The Truth About Adult Standards

[doublecashkgb]

If you really dig into the NY style of artists who today are considered Adult Standard bearers, you
can easily see why the format has a hard time gaining traction on broadcast radio. Much of the
music is on the softer, sweeter, & Broadway side. Artists like Buble' are great but most of their product is simply updated versions of classics. Who needs another version of Night & Day or Mack The Knife?

The real problem is the depth of superstar artists & the span of 40-50 years since their prime work was done.
There are not 40 stars of standards. Only a dozen at most. Swing adds a lot to the format, but once again there are limited titles. I believe there really isn't a full standards format, only formats which play nostalgia music which includes standards and some swing, and others which attempt to evoke a swinging martini image but fall short due to the scarcity of deep tracks & innovative artists. I mean at some point Buble' & his ilk will work all the way through the great American songbook.

 

[oaktree]

I disagree. Only 40 "standards" artists? How about programmers who no little about the artists themselves and rely only on the top "catalogue" songs that were "huge hits?" That's one reason for the format sounding very stale and, well, "old."

Some who say, "Hmmm. THIS sure sounds like Standards" go the opposite way. Either too tight or too big. I listen to many standards stations and amazed how long I can go listening 28 songs deep into the Ella Fitzgerald or Mel Torme catalouge of, literally, hundreds of songs ... yet, hear the same top 6 Nat Cole, top 15 Sinatra, top 10 Dean Martin and top 15 Tony Bennett songs over and over and over...leaving quite a gap in "relevance" to what constitutes "popular standards" and mainly, Standards-for-the-sake-of-standards.

Incidentally, I can name 60 artists, at least, who more than contributed to the Standards formats ... not including the one or two hit wonders.

In fact, there's quite a composite list right here on line ... but I'm talking from a programming viewpoint of knowledge, not merely a list.

In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't come up with 100, easily.

And I agree about the Buble', Tyrell, Connick, Jones and Krall "bump" in the format. They "freshen" the format, but don't dominate it, nor should they.

Programmers need to go back and rely on the "sound" and the "texture," "familiarity," "longevity," and "feeling" of songs that audiences love ... not the same 399 songs over and over again.

Ask Chuck from KZQX. Or Ric Crandell at KEZW, or KAAM's Jan McCoy, or ... nah, not me, I'm a no one who just loves this format, worked this format and have hopes for this format on a local level.

Fortunately, I see it in many local markets.

Standards, again, is a misnomer when it comes to the all-important bottom-line ... it takes experience, commitment and "local, local, local" with people who live, eat and breathe a format such as this to an active "niche" format that doesn't have to be 75+.

I'd program it over "Hip Hop" any day of the week ... and twice on any day ending in "Y."

Let's see ... Ames, Bennett, Conniff, Denver ... that's 10 percent of your beginning. Let's see who can fill in another percentage of artists in order...

 

[Chuck]

I don't have the time or inclination to type out a list, but our file server identifies 429 individual artists that receive regular air play on our station. These are folders that contain anywhere from two or three songs to as much as a couple of hundred songs in the case of Frank Sinatra. That 429 number is not counting two additional files, one called “One Hit Wonders" which is about another 50-100 good songs from people who only made it big once. A second file is called "Uncataloged Music" which contains stuff we never thought was worth the trouble to catalog individually. It is several hundred songs, ranging from Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher" to The T-Bones, "No Matter What Shape Your Stomach Is In."

Yes Virginia, there are plenty of good songs out there to be played. The problem is most radio stations don't go to the trouble of finding them. Instead, they take the easy route and buy a package of 400 songs from a music service like TM Century and play them until all their listeners go brain dead.

 

[dbdigital]

" to The T-Bones, "No Matter What Shape Your Stomach Is In."

Ha, I was just listening to that album this morning on my iPod. The T-Bones later morphed into Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds and had a few hits in the 70's.

But the sad thing, of course, is that the only way I can hear this album (I bought the LP when it was first released) is on my own playback device. I'll never hear any of these cuts on radio...at least not in format-safe, take-no-chances Los Angeles where the album was originally recorded.

db

 

[Chuck]

" to The T-Bones, "No Matter What Shape Your Stomach Is In."

But the sad thing, of course, is that the only way I can hear this album (I bought the LP when it was first released) is on my own playback device. I'll never hear any of these cuts on radio...at least not in format-safe, take-no-chances Los Angeles where the album was originally recorded.

db

I guess you'll have to move to East Texas. We play it. There is always the Internet.

 

[dbdigital]

" to The T-Bones, "No Matter What Shape Your Stomach Is In."

But the sad thing, of course, is that the only way I can hear this album (I bought the LP when it was first released) is on my own playback device. I'll never hear any of these cuts on radio...at least not in format-safe, take-no-chances Los Angeles where the album was originally recorded.

db

I guess you'll have to move to East Texas. We play it. There is always the Internet.

Yeah, I need to check out your stream. What are your station's calls again?

As for moving to East TX, well, I've visited several areas in that great state but not the Gulf and not East Texas. Guess I'll have to grab the missus and head over that way someday.

db

 

[oaktree]

Or, let's share time...

Visit us in San Luis Obispo, right up 101 ... or, after you listen to Chuck's 492 artists and his great station in East Texas (not far from Tyler, the Rose Capital) check us out at http//www.fabulous1400.com as we launch our live & local format in just days...

 

[Chuck]

Yeah, I need to check out your stream. What are your station's calls again?

As for moving to East TX, well, I've visited several areas in that great state but not the Gulf and not East Texas. Guess I'll have to grab the missus and head over that way someday.

db

Just go to www.kzqx.com It should start playing. If not, click on the picture of the old radio in the upper right hand corner of the home page.

 

[4dude]

I love standards!!!!

Legends 770 and 990 are amazing!!

Here is the link to the stream should you have problems getting it to play upon visiting the site.

http://69.9.165.66:9020 (Paste into player to listen with WMP)

 

[dbdigital]

Or, let's share time...

Visit us in San Luis Obispo, right up 101 ... or, after you listen to Chuck's 492 artists and his great station in East Texas (not far from Tyler, the Rose Capital) check us out at http//www.fabulous1400.com as we launch our live & local format in just days...

The missus and I frequently go up to Morro Bay for a weekend. So I may take you up on the visit. In the meantime, I'll check out your website.

db

 

[dbdigital]

Yeah, I need to check out your stream. What are your station's calls again?

As for moving to East TX, well, I've visited several areas in that great state but not the Gulf and not East Texas. Guess I'll have to grab the missus and head over that way someday.

db

Just go to www.kzqx.com It should start playing. If not, click on the picture of the old radio in the upper right hand corner of the home page.

I couldn't get it to play, Chuck. I'm running Safari on an iMac.

BTW, in your vault of songs do you have "The Metropole" by Neal Hefti? It appears on the soundtrack album for the movie, "The Odd Couple" (was used in a very brief scene with Felix and Oscar in a strip joint). It's a wonderful piece of music and many MOR stations back in the late 60's put it in rotation.

db

 

[Chuck]

I couldn't get it to play, Chuck. I'm running Safari on an iMac.

BTW, in your vault of songs do you have "The Metropole" by Neal Hefti? It appears on the soundtrack album for the movie, "The Odd Couple" (was used in a very brief scene with Felix and Oscar in a strip joint). It's a wonderful piece of music and many MOR stations back in the late 60's put it in rotation.

db

I'm not sure why it isn't playing. I know that quite a few of our regular listeners are using a Mac. You did click on the picture of the old radio in the upper right hand corner? That link works with iTunes, Real Player, Music Match Jukebox, Winamp and a bunch of other players. I have iTunes on a PC and it works fine on that.

There is also an imbedded Microsoft Windows Media Player in the website, which on a PC launches when you go to the page. I'd be very surprised if that works on a Mac. I know it doesn't work in Linux.

I'm not a Mac guy, but I don't think Safari has anything to do with it. It's just a browser, isn't it? Whatever audio player you are using should be the determining factor. You can always download Winamp for free. There is a version for Mac's available at: http://www.tucows.com/preview/206623 The "basic version is all you need. Winamp works well and is not a resource hog.

And no, I don't have "The Metropole," but I'll look for it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dbdigital]

I couldn't get it to play, Chuck. I'm running Safari on an iMac.

BTW, in your vault of songs do you have "The Metropole" by Neal Hefti? It appears on the soundtrack album for the movie, "The Odd Couple" (was used in a very brief scene with Felix and Oscar in a strip joint). It's a wonderful piece of music and many MOR stations back in the late 60's put it in rotation.

db

I'm not sure why it isn't playing. I know that quite a few of our regular listeners are using a Mac. You did click on the picture of the old radio in the upper right hand corner? That link works with iTunes, Real Player, Music Match Jukebox, Winamp and a bunch of other players. I have iTunes on a PC and it works fine on that.

There is also an imbedded Microsoft Windows Media Player in the website, which on a PC launches when you go to the page. I'd be very surprised if that works on a Mac. I know it doesn't work in Linux.

I'm not a Mac guy, but I don't think Safari has anything to do with it. It's just a browser, isn't it? Whatever audio player you are using should be the determining factor. You can always download Winamp for free. There is a version for Mac's available at: http://www.tucows.com/preview/206623 The "basic version is all you need. Winamp works well and is not a resource hog.

And no, I don't have "The Metropole," but I'll look for it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Your web stream wasn't working on my iMac but it does work on another Mac desktop I have (through iTunes), and yes in both cases I clicked on the "radio".

Sounds like your broadcasting a local sports event at the moment. Will check back later when you have some music.

db

 

[Chuck]

Your web stream wasn't working on my iMac but it does work on another Mac desktop I have (through iTunes), and yes in both cases I clicked on the "radio".

Sounds like your broadcasting a local sports event at the moment. Will check back later when you have some music.

db

You probably tuned in while Kilgore College Football was on the air. That is an important part of being "local" and it also pays quite a few bills.

I don't know why your iMac doesn't like the stream. I guess you should have that conversation with Apple, since it works on your older Mac. Anyway, thanks for tuning in. Like most radio stations, we may take some "getting used to," but I hope you will like what you hear when you get there.

 

[doublecashkgb]

If you're discussing non-commercial, listener supported stations fine, but thats apples and oranges.
The low power ratio of the format is the real culprit in major markets. Red 104 didn't last
long, and some of the more successful FM "Standards" stations are really more soft AC. Martini in the morning has been attempting to do something on the web but its very dificult.

 

[Chuck]

If you're discussing non-commercial, listener supported stations fine, but thats apples and oranges.
The low power ratio of the format is the real culprit in major markets. Red 104 didn't last
long, and some of the more successful FM "Standards" stations are really more soft AC. Martini in the morning has been attempting to do something on the web but its very dificult.

The format's future may be in the non-commercial world. I believe it has a broader appeal than Classical, and would blend well with a station that also does "real jazz." I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for classical music stations to flip formats though. Usually their audiences tend to rule the station with a death grip on the purse strings. For Classical formats, there may not be a lot of listeners, but those who do choose it are often people with very deep pockets. A noncom Standards station may have more general appeal, but there may be fewer listeners who will pony up during a pledge drive. Those stations will probably have to depend on underwriting, which can work fine.

I agree that a big problem is that the format is frequently found on a 250 - 1000 watt AM graveyard station that can barely be received in their City of License. It takes an unusual and dedicated owner to make that scenario work, but it can be done. Still, you won't get rich. Unfortunately, no large corporation is going to take a chance and put this format on a 100 KW FM station in a major market. If you just paid the kind of money it takes to buy something like that, you are unlikely to be attracted to a format that traditionally sells spots for $5-10 a pop. The economics simply aren't there. On the other hand, it might be a good gamble for a modest power rim shot. If you owned such a facility, there is no point in copying what ten other stations in your market are already doing well at full power. You might as well try something different.

I happened to spend several days in St. Louis when Red was on the air. I listened a lot during my visit. I don't think signal strength was a problem. It came in well enough wherever I was.

I really wanted to like that station. For some reason (play-list, mostly) I just couldn't get into it. Although I have very wide musical tastes, there was something wrong. I wish I could tell you what. I think that perhaps Red took itself too seriously. It was a good try, and I'm sorry it didn't work. Unfortunately, one failure in what is a small industry tends to keep others from trying anything even remotely similar. There is just too much money at stake. Such is life.

 

[vchimpanzee]

If you really dig into the NY style of artists who today are considered Adult Standard bearers, you
can easily see why the format has a hard time gaining traction on broadcast radio. Much of the
music is on the softer, sweeter, & Broadway side. Artists like Buble' are great but most of their product is simply updated versions of classics. Who needs another version of Night & Day or Mack The Knife?

The real problem is the depth of superstar artists & the span of 40-50 years since their prime work was done.
There are not 40 stars of standards. Only a dozen at most. Swing adds a lot to the format, but once again there are limited titles. I believe there really isn't a full standards format, only formats which play nostalgia music which includes standards and some swing, and others which attempt to evoke a swinging martini image but fall short due to the scarcity of deep tracks & innovative artists. I mean at some point Buble' & his ilk will work all the way through the great American songbook.

I read an article, which I don't know whether I could find an online version of to share, which said Bruce Hornsby disagreed with Rod Stewart and others recording these songs. He said that was just a gimmick, something to be done for money. Hornsby, on the other hand, is doing the same thing but in a more artistic sense, whatever that means.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I disagree. Only 40 "standards" artists? How about programmers who no little about the artists themselves and rely only on the top "catalogue" songs that were "huge hits?" That's one reason for the format sounding very stale and, well, "old."

Some who say, "Hmmm. THIS sure sounds like Standards" go the opposite way. Either too tight or too big. I listen to many standards stations and amazed how long I can go listening 28 songs deep into the Ella Fitzgerald or Mel Torme catalouge of, literally, hundreds of songs ... yet, hear the same top 6 Nat Cole, top 15 Sinatra, top 10 Dean Martin and top 15 Tony Bennett songs over and over and over...leaving quite a gap in "relevance" to what constitutes "popular standards" and mainly, Standards-for-the-sake-of-standards.

Incidentally, I can name 60 artists, at least, who more than contributed to the Standards formats ... not including the one or two hit wonders.

In fact, there's quite a composite list right here on line ... but I'm talking from a programming viewpoint of knowledge, not merely a list.

In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't come up with 100, easily.

And I agree about the Buble', Tyrell, Connick, Jones and Krall "bump" in the format. They "freshen" the format, but don't dominate it, nor should they.

Programmers need to go back and rely on the "sound" and the "texture," "familiarity," "longevity," and "feeling" of songs that audiences love ... not the same 399 songs over and over again.

Ask Chuck from KZQX. Or Ric Crandell at KEZW, or KAAM's Jan McCoy, or ... nah, not me, I'm a no one who just loves this format, worked this format and have hopes for this format on a local level.

Fortunately, I see it in many local markets.

Standards, again, is a misnomer when it comes to the all-important bottom-line ... it takes experience, commitment and "local, local, local" with people who live, eat and breathe a format such as this to an active "niche" format that doesn't have to be 75+.

I'd program it over "Hip Hop" any day of the week ... and twice on any day ending in "Y."

Let's see ... Ames, Bennett, Conniff, Denver ... that's 10 percent of your beginning. Let's see who can fill in another percentage of artists in order...

One more thing. My Dial Global affiliate still uses station IDs recorded in their Unforgettable Favorites days. They say they play songs you know. Actually, Dial Global must have added a bunch of songs because I'm all the time hearing songs--good songs--I never heard. Which is a good thing.

 

[oaktree]

You'd be very surprised if you knew why that library was just expanded.

I know. I was there when the words were spoken.

 

[publisher]

You'd be very surprised if you knew why that library was just expanded.

I know. I was there when the words were spoken.

Don't keep us in suspense - what gives? I have noticed the Dial Global format seems to be relying less on soft rock and pop. But I also think Timeless has taken a slight turn back toward more toward the chestnuts -- but it could be just because I heard Johnny Mathis while in the car yesterday.