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Q-94's Classic Rock VS. THE Bus??

S

shilton

Ok,
Given the recent discussion on the Bus going on and the fact that the Bus seems to have shifted directions somewhat...I pose this question...how would you stack the music on Q-94 against the music on the Bus?

I don't often get to hear THE Q in State College, as their signal does not penetrate thanks to Light 94.5 right in between 94.3 and 94.7FM (The Q's dual frequencies)...but I think the Bus sounds good. Q used to sound good too. I remember when the Classic Rock format was new and Sherlock had finally found his place in Altoona, PA. He was delighted, as were the advertisers...but that was a LONG time ago.

People I know tell me now that the Q has gotten stale...that its the likes of the Beatles, the Who, etc...over and over again so I ask for those who have heard both, how would you stack them up? What are their differences and which one do you think is more on target with its core demo?

I am curious to see some serious...well thought discussion here between the radio minds of this board to see how you would rate one VS. the other.

Me...Heck I loved Q94 back in the 80's when it was a Top 40 trying to nail the lid on WFBG and WPRR. WIth the signal they had then, it would never happen...but they sounded damn good under Clark Ingram's Programming Direction! Heck that guy was a brain behind B94 Pittsburgh back then!

Steve Hilton
 
> Ok,
> Given the recent discussion on the Bus going on and the fact
> that the Bus seems to have shifted directions somewhat...I
> pose this question...how would you stack the music on Q-94
> against the music on the Bus?
>
> I don't often get to hear THE Q in State College, as their
> signal does not penetrate thanks to Light 94.5 right in
> between 94.3 and 94.7FM (The Q's dual frequencies)...but I
> think the Bus sounds good. Q used to sound good too. I
> remember when the Classic Rock format was new and Sherlock
> had finally found his place in Altoona, PA. He was
> delighted, as were the advertisers...but that was a LONG
> time ago.
>
> People I know tell me now that the Q has gotten stale...that
> its the likes of the Beatles, the Who, etc...over and over
> again so I ask for those who have heard both, how would you
> stack them up? What are their differences and which one do
> you think is more on target with its core demo?
>
> I am curious to see some serious...well thought discussion
> here between the radio minds of this board to see how you
> would rate one VS. the other.
>
> Me...Heck I loved Q94 back in the 80's when it was a Top 40
> trying to nail the lid on WFBG and WPRR. WIth the signal
> they had then, it would never happen...but they sounded damn
> good under Clark Ingram's Programming Direction! Heck that
> guy was a brain behind B94 Pittsburgh back then!
>
> Steve Hilton
>


Hey Hitman, your last mention of the fun on the air in the 80s with the top40 battle in Altoona. We all were blown away when Q just popped up one day. It sounded like a big city staion in every way. I remember at the time dropjawed listening to the positioning,processing, on air and music. YOu are right all first rate. FBG was no push over. It all kind of reminds me of somethings you are doing on the side right now...... You know something new and wild. Its strange to see there are some things there that look the same to a casual onlooker.
 
> Ok,
> Given the recent discussion on the Bus going on and the fact
> that the Bus seems to have shifted directions somewhat...I
> pose this question...how would you stack the music on Q-94
> against the music on the Bus?
>
> I don't often get to hear THE Q in State College, as their
> signal does not penetrate thanks to Light 94.5 right in
> between 94.3 and 94.7FM (The Q's dual frequencies)...but I
> think the Bus sounds good. Q used to sound good too. I
> remember when the Classic Rock format was new and Sherlock
> had finally found his place in Altoona, PA. He was
> delighted, as were the advertisers...but that was a LONG
> time ago.
>
> People I know tell me now that the Q has gotten stale...that
> its the likes of the Beatles, the Who, etc...over and over
> again so I ask for those who have heard both, how would you
> stack them up? What are their differences and which one do
> you think is more on target with its core demo?
>
> I am curious to see some serious...well thought discussion
> here between the radio minds of this board to see how you
> would rate one VS. the other.
>
> Me...Heck I loved Q94 back in the 80's when it was a Top 40
> trying to nail the lid on WFBG and WPRR. WIth the signal
> they had then, it would never happen...but they sounded damn
> good under Clark Ingram's Programming Direction! Heck that
> guy was a brain behind B94 Pittsburgh back then!
>
> Steve Hilton
>

The on-air library on Q94 is miniscule. The BUS jocks are better. But I just can't listen to classic rock. Same old song and dance. I don't even like WDVE. I've heard all of those songs just about as many times as I care to.
 
> Me...Heck I loved Q94 back in the 80's when it was a Top 40
> trying to nail the lid on WFBG and WPRR. WIth the signal
> they had then, it would never happen...but they sounded damn
> good under Clark Ingram's Programming Direction! Heck that
> guy was a brain behind B94 Pittsburgh back then!
>
> Steve Hilton
>

Steve---just to clarify a couple of points about Top 40 Q94 in the eighties. Clarke Ingram was not at B94 at the time he was consulting for Ed Sherlock---he was doing nights on 96KX (the Pittsburgh CHR that after disco died decided to move to a "rock leaning" CHR and battle WDVE when B94 debuted in 1980-81. The debut of B94 also caused WPEZ to scrap Top 40, eventually becoming Oldies 3WS). He was PD at B94 in the late 80's and early 90's.

At the time Q94 debuted in 1980, WPRR was formatted AOR (Dave Banks was the PD)--it had been automated WVAM-FM, running Drake Chenault Top 40 automation from the late 70's until 1980. If you remember, WVAM and WFBG used to battle each year for Top 40 supremacy (I have an old tape from 1975-1976 of Roger Corey on WVAM), but in the late 70's, management flipped country to AM and Top 40 to FM. It wasn't until the mid 80's that WPRR became CHR; first automated, then in 1985-86 with a full airstaff, of which I was part of. At the time Q94 debuted, WFBG was doing a 30 share in Altoona, and in its first book, Q94 barely made a dent in the ratings--they made more of an impact in Johnstown against WCRO. WFBG didn't surrender its #1 ranking until WPRR was #1 in its first book as a live, CHR. I do agree the sound of Q94 was a very good, "major market" sounding CHR--some of the original full-time airstaff was from Pittsburgh (mid day jock Chauncy Ross worked at 97FM--now WRRK, and Clarke Ingram pulled weekend shifts, initially), but the signal and WFBG's strength in Altoona hindered their appeal to listeners and advertisers.

After a couple of years as a CHR, the flipped to AC, to Rock, then to Classic Rock.

About Classic Rock becoming stale, it a parallels your previous comments on oldies stations--which I agree were right on target. The lack of depth in the playlists and repetition have essentially ruined both genres on current radio---the primary reason I've become an avid XM listener.


Dave Brooks
 
>
> At the time Q94 debuted in 1980, WPRR was formatted AOR
> (Dave Banks was the PD)--it had been automated WVAM-FM,
> running Drake Chenault Top 40 automation from the late 70's
> until 1980. If you remember, WVAM and WFBG used to battle
> each year for Top 40 supremacy (I have an old tape from
> 1975-1976 of Roger Corey on WVAM), but in the late 70's,
> management flipped country to AM and Top 40 to FM. It
> wasn't until the mid 80's that WPRR became CHR; first
> automated, then in 1985-86 with a full airstaff, of which I
> was part of. At the time Q94 debuted, WFBG was doing a 30
> share in Altoona, and in its first book, Q94 barely made a
> dent in the ratings--they made more of an impact in
> Johnstown against WCRO. WFBG didn't surrender its #1
> ranking until WPRR was #1 in its first book as a live, CHR.
> I do agree the sound of Q94 was a very good, "major market"
> sounding CHR--some of the original full-time airstaff was
> from Pittsburgh (mid day jock Chauncy Ross worked at
> 97FM--now WRRK, and Clarke Ingram pulled weekend shifts,
> initially), but the signal and WFBG's strength in Altoona
> hindered their appeal to listeners and advertisers.
>
> After a couple of years as a CHR, the flipped to AC, to
> Rock, then to Classic Rock.
>
> About Classic Rock becoming stale, it a parallels your
> previous comments on oldies stations--which I agree were
> right on target. The lack of depth in the playlists and
> repetition have essentially ruined both genres on current
> radio---the primary reason I've become an avid XM listener.
>
>
>
> Dave Brooks
>
Sorry about my mixups on the calls...but I do remember at one time the Q, PRR and FBG were in a big time battle to prove who was the best. Of course as we know...ultimately PRR was victorious, which was kind of sad in a way. WFBG was a GIANT...It was sad to see the Mighty 1290 fall to FM...but alas that would be inevitable anywhere. I remember all those mornings waking up to Sean McKay (well...when he was not in Jail)...then Spencer and Quinn for a time...then McKay was back...Jay Randyll at night with the Top 9 at 9! Man... but I digress. Still, the Q was a trememdous CHR for its time and had it been blessed with a better signal at the time, I bet they could have held their own. I remember that one book when they actually TIED with PRR in a few timeslots...Shortly thereafter they flipped to AC...Bad move. Amazingly enough...do you recall how many of the PRR staff had graced the Q over the years? Bob McCarty...Didn't Dave McCall do time at the Q? I know he was at IYQ? Then there's K-C O"Day who was not at PRR, but is now a BIG WALY staple.

Why do you suppose Sherlock (or whoever owns the Q these days) does not step up and try to freshen up the mix. Much as I hate ROCKY...I'd say Forever definately saw a gaping hole in Altoona and decided to grab it.

On a side note...anyone remember when WVAM (AM), WFBG AND WRTA were ALL CHR??? At that time, the only FM's were FM-98 (lite and easy favotires) and the Country WVAM-FM YUCK!!!! Who would have predicted what was to come only a few years later???
 
> >
> Sorry about my mixups on the calls...but I do remember at
> one time the Q, PRR and FBG were in a big time battle to
> prove who was the best. Of course as we know...ultimately
> PRR was victorious, which was kind of sad in a way. WFBG
> was a GIANT...It was sad to see the Mighty 1290 fall to
> FM...but alas that would be inevitable anywhere. I remember
> all those mornings waking up to Sean McKay (well...when he
> was not in Jail)...then Spencer and Quinn for a time...then
> McKay was back...Jay Randyll at night with the Top 9 at 9!
> Man... but I digress. Still, the Q was a trememdous CHR for
> its time and had it been blessed with a better signal at the
> time, I bet they could have held their own. I remember that
> one book when they actually TIED with PRR in a few
> timeslots...Shortly thereafter they flipped to AC...Bad
> move. Amazingly enough...do you recall how many of the PRR
> staff had graced the Q over the years? Bob McCarty...Didn't
> Dave McCall do time at the Q? I know he was at IYQ? Then
> there's K-C O"Day who was not at PRR, but is now a BIG WALY
> staple.
>
> Why do you suppose Sherlock (or whoever owns the Q these
> days) does not step up and try to freshen up the mix. Much
> as I hate ROCKY...I'd say Forever definately saw a gaping
> hole in Altoona and decided to grab it.
>
> On a side note...anyone remember when WVAM (AM), WFBG AND
> WRTA were ALL CHR??? At that time, the only FM's were FM-98
> (lite and easy favotires) and the Country WVAM-FM YUCK!!!!
> Who would have predicted what was to come only a few years
> later???
>
Actually, K.C. O'Day did work at WPRR in the early 80's--I believe this was the first station she worked at in Altoona. She worked there during the period Dave Banks was PD; I believe the station was still formatted AOR, but not playing deeper album cuts because the ratings were off and advertisers were not buying the station. Some other early WPRR staffers who left and worked at Q94: Dave Banks and Deb Miller.

At this juncture, I think Q94 has realized stable ratings for the past 3 or 4 books; maintaining the #3 or #4 station in town, and is simply flying by the creed, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." ROCKY came about because MAJIC 104 DOT 9 was such a joke, and Forever had to do something with the frequency.

And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm old enough to remember the days WVAM, WFBG, and WRTA played the same music. I listened to WVAM, and remember Roger Corey working there (hell, I remember Roger doing Sunday nights at WTRN in Tyrone); as well as, Kevin O'Brien, The Dougger (talked as fast as Terry "Motormouth" Young at Hot Hits WCAU), Steve Clark, and Dick DiAndrea being Station Manager. WRTA was the station my parents listened to--more news, Paul Harvey commentaries, Open Mic in mid-morning, etc.; but I do remember Tom Casey doing mornings on 'RTA (affectionally called "Radio RAT," because their studios originally were in the basement of the Penn Alto Hotel). WFBG really didn't become the clear cut #1 until Tony Booth arrived as PD; and with Sean and Patty in the morning and a tight playlist, blew everybody else away--eventually doing 27-30 shares in Altoona. I always thought WVAM had the best signal and better audio, but Tony's major market formatics just blew WVAM away and forced the flip to country on AM.
 
> At this juncture, I think Q94 has realized stable ratings
> for the past 3 or 4 books; maintaining the #3 or #4 station
> in town, and is simply flying by the creed, "if it ain't
> broke, don't fix it." ROCKY came about because MAJIC 104
> DOT 9 was such a joke, and Forever had to do something with
> the frequency.

YOu say Rocky came to be because Majic 104 DOT 9 was a big joke...agreed...but why not do an AC and do it right? Altoona has had NO ac outlet since WHPA (or Mix 104.9 if you will as it became know in a later incarnation) was killed off by Forever. That was ok when Key 95 was audible in Altoona, but now that Key is Froggy 95...Altoona is again without an AC. How bright does one have to be to see this is a HUGE GAPING HOLE???

Look at the book for Altoona last time around...Key showed up...they didn't set the world on fire, but they showed up...that tells me Altoona WANTS an AC outlet. If Rocky dies...I hope we see someone get to their senses and put an AC back at 104.9

But I'd also like to see Tommy Edwards back at 100.1 again doing CHR where he fits in better and I'd like to hear Rich Dennis doing mornings someplace again too...Call me nuts!!!
 
> WFBG really didn't
> become the clear cut #1 until Tony Booth arrived as PD; and
> with Sean and Patty in the morning and a tight playlist,
> blew everybody else away--eventually doing 27-30 shares in
> Altoona.

That's so awesome that you remember Sean and Patty. I have some airchecks of them. Patty, my mom, is one of the reasons I got started in radio. I was the second member of my family to work at WFBG....which lead to WBHV, WALY, WFGY....and now my career in the Twin Cities working at a radio network as a meteorologist.
 
> > At this juncture, I think Q94 has realized stable ratings
> > for the past 3 or 4 books; maintaining the #3 or #4
> station
> > in town, and is simply flying by the creed, "if it ain't
> > broke, don't fix it." ROCKY came about because MAJIC 104
> > DOT 9 was such a joke, and Forever had to do something
> with
> > the frequency.
>
> YOu say Rocky came to be because Majic 104 DOT 9 was a big
> joke...agreed...but why not do an AC and do it right?
> Altoona has had NO ac outlet since WHPA (or Mix 104.9 if you
> will as it became know in a later incarnation) was killed
> off by Forever. That was ok when Key 95 was audible in
> Altoona, but now that Key is Froggy 95...Altoona is again
> without an AC. How bright does one have to be to see this
> is a HUGE GAPING HOLE???
>

Here's the story as I understand it: Forever was buying WPRR, and was thisclose to buying WRTA from Rod Wolfe. I don't know how they were going to do it - Probably another separate entity, but it was very, very close to happening. The plan was to move WVAM & WPRR in with WRTA. Then, Wolfe pulled a switcheroo, tore up the contract he was close to signing, and sold WRTA to David Barger, who owns Q94. Sherlock is still in the mix there, but he only owns a small percentage.

Majic 104.9 became Rocky 104.9 to take away Q94's younger listeners, in kind of a flanking maneuver. WFBG became news/talk to compete with WRTA. That was really a non-starter, because they don't have any local programming at all, no news staff other than Dave Bithell, the hardest working radio newsguy in town, and they flipped formats with no promotion at all. They have some good programs in Bill O'Reilly and Dave Ramsey, but the numbers have gone nowhere.

104.9 didn't go AC because WPRR was headed in that direction. I think they believed that they could retain the WPRR listeners and still make it more accessible to adult women. It didn't work out that way, so the Hot AC "Power 100" went away and the market is again left with no AC or Hot AC outlet.
 
>
> Here's the story as I understand it: Forever was buying
> WPRR, and was thisclose to buying WRTA from Rod Wolfe. I
> don't know how they were going to do it - Probably another
> separate entity, but it was very, very close to happening.
> The plan was to move WVAM & WPRR in with WRTA. Then, Wolfe
> pulled a switcheroo, tore up the contract he was close to
> signing, and sold WRTA to David Barger, who owns Q94.
> Sherlock is still in the mix there, but he only owns a small
> percentage.
>
> Majic 104.9 became Rocky 104.9 to take away Q94's younger
> listeners, in kind of a flanking maneuver. WFBG became
> news/talk to compete with WRTA. That was really a
> non-starter, because they don't have any local programming
> at all, no news staff other than Dave Bithell, the hardest
> working radio newsguy in town, and they flipped formats with
> no promotion at all. They have some good programs in Bill
> O'Reilly and Dave Ramsey, but the numbers have gone nowhere.
>
>
> 104.9 didn't go AC because WPRR was headed in that
> direction. I think they believed that they could retain the
> WPRR listeners and still make it more accessible to adult
> women. It didn't work out that way, so the Hot AC "Power
> 100" went away and the market is again left with no AC or
> Hot AC outlet.
>
So how soon till they wise up and decide AC is a good direction to be in? That's what I don't get...you see 3-WZ here in State College kicking tail and taking names and Forever fails to jump onboard in Toon-Town. Rocky has been around a little now and the Q seems to be keeping their strong hold on their position...I think its time to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em shall we say! A good AC would be HUGE for Altoona. I'd avoid Hot A/C like the plague to make sure as much as Hot 100's audience as possible remains intact...but someone's going to do it if they don't...Q has 2 frequencies ya know...it'd be easy to break one off as a standalone and go A/C with it
 
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