The Groove

[Interstate 78]

Regarding this new smooth jazz station in Mims, Florida (WGRU Groove 840 AM), how are they able to get away using the name "Groove" when just down the road, you've got this small network of smooth jazz stations called "The Groove Radio" http://www.thegroove.org/ Or is this new station "The Groove Radio's" latest affiliate? It would make sense since the Groove network's coverage area cuts off just before Mims, Florida. Anyone know more about this new 840 AM?

 

[Bill Harmonic]

I looked on the Groove's website (www.thegroove.org) and saw nothing to indicate they had expanded to AM but also checked further and found something on 840AM that had the Groove's logo attached to it. I'd take the bet that they are related.

 

[AC Tones]

The guy that runs "The Groove" down there in Florida does a decent job. I trolled his playlist a few months ago, and he is staying current and plays a good number of Indies. Financially, I am not quite sure how he does it without losing money, though. I know he has a group of low power FM frequencies...was not aware of the AM one. I know the LPFM guys (community, not for profit radio) operate under a different set of rules than the big terrestrial brothers, but STILL, operating costs to maintain that station cannot be cheap.

 

[AnotherCat]

The guy t hat runs The Groove does a decent job. Independent does not, however, necessarily mean innovative. Approach is very traditional - Plays a lot of indie music but still sticks to singles and focuses on relaxation, doesn't seem to go back with the music for but a few years. . The original station started out as a top 40/rhythmic but when the full time station that was on there for a year or so switched to rock he flipped his station to Smooth Jazz. He came out of CHR and seems to have been influenced by old school CHR 'tude a la Randy Michaels and Randy Kabrich - estabish a power base and push everyone else out of the way in the process. Not much smooth jazz background, although he did claim in RnR to have started the smooth jazz scene in a market that had actually had a thriving radio and live music scene for over 15 years.. ???

You have to be impressed by someone who has managed to raise the funds to do what he has done but we have to be very watchful of anyone who wants to establish a power base and push others out of the way so they can take over more and more territory. Right now we are rising from the ashes created by the last ones who did that...we can't afford to go up in flames again.

I have had several encounters with the guy because I have been doing some work for a promoter in that market and I program the brunch show there. Seems to have his heart in the right place for the most part but we need to be creating community and supporting each other right now, not playing "one who dies with the most toys wins." So 80s..

 

[1316wwood]

Love Florida. Love smooth jazz. Love the idea of "the groove." But in 2009/2010, how can anything "groove" on am radio?

Just wondering. Are they streaming? Best of luck.

 

[AC Tones]

Interesting background, Cat. Obviously being a local, you have intimate knowledge about this station. I was unaware of its history, only that it is operating under LPFM licensing. I just took a quick look at the guy's playlist, and it looked decent at first glance. But I will say that the donation/pledge requests (dollarwise) border on the absurd. The station has to be well-funded to stay afloat---how, I am not entirely sure.

 

[AnotherCat]

Melbourne and the surrounding area, the "space coast" have some big money retirees living in the area. I get the feeling there are some big donors. The station's LPFM license lists it as an educational facility...