Sleeping Hound Waking Up at KCSN?

[ChannelFlipper]

This story was in the LA Times so you probably missed it.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-kcsn-20110711,0,1544121.story

Reaction: 40 inches of ink used to note that former LA Times writers will be joining Sky and the "Way-too-Cool" Nic Harcourt on KCSN in a launch on the 15th that was originally promised on the first. Sky still talking about this "Smart Rock" nonsense, but I like his description of the music otherwise. I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I also know that people who are genuinely not elitists don't need a sign on the wall telling them not to be. We'll see, and I am hoping I like what I hear.

If I read between the lines, is there going to be a shakeup on the weekends? I hope not. I listen to the specialty shows, particularly "Meet the Beatles" with Les Parry and the "Twang" show. There are other good ones as well.

Lastly, I predicted above that the course they are steering would get a lot of positive pub from the LA Times, but I didn't realize the lengths they would go to get it. Hiring Hillburn? Shouldn't he be riding into the sunset with to a background of Springsteen, U2, and Emmylou Harris? This ensures that the Times will spill much more ink on these guys in the future. They take care of their own.

 

[JPT]

If I read between the lines, is there going to be a shakeup on the weekends? I hope not. I listen to the specialty shows, particularly "Meet the Beatles" with Les Parry and the "Twang" show. There are other good ones as well.

From their web site, here's their new program schedule...

http://www.kcsn.org/programs.html

The Beatles show (with a new name) is moving to Saturdays.

 

[robnokshus06]

Well, I gave them a button in my car. I live in Burbank and can pick the station up quite nicely. They are different from all of the other commercial stations, so they've got that going for them. They even made me chuckle with one of their imaging pieces; "tell a friend and double our audience."

I will definitely check out Hilburn's show seeing as he was the preeminent rock journalist in LA back when rock mattered (met him once at a concert, loooong time ago). At the very least, he should have some good stories.

Guess I'm an "elitist" now! 8)

 

[ChannelFlipper]

If I read between the lines, is there going to be a shakeup on the weekends? I hope not. I listen to the specialty shows, particularly "Meet the Beatles" with Les Parry and the "Twang" show. There are other good ones as well.

From their web site, here's their new program schedule...

http://www.kcsn.org/programs.html

The Beatles show (with a new name) is moving to Saturdays.

Well isn't that just great. Of the two I specifically mentioned, "Twang" is off the schedule and the Beatles show is moved to Saturdays. I guess there is no room for classic country on a AAA/Americana station, and why, oh why, would they mess with a SoCal tradition for over 25 years of having Beatles music on Sunday mornings. Not an auspicious beginning, and even more galling, in the case of Twang, that there is a two hour block open on Saturdays even with the new changes.

 

[robnokshus06]

Well isn't that just great. Of the two I specifically mentioned, "Twang" is off the schedule and the Beatles show is moved to Saturdays. I guess there is no room for classic country on a AAA/Americana station, and why, oh why, would they mess with a SoCal tradition for over 25 years of having Beatles music on Sunday mornings. Not an auspicious beginning, and even more galling, in the case of Twang, that there is a two hour block open on Saturdays even with the new changes.

I know you're trollin' dude and I shouldn't rise to the bait, but damn, you're incessant whining is tiresome. From their website:

"We play music by contemporary artists such as Norah Jones, The Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. We play music by classic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. And we play more than their hits. At KCSN, we play the music you want."

Where do you get Americana from that? Then the handwringing over The Beatles show? Really? FYI, if you move up the FM dial to 95.5 on Sunday mornings I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find SoCal's... wait for it... longest running Beatles show, "Breakfast With The Beatles!" I know! Amazing isn't it? KCSN seems to be putting a lot of thought and effort into what they acknowledge to be a "work in progress," adding live personalities and specialty shows hosted by people with a knowledge and passion for the music. Isn't that what everyone is always complaining is missing from today's radio?

Some people just live to complain. My guess, were I to venture one, would be that Sky Daniels didn't care for your aircheck.

Now go work yourself up in a lather about their logo or something.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

Well isn't that just great. Of the two I specifically mentioned, "Twang" is off the schedule and the Beatles show is moved to Saturdays. I guess there is no room for classic country on a AAA/Americana station, and why, oh why, would they mess with a SoCal tradition for over 25 years of having Beatles music on Sunday mornings. Not an auspicious beginning, and even more galling, in the case of Twang, that there is a two hour block open on Saturdays even with the new changes.

I know you're trollin' dude and I shouldn't rise to the bait, but damn, you're incessant whining is tiresome. From their website:

"We play music by contemporary artists such as Norah Jones, The Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. We play music by classic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. And we play more than their hits. At KCSN, we play the music you want."

Where do you get Americana from that? Then the handwringing over The Beatles show? Really? FYI, if you move up the FM dial to 95.5 on Sunday mornings I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find SoCal's... wait for it... longest running Beatles show, "Breakfast With The Beatles!" I know! Amazing isn't it? KCSN seems to be putting a lot of thought and effort into what they acknowledge to be a "work in progress," adding live personalities and specialty shows hosted by people with a knowledge and passion for the music. Isn't that what everyone is always complaining is missing from today's radio?

Some people just live to complain. My guess, were I to venture one, would be that Sky Daniels didn't care for your aircheck.

Now go work yourself up in a lather about their logo or something.

You are right, you shouldn't have taken the bait, but instead actually read the thread, particularly the first post I initiated where I do nothing but heap praise on KCSN and its recent changes, and other posts discussing the KCSN programming that I listen to and like. Hardly troll-like behavior.

And since you brought it up, I am quite familiar with BWTB on KLOS. I have listened to the show since its inception with Dierdre O'Donaghue on KMET in 1984, and in all of its incarnations and on various stations since then. I personally prefer the KCSN show to BWTB because when I tune in, I actually want to hear the Beatles, not some self-indulgent host talking about the Beatles,and in some cases playing music that wasn't even made by members of the Beatles, which is all-too often the case.

And lastly, the new weekend line-up is still very much similar to the old one, with some exceptions and new shows. This is experimentation with which I actually encourage, even if I may disagree with the difficult decisions that are the natural result of the process. These shows comprise of various distinctly American styles such as Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, Jazz, and others. A good example is the hard-to-miss named "Americana Matinee" show with Kat Griffin. Each of these shows plays the variety music noted which collectively represent "Americana" music it is commonly defined. So yes, the station is AAA/Americana as I referred to it, both before and after the changes.

 

[Buckethead]

"...so basically, AM Drive and Middays will be handled by guys with no full-time on-air experience, and weekend specialty shows have been given to two former newspaper writers who have no on-air experience at all?"

No kidding, who can make any sense of that?

Nothing says snoozeville like print music critics hosting radio shows.
Maybe these will be the exception?
One the plus side they gaurantee their own press coverage, so there's that consideration.

Why make a big stink about going after the local music community, then sticking some guy on at midnight on Sunday to do one hour of local music.
That's the slot Rodney got at KROQ when they shoved him away where nobody will hear it.

 

[goriajk]

For the record, there is a NO ELITISM sign in the control room of KCSN. We are not going to program what music critics think you are SUPPOSED to like--rather music you can like. I have been working on finding a fine balance between familiar and discovery. I aim for "inspired accessibility".

In the coming weeks you will hear more stationality--personalities during the week, imaging, new music intros. We will no longer be an endless shuffle of music. I have imparted the need for concise, friendly raps--no stentorian lecturing or long monologues about arcane trivia. Since I am going to do afternoon drive, I will walk that talk myself.

If you want a smart Adult Alternative station, then I hope you listen and offer feedback. My email is sky.daniels @csun.edu SKY, Joe Goria here. As One Big AAA Junkie, I've Taken Time To Listen To KCSN 88.5 and I can say it here - I DIG IT!!! I listened to KCSN, Radio Paradise and KFOG on consecutive days this week (July 09-16) and found myself listening to KCSN and lessening my tuning to RP. KFOG, However, has greatly improved in the last few weeks (They Got Dennis Constantine in PM Drive and Even That Jokester Dred Scott whom I got to meet a couple of times when he was down here at KSWD 'The Sound'). Ive been deviding my time between the three stations, on air and my iPhone Wunderradio app. Keep up the great work. Add more Cowboy Junkies and Neil for me =) Joe G

 

[goriajk]

SKY, Joe Goria here. As One Big AAA Junkie, I've Taken Time To Listen To KCSN 88.5 and I can say it here - I DIG IT!!! I listened to KCSN, Radio Paradise and KFOG on consecutive days this week (July 09-16) and found myself listening to KCSN and lessening my tuning to RP. KFOG, However, has greatly improved in the last few weeks (They Got Dennis Constantine in PM Drive and Even That Jokester Dred Scott whom I got to meet a couple of times when he was down here at KSWD 'The Sound'). Ive been deviding my time between the three stations, on air and my iPhone Wunderradio app. Keep up the great work. Add more Cowboy Junkies and Neil for me ;D Joe G

 

[Dick Skinner]

SKY, Joe Goria here. As One Big AAA Junkie, I've Taken Time To Listen To KCSN 88.5 and I can say it here - I DIG IT!!! I listened to KCSN, Radio Paradise and KFOG on consecutive days this week (July 09-16) and found myself listening to KCSN and lessening my tuning to RP. KFOG, However, has greatly improved in the last few weeks (They Got Dennis Constantine in PM Drive and Even That Jokester Dred Scott whom I got to meet a couple of times when he was down here at KSWD 'The Sound'). Ive been deviding my time between the three stations, on air and my iPhone Wunderradio app. Keep up the great work. Add more Cowboy Junkies and Neil for me ;D Joe G

Joe, you're swimming against the tide here. Most of the posters on this thread can only find fault with KCSN. But I concur: Sky's bringing the station into focus and I'm enjoying the direction he's taking. With planned signal upgrades and continued improvements in programming, KCSN will become a positive educational influence on the community and a must visit destination for musicians residing in and passing through L.A. At least, that's my take. So the cool guys can now feel free to pile on and tell Joe and me how unsophisticated and uncool we are.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

SKY, Joe Goria here. As One Big AAA Junkie, I've Taken Time To Listen To KCSN 88.5 and I can say it here - I DIG IT!!! I listened to KCSN, Radio Paradise and KFOG on consecutive days this week (July 09-16) and found myself listening to KCSN and lessening my tuning to RP. KFOG, However, has greatly improved in the last few weeks (They Got Dennis Constantine in PM Drive and Even That Jokester Dred Scott whom I got to meet a couple of times when he was down here at KSWD 'The Sound'). Ive been deviding my time between the three stations, on air and my iPhone Wunderradio app. Keep up the great work. Add more Cowboy Junkies and Neil for me ;D Joe G

Joe, you're swimming against the tide here. Most of the posters on this thread can only find fault with KCSN. But I concur: Sky's bringing the station into focus and I'm enjoying the direction he's taking. With planned signal upgrades and continued improvements in programming, KCSN will become a positive educational influence on the community and a must visit destination for musicians residing in and passing through L.A. At least, that's my take. So the cool guys can now feel free to pile on and tell Joe and me how unsophisticated and uncool we are.

I have only been able to tune in sporadically this weekend when I was on the road (which was mostly during the Les Parry Saturday Beatles Show) but I listened for quite a bit on Friday, and even though the new jocks were not on yet, it seems like the new music was already in place as I noted much more rock and much less acoustic coffee-shop dreck. And like you both, I found the mix to be much better. I will try to tune in as much as I can this week to see how the full launch with the new talent goes. So far, so good I say.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

>> Joe, you're swimming against the tide here. Most of the posters on this thread can only find fault with KCSN. But I concur: Sky's bringing the station into focus and I'm enjoying the direction he's taking. With planned signal upgrades and continued improvements in programming, KCSN will become a positive educational influence on the community and a must visit destination for musicians residing in and passing through L.A. At least, that's my take. So the cool guys can now feel free to pile on and tell Joe and me how unsophisticated and uncool we are.<<

There is no talk of a planned signal upgrade on their website, or anywhere else on the internet as far as I can tell. Their signal was upgraded to cover the westside several years ago, and that is generally considered the best they can do with the frequency. So do you know something we don't or just rah-rah-ing wherever you can (including making up facts)? Do you work for the station or on campus?

 

[Dick Skinner]

>> Joe, you're swimming against the tide here. Most of the posters on this thread can only find fault with KCSN. But I concur: Sky's bringing the station into focus and I'm enjoying the direction he's taking. With planned signal upgrades and continued improvements in programming, KCSN will become a positive educational influence on the community and a must visit destination for musicians residing in and passing through L.A. At least, that's my take. So the cool guys can now feel free to pile on and tell Joe and me how unsophisticated and uncool we are.<<

There is no talk of a planned signal upgrade on their website, or anywhere else on the internet as far as I can tell. Their signal was upgraded to cover the westside several years ago, and that is generally considered the best they can do with the frequency. So do you know something we don't or just rah-rah-ing wherever you can (including making up facts)? Do you work for the station or on campus?

Sorry you're not up on what's happening, Flapper. Too bad.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

Sorry you're not up on what's happening, Flapper. Too bad.

So you have no response to ChannelFlipper's note about the signal, huh? There's not much they can do about the signal while KSBR also occupies the same frequency.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

>> Joe, you're swimming against the tide here. Most of the posters on this thread can only find fault with KCSN. But I concur: Sky's bringing the station into focus and I'm enjoying the direction he's taking. With planned signal upgrades and continued improvements in programming, KCSN will become a positive educational influence on the community and a must visit destination for musicians residing in and passing through L.A. At least, that's my take. So the cool guys can now feel free to pile on and tell Joe and me how unsophisticated and uncool we are.<<

There is no talk of a planned signal upgrade on their website, or anywhere else on the internet as far as I can tell. Their signal was upgraded to cover the westside several years ago, and that is generally considered the best they can do with the frequency. So do you know something we don't or just rah-rah-ing wherever you can (including making up facts)? Do you work for the station or on campus?

Sorry you're not up on what's happening, Flapper. Too bad.

And now we know you're not either. Thanks for confirming that though!

 

[Skyboyrox]

As we move forward, there is a lot of work to do. We are continuing to focus and build out the library. The imaging needs a lot of work, finding the right balance of energy and subtlety. We have a couple of new, well-known hosts joining us in the next week or two.

I will say this, ChannelFlipper has his facts straight. Where there is a will, there is way...

 

[pjc1961]

Streaming audio is encoded separately and is only counted on the same line as the main signal if the audio program of both is a 100% match. In this case, as the station we're referring to is a non-commercial outlet, the 100% match is likely.

KFI's stream is estimated to have between 60,000-92,000 unique listeners per week over the last 6 ratings periods and gets a 0.2% share on its own. I'd suspect KCSN's is much less and would have little affect on their overall AQH share %.
KCSN's only appearance in the L.A. Arbitron ratings in 2011 was for February when they had a 0.1 share.

 

[Skyboyrox]

While we are not governed by Arbitron, the industry is. Radio, unlike TV or Film, has never, itself, acknowledged the need for more creative formats the way those two mediums do. Emmys honor cable fare like "Justified" and "Mad Men" while acknowledging that they are not expected to garner ratings of mainstream populist fare. Film, likewise, puts 'art house' films in their own context, acknowledging them for creativity.

The Radio industry values ratings. Period. There is no validation for aiming for a higher-common denominator.

I engage in these boards in an effort to be open and transparent. If you like what we are developing, we appreciate it. If you have valid and informed criticism, I put my ego aside and acknowledge it.

For KCSN, ratings will be the by-product of creating a radio station that generates passion from a considerable number of people. We aren't the beneficiaries of a million dollar launch (like many new formats in L.A. have been in recent years--count the number of digital billboards, TV spots and bus cards.) We don't have 50 vans and street team members.

We rely on word of mouth. From the listeners and the artist community. And from the readers of this board, who seem to possess a true interest in radio's well-being.

 

[goriajk]

Sky, Well Said. This Is Why I Donated To KCSN for the first time and last time I gave money was to KQED (Not too long ago, BTW) and KPCC (When It Had The AAA Format weeknights before MPR) Keep Up The Great Work, it's refreshing to hear Matthew Sweet and Neko Case together on the local radio again!!! ;D Joe G

 

[AM FM listener]

Sky, as a fan of AAA, I am glad to see the changes you are putting in place, piece-by-piece. The station needs someone like you to make it sound more professional. At this rate, I shall become a regular listener. Keep up the good work.