Over the last month, I've made it a point to listen to most of Columbia's morning shows, and thought I would offer my opinion. It is just that and not intended to insult anyone.
1. John Boy & Billy (Fox 102)- I've heard so many people saying their act is tired, but they know their audience and still do a great job relating to it. John Boy still laughs too hard at everything, but he always has. The comedian guests really keep things fresh. I know they are not a Columbia show, but they are still the best on the air here.
2. Charlie & Pam (WCOS) - Despite the attacks from the new stations, Charlie & Pam will be hard to beat. Charlie is very opinionated, but he's on the right side of the issues the country audience loves. It's God and Country. Pam makes Charlie sound better and is so likeable. The music soundsright and they get a lot of it in. They both sound like they are having fun. At the very least, the don't give anyone a reason to turn over to Roper.
3. Brent & George (WTCB)- These guys seemed the most informed of all the shows I listened too. I laughed out loud several times. They are very at ease with each other. The show is highly produced with sound bites from TV shows,etc. The music was not for me, but I'm not a woman. The music did seem more upbeat than most ACs and the contests were very fun with good prizes. The news seemed a little dry and long, but well delivered.
4. Jeff Roper (WWNU)- The biggest difference between Roper and Charlie & Pam is Pam. I never caught the name of Roper's co-hostest, but she does not belong in that chair. Roper is still very good, but the chemistry is just not there. Roper is more clever and energetic than Charlie, but the show just doesn't seem "big". To beat WCOS it needs to be more fun and different. The music is very similar and WCOS is not screwing up enough to cause an exodus to the new station. Roper may be the best personality in town, but his show is not.
5. Jonathan Rush (WNOK) - Phoning it in. Seemed to have no show prep and no energy. And if Roper's co-host is the worst, Rush's is second worse. The music and the content don't match up. As I mentioned in the response post to Toby, I think Toby filling in sounded more energetic and in touch with his audience. I wonder if Jonathan knows who is target is anymore. If his target is teens and college kids, then talking about his teenage daughter isn't gonna cut it. I know this guy is better than this. Maybe they should put him on a different signal in town. He always talks politics, maybe put him on WVOC.
6. Tom Joyner (WLXC) As a white male, I honestly had never listened to his show for more than five minutes. But after spending a day with it, I can't believe how racially devisive this show is. Making jokes about sending white people in the water first to check for sharks, etc. Well produced, great music, great contesting, but very mean. The day I listened, they were discussing the Michael Jackson trial and the racial motivation of the prosecution. Joyner is really good, but I was so surprised at the content. On a local note, I noticed Johnny Green was doing the local cutins. He sounds great like he always has.
7. Tim Miller (WWNQ) Tim does a really good job doing the basics. I'm sure he is doing what they told him to, keep it short, do the weather, play the classic country. He's capable of more, but he still does a fine job.
8. Dave Stewart & Melanie Myers (WARQ) I guess if there is one format that can get away with their content, it's alternative rock. But still, this is Columbia, SC, and they push the envelope for this town. Dave and Melanie have great chemistry and honestly belong in a bigger market where the content would be better received. Still, I'm an old guy that likes country music, so it's not aimed at me anyway.
Others
--Big DM - To be fair, I only tuned in a few sporadic times. But every single time I tuned in, I did not hear a single song. Sounded like a community affairs issues program. But again, in fairness, I didn't listen enough to have an opinion.
--Didn't listen to either of the Hip Hop stations. Wouldn't know if it was good or not. Not my format.
--Gary David (WVOC) Does a good job at doing the basics. I remember when Gary was a jock on WNOK and still believe he belongs on a music format. He's not bad at this, but he was great when he was surrounded by hot music. The news guy does an adequate job. But he's not breaking stories, just reading. The sports guy, they call him Tofe, has the most annoying voice that I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying.
--Woody Windham (WOMG) Yes he's still on in Columbia. The day I listened, his show was a continuous live commercial. He is still a pretty funny guy, but his jokes all revolve around his client buddies. I guess he makes them some money, but it was almost unbearable to listen to.
--Murphy, Sam & Jodi (WLTY) Syndicated out of Baton Rouge, I think. I have no idea why this show is on in Columbia. It sounds like it's voicetracked with recycled material from their previous days shows. The topics are a few days old and it's just plain boring. They'd do better to move Jonathan Rush over there.
--Teddy Hefner (Sports WCOS-AM) Hands down the worst broadcaster in Columbia. Poor diction, poor preparation, poor board work.
--Good Morning Columbia (News Talk 1320 AM) I was just glad to know these guys still have a gig. Gene McKay and Bill Benton are still kicking. The morning I tuned in, Gene was in a fowl mood over some politics. He's still funny, but seems grumpier these days. But these guys are all over seventy by now, I would think.
--Steve and Judy (WMHK) This is the Christian AC station. They play a lot of music, but they are non-commercial, so they have that luxury. Steve Sunshine (great Christian radio name) seems a little nerdy, but legit. Judy is very personable with the audience and seems to really like them. But with the station being run by a Christian University, I don't think either of them have the freedom to do more than they do. Warm and friendly, potatoes, no meat.
Sorry this was so long. Sorry if I missed anyone. I would love to hear other people's opinions.
Larry
1. John Boy & Billy (Fox 102)- I've heard so many people saying their act is tired, but they know their audience and still do a great job relating to it. John Boy still laughs too hard at everything, but he always has. The comedian guests really keep things fresh. I know they are not a Columbia show, but they are still the best on the air here.
2. Charlie & Pam (WCOS) - Despite the attacks from the new stations, Charlie & Pam will be hard to beat. Charlie is very opinionated, but he's on the right side of the issues the country audience loves. It's God and Country. Pam makes Charlie sound better and is so likeable. The music soundsright and they get a lot of it in. They both sound like they are having fun. At the very least, the don't give anyone a reason to turn over to Roper.
3. Brent & George (WTCB)- These guys seemed the most informed of all the shows I listened too. I laughed out loud several times. They are very at ease with each other. The show is highly produced with sound bites from TV shows,etc. The music was not for me, but I'm not a woman. The music did seem more upbeat than most ACs and the contests were very fun with good prizes. The news seemed a little dry and long, but well delivered.
4. Jeff Roper (WWNU)- The biggest difference between Roper and Charlie & Pam is Pam. I never caught the name of Roper's co-hostest, but she does not belong in that chair. Roper is still very good, but the chemistry is just not there. Roper is more clever and energetic than Charlie, but the show just doesn't seem "big". To beat WCOS it needs to be more fun and different. The music is very similar and WCOS is not screwing up enough to cause an exodus to the new station. Roper may be the best personality in town, but his show is not.
5. Jonathan Rush (WNOK) - Phoning it in. Seemed to have no show prep and no energy. And if Roper's co-host is the worst, Rush's is second worse. The music and the content don't match up. As I mentioned in the response post to Toby, I think Toby filling in sounded more energetic and in touch with his audience. I wonder if Jonathan knows who is target is anymore. If his target is teens and college kids, then talking about his teenage daughter isn't gonna cut it. I know this guy is better than this. Maybe they should put him on a different signal in town. He always talks politics, maybe put him on WVOC.
6. Tom Joyner (WLXC) As a white male, I honestly had never listened to his show for more than five minutes. But after spending a day with it, I can't believe how racially devisive this show is. Making jokes about sending white people in the water first to check for sharks, etc. Well produced, great music, great contesting, but very mean. The day I listened, they were discussing the Michael Jackson trial and the racial motivation of the prosecution. Joyner is really good, but I was so surprised at the content. On a local note, I noticed Johnny Green was doing the local cutins. He sounds great like he always has.
7. Tim Miller (WWNQ) Tim does a really good job doing the basics. I'm sure he is doing what they told him to, keep it short, do the weather, play the classic country. He's capable of more, but he still does a fine job.
8. Dave Stewart & Melanie Myers (WARQ) I guess if there is one format that can get away with their content, it's alternative rock. But still, this is Columbia, SC, and they push the envelope for this town. Dave and Melanie have great chemistry and honestly belong in a bigger market where the content would be better received. Still, I'm an old guy that likes country music, so it's not aimed at me anyway.
Others
--Big DM - To be fair, I only tuned in a few sporadic times. But every single time I tuned in, I did not hear a single song. Sounded like a community affairs issues program. But again, in fairness, I didn't listen enough to have an opinion.
--Didn't listen to either of the Hip Hop stations. Wouldn't know if it was good or not. Not my format.
--Gary David (WVOC) Does a good job at doing the basics. I remember when Gary was a jock on WNOK and still believe he belongs on a music format. He's not bad at this, but he was great when he was surrounded by hot music. The news guy does an adequate job. But he's not breaking stories, just reading. The sports guy, they call him Tofe, has the most annoying voice that I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying.
--Woody Windham (WOMG) Yes he's still on in Columbia. The day I listened, his show was a continuous live commercial. He is still a pretty funny guy, but his jokes all revolve around his client buddies. I guess he makes them some money, but it was almost unbearable to listen to.
--Murphy, Sam & Jodi (WLTY) Syndicated out of Baton Rouge, I think. I have no idea why this show is on in Columbia. It sounds like it's voicetracked with recycled material from their previous days shows. The topics are a few days old and it's just plain boring. They'd do better to move Jonathan Rush over there.
--Teddy Hefner (Sports WCOS-AM) Hands down the worst broadcaster in Columbia. Poor diction, poor preparation, poor board work.
--Good Morning Columbia (News Talk 1320 AM) I was just glad to know these guys still have a gig. Gene McKay and Bill Benton are still kicking. The morning I tuned in, Gene was in a fowl mood over some politics. He's still funny, but seems grumpier these days. But these guys are all over seventy by now, I would think.
--Steve and Judy (WMHK) This is the Christian AC station. They play a lot of music, but they are non-commercial, so they have that luxury. Steve Sunshine (great Christian radio name) seems a little nerdy, but legit. Judy is very personable with the audience and seems to really like them. But with the station being run by a Christian University, I don't think either of them have the freedom to do more than they do. Warm and friendly, potatoes, no meat.
Sorry this was so long. Sorry if I missed anyone. I would love to hear other people's opinions.
Larry
