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Should "Yes/No Radio" make a comeback.

HenryOchs

HenryOchs

Should "Yes/No Radio" make a comeback here? I miss this interactive format when
KLOK-FM did it in the mid 1980's. With the new technology that's out today, listeners
can vote on songs by calling, visiting a station's website, or even text-messing their
votes to the station. ;)

Any thoughts?
 
There was a thread here a year or more ago on old KLOK-FM. One of the people supposedly 'in the know' indicated that all of the decisions about the playlist were made by the PD, and the "yes" or "no" votes were just a formatting gimmick to get listeners.

That fits in with what I remembered, because their playlist was very much soft rock at the beginning, and even included a lot of glop like Barry Manilow. Within a year or so, their playlist got a lot tighter, and more mainstream "light rock" - more like the KOIT of today. It seemed odd to me that their listeners' tastes had changed so radically. But it was just a format adjustment, like at any mainstream station...so the "yes/no" stuff was just BS.
 
Lkeller said:
There was a thread here a year or more ago on old KLOK-FM. One of the people supposedly 'in the know' indicated that all of the decisions about the playlist were made by the PD, and the "yes" or "no" votes were just a formatting gimmick to get listeners.
Click to expand...

I think that's my cue...

Here's one of my favorite airchecks of all time, from twenty years ago -- July 30, 1987 -- featuring Bruce Michaels on KLOK-FM 103.7:

http://tinyurl.com/2fx5pn

Aside from some great music (and a few clunkers), it's made especially interesting by an event that takes place about a bit more than an hour into the recording...

DJ
 
About 1:13 in, Steve Winwood on KLOK-FM fades out into Anita Baker and the KKSF change-over. Not exactly the most exciting format flip in radio history. If you think that's exciting, DJ, I think those diaper-pail fumes are getting to you.

When KKSF first came on the air, I remember a jock at KBLX...probably worried about the competition from another jazz fusion station...uh, I mean "smooth jazz" station...referred to KKSF as "yuppie wallpaper." That about sums it up.

Speaking of format flips, the hottest I ever heard was the on-air "ceremony" that took place in LA in the 80s (I think) when KIIS-AM "married" KKDJ-FM, which of course became the world famous KIIS-FM. Real effort and production values went into that one. I think it can be found online...somewhere.
 
Lkeller said:
About 1:13 in, Steve Winwood on KLOK-FM fades out into Anita Baker and the KKSF change-over. Not exactly the most exciting format flip in radio history. If you think that's exciting, DJ, I think those diaper-pail fumes are getting to you.
Click to expand...

I didn't say exciting, Llew. Just interesting. There was no fanfare, no blast-off, no anything, really. The changeover was simply "we'll begin saying KKSF instead of KLOK." If you aren't paying attention, you could miss it.

But I enjoy the aircheck for a different reason: the music, which is now twenty years old, makes it a period piece. It's funny to think that, when I was born, music that was twenty years old was from the 1930s ... my kids are going to think this Eighties stuff is prehistoric.

DJ
 
Henry Ochs said:
Should "Yes/No Radio" make a comeback here? I miss this interactive format when
KLOK-FM did it in the mid 1980's. With the new technology that's out today, listeners
can vote on songs by calling, visiting a station's website, or even text-messing their
votes to the station. ;)

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
No!
 
Anyone remember their old TV spot? From the spring of '84:

Build your own radio station...
You've always wanted to...
Build your own radio station...
KLOK-FM is you!!
One-oh-three...point seven
KLOK-FM is you!!

Used to see it on KPIX's Eyewitness News "Nightcast" a lot.

Interesting to hear that it was all a bunch 'o' crap...er, uh, I mean, a marketing gimmick. (sorry) :-[
 
I thought that this thread needed a bit more in regard to Yes/No radio.
Actually, it wasn't a load of crap in regard to the voting. Bill Weaver was the owner/GM and was the one who came up with the idea for this somewhat rediculous concept. The votes were actually tallied and had a significant weight on the decision to keep or reject any song that was up for voting. When the format began, as I recall there was voting every hour which was way too much. We finally convinced Mr. Weaver to limit the voting to one song a shift. Of course that was when the library was of ample size to do so.
As far as the format...yes, it was strange to say the least. I must say that I had very much fun during my time there (first in the former KSFX studios "high atop hard-on leather" on Polk, and then at 77 Maiden Lane.) it was a fun mix of people to work together with.
I did mornings followed by (G-4/Tech TV's) Leo LaPorte. Cammy Blackstone was the person who answered the "vote" calls during my shift and she was great. Early on we had a daily meeting with Bill Weaver and the PD going over the morning show content. I always got a kick out of trying to explain a bit to Bill. He was a quirky, but bright man who had no idea of pop culture. Eventually he kind of gave up on trying to figure out what I was talking about on the air and the meetings evaporated to maybe one or two a month!
As I remember, the ratings for the station were not that bad. At that time the KSFX/KLOK-FM signal had significant issues covering the metro area and at the same time...the format was unusual to say the least. It was fun though.
I was the first to be asked to leave when Brown Broadcasting bought the place. The new GM, David Kendrick called me in to give me the bad news. I was there for about 4 or 5 years and was released with a 'severance' of two weeks pay. David commented that it was rather generous since Brown Broadcasting had no severance package. Nice, huh?
I was let go because they felt I was too high profile for the format they had coming up. The irony of that was, after that meeting to let me go, I got on the elevator at 77 Maiden Land (KLOK-FM was on the 3rd floor) and hit the second floor button which was KOIT and immediately was hired there to do afternoons which I did for about 6 years. In this case, Jack Friday did not leave the building!
Just thought I'd clear up the voting aspect of the presentation.

Jack Friday
 
Jack your last post pegs the question: Was Brown Broadcasting Management any relation to the former CBS Radio management? Hearing the story of Brown's takeover of 103.7 is a real laugh, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! Its good to hear a success story like yours! Way to go! Any other tales of management and owners stepping in it out there?
 
RadioStarOne said:
Jack your last post pegs the question: Was Brown Broadcasting Management any relation to the former CBS Radio management? Hearing the story of Brown's takeover of 103.7 is a real laugh, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! Its good to hear a success story like yours! Way to go! Any other tales of management and owners stepping in it out there?
Click to expand...

I remember listening to the old KLOK-FM in the mid 1980's and I think one of their most requested songs was "The Pachelbel Canon In D" by The Paillard Chamber Orchestra. Every time that song came on, I called up and voted "NO!" I was in my late teens at the time and maybe listeners much older than me called up and wanted to hear it! My thoughts!!!!
 
"I didn't say exciting, Llew. Just interesting. There was no fanfare, no blast-off, no anything, really. The changeover was simply "we'll begin saying KKSF instead of KLOK." If you aren't paying attention, you could miss it."

You're right, David - it was interesting. Hope you didn't take offense - I was just teasing.

As for 80s music seeming pre-historic...I was having the same thoughts - having just spent a few days down in LA, with K-Earth 101 on some of the time. They're playlist is still very much stuck in the 60s, and they're still using the "classic" Johnny Mann jingles and sounders that evoke KHJ - Charlie Van Dyke VOs, and even sound-bites with bits from the Real Don Steele and Robert W. Morgan. It occurred to me that - to my 11 year old, it's the equivalent of me hearing Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys, and Bix Beiderbecke, which my father would occasionally play on old 78s in the 60s. I remember that in the late 60s, KABC would play some of the old classic radio shows from the 40s on the weekends. The Shadow, Fibber McGee and Molly, and others. I liked them, but they seemed corny and positively stone-age to me... but most of them were only 20 - 30 years old at the time - as you say, the equivalent to the 70s and 80s today.
 
jackfriday said:
I thought that this thread needed a bit more in regard to Yes/No radio.
Actually, it wasn't a load of crap in regard to the voting. Bill Weaver was the owner/GM and was the one who came up with the idea for this somewhat rediculous concept. The votes were actually tallied and had a significant weight on the decision to keep or reject any song that was up for voting. When the format began, as I recall there was voting every hour which was way too much. We finally convinced Mr. Weaver to limit the voting to one song a shift. Of course that was when the library was of ample size to do so.
As far as the format...yes, it was strange to say the least. I must say that I had very much fun during my time there (first in the former KSFX studios "high atop hard-on leather" on Polk, and then at 77 Maiden Lane.) it was a fun mix of people to work together with.
I did mornings followed by (G-4/Tech TV's) Leo LaPorte. Cammy Blackstone was the person who answered the "vote" calls during my shift and she was great. Early on we had a daily meeting with Bill Weaver and the PD going over the morning show content. I always got a kick out of trying to explain a bit to Bill. He was a quirky, but bright man who had no idea of pop culture. Eventually he kind of gave up on trying to figure out what I was talking about on the air and the meetings evaporated to maybe one or two a month!
As I remember, the ratings for the station were not that bad. At that time the KSFX/KLOK-FM signal had significant issues covering the metro area and at the same time...the format was unusual to say the least. It was fun though.
I was the first to be asked to leave when Brown Broadcasting bought the place. The new GM, David Kendrick called me in to give me the bad news. I was there for about 4 or 5 years and was released with a 'severance' of two weeks pay. David commented that it was rather generous since Brown Broadcasting had no severance package. Nice, huh?
I was let go because they felt I was too high profile for the format they had coming up. The irony of that was, after that meeting to let me go, I got on the elevator at 77 Maiden Land (KLOK-FM was on the 3rd floor) and hit the second floor button which was KOIT and immediately was hired there to do afternoons which I did for about 6 years. In this case, Jack Friday did not leave the building!
Just thought I'd clear up the voting aspect of the presentation.

Jack Friday
Click to expand...


If 103.7 KLOK-FM was to make a comeback, here's my dream line-up:

5:30-10am The Doghouse
10pm-2pm Dreena Gonzalez
2-6pm Strawberry
6pm-10pm Sandra Pena
10pm-2am Mary Diaz(Lights Out - Slow Songs)
2-5:30am Automated

My thoughts, what's yours?
 
Re: Tribute To KABL Radio

Lkeller said:
You're right, David - it was interesting. Hope you didn't take offense - I was just teasing.

It occurred to me that - to my 11 year old, it's the equivalent of me hearing Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys, and Bix Beiderbecke, which my father would occasionally play on old 78s in the 60s. I remember that in the late 60s, KABC would play some of the old classic radio shows from the 40s on the weekends. The Shadow, Fibber McGee and Molly, and others. I liked them, but they seemed corny and positively stone-age to me... but most of them were only 20 - 30 years old at the time - as you say, the equivalent to the 70s and 80s today.
Click to expand...

No offense taken at all -- I just thought I'd clarify my rambling thought...

Speaking of nostalgic radio, I don't know if anyone has paid any attention, but Clear Channel has generously licensed KABLradio.com domain and the old KABL jingles to the radio museum so that we could keep the spirit of the station alive on the Internet:

http://www.KABLradio.com

It's more of a montage of styles that KABL played over the years, from Beautiful Music to Easy Listening to Big Bands and Adult Standards. The hope is that eventually someone will consider picking up the format, the call letters and maybe a few of the personalities and give this great music another try. Are you listening, KTRB/860? ::)

If you listen between the songs, you'll even hear the great Bill Moen -- an original KABL airman -- doing the voicers for us.
 
"Speaking of nostalgic radio, I don't know if anyone has paid any attention, but Clear Channel has generously licensed KABLradio.com domain and the old KABL jingles to the radio museum so that we could keep the spirit of the station alive on the Internet:

http://www.KABLradio.com

It's more of a montage of styles that KABL played over the years, from Beautiful Music to Easy Listening to Big Bands and Adult Standards. The hope is that eventually someone will consider picking up the format, the call letters and maybe a few of the personalities and give this great music another try. Are you listening, KTRB/860? Roll Eyes

If you listen between the songs, you'll even hear the great Bill Moen -- an original KABL airman -- doing the voicers for us."

That's a great acquisition, David. I'll check it out when I have more time to give it. Moen was great on KABL and has a great dry sense of humor. Not being a "beautiful music" fan, I didn't discover him until that short period of time when KABL-FM (98.1) tried to compete with KOIT using a lite-rock format. I assume KOIT crushed them, because KABL became "Big 98.1" shortly after that, and Moen retired.

Speaking of nostalgic radio and segueing to "Oldies"....if the 60s early 70s music format is dead, somebody forgot to tell the listeners in Los Angeles, because K-Earth still has the format, and I heard it EVERYWHERE, including the elevators at our hotel. Jahnie Kaye (I know I'm mis-spelling his name) has done a great job tweaking it - it's very slick. The DJs are obviously on a strict clock, but they can open the mic often enough, and get enough time to show their personalities. Also, the music is great without much repetition. Sorry to say, but in my humble opinion, it's much improved from the Mike Phillips (RIP) era. I hadn't heard Shotgun Tom Kelley before - very clever and very Real Don Steele(ish). KRTH is everything the old 99.7/KFRC was in the late 90s before it sucked, and much more. Unfortunately, Gary Bryan was on vacation...sorry, Kenny.

I'm sure this is David Eduardo's cue to break in and tell us all the reasons the format is dead, and K-Earth will never work in the long run, but it sure seems to be going strong right now.
 
KFRC 106.9 is nothing compared to KRTH,,, KFRC should have had Bobby Ocean, or JMF doing VO end of story,, Its amazing how dull the new KFRC is!! As for Charley Van Dyke he is KRTH, that voice is LA,,Just as Bobby Ocean and John Mack Flanagan are N Calif Legends,, as for Gary Bryan, for 55 year old ex KYA1260 jock hes made his mark in radio,,,I sure enjoyed him as Jumbo Jack on 1260 KYA in 1976,,and ten times more when he and J Paul ruled the mornings in 1993!!They used to run into overtime into Halls show,, a very rare thing to happen,,Gary and J. Paul were TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!!!!!!! Never will you hear radio like that again,,, Im wondering what ever happened to David Bramnick,, those two guys really made him work for his money in 93 and 94!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kenny in Concord
 
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