Songs played on stations that aren't really smooth jazz

[AC Tones]

Until consistent, reliable broadband comes to car radios, I'll miss NAC/SJ on the radio. While listening on-line is better than no exposure to the format....in a busy, mobile society...we're not always tied to a computer.

I agree that poor programming (music selection, rotation specifics, blending, etc.) has really hurt this excellent format.

But, as an ex-jock/PD of 2 decades, and a radio sales person for the past 2 decades...I blame the skill set of salepeople and station revenue expectations for the rather steep, unfortunate decline of smooth jazz.

The format has never been a mainstream format....and expecting mainstream revenues is ridiculous and foolish.

So, blame poor, inconsistent programming, poor sales techinique, and unrealistic revenue expectations for the decline of NAC/SJ. It's a real shame.

Could not have said it any better myself, Tim. I have contended repeatedly on this board (and have been flamed by radio "smart guys" for my stance) that the solution for this format is quite simple: play good music, market the product to sophisticated/mature listeners who have an appreciation for the finer things in life, and have realistic expectations for listenership and generating advertising revenue. And one biggie I forgot to mention? LOW OVERHEAD. The Internet affords us low cost delivery of the product, and as you said, once mobile data plans are more available and affordable (it's coming, trust me---my listeners are now streaming the station in their cars with IPhones and Droids and LOVE IT), this discussion will be moot.

I believe your assessment of the decline of this format is spot on. So how do we turn things around? In the words and spirit of George Costanza on Seinfeld, we must "do the opposite." ;D

 

[AnotherCat]

market the product to sophisticated/mature listeners who have an appreciation for the finer things in life, and have realistic expectations for listenership and generating advertising revenue.

One thing we must do is abandon elitism. Real people love this music when they hear it and putting it on this pedestal where it is preserved and presented only for the "sophisticated and upscale" does a great disservice to the music and the people who create it. I have seen too many instances of people stumbling upon it in a live, casual setting and getting totally hooked. All kinds of people - young, old, upscale, downscale, PhDs and GEDs. They should be welcomed.

This is not 1987. People's values are shifting away from conspicuous consumption and image cultivation either because they are being downsized and can't do it anymore or they are seeking more autnenticity in their lives, or both. Time to acknowlege this cultural shift too. At its best this music is entertaining and uplifting. It is also new, fresh music created by and for adults but (at its best) not anchored to the past. Also after over 10 years of hearing the same songs over and over on the shrinking playlists in all formats they are ripe for something fresh when it is presented as approachable.

If it helps sell a client then go ahead and profile it as delivering a "sophisticated" audience but what we need to do is take it out of the gated community and put it on Main Street - which we literally did in Jacksonville for the festival last year and you shoulda seen the results!
Like this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y1uxZuI7o4

 

[AC Tones]

Cat, I think you read a little too much into my definition of "mature/sophisticated" listeners. My definition is not of the literal sense that we all have to drive expensive cars and own a million dollar home. If Audi and BMW drivers want to listen, all the better. We'd love to have them. But I was speaking more in broad terms of what "value" listeners put on this music, and whether they consider it merely pleasing background music or are genuinely interested in who the artists are, want to go out and buy their CDs, and want to see them perform live. The "sophisticated" listeners are the ones who send me e-mails repeatedly wondering what cuts played at what times because they REALLY listen to the song and get into this music. There are other listeners that I believe are generally apathetic towards this genre, and at best, view it merely as nice background music.

You can have an appreciation for the "finer" things in life and not be a millionaire. It means an appreciation for the arts, good food, good music, good entertainment, travel, etc. You can have these passions but you don't have to spend $250 at Ruth's Chris every night. I certainly can't afford to do that. But getting to know my listeners over the last 18 months and meeting a number of folks at live events, I can say that most if not all enjoy or aspire to enjoy "the good life," even though they can't really afford to live like a movie star.