Rock Radio, in Houston, is dead. But why?

[michaelshiloh]

-juan-

Just so we don't get too carried away with this argument: Harris County's population is, according to the Census Bureau, barely Hispanic majority, only by a few thousand. On a percentage basis, that's within the margin of error, so it could be wrong. Either way, few radio stations program just for Harris County. The houston area includes 10 counties. Meanwhile, the fastest-growing group of illegal aliens are from India. The fastest-rising group of legal aliens are from Asia.

Rock is here to stay. My ten-year-old daughter will tell you that.

 

[kendro]

I hear all this stammering and blabbering about PPMs and ratings and blah blah blah.
I don't usually provide my neighborhood with unrequested auditory entertainment from my car stereo or home theater. If the PPMs can hear my music in my home, through my earbuds or over highway traffic, we have some bigger privacy violations to be concerned with.
When the desired music isn't streaming over the radio on ANY frequency, those listeners aren't listening to radio. How can you base something on thin air?

America speaks English and feels that those who come here wanting to be an American should learn it.
My Indian friends learned it in primary school even though their mother tongue may be Hindi or Urdu (or many others) and fully intend to speak it fluently within their first year here.

Rock may be dead in Houston radio due to local issues but not dead in general.

 

[CW]

What bugs me about Houston radio is wasting a big signal like 101 on some silly foreign language crap. Back in the day, we've have TWO rockers, and TWO Top 40s battling it out. Makes everyone better when there's competition. But to waste that signal on any form of Mexican....rediculous. Even an AC to compete with Sunny would be better. Those who won't adopt to American culture should stay way up on the AM dial where they traditionally belong...with heavy reverb.

When Harris county's Majority is Hispanic population, I think the "foreign language crap" is not crap sir. It's a money grower.

And when you speak of this "American Culture"; do you mean the same one that depends on the cheap labor of illegal immigrants? I see no argument on your opinion. If you ask me, we are now in need of more spanish stations here in Houston since the hispanic population seems to be growing an amazing rate. Pretty soon, Hispanics will be the Majority in the Houston Market.

Ahh my best friend is of hispanic decent....(Gomez) NONE of his family listens to "spanish" radio...HE listens to the 80s on XM! My godparents are hispanic....they dont listen to "spanish"....look at San Antonio.....the top stations there are NOT "spanish" music...try hispanic or another term...but still.....

USING race in your argument is poor taste....My dad was originally from La and Cajun....funny, he didnt listen to Cajun music...and I dont!

 

[-juan-]

What bugs me about Houston radio is wasting a big signal like 101 on some silly foreign language crap. Back in the day, we've have TWO rockers, and TWO Top 40s battling it out. Makes everyone better when there's competition. But to waste that signal on any form of Mexican....rediculous. Even an AC to compete with Sunny would be better. Those who won't adopt to American culture should stay way up on the AM dial where they traditionally belong...with heavy reverb.

When Harris county's Majority is Hispanic population, I think the "foreign language crap" is not crap sir. It's a money grower.

And when you speak of this "American Culture"; do you mean the same one that depends on the cheap labor of illegal immigrants? I see no argument on your opinion. If you ask me, we are now in need of more spanish stations here in Houston since the hispanic population seems to be growing an amazing rate. Pretty soon, Hispanics will be the Majority in the Houston Market.

Ahh my best friend is of hispanic decent....(Gomez) NONE of his family listens to "spanish" radio...HE listens to the 80s on XM! My godparents are hispanic....they dont listen to "spanish"....look at San Antonio.....the top stations there are NOT "spanish" music...try hispanic or another term...but still.....

USING race in your argument is poor taste....My dad was originally from La and Cajun....funny, he didnt listen to Cajun music...and I dont!

I never said all hispanics listened to Spanish, heck I don't listen to spanish. My point to prove was about the "adoptation of American Culture".

Besides, you are telling me using race is poor argument? You should be telling all the people that I meet to quit calling Mega "mexican crap". Kind of like Cpt. Showbiz over here. Just because he can't understand something, it's suddenly crap.

That's because San Antonio is mostly third, second, Gen. Hispanic, Houston can probably (mopst likely support another Spanish Station.

America speaks English and feels that those who come here wanting to be an American should learn it.
My Indian friends learned it in primary school even though their mother tongue may be Hindi or Urdu (or many others) and fully intend to speak it fluently within their first year here.

I feel the same way, but we all know that most immigrants WILL try to learnd english, but we also know that they will NEVER leave their primary tounge.

-juan-

Just so we don't get too carried away with this argument: Harris County's population is, according to the Census Bureau, barely Hispanic majority, only by a few thousand. On a percentage basis, that's within the margin of error, so it could be wrong. Either way, few radio stations program just for Harris County. The houston area includes 10 counties. Meanwhile, the fastest-growing group of illegal aliens are from India. The fastest-rising group of legal aliens are from Asia.

Rock is here to stay. My ten-year-old daughter will tell you that.

Well, quit forcing your daughter to listen to rock! ;D just playing
But seriously, then she's a first. Most young ones will probably grow up listening to maroon 5, All american Rejects, Hinder. Think Top 40ish.

 

[ChuckTiller]

My 17 year old step-daughter is black and listens to rock. My wife is black and listens to mainly classical and then smooth jazz. My 22 year old biracial son (black and white) is a rocker. My 27 year old son is white and likes rap and rock. It really has nothing to do with race. It just happens to be what you like musically.

A good friend of mine who works in CBS engineering is of Hispanic heritage, doesn't speak Spanish and listens to country.

The question of American culture is that all people who come to this country and live, add their uniqueness to the culture. My mother's folks were from Poland. Those Polish immigrants came here legally to participate in the American dream which is well known all over the world. The first thing they did was to learn the language of this country. That language is English. I could go on about this and my other experiences which are many in my 56 years on Earth.

I blame the greed of some businesses who hire illegal aliens and pay them less than what they would HAVE to pay an American. I keep hearing the famous line, "Americans don't want to do those jobs." Thats a bunch of bull. Americans will do those jobs. However, Americans expect to be paid minimum wage or over. Illegals will do it for half because its more than what they can make in the corrupt countries from which they left.

Now, lets get back to the business of discussing radio in Houston, Texas!

 

[michaelshiloh]

Hey -juan- I know you say you're just playing, but I think your joking about me forcing my daughter to listen to rock is very offensive.

"But seriously, then she's a first!!

Most young ones will probably grow up listening to maroon 5, All american Rejects, Hinder. Think Top 40ish."

LOL!! The Beatles beat them all. So does Dylan. Petty. Young. Zep. The Stones. The Ramones. Even The Judys (remember them?) Gives us a break, -juan-.

 

[-juan-]

Hey -juan- I know you say you're just playing, but I think your joking about me forcing my daughter to listen to rock is very offensive.

That's why I said I was just playing.................
Anyways, you

Hey -juan- I know you say you're just playing, but I think your joking about me forcing my daughter to listen to rock is very offensive.

"But seriously, then she's a first!!

Most young ones will probably grow up listening to maroon 5, All american Rejects, Hinder. Think Top 40ish."

LOL!! The Beatles beat them all. So does Dylan. Petty. Young. Zep. The Stones. The Ramones. Even The Judys (remember them?) Gives us a break, -juan-.

OK, I'll give you a break just because you daughter listens to (some classic) Rock. And I'm sorry if I ofended you (seriously).

But you do know that most kids grow up listening to the music their parents listen to while in the car or at home. In other words, the parents influence the type of music their kids listen to. So it would be no surprise to me if you listen to rock.
You know, a lot of people did in fact listen to Rock 101, but it had just become the third or fourth listening choice on their radio. That is what I call a big decline. From what was once a great Radio Station had becomed the #5 or #6 on their preset dial.
Maybe Rock will be back in Houston one day, but let me tell you, if it fails, it will not be because of bad programming. I'm pretty shure companies do their research to see what music a town likes (if they don't shame on them), and you know that majority rules, So if people like the Music they hear on the radio, they are not going to change it just because a couple of dozen people say it is being programmed wrong. I'm pretty shure that is the case of KLOL.
Most of the people who mourned the death of KLOL where the people who grew up with KLOL. It was like getting rid of one of their family members. I used to listen to KLOL up to the point it was replaced by "the mexican crap", but it wasn't heritage to me because I didn't listen to it very much. (this is also the same time we got a lot of biased hard core rock fans in this board)

Anyways, I still stand that rock is dying, and many of you think other wise, which is OK, but you must re.................You know what, I'll just stop, because trying to convince biased Rock fans that Rock is dead is very hard! It's like taking a part of their life away.

 

[kendro]

Since we're back on topic, I have a question or two.
There are two recently released rock albums that I (hopefully not alone) feel range the rock spectrum Houston listeners desire.
Ozzy Osbourne's Black Rain and Gin Blossom's Major Lodge Victory.
Does anyone see these two being in rotation in Houston radio?
If yes / no, please explain why.

 

[ericspin]

Kendromedia -- to answer your question, here's my opinion:

I don't think you'd see either of these albums being played on any Houston radio stations. Rock radio landscape has changed. Ozzy is to rock as Willie Nelson is to country -- he's a legend, people may want to hear his classics, but his new material will mostly be ignored on the airwaves. Sure, die-hard fans will buy the new Ozzy & Willie albums, but not many others.

For Gin Blossoms, they would have a little bit more of a shot, but not on rock radio, on Adult Top 40/Hot AC. The song would have to be REALLY good, though, very catchy. They've always been considered a singles and radio band, not a powerhouse band that brings fanatic fans (and this is coming from me, someone who owns both 90's Gin Blossom albums, and love them). Still, I think it would be very tough for Gin Blossoms. Now, if we had a Triple A station...

What everyone needs to realize is that the definition of current rock has changed. It's now Nickelback, Hinder, Linkin Park, etc. Honestly, it's not my style of rock, but I can't do anything about it. Nickelback's album has been on the charts for 2 years and is still in the top 10. I find it annoying, but the masses seems to love it. ;-)

 

[aunti-terrestrial]

Just an aside on that, Eric...as good as terrestrial radio has been for Willie Nelson's career in the past, he evidently came to the same conclusion you did. On his Myspace page, Mr. Nelson has posted four songs from his new disc (one is a cappella). Total plays for something radio would never touch: 261,541. For the other three songs he's got posted, he's got 209,853 hits (distinct, individual listens from other Myspace users as of this moment), 103,029 hits, and 378,237 hits respectively. It's better than nothing/zero plays, which is what radio offers.

Mr. Osbourne has discovered much the same. His first two singles from his new Black Rain (2007) disc have garnered over a million distinct listens each. Even if there were a.) a rock station in every market, and even if b.) those rock stations played new rock, and even if they c.) decided to play Ozzy's new music, could they give him that kind of connection with his fans? I wonder how many rock radio listeners in Houston are even aware that Ozzy has a new (May '07) disc out?

 

[rocknrollisdead]

Mr. Osbourne has discovered much the same. His first two singles from his new Black Rain (2007) disc have garnered over a million distinct listens each. Even if there were a.) a rock station in every market, and even if b.) those rock stations played new rock, and even if they c.) decided to play Ozzy's new music, could they give him that kind of connection with his fans? I wonder how many rock radio listeners in Houston are even aware that Ozzy has a new (May '07) disc out?


[/quote]

I know it exsists, but haven't heard a cut off of it.

Lots of good discussion here.

Is Rock Radio dead? I guess it depends on who you ask. Thanks to PPM, the numbers are up and the powers that be realize there's a group of people worth targeting. I think I can speak for the majority of us that progamming a rock station a certain way will attrack, as well as alienate, listners. What to do? You (me) have but one option; to turn the dial left or right. The more we (me) whine, the more i have to charge my iPod.

So to you rock progammers, keep up the great job! Nickelback, Hinder and Linkin Park for the masses! Keep the corporate summer-time concert series coming! It's an increadible marketing tool for you. I don't blame you.

But for me, no thanks, i'll keep listening to Clutch, Tool, Mastodon, Queens of the Stoneage, Down, and Lamb of God on my iPod. It's what keeps me happy.

 

[rageradio]

I believe Wendy Miller played a song or two from Ozzy's new CD right around the time it came out.

 

[kendro]

Yes but I bet it was limited to the "Hard Show" slot. When the rare show was even aired.

 

[HoustonRocker2]

Speaking of Wendy, anyone know where she may end up? And don't anyone say Wal-Mart. I always thought she was a good DJ when the radio station would let her do her thing.

 

[rocknrollisdead]

Speaking of Wendy, anyone know where she may end up? And don't anyone say Wal-Mart. I always thought she was a good DJ when the radio station would let her do her thing.

Wendy was great. I got the chance to work with her back in the AM/FM days with cross-station promotions. Great, great, great rock jock.

Wendy < Outlaw Dave

 

[kendro]

This is an interesting (and free as in beer and as in without strings) outlet that gets the music exposed outside of radio. I felt pretty dumb when I was searching for Tantric's latest album.
http://www.youtube.com/warnerbrosrecords

 

[Marc Rougee]

The "rock radio" market has split into different facets: Heavy Metal, classic AOR, "alternative"....etc. There no longer is one solid rock format base. The largest of the facets is alternative: God only knows why--the sound of "alternative" is pure crap in large part because the "bands" are talentless--as are their hand selected studio and concert sound engineers.

Classic AOR radio is NOT dead....yet. We know the rock anthems that made The Eagles, Boston, KISS and scores other legendary classic rock bands, for their songs got HEAVY airplay rotation. But it's those SAME SONGS that keep getting airplay. Every rock album during the 60s and 70s have other just as good songs on them; maybe it's time radio return back and air those songtracks.

The whole idea of regular heavy song airplay was set for the reason that in the event AOR format would lose it's steam, station PD's would have the other good songtracks on albums come in as backup and boost the format's popularity.

I know it's snubbed by CC and other broadcast corporate monopoly companies--but I for one, think airing those other tracks is exactly what needs to be done to boost AOR popularity. And who knows: maybe the alternative lab monkeys might get their music right in the process.

 

[silkpony]

I know it's snubbed by CC and other broadcast corporate monopoly companies--but I for one, think airing those other tracks is exactly what needs to be done to boost AOR popularity. And who knows: maybe the alternative lab monkeys might get their music right in the process.

I agree. Play some of the other tracks to sound fresher. For example, it's not going to kill the Arrow (93.7) to play something like Ten Years After's 'Good Morning Little School Girl' nor will it hurt the Buzz (94.5) to play Seether's killer acoustic version of Pearl Jam's 'Immortality.'

Come on radio! You're boring me to death! This is why Youtube has become my best friend...

 

[careful705]

Speaking of Wendy, anyone know where she may end up? And don't anyone say Wal-Mart. I always thought she was a good DJ when the radio station would let her do her thing.

Wendy was great. I got the chance to work with her back in the AM/FM days with cross-station promotions. Great, great, great rock jock.

Wendy < Outlaw Dave

Heard Wendy Miller this afternoon on KACC 89.7 for a few minutes spinning some tunes!! Sounded like she was stopping by to show the students how a real rock DJ does it !!!!

For my money KACC has the best rock playlist still in the Houston area... albeit I could do without the "Texas" artists.

I hope all this talk will get the wheels turning and someone will wake up to fill the void on my FM dial...