Sid and Sinatra

[KBland]

Little hesitant to write this because it's cold to explore the negative on a still around legend. But I mean zero disrespect, and wonder what perceptions are, if there is indeed any interest at all on the Sid Mark presenting Sinatra broadcasts.

Most of my listening to Sid over the last 15 years, maybe more like 25 is tapes of shows from as far back as 30 years ago (WWDB days). As nature would allow, he was much sprier and lively then. Older and slower sound fair descriptions of these days. Perhaps in my listening case, it's a pretty sudden move from old tapes to however many years later. which accents the sounding old.

I will always tremendously respect Sid's ability to elongate a career off a single artist's work. But I wonder if there is any shared sentinent that maybe it's time for a different host. I'm sort of just asking. There is still some charm within the aged voice of having Sid's voice talk to you. I'll tag it a tough call. Good thing it's not my decision.

 

[jefflaurence]

Have you heard Don Kennedy on "Big Band Jump" ? We all sound a little different than a decade ago, but Don's expertise, and flawless ability to recall trivial items surrounding the music makes the show continue to be appealing.

Sid Mark is SUCH an authority on Frank Sinatra, that it would not be the same with another host..no matter how seemingly non-precise he may seem. Part of his charm is his well aged delivery. Most listeners would agree (iMHO) that the appeal of Mr. Sinatra's catalog of recordings, AND the many personal spoken-word tidbits that Mr Mark is able to call up..more than make good for his perceived lack of contemporary polish.

Did I just type that? God that sounded elitist didn't it? Sorry...

What I mean is simply that the generations that find Sid Mark's show a must listen..hear past the occasional flaws in presentation, and take the show for what it is..and (again in my opinion) should remain.

 

[jhguthlac]

Sid IS the Sunday with Sinatra show. When he goes, the show goes. Yes, he is aging, but I don't believe there is a possibility of replacing him. He falls into the same boat as Pierre Robert and the Geator. They do their shows their way. When they pass, it is the end of an era.

 

[KBland]

Glad to see Sid getting positive comments. As I mentioned when I wrote the post, I was a little uncomfortable writing it.

But I do wonder about something both you guys touched on. The when Sid goes, the show goes. I understand the solid identity between Sid and the program, but this guy Kevin Delaney's been part of the program for over 20 years, and at lest used to fill in on occasion. Maybe that's a grasp at straws, but as a distant observor, I would ask if it's as obvious a foregone conclusion that the show is over when Sid is through. In his time, Kevin must have built some credibility for a transitional audience even if Sid is The Man, no?

 

[jhguthlac]

We are talking music on an AM talk station. 1210 picked up Sid because he had a known fan base along with a known sponsor base. Now that WPHT is more firmly established, they may not want to continue the music show. I could see WXPN picking it up, if perhaps Sid Mark's time and The Geator's happen to end close together.

 

[Bob1370]

Sid Mark is actually heard in weekly syndication on a lot of adult-oriented FM stations, especially those with either standards, oldies or classic hits formats as well. Case in point, he's heard Sunday mornings at 10 to noon on WLGZ-FM in Rochester, NY and I believe he is heard on other similar stations around the country. Don't know if it's as many as he had some years ago (it was upwards of 115 when Sinatra was still alive and occasionally performing in the early 1990s) but the show does have big affiliates in places like Philly and undoubtedly elsewhere.

 

[BRUSSTAR]

Much like attempts to groom over time a successor to Paul Harvey were pretty much futile, there's minimal realistic hope for the WPHT version of Sid Mark's show to successfully continue without Sid Mark.

And I personally like Kevin Delaney. I just don't see it happening.

As for WXPN-- an intriguing idea. But the show's format so seamlessly integrates its advertisers-- and has for decades. I'm not sure how doing so in an underwriting form would sound. Especially considering all of the quarter-hour sponsorships clearly double as direct endorsements by Mr. Mark himself.

WWIQ?

 

[Nick Gerard]

Most of my listening to Sid over the last 15 years, maybe more like 25 is tapes of shows from as far back as 30 years ago (WWDB days). As nature would allow, he was much sprier and lively then. Older and slower sound fair descriptions of these days.

Older and slower, perhaps. But as long as the affiliates are there and the advertisers are there, I hope Sid continues as long as his enthusiasm will allow. He really is a radio treasure.

If and when he decides to step away, there would be dozens of polished radio pros of my generation (60 ish) who would happily step in as the Sinatra poet laureate and do an excellent job. Guys whose enthusiasm for and knowledge of the Sinatra songbook would enable them to be an able successor to Sid Mark. I might even try for the gig myself! Would have to drop the "I love you, Sidney" clip, though

But for now, in my market #131, Sid Mark IS Sunday morning, and I hope it'll stay that way for a long time!

Nick Seneca

 

[KBland]

In reply to Nick, who signs from market #131...

Sounds too small a market to be from Philly, and I don't know if like me, you are removed from years there, but in one man's opinion (moi), the syndicated version that perhaps you listen to does no justice compared to the local version, aired 8-1PM Eastern on 1210 WPHT (not sure of the Friday night times, same station). That's always come across as Sid's strength...pushing the local advertisers on the show in a ridiculously down home way. Listening to Frank is an allure, of course, but in between of Sid selling is really a great listen also. You just don't get that on the syndicated version, and having just dound out that WPHT is not blocking the stream as they used to, that's what really prompted the onservation of his sounding quite different than old tapes I have. Comparing the local broadcast to the same from years ago.

 

[aindik]

Speaking of hearing it in better fidelity, if streaming wasn't an option there is WOGL HD-3.

 

[joshzz]

Personally, I would like to see Sid bring on a younger co-host that shares the love of Sinatra music as he does. He would be able to tell the difference between a wanna-be and a person with a sincere heart for the music offered by Sinatra.

I hope he will choose the guy or gal that will continue the program into the future rather than an owner who is not really familiar with Sinatra.

 

[ProducerGuy]

I never understood why the syndicated show was never picked up by SiriusXM for the Sinatra channel.

 

[DanStrassberg]

I realize that Philadelphians are a parochial lot, but I read the entire thread and, unless I missed something, I am, rightfully, I think, amazed that nobody has mentioned Jonathan Schwartz. I would stack up Jonathan's knowledge of Sinatra's work and career against Sid Mark's Sinatra expertise any day. And I am not shilling for a New York personality. Although I grew up in New York City, I haven't lived there for 60 years. I became familiar with Jonathan's work during the year or so that he worked at then WNAC here in Boston in the '60s. Back then, Jonathan was a musical authority and raconteur but he hadn't yet hit on the idea of an all-Sinatra program--an idea he may well have later stolen from Sid Mark. AFAIK, Jonathan's Sinatra shows are still being heard weekly on (non-commercial) WNYC (AM) in New York. These may, however, be tapes of shows he did decades ago. If the continued broadcasts of Sid Mark's shows on WPHT depends on Sid's expertise at selling his program to advertisers, there is no possibility of Schwartz becoming his replacement, but I believe that Jonathan is well over ten years younger than Sid.

 

[KBland]

I think it's a safe assumption that Sid has given Jonathan Schwartz a lot of consideration. He's mentioned a minimum of once everey show.

Right near the end, when that distinguished female voice reminds us that we are listening to "The Sounds of Sinatra. Often immitated, never equalled.'.

Just kidding. But I do love the clarity of that statement in so few words. "Often immitated, never equalled. That is heavy.

The only serious thought I have on the future of the program is that Sid, aside from the fact that he owns Orange Productions (well, I assume so) has most certainly earned the right to call whatever transition or end occurs.