Scott Shannon's True Oldies

[BptRadio]

To me there seems to be a conflict of interest/genre/format on Scott Shannon's so-called True Oldies Network. If it's supposed to be a True Oldies format, then why does he use buffers and ID's that sound like they were produced for some Techno station? They're loaded with noise, bullet effects, stutter, distracting sounds, voice quality alterations and more. The music selection is pretty MOR as far as oldies go, which makes it just a ho-hum format to listen to from the start. But when you have to endure those annoying buffers between the same old songs, it just makes listening not worth the effort.

Admittedly, you have to hand it to Scott for his attempt to get his oldies empire off the ground, but at least he should try to make it sound like an oldies program and not like a weak attempt from a 25 year old "knows nothing about oldies" PD. Mixing PHAT with FUN just doesn't work.

;D

 

[bobeeboxer]

Through the years Oldies station that have done well present themselves in a contemporay style and the only thing old about the station is the music. A top notch Oldies PD will then use various ways to package the music to give it some life.
I have not heard the Scott Shannon Sweepers so I can not pass judgement.

 

[wtrw]

We run ABC's True Oldies. If you have a station that has filled the commercial
breaks properly, the sweepers, swishes and cello bellowing almost completely
disappears.

Rather than fading out an oldie that runs 3:13 and try to fit it in a 3-minute
commercial break window, (like Jones Radio is famous for...) Scott takes a
2:56 oldie, plays it beginning to end and might have to stretch that extra four
seconds to fill the window.

I disagree on the MOR comment. Top of the hour is always a momentum hit.
There's no Mitch Miller, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Perez Prado, and there's
ample tunes to fit the era of 1955 to 1974, albeit mostly 1957 to 1970.

We've been doing it for over a year and a half, and think it's the best one out there. And we have Jones in our market (disco crazy oldies) and we've had
Westwood One oldies (Bruce Chandler and pals).

If you can come up with a better oldies format, please let me know...

 

[uncamark]

Through the years Oldies station that have done well present themselves in a contemporay style and the only thing old about the station is the music. A top notch Oldies PD will then use various ways to package the music to give it some life.
I have not heard the Scott Shannon Sweepers so I can not pass judgement.

And that's exactly what Shannon does in what he says on-air--he talks about "Idol" (well, when it's on) and runs the "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" capsules the network gives him.

I do find the grunginess of some of the sweeps disconcerting (along with the fact that his voice is on a lot of the sweeps--can't ABC pay for a steady image voice?), I think it would be worse if it was the guy screaming in an echo chamber with Ray Conniff and His Orchestra playing in the background, like some 60s Top 40 station elements. Hopefully, he'll eventually find a happy medium.

 

[wellander]

Hi,
Does any one really listen to Scott Shannon's show?
I have l istened to it before and I can not stand it.
Bad varity, bad sounding person, and the show is done waaaaaaaaaay wrong.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

MarkJeffries: I think ABC is only distributor of True Oldies and they have only indirect control of what Shannon produces.

Bryan Wellander: Yes, people do listen. They have a 2 share in Chicago, and a 4.0 share in Terre Haute, Ind. Those are the only stations I know that run True Oldies, and I think the ratings are respectable based on choices in the market.

I listen to True Oldies now and again, and I do prefer the ABC Oldies Radio feed or several other oldies stations, but more for the music library than random SFX.

 

[radioray]

I have a friend who swears by the WAIIT radio network oldies format.

Anyone ever hear that one?

 

[disney fanatic]

I heard it briefly on WREF 850 in Ridgefield, CT since they dropped the Jones' satellite "The Oldies Station" syndicated format back in 2004 when it was replaced by Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel.

 

[cyberdad]

Bad varity, bad sounding person, and the show is done waaaaaaaaaay wrong.

Respectully disagree. Although essentially having just one voice 24/4 is sort of wierd The variety blows the doors off the other bird-delivered services...as does the energy level.

What I personally dislikeis WZZN "overstuffing" the break this past weekend, then running a tape saying "We now rejoin the true Oldies channel already in progress". Or perhaps they "understuffed" the break. Either way, it sounded very unprofessional.

 

[DougD]

I liked this format at first, and like what he's doing for oldies,but Scott Shannon's version is getting very old. Had it on the other day while painting in the house.

He had a one-hit wonders weekend where you got to hear gems such as I LIKE IT LIKE THAT (the original, Chris Kenner), but I'm not hearing any 50s such as Little Richard, Buddy Holly or the Platters. Those are oldies staples and should be included in any TRUE OLDIES format.

I'd like to hear more pre-64. A 1958-70 focus with little 55-56 and little 69-72 would be good. He doesn't play much variety from 1960-63.

Unfortunately, the format is focusing on LATE 60s with way too many 70s being played. I'm tired of hearing BROTHER LOUIE every day when I can't hear PEGGY SUE or BYE BYE LOVE or I'VE HAD IT (Bell Notes) at least once in a while.

This programming is sounding like some of the FM oldies stations sounded like a year or two ago- late 60s only with a little 70s and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BEFORE '64. Even 64-66 is so hamstrung with the biggies only.

I know, listeners don't count. It's only what the narrow minded advertisers want. But look what they've done to radio!

 

[Joey1986]

I liked this format at first, and like what he's doing for oldies,but Scott Shannon's version is getting very old. Had it on the other day while painting in the house.

He had a one-hit wonders weekend where you got to hear gems such as I LIKE IT LIKE THAT (the original, Chris Kenner), but I'm not hearing any 50s such as Little Richard, Buddy Holly or the Platters. Those are oldies staples and should be included in any TRUE OLDIES format.

I'd like to hear more pre-64. A 1958-70 focus with little 55-56 and little 69-72 would be good. He doesn't play much variety from 1960-63.

Unfortunately, the format is focusing on LATE 60s with way too many 70s being played. I'm tired of hearing BROTHER LOUIE every day when I can't hear PEGGY SUE or BYE BYE LOVE or I'VE HAD IT (Bell Notes) at least once in a while.

This programming is sounding like some of the FM oldies stations sounded like a year or two ago- late 60s only with a little 70s and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BEFORE '64. Even 64-66 is so hamstrung with the biggies only.

I know, listeners don't count. It's only what the narrow minded advertisers want. But look what they've done to radio!

You're right. Advertisers are sooooo narrow-minded : that it's not even funny. They don't care about what listeners want. That really needs to stop! But alas, it probably never will. :'(

 

[gr8oldies]

The height of arrogance is to DEMAND that a business lose money hand over fist to cater specifically to you.

 

[Joey1986]

The height of arrogance is to DEMAND that a business lose money hand over fist to cater specifically to you.

I didn't mean just for me. I meant all oldies fans of all ages. I'm not the only oldies fan out there who is sad when a station drops oldies. And I was just expressing my opinion. What's so great about being an American is that I, and the rest of you on this board, can express our opinions without having a gun to our head! So if you can't respect the opinions of others, don't expect them to respect yours. Like your username says, oldies are gr8--for listeners, that is, but apparently not for advertisers.

 

[fred flintstone]

I didn't mean just for me. I meant all oldies fans of all ages. I'm not the only oldies fan out there who is sad when a station drops oldies. And I was just expressing my opinion. What's so great about being an American is that I, and the rest of you on this board, can express our opinions without having a gun to our head! So if you can't respect the opinions of others, don't expect them to respect yours. Like your username says, oldies are gr8--for listeners, that is, but apparently not for advertisers.

I respect your right to express your opinions.
Please respect the rights of others to disagree with your opinions and to express that disagreement.
Disagreement is not the same as holding a gun to your head.
And respecting the right to express an opinion is not the same as respecting the opinion.
If I don't think (IMHO) that an opinion is based on logic or facts, I don't have much respect for it.

This is adult conversation here. This is not school where your teacher says something supportive about everything said in a class discussion to encourage students and build their self-esteem.

I also don't respect a sense of entitlement I keep hearing around here.
You don't pay for radio; you never paid for radio.
Advertisers paid for radio.
Advertisers paid for radio to get you to listen to their sales pitches.
If they don't think they are getting a good return in increased sales from their sales pitches on Oldies stations, they will stop spending money on that station.
And you think that's narrow minded?
Would you do differently if it were your money?
Maybe it is your money: If you any stock, mutual funds, 401Ks or retirement funds, then some of your money may be invested in thos corporations.
If you wanted to sell something and you took an ad in a nice little community newspaper and you didn't get any responses, would you continue the ad?
Try using your head instead of acting like a spoiled kid, who feels entitled to free oldies at somebody else's expense.
When Oldies stations flip, people on this board act like somebody whose welfare benefits got cut.

 

[DougD]

The height of arrogance is to DEMAND that a business lose money hand over fist to cater specifically to you.

Who's talking about losing money? I recall other formats that used to have many listeners, the soft ACs, the stations in the late 70s and early 80s that played adult songs such as Kenny Rogers, etc., that served their audiences and made money.

I don't recall in the past this race to the bottom to kill anything that has good numbers 55+.

I see many spots on CNN and cable TV channels aimed at seniors. United health care comes to mind, as does that "You made me love you" scooter.

The jerks in radio would be embarrased as hell to run such an ad. What would their ad-men masters think?

I think radio is wearing blinders and will soon pay once the Baby Boomers take over.

Look to satellite to see some of the many missing formats.

Radio of course can't run all that variety but oldies and soft rock are amont the missing holes.

It's a matter of selling the product.

 

[DougD]

I liked this format at first, and like what he's doing for oldies,but Scott Shannon's version is getting very old. Had it on the other day while painting in the house.

He had a one-hit wonders weekend where you got to hear gems such as I LIKE IT LIKE THAT (the original, Chris Kenner), but I'm not hearing any 50s such as Little Richard, Buddy Holly or the Platters. Those are oldies staples and should be included in any TRUE OLDIES format.

I'd like to hear more pre-64. A 1958-70 focus with little 55-56 and little 69-72 would be good. He doesn't play much variety from 1960-63.

Unfortunately, the format is focusing on LATE 60s with way too many 70s being played. I'm tired of hearing BROTHER LOUIE every day when I can't hear PEGGY SUE or BYE BYE LOVE or I'VE HAD IT (Bell Notes) at least once in a while.

This programming is sounding like some of the FM oldies stations sounded like a year or two ago- late 60s only with a little 70s and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BEFORE '64. Even 64-66 is so hamstrung with the biggies only.

I know, listeners don't count. It's only what the narrow minded advertisers want. But look what they've done to radio!

Every time I go off and say something like this about Scott's format, he goes and plays a great late 50s song.

I heard ROCK 'N ROLL MUSIC by CHUCK BERRY today.

I loved Scott's outro as he introduced the next song, THIS MAGIC MOMENT by JAY & THE AMERICANS.

"What other oldies station would dare play Chuck Berry. If you called and requested they play him, they'd likely kiss you off and hang up on you."

THAT says a lot about the crappy state of oldies radio, let alone radio.

 

[gr8oldies]

Does anyone remember when Beautiful Music stations were being flipped right and left in the late 80s? Many which were still number one or close to it? Same reasons, the audience got older and the advertiser demand was not there. Someone posted the fact that those who whine on boards like these are proving the advertisers' point..you won't adapt new technologies like Satellite Radio or internet streams.

 

[cyberdad]

. Someone posted the fact that those who whine on boards like these are proving the advertisers' point..you won't adapt new technologies like Satellite Radio or internet streams.

Yup, that would be me who said that.  I'm a recent arrival to the undesireable demo.  And advertisers sure are smart not to want to talk to me.  I don't buy stuff or change habits....except during the past 18 months since joining the "undesired" demo when I've....

Taken nearly two dozen plane trips...including 3 to Europe
Changed my preferred brand of soft drink (to coke zero..is that even legal at my age?)
Refinanced my home
Purchased computer, monitor, fax, scanner (seperately)
Spent over 150 nights in major name brand hotels
Changed my preferred band of imported beer (to Guiness...if anyone cares. Brilliant!)
Rented at least 30 cars in nearly as many cities
Changed my preferred brand of Razor/Shaving Cream
Purchased a famous name refrigerator and dishwasher (Its a "William Shakespeare")
Changed my preferred brand of gasoline
Purchased/Upgraded phone and broadband communications equipment
Doubled the amount of insurance purchased (homeowner/car/life/health)
Achieved or maintained platinum or other elite status with four international hotel chains, three airlines and four car rental companies
Purchased three Ipods and other stereo equipment
Changed my preferred supermarket for weekly shopping (Yeah...I do the grocery shopping....for four, count 'em, four people)

Yeah....no value here.  I'm too old, too set in my ways, and I don't buy enough.  Why, the only people I spend more than are my three (25-34 demo) kids!  Nah...Mr./Ms Advertiser...you don't wanna talk to me.  Thass right, no value....and as I said before....One foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel!  And besides, I'm quite obviously an exception....just like the three or four other guys on my block in the demo who've spent/done more over the past year and a half than me!

 

[Anyacat]

I tried Scott Shannon's canned True Oldies and moved to the Internet--which makes my drive in miserable as I switch from one station to the next--the whole CD thing having not worked as well as I hoped...ah well it could be worse...

 

[DougD]

Does anyone remember when Beautiful Music stations were being flipped right and left in the late 80s? Many which were still number one or close to it? Same reasons, the audience got older and the advertiser demand was not there. Someone posted the fact that those who whine on boards like these are proving the advertisers' point..you won't adapt new technologies like Satellite Radio or internet streams.

That make a lot of sense... urge your listeners to go to your competition.

Do you work in radio or any other media? I would seriously consider another career option.