appeas to people in high school between 1940 & 1944. If you were 18 in 1944 (66 years ago) you are 84 now.....at least 24 years older than the (oldest) demographic for the "Timeless" style staton.

Do the math again, and you will discover WHY all those late 60's songs (even the "rock" style ones like "Gimme Some Lovin')) wind up being played.

I'm not doing any math. "In the Mood" is a good song that deserves airplay. End of discussion. "Gimme Some Lovin'" was an aberration that took place because no one was doing oldies. Until "Timeless Favorites" the morning show sounded so much better when they just turned it over to the satellite.

 

[vchimpanzee]

... I will argue till the cows come home that it's not how old you were when the song was popular. It' s how good the music is. Chuck says there are teenage girls listening to his station.

I will agree.....and disagree.

"Good" songs from any era are appreciated and listened to by people of all ages - if the younger ones are able to discover the song that is. Since Big Band/Swing music isn't popular on radio today it takes something like a PBS special to make youngsters aware of this type of music. The same exists for early RnR, Doo Wop, Folk Rock and other lesser known genre's. Once they are exposed to it the chances they will like some of it are expanded.

But music tends to imprint. Those of us growing up in the 50's will always be partial to the sounds of Buddy Holly, Rick Nelson and Fats Domino. Even if a particular song doesn't strike our fancy they do tend to remind us of those special times in our youth when music was a fundamental part of growing up experiences.

My kids will never experience my particular love for early RnR music since it wasn't a part of their youth but they will appreciate listening to the songs out of that genre they consider worthwhile.

The Olsen twins had a sitcom where kids their age were dancing to big band music. "American Bandstand", despite the garbage it put out, had a big band theme song for all of its years on the air. People were enjoying that song as they paid tribute to Dick Clark on the Daytime Emmys.

 

[passtheword]

Or...internet radio. That's where I go. All those long-forgotten radio formats from years ago now reside on the internet.
I don't have the money for any of this, and I will argue till the cows come home that it's not how old you were when the song was popular. It' s how good the music is. Chuck says there are teenage girls listening to his station.

That's true there are younger age groups listening to standards, but not in large numbers. I grew up listening to big band and beautiful music (started listening when I was 14, I'm 41 now). So...there are always some listeners that don't fit "the mold". But...for the most part...the average adult standards listener is much older. We might not like the fact we can't hear our favorite music on the radio, anymore, but demographically, those types of stations don't fare well. Yes, there are some younger people listening to standards as you mentioned, but just how many are there? I would surmise very few.

I'm not paying any more for Internet access (for most purposes it does fine) or having the problems some web sites cause, or the problems that come with adding sound.

As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. This is no exception.

 

[Prais]

Chimp,
You don't HAVE TO do math, as the people who program the station have done it. THEY have to live with the sponsors, not you.

ALL of the Glenn Miller catalog is great (even "Boogie Woogie Piggy"). Did you ever hear that one? It reached #7 in 1941.

It just doesn't belong on a station TRYING to get younger people to listen,(as they are) the majority of whom would think that song is terrible. I happen to enjoy it.

 

[landtuna]

ALL of the Glenn Miller catalog is great (even "Boogie Woogie Piggy"). Did you ever hear that one? It reached #7 in 1941.

It just doesn't belong on a station TRYING to get younger people to listen,(as they are) the majority of whom would think that song is terrible. I happen to enjoy it.

I'm younger than the Glenn Miller Generation but I've been thinking that there is very little music (other than polka maybe) that is better music for getting your butt in gear and stepping out on the dance floor. Especially the more gymnastic types of street dancing.

If the film industry could ever put together a movie which appeals to the younger set and have this great Swing/BB music within it might set off a huge new wave. I can see tribute bands springing up all over and the return of the big ballroom......

 

[Prais]

Landtuna, I'm 60 and I agree with what you said about getting on the dance floor (who does that anymore??)

YOU didn't say they're coming back, but you reminded me that I've heard "the big bands are coming back" a number of times since my high school days.

I'd like to see what you suggest, but what kind of nut who is a movie producer would finance something like that?

 

[vchimpanzee]

ALL of the Glenn Miller catalog is great (even "Boogie Woogie Piggy"). Did you ever hear that one? It reached #7 in 1941.

It just doesn't belong on a station TRYING to get younger people to listen,(as they are) the majority of whom would think that song is terrible. I happen to enjoy it.

I'm younger than the Glenn Miller Generation but I've been thinking that there is very little music (other than polka maybe) that is better music for getting your butt in gear and stepping out on the dance floor. Especially the more gymnastic types of street dancing.

If the film industry could ever put together a movie which appeals to the younger set and have this great Swing/BB music within it might set off a huge new wave. I can see tribute bands springing up all over and the return of the big ballroom......

"When Harry Met Sally" jump-started the trend, and then you had bands like The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy ...

Dial Global actually sounds good and they haven't evolved into something more contemporary since they did it in 2001 and regretted in 2006.

The morning show could be better, but I'm not usually listening at that time. The all-request segment is usually the best and it's all music.

Charlotte's REAL standards station is even better. I could be listening whenever I'm online at home if the mysterious source of interference doesn't show up. This time of year I won't have to deal with sunset. I just never turn on the radio when I'm not in the car, except for having it come on for Mike Huckabee and leaving it on for two hours (moat of that on Dial Global) so I won't mess up and miss Huckabee the next day, or "Car Talk" on Saturday, which causes me to end up listening to opera later. I used to have Dial Global on after Paul Harvey if I was home online on Saturday afternoon--though if there was a sports event that took care of that. Usually I'm at the college library during football and basketball seasons.

 

[briancraig]

I'm in my early 40s and enjoy standards/easy listening music and always have, but I only know 2 or 3 other people my age who do and I'm around quite a few "record collector geeks" so my friends would not even be a good sample of the age group.

We have a MOYL station here and I rarely enjoy it. They play way too many unfamiliar songs and way too many standards by current artists. I absolutely HATE and DESPISE new versions of old songs and have no desire to hear Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Michael Buble or whoever sing the hits of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett etc.

I would much prefer a MOR oldies approach like the old Al Ham MOYL stations.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I'm in my early 40s and enjoy standards/easy listening music and always have, but I only know 2 or 3 other people my age who do and I'm around quite a few "record collector geeks" so my friends would not even be a good sample of the age group.

We have a MOYL station here and I rarely enjoy it. They play way too many unfamiliar songs and way too many standards by current artists. I absolutely HATE and DESPISE new versions of old songs and have no desire to hear Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Michael Buble or whoever sing the hits of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett etc.

I would much prefer a MOR oldies approach like the old Al Ham MOYL stations.

I learned to accept the new versions as long as the instrumentals were good.

I prefer the old stuff in most cases.

But this is another way to get young people interested.

 

[landtuna]

YOU didn't say they're coming back, but you reminded me that I've heard "the big bands are coming back" a number of times since my high school days.

I've never heard the bands are coming back but as late as the early 70's (geez....that was almost 40 years ago!!! ) Lester Lanin was still playing in NYC. Don't know how long his big band lasted.

I'd like to see what you suggest, but what kind of nut who is a movie producer would finance something like that?

Yeah, I agree. Everybody seems to be after the fast buck and latest tech marvel. If it's not CGI and 3D I guess it's history. It would have to be a compelling teen-type story (not involving vampires, chain saw massacre's or the latest silly boy group).

 

[Mike Sheridan]

I definitely wouldn't want to hear "Take My Breath Away". The instrumentals on a lot of songs are just too jarring to be acceptable. I mentioned the Michael Bolton song and the reason I called it a dance remix was sysnthesized percussion moving faster than a human could. It lasted only a short time but was VERY disconcerting.

Timeless Favorites played "Meet Me Halfway" by Kenny Loggins, which made me want to throw the radio at someone.

Over the weekend I remembered "Harden My Heart" by Quarterflash. That was either on Memories or on the local affiliate, but I don't know which, since I don't know whether they were local at the time. The same thing happened with "Don't Stop Believin'".

My late Mom was in her mid '70's when that song came out and she loved it. I asked her what he liked about it and she said the backing instruments. You just never know!

There are lots of newer standards that I can think of that can be played without diluting the format. "Everything I do" and some of the others talked about here would not be on that list!