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Sheridan Broadcasting Sells WAMO to Religious Organization
- Thread starter PghRadioListener
- Start date
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
I grew up in Pittsburgh with WAMO and I still have a place at the glorious Maxon Towers, but I do spend most of my time in Florida now.
I would argue the popular heavy metal of the '80s was the most demonized format of music- which is what helped kill it.
I remember reading how People Weekly magazine did a profile on keeping your kids away from AC/DC. Tipper Gore propelled her husband to national political stardom with the movement. It created the parental advisory labels now on albums.
It could be argued that the PMRC successfully killed the hair metal genre- remember hearing that "Slaughter" was named as such because they enjoyed slaughtering animals (actually, the singer's last name was Slaughter) in ritual?
SLAUGHTER! About as innocent of hard rock as you can get.
And so bands singing rather innocent rock songs were attacked (That song "I Want To Spend My Life With You" Slaughter put out- SATANTIC!), while much harder bands of all genres came out of the rubble not making any excuses and survived.
Back to the point.
Heritage or no, what we've had are 11 pages of posts and a large amount of the content is from out of town.
Which, again, I'm not complaining about. I'm sure I speak for everyone in that we like to be thought of as a place where if a heritage radio station meets its demise, it's national news.
But it just seems there was more discussion from Pittsburghers about the demise of B-94 (which may have ultimately been the factor that brought the station back), and certainly things like the demise of KQV in 1975.
Yes, certainly the latter could be attributed simply to the demographics of this particular message board.
But I wonder- WAMO hasn't been the station that everybody listened to since Porky Chedwick was in his prime. They had their niche, yes, but the lamenting of the station (and I have been one who has lamented its loss) seems to come more from national urban music enthiasts than what we had with B-94, where Pittsburghers who had never posted before came on this board and complained.
And that's probably a large reason why WAMO is history. Urban music tends to follow fads, and here in Pittsburgh we hold on to traditions.
That's why we still cheer on the Steelers with polkas, for better or worse.
I remember reading how People Weekly magazine did a profile on keeping your kids away from AC/DC. Tipper Gore propelled her husband to national political stardom with the movement. It created the parental advisory labels now on albums.
It could be argued that the PMRC successfully killed the hair metal genre- remember hearing that "Slaughter" was named as such because they enjoyed slaughtering animals (actually, the singer's last name was Slaughter) in ritual?
SLAUGHTER! About as innocent of hard rock as you can get.
And so bands singing rather innocent rock songs were attacked (That song "I Want To Spend My Life With You" Slaughter put out- SATANTIC!), while much harder bands of all genres came out of the rubble not making any excuses and survived.
Back to the point.
Heritage or no, what we've had are 11 pages of posts and a large amount of the content is from out of town.
Which, again, I'm not complaining about. I'm sure I speak for everyone in that we like to be thought of as a place where if a heritage radio station meets its demise, it's national news.
But it just seems there was more discussion from Pittsburghers about the demise of B-94 (which may have ultimately been the factor that brought the station back), and certainly things like the demise of KQV in 1975.
Yes, certainly the latter could be attributed simply to the demographics of this particular message board.
But I wonder- WAMO hasn't been the station that everybody listened to since Porky Chedwick was in his prime. They had their niche, yes, but the lamenting of the station (and I have been one who has lamented its loss) seems to come more from national urban music enthiasts than what we had with B-94, where Pittsburghers who had never posted before came on this board and complained.
And that's probably a large reason why WAMO is history. Urban music tends to follow fads, and here in Pittsburgh we hold on to traditions.
That's why we still cheer on the Steelers with polkas, for better or worse.
Do you ever need a house-sitter at your place in the Maxon Towers? 
Ever go to the salon in the basement?
Ever go to the salon in the basement?
Pratte4Life said:
Some of us have seen this movie before, that's why.
Pratte4Life said:
Contemporary R&B music, with success dating back to the late 50s, and hip-hop, being a part of our nation's soundtrack for the last 25+ years. Those are some pretty successful fads!
If you've seen the movie before, then why 11 pages of comments?
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
Dear Pratte:
1) My mother is there year round.
2) Yes, I have gone to the salon in the basement to get my hair done, my nails done, and buy product. I also use the exercise room in the basement and swim in the pool. I am 5-10 with long dark hair and incredibly stylish for that place. You can also find me at Starbucks across the street too. I like to shop at Little's and hang out on Forbes St or Walnut St.
1) My mother is there year round.
2) Yes, I have gone to the salon in the basement to get my hair done, my nails done, and buy product. I also use the exercise room in the basement and swim in the pool. I am 5-10 with long dark hair and incredibly stylish for that place. You can also find me at Starbucks across the street too. I like to shop at Little's and hang out on Forbes St or Walnut St.
I'm glad to hear it!
The reason I ask, and I realize this should be a PM but I just can't seem to figure that out, is the manicurist in that salon is a great family friend. In fact, I think all the people there have been really nice to me whenever I or my family patronizes the salon.
The reason I ask, and I realize this should be a PM but I just can't seem to figure that out, is the manicurist in that salon is a great family friend. In fact, I think all the people there have been really nice to me whenever I or my family patronizes the salon.
I'm one of those from out of the market and yes this WAMO situation does seem more significant than the B94 flip. Here's why..by the time B94 switched formats it was a shadow of it's former self. The ratings were poor at that point. Most of the sadness people felt must have been based on it's long heritage in the market. Perhaps some were upset because KISS was more rhythmic. People on radio boards, more than listeners in the real world, tend to prefer CHRs that play "all the hits" compared to those that lean rhythmic. I wonder how many of those who complained about the B94 flip are listening to the new version of the station?
While I have seen many comments saying that WAMO was better back in the day, they still had decent ratings to the end. Plus it was more than just a radio station, it was a part of the community in which it served. B94 listeners could have (and I'm sure did) switch to KISS back when they flipped, WAMO listeners will have nowhere to go.
While I have seen many comments saying that WAMO was better back in the day, they still had decent ratings to the end. Plus it was more than just a radio station, it was a part of the community in which it served. B94 listeners could have (and I'm sure did) switch to KISS back when they flipped, WAMO listeners will have nowhere to go.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
That is why WLTJ or STAR should flip to Urban or Churban because their listeners have other places to go.
Jay- To play devil's advocate, I could say WAMO was a shell of its former self. Certainly its listenership was not the broad base of Pittsburgh youth as it was in the Porky Chedwick days.
As far as "serving its community;" what does that mean? Did WAMO serve their community because they played rap music? Did WAMO-AM serve their community because of the far-left talk format they had?
If that is the case, is 104.7 serving their community because they present a far-right talk format? Is 1360 serving the community because they have successful people telling us how to make money?
Wouldn't the new format BETTER serve the community because they are going to be advocating the Word of God?
What station DOESN'T serve the community?
As far as "serving its community;" what does that mean? Did WAMO serve their community because they played rap music? Did WAMO-AM serve their community because of the far-left talk format they had?
If that is the case, is 104.7 serving their community because they present a far-right talk format? Is 1360 serving the community because they have successful people telling us how to make money?
Wouldn't the new format BETTER serve the community because they are going to be advocating the Word of God?
What station DOESN'T serve the community?
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
Does BOB FM serve every guy named BOB
Does SAM FM serve every guy named BOB?
Does SAM FM serve every guy named BOB?
See, that's flawed logic. It's like saying the Pittsburgh Courier serves the African-American community, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette does not.
Or at least that's what the implication seems to be.
Now, I know the point you're trying to make. And I somewhat agree with it- obviously if someone is losing his favorite genre of music from the airwaves they have a right to be upset.
However, since many liberals think conservatives are close minded if they only listen to right-wing talk radio, wouldn't the flip side be true if a person only listened to the opinions of Lynn Cullen, Bev Smith, Al Sharpton, etc.?
Wouldn't this be an opportunity for enlightenment?
What my main problem is with WAMO leaving is, as stated before, it seems that everything in Pittsburgh radio is so BLAND. The X is an exception, but the station has always had an angry tone.
Of course, being bland is becoming increasingly popular for commercial radio stations, no matter where they are located.
Or at least that's what the implication seems to be.
Now, I know the point you're trying to make. And I somewhat agree with it- obviously if someone is losing his favorite genre of music from the airwaves they have a right to be upset.
However, since many liberals think conservatives are close minded if they only listen to right-wing talk radio, wouldn't the flip side be true if a person only listened to the opinions of Lynn Cullen, Bev Smith, Al Sharpton, etc.?
Wouldn't this be an opportunity for enlightenment?
What my main problem is with WAMO leaving is, as stated before, it seems that everything in Pittsburgh radio is so BLAND. The X is an exception, but the station has always had an angry tone.
Of course, being bland is becoming increasingly popular for commercial radio stations, no matter where they are located.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
Bland is in the eye of the beholder. I think WJAS is exciting. It helps one get through the evening at the Maxon if the cable is out. Actually, we are talling about "perception". It is perceived that stations like WAMO serve African-Americans, Kiss serves teen-age girls, STAR serves soccer moms, WDUV in Tampa serves people like me, etc. This of course does not cover everybody outside the target demo who listens. If WJAS or WDUV flipped to something else, I'd be out with the "Grey Panthers" raising cain as we seniors say.
Seriously, if COX flipped WDUV to say "The Party" format, I'd be very dissapointed and I'd have to get my trazadone increased. I think that loosing WAMO would be a cause for consternation among those who believe it is unique whether it really does"serve it's target demo or not". If KISS really serves teen-age girls, they should have public service programs on safer sex, teen pregnancy, dangers of texting, and speech lessons on how to talk with out making every sentence end in a question. Do they?
Seriously, if COX flipped WDUV to say "The Party" format, I'd be very dissapointed and I'd have to get my trazadone increased. I think that loosing WAMO would be a cause for consternation among those who believe it is unique whether it really does"serve it's target demo or not". If KISS really serves teen-age girls, they should have public service programs on safer sex, teen pregnancy, dangers of texting, and speech lessons on how to talk with out making every sentence end in a question. Do they?
I can't tell you how many times I've seen PSAs on stations- both radio and TV- that couldn't possibly be reaching a target demographic.
I remember when I would watch Saturday Night Live or maybe Star Trek, which came on at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night or something where I lived at the time (Altoona area).
And in this time slot, effectively "The Late Show," you'd get PSAs warning five-year-olds on the dangers of handling products with the Mr. Yuk logo on it.
As far as WJAS, I mentioned in another thread where I thought they had some of the best personalities in Pittsburgh radio- and personalities that proved one didn't have to be rude to be a personality.
But with all due respect, if WJAS is leading the way for modern, cutting edge radio around here we're in trouble.
I remember when I would watch Saturday Night Live or maybe Star Trek, which came on at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night or something where I lived at the time (Altoona area).
And in this time slot, effectively "The Late Show," you'd get PSAs warning five-year-olds on the dangers of handling products with the Mr. Yuk logo on it.
As far as WJAS, I mentioned in another thread where I thought they had some of the best personalities in Pittsburgh radio- and personalities that proved one didn't have to be rude to be a personality.
But with all due respect, if WJAS is leading the way for modern, cutting edge radio around here we're in trouble.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
If you are from Altoona, you probably think Saturday Night parodies are real commercials, John Belushi was part bee, and Tina Fey ran for VP. : :
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