I was thinking that it is interesting, there not being a call for softer music among the general(salable)adult audience. I don't mean B/EZ or anything like that but rather the modern day equivalent of James Taylor etc. It isn't like there isn't hit product from the last 30 years or that it isn't being played but it's mixed in with everything else. People used to want a place to relax and I wonder what happened to that desire. You'd think that there would be a sizable audience for just the softer side, composed of ballads and the somewhat bouncy. I almost hate to ask this question in this particular section because I may be preaching to the choir but does anyone have a thought as to why?
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Softer Music for 25-54
- Thread starter semoochie
- Start date
It beats me... I try to do it with an odd (but listenable) mix of Standards and Oldies. As you would expect, it appeals to an older audience, but I'm constantly surprised at the number of "thirty something" folks who tell me they listen too. The ratings don't usually acknowledge those listeners, but our sponsors tell me that these younger listeners do respond to their ads. They are pleasantly surprised to find younger people coming in their doors as a result of their spots. They must be listening.
My programming formula is pretty simple: The song needs to be memorable enough that you can hum or whistle a little bit of it after you hear it. It is best if it makes you start tapping your toes, and even better if you want to sing along. Almost always, the song was a hit in its day. Happy songs are greatly favored over sad or depressing songs. Past that, anything goes. It doesn't matter when the song originated. A good song is a good song.
For some reason, these songs seem to be harder to find when you get past the 1990's. Sure, they exist, but not in the quantity they used to. Maybe I'm overlooking something.
My programming formula is pretty simple: The song needs to be memorable enough that you can hum or whistle a little bit of it after you hear it. It is best if it makes you start tapping your toes, and even better if you want to sing along. Almost always, the song was a hit in its day. Happy songs are greatly favored over sad or depressing songs. Past that, anything goes. It doesn't matter when the song originated. A good song is a good song.
For some reason, these songs seem to be harder to find when you get past the 1990's. Sure, they exist, but not in the quantity they used to. Maybe I'm overlooking something.
I have been mixing Soft AC from the 60s - 90s with very selected new tracks from the AC chart on my online station at OasisRadio.US... Stuff like Phillip Phillips, and even some stuff that is more upbeat but lacking heavy guitars or rap like Justin Timberlake or certain Bruno Mars songs. I think this current stuff gels better with the 70s/80s soft AC then Standards... I started off the station with a Soft AC/Standards mix, and just didn't care how it sounded, so started to tweak things and replaced the Standards category with a "Modern" category, with music from 2000 and Newer with selective new currents added. My response has been very good and listenership is constantly rising... I think the Standards turn off the majority of listeners under 50, while playing this newer music hooks listeners who were not familliar with the 70s/80s AC that gets little play on the air anymore.
Here is the last 10 songs played:
10:49:11 The Bee Gees - Emotions
10:46:16 The Monkees - A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You
10:42:21 Captain & Tennille - Do the to me one more time
10:42:06 Justin Timberlake - Mirrors
10:36:41 Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before
10:31:41 Foreigner - I wanna know what love isi
10:27:40 Olivia Newton John - Suddenly (with Cliff Richard)
10:23:40 Kylie Minogue - Outta My Head
10:20:21 Bellamy Brothers - Dancing Cowboys
10:16:01 The Police - Every Breath You Take
Here is the last 10 songs played:
10:49:11 The Bee Gees - Emotions
10:46:16 The Monkees - A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You
10:42:21 Captain & Tennille - Do the to me one more time
10:42:06 Justin Timberlake - Mirrors
10:36:41 Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before
10:31:41 Foreigner - I wanna know what love isi
10:27:40 Olivia Newton John - Suddenly (with Cliff Richard)
10:23:40 Kylie Minogue - Outta My Head
10:20:21 Bellamy Brothers - Dancing Cowboys
10:16:01 The Police - Every Breath You Take
mbatchelor said:
Samatha Sang did "Emotion" with backup vocals from Barry Gibb. May I also suggest the following:
Force M.D.s - Tender Love
Brenda Russell - So Good So Right, When I give My Love To You (w/ Michael Franks), Piano In The Dark
Natalie Cole - Our Love, A Little Bit O' Heaven; tracks from the "Unforgettable With Love" album.
mbatchelor said:
That's a nice mix. I'd listen.
But I'm 57.
To win a demo, aim for the center. That's 39 and a half.
That person was born in 1974, graduated high school in 1992 and college in 1996.
They were raised on rhythm. Apart from R&B ballads (props to whoever suggested Force MDs), they don't have mellow music as part of their background. We Boomers had a bunch of it, especially because of the whole singer-songwriter thing.
But right now, your class of '92 Mom isn't looking for this brand of mellow. Not enough of them at the same time to make a difference in ratings, anyway.
I wouldn't. I'm 52.michael hagerty said:
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