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Survey Shows Gen-Z Not Listening To Radio

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Exactly my point. CHR's, at least from my teen years and up, never focused on teens and were willing to figure it out once they became salable. Not that some operators might not have been forward thinking, but it certainly wasn’t many of them.


What also happened between the early 80’s, when CHR's were still posting their hitlists in high schools and the end of the decade, when I started, was that the big box retailers came in and pushed the local businesses in similar areas out. The end happened quickly for the local mom and pop shops. The local five and dime, which was still around when I entered junior high, was gone by the time I started high school. Same with the electronic store about a half mile from my house that I occasionally walked to in order to check out the video game selection. The clothing store lasted a little longer and survived until after I graduated high school, but it was gone by the time I finished college. The local electronics store might want to advertise to teens. Same with the clothing store and the five and dime. The big box retailers, however, bought radio sparingly if they bought at all. Today, the shopping center where the clothing store was is a Walmart Neighborhood Market, a Whataburger, and a Panda Express. The strip mall a mile away that had the electronic store, a neighborhood pharmacy, a local automotive supply, a pizza joint, a similarly-themed Mexican restaurant, and a comic shop is blighted and mostly empty today. It might still have a massage parlor and a bar, but even Dollar General, which moved into the pizza parlor's spot after it closed, couldn’t make that location work. The Wendy's on the outlot, too, packed up and left years ago. I think a donut shop is there now. The outlot also had a Blockbuster video 30 years ago. It's now a liquor store. The only business in that area that was around in the early 80’s is the McDonald's on the corner. The five and dime is now a plant and garden center. Only the plant and garden center and the McDonald's are likely to use radio today, and McDonald's isn’t on the radio like it was before the Great Recession.
There were plenty of zit creme ads, but there were also car dealers ("That Merolis what a great great guuyyy!) grocery stores (Farmer Jack Saving Time) in the case of CKLW, and those weren't targeting teens. There was still "housewife time" with a little mellower playlist before the teens got home. Years before I had ever heard the word "daypart" if I was home sick from school or we had the day off for weather, professional days, etc, that I would perceive the music wouldn't be as good (to my then-ears) as other times on The Big 8.
 
As Michael said; calling music that is written and performed by African American artists 'Thugs', or thuggery is sending the opposite message.
And you don't see how the term can be interpreted?
I think that his use of the term in the manner in which he employed it simply shows a lack of understanding of contemporary culture. He picked a term he thought had a generic meaning but without an understanding of its real "street" significance.

Again, I am reminded of the movie scene of the white woman in "Airplane!" does the "I can speak jive" scene with the Black passengers.

 
The label. Which during the day, were white-run.
Then Pat Boone (and others) should not be taken to task for not doing something which they had no control over. And I don't understand your accusation of "white washing" unless you have specific proof that Boone erased or changed credits.

Back in the day every business except those in virtually pure Black neighborhoods were white-owned and there sure weren't many, if any, Black owned corporations. Blacks were then going through almost exactly what other cultures (Irish, Italian, German etc.) had gone through in becoming executives and owners of bigger businesses. And although it seems Blacks (and American Indians) got the worst kinds of racism all those groups suffered to a degree. It seems to be the one common experience when two cultures meet.
But artists like Janis Joplin, The Beatles, and to an extent; Elvis, went out of their way to give Black artists and writers credit, in spite of being discouraged by doing so from record labels. Pat Boone could have too, but instead he essentially white-washed the facts.
I have no idea how much Elvis or Janis did or didn't do but I know I have never heard any of their rock songs sounding anything like their original Black performers. Not criticizing, just observing. And I will admit I do not have the industry's biggest exposure as I was not a big Elvis fan (beautiful voice but not my favorite music) and couldn't stand Janis (talentless screamer for the most part).

The Beatles frequently acknowledged they considered their rock roots to be largely the Black music culture however they grew up and lived in Britain which was then quite different from most of the USA. You'd have to look at the Apple label to tell what was or was not considered or done back then.
 
So in other words; you can't possibly be racist, because you know a lot of Black people and your first wife was Hispanic? As Michael said; calling music that is written and performed by African American artists 'Thugs', or thuggery is sending the opposite message.

Nobody is recommending you must listen to popular music today, nor is anyone forcing yourself to like it. I don't like country music personally, but would never come on here and make the claim nobody else should because it's trash. Nor would I claim that anyone who enjoys country is a hick, because saying so would be simply untrue and intolerant.
Thanks for the benefit of the doubt from this country music fan. I could use it after seeing for the first time earlier today the awful video (and the lyrics aren't much better) for Jason Aldean's latest single, which is one loud dog whistle from beginning to end.
 
There were plenty of zit creme ads, but there were also car dealers ("That Merolis what a great great guuyyy!) grocery stores (Farmer Jack Saving Time) in the case of CKLW, and those weren't targeting teens. There was still "housewife time" with a little mellower playlist before the teens got home. Years before I had ever heard the word "daypart" if I was home sick from school or we had the day off for weather, professional days, etc, that I would perceive the music wouldn't be as good (to my then-ears) as other times on The Big 8.
True. And Bill Drake was a big believer in mass-appeal radio: If a Top 40 station can appeal to 12-49, then it should.

Chuck Blore was the same way. KFWB had Elliot Field in afternoon drive---not talking about the high school games, but playing a "Sinatra for Sufferin' Secretaries" every afternoon a few minutes after five---timed for them to be in their cars on the way home. 'WB also had Bill Ballance in evenings---not a teen jock, but a 40-year-old man when "Color Radio" launched---an old guy with a vocabulary that would have you reaching for a thesaurus every other break.

But there were PDs, mostly Buzz Bennett and his acolytes (Jerry Clifton and Gerry Peterson among the most prominent), who believed that the key to winning as a Top 40 station was dominance in teens.

Peterson, about to move from PD at WRKO to PD at KHJ, went so far as to tell R&R "You can't program Top 40 radio to people 25-49":



Peterson lasted a year at KHJ. Michael Spears, who programmed to 12-49, had a four-year run as PD at KFRC.
 
Thanks for the benefit of the doubt from this country music fan. I could use it after seeing for the first time earlier today the awful video (and the lyrics aren't much better) for Jason Aldean's latest single, which is one loud dog whistle from beginning to end.
I have a response to that song and video, but the board software would censor every last word.
 
So in other words; you can't possibly be racist, because you know a lot of Black people and your first wife was Hispanic? As Michael said; calling music that is written and performed by African American artists 'Thugs', or thuggery is sending the opposite message.
I didn't say I knew a lot of Black people. Quit putting words in my mouth. As far as the wife comment - I was just giving an example of how much race doesn't matter to me. Since we've never met how would you like me to express that?

And I also did not say "music performed by African-American artists" was thuggery. I specifically confined my comments to rap (which I do not consider music in any form) and knowing I may be unintentionally condemning a little sliver of "good rap" I stand by my comment. Rap is nothing more than hate messages for youths.

Which brings to mind a question: If there is such a thing as "good" rap, positive vs negative, why is it never played on the various CCM outlets?
Nobody is recommending you must listen to popular music today, nor is anyone forcing yourself to like it. I don't like country music personally, but would never come on here and make the claim nobody else should because it's trash. Nor would I claim that anyone who enjoys country is a hick, because saying so would be simply untrue and intolerant.
Neither did I tell anyone not to listen to whatever they like. I simply gave my reasons for not listening to it.

As for Country, I criticized the current music and not its listeners.
And you don't see how the term can be interpreted?
How would I? I've never been a "street" person or hung out with them. I don't speak their language nor observe their customs nor have their rage or lack of responsibility. I've spent my entire adult life on my career and raising my family. I just became an empty nester less than one year ago so now I have the time to spend in frivolous discussions with my peers about all manner of subjects. However, it is obviously a waste of time trying multiple attempts to get someone to understand.

Since you obviously continue to weaponize discussions with me I am blocking you and not respond any further. We have nothing more to discuss.
 
And I also did not say "music performed by African-American artists" was thuggery.
If they stay close enough to white.
I specifically confined my comments to rap (which I do not consider music in any form) and knowing I may be unintentionally condemning a little sliver of "good rap" I stand by my comment. Rap is nothing more than hate messages for youths.
Except it is a great deal more than that. It is often raw, emotional and speaking of experiences you want to pretend don't exist. Just like every other kind of music. Sometimes it has novelty elements, just like every other kind of music. Sometimes it's light and airy, just like every other kind of music.
 
Since you obviously continue to weaponize discussions with me I am blocking you and not respond any further. We have nothing more to discuss.
I'm merely discussing and responding, and trying to understand a perspective that appears nothing more than intolerant. After all; that's why they call it a discussion board. Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable, or things pointed out fall too close to home, doesn't make it a weapon.
Also believe running away from the discussion could be considered 'cowardice'.
 
As much as I have always cringed upon hearing a Pat Boone "rock" cover, I've been thinking about it and decided it might not be his doing. He was a successful '50s Pop singer and rock-n-roll came along. He had a contract and as part of the contract, was probably told what he would and would not sing! He could have rebelled but might have been sued and had his career destroyed! At the time, it wouldn't seem to be worth the risk for what appeared to be a passing fad.

Semoochie, that was a solid point. Thank you for stating what I should have.
 
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And I also did not say "music performed by African-American artists" was thuggery. I specifically confined my comments to rap (which I do not consider music in any form) and knowing I may be unintentionally condemning a little sliver of "good rap" I stand by my comment. Rap is nothing more than hate messages for youths.

I've never been a "street" person or hung out with them. I don't speak their language nor observe their customs nor have their rage or lack of responsibility.

Wow. There's a lot to unpack there.

There was a time in my life when I didn't "get" "rap music." Growing up in an all white small town, I didn't have a lot of exposure to the culture that birthed hip hop. That changed. One of the college radio stations I worked at played hip hop back when it was still relatively new (early 80s) and was a club DJ and spun quite a few "rap" records after that. A few years later I was working at rhythmic CHR stations, playing plenty of hip hop, R&B, and freestyle records. I met a number of hip hop artists, and even emceed a few shows you might consider to be "rap."

I was never a "street" person either (huge dog whistle there), but have hung out with a lot of them. I learned a few things along the way. One was that if you want to be accepted in that community, you can't be fake. I was a white guy from a small town, and never tried to "speak their language" like a lot of folks do. You don't need to. Just be yourself. I was accepted because I didn't try to front.

Another thing I learned was that "rap" is not "hate messages for youths." I'd direct you to check out something like Guru's Jazzmatazz Vol II album, but I suspect it would be lost upon you.

As for your "rage and lack of responsibility" statement, I'm not sure I can even respond. As (again) a white guy from a small town, I cannot speak for my friends...and yes, "I have black friends." And family members. I think I'll leave it there.
 
I didn't get up at 4 this morning intending to defend Landtuna and Pat Boone, and yet here I am.

I think the first mistake everyone who wasn't there at the time makes is thinking of Pat Boone as the overly earnest but slightly smug grown man telling us to all drink milk.

View attachment 5335


Pat Boone was a 21-year-old kid who just landed a contract at Dot Records the year before. Dot's co-founder and president, Randy Wood, was a big fan of clean-cut Southern boys doing wholesome-bordering-on-cringe material (see: Martindale, Wink "Deck of Cards", 1959---which was a cover of a T. Texas Tyler hit from 1948).

Randy saw that there was music with hit potential that was getting recorded and released but not played on the radio, except on what were then called "Race Music" stations. Not just in the South---everywhere. It was 1955.

So Randy dipped a toe in the water---had Pat record "Two Hearts", which only charted R&B for Otis Williams and the Charms the year before. Pat managed #16 on the pop chart.

Next, Randy had Pat cut a cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't It A Shame" (the actual title of Fats' version), called "Ain't That A Shame". Fats got to #10 with his. Pat was #1.

And it was off to the races from there, because of course Randy said "let's make more!"

A dispassionate look, though, shows it wasn't long and it wasn't huge---Pat only managed #7 with The Eldorados "At My Front Door" (they got to #17). The Five Keys actually beat Pat with "Gee Whittakers"---they made it to #14, Pat only got as far as #19.

And it went on with some hits and some near-misses for most of 1956, after which white American teens were figuring it out and demanding the real deal. Also, the original artists were having some fun with Pat. Little Richard famously wrote "Long Tall Sally" at such a tempo and with so many words just to make it hard for Pat Boone to sing---knowing there'd be a cover version.

By 1957, Pat was on to stuff like "Love Letters in the Sand" and "April Love". He was 23.

Blame Randy Wood. Blame America in 1955 and 1956 for being so scared of Black music (as opposed to pop music recorded by artists who were Black) that we wouldn't put it on major radio stations.

And yeah, Pat profited, turned into a pop culture joke and fathered Debby Boone, which inflicted "You Light Up My Life" on an unsuspecting world. But I'm not sure we can blame him for those 1950s cover records.
Excellent explanation-I learned a lot from this!
 
There were plenty of zit creme ads, but there were also car dealers ("That Merolis what a great great guuyyy!) grocery stores (Farmer Jack Saving Time) in the case of CKLW, and those weren't targeting teens.

I don’t remember any of my local top-40 stations airing zit cream ads during local programming, but they certainly did during syndicated shows. Then again, one could reasonably make the case that 18-34 adults need zit cream occasionally. I still get an occasional zit at 48. I don’t think that ever completely goes away.

There was still "housewife time" with a little mellower playlist before the teens got home.

We were doing that still in ‘01 and ‘02. For us, it was about making us acceptable in an office environment. The last thing we wanted to do was have our listeners go to the less edgy heritage CHR during working hours because we knew they might not come back when they left the office.
 
I don’t remember any of my local top-40 stations airing zit cream ads during local programming, but they certainly did during syndicated shows. Then again, one could reasonably make the case that 18-34 adults need zit cream occasionally. I still get an occasional zit at 48. I don’t think that ever completely goes away.

In L.A. in the 70s, Clearasil, Oxy10, Phisohex and Stridex were Top 40 ad staples, along with hair products like the Dry Look and Protein 21, and Certs breath mints.
 
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