There could be a sign for Smooth Jazz to come back

[CCEX]

There are so many reasons that Smooth Jazz will not make a comeback ... billings at KOAI sucked. There were several senior reps working there that did have the best agencies and accounts. We would end the week with low-cost DR spots to fill the log so DOS Richard F. could justify to David Henry that we did everything possible. After Richard was blown out and Sarah F. was brought in (along with a new LSM with no experience) the writing was on the wall. We fought daily with I-Net. The perception was that KOAI served the African-American audience. We pushed the "phantom cume" issue. Cadillac was a major advertiser. The Dallas Boat Show folks were very pleased with their first buy in many years. Car dealers and nightclubs were the mainstay. Smooth Jazz was a tough sell. If another station has the balls to try it again they will fight an uphill battle with little success.

DOS Richard is back at Susquehana/Cumulus. LSM Skip B. has taken an A.E. position at ABC/Citadel. The writing was on the wall as soon as Richard was let go. CBS was going to flip the format. The bottom line is that Smooth Jazz will not make a comeback. There isn't a day that goes by that I am asked about that very issue. Unless someone can convince Cameron Smith to run a jazz format, we will have to settle for the CBS HD version of the Oasis or the UNT non-com.

 

[salemjedi54]

There are so many reasons that Smooth Jazz will not make a comeback ... billings at KOAI sucked. There were several senior reps working there that did have the best agencies and accounts. We would end the week with low-cost DR spots to fill the log so DOS Richard F. could justify to David Henry that we did everything possible. After Richard was blown out and Sarah F. was brought in (along with a new LSM with no experience) the writing was on the wall. We fought daily with I-Net. The perception was that KOAI served the African-American audience. We pushed the "phantom cume" issue. Cadillac was a major advertiser. The Dallas Boat Show folks were very pleased with their first buy in many years. Car dealers and nightclubs were the mainstay. Smooth Jazz was a tough sell. If another station has the balls to try it again they will fight an uphill battle with little success.

DOS Richard is back at Susquehana/Cumulus. LSM Skip B. has taken an A.E. position at ABC/Citadel. The writing was on the wall as soon as Richard was let go. CBS was going to flip the format. The bottom line is that Smooth Jazz will not make a comeback. There isn't a day that goes by that I am asked about that very issue. Unless someone can convince Cameron Smith to run a jazz format, we will have to settle for the CBS HD version of the Oasis or the UNT non-com.

That perception was because of the R&B laced all over the format. Like have said in previous posts, Smooth Jazz is a pure format. Be who you say you are. If you are smooth jazz, then dump the R&B and other music that did not fit the format. How can you call yourself Smooth Jazz playing Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson? 106.1 KOAI did not have those artists. Unfortnately, 107.5 KOAI ruined it. That's why IMO KOAI was precieved as a "black" station

 

[salemjedi54]

There are so many reasons that Smooth Jazz will not make a comeback ... billings at KOAI sucked. There were several senior reps working there that did have the best agencies and accounts. We would end the week with low-cost DR spots to fill the log so DOS Richard F. could justify to David Henry that we did everything possible. After Richard was blown out and Sarah F. was brought in (along with a new LSM with no experience) the writing was on the wall. We fought daily with I-Net. The perception was that KOAI served the African-American audience. We pushed the "phantom cume" issue. Cadillac was a major advertiser. The Dallas Boat Show folks were very pleased with their first buy in many years. Car dealers and nightclubs were the mainstay. Smooth Jazz was a tough sell. If another station has the balls to try it again they will fight an uphill battle with little success.

DOS Richard is back at Susquehana/Cumulus. LSM Skip B. has taken an A.E. position at ABC/Citadel. The writing was on the wall as soon as Richard was let go. CBS was going to flip the format. The bottom line is that Smooth Jazz will not make a comeback. There isn't a day that goes by that I am asked about that very issue. Unless someone can convince Cameron Smith to run a jazz format, we will have to settle for the CBS HD version of the Oasis or the UNT non-com.

That perception was because of the R&B laced all over the format. Like have said in previous posts, Smooth Jazz is a pure format. Be who you say you are. If you are smooth jazz, then dump the R&B and other music that did not fit the format. How can you call yourself Smooth Jazz playing Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson? 106.1 KOAI did not have those artists. Unfortnately, 107.5 KOAI ruined it. That's why IMO KOAI was precieved as a "black" station

And i forgot that at one time The Oasis was sister stations to KRBV and KHVN....I was there when they moved into the old KRLD Metromedia Place studios.

 

[CCEX]

I love the Smooth Jazz format. Its success is regional though. Richard F. is an encyclopedia of jazz (he's one helluva sax player too) and let me be the first to say that his being thrown under the bus was a tragedy. The impending format change was already underway when CBS threw him out. CBS likes the appearance of change, whether good or not. It keeps Brian P. and David H. employed. No matter how many people say that they miss the format, they would have to be P1 diary-keepers in order for the format to survive. The PD that was brought in from New York did an outstanding job in New York. DFW is a different animal. Why do you think that he's now programming KVIL? In order for a Smooth Jazz station to make it here a long term commitment to the format and station would have to be made. Highly visible marketing of the station (read costly) would be needed and a programmer that understands the format and the market would be essential. CC is not the place.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

CC is not the place.

...or CBS... or CUMEless... or Citadel... or Entercom... or... oh well.

 

[charles123]

I think they'll bring Sunny back, because the Sunny in Houston is doing really well in the current ratings at #3. And also the woman who doing the voice over for KEGL is the same woman who did it for Sunny when they were on the air. Does Sunny 99.1 in Houston play songs from the 60's, 70's, 80, 90's & today?? Because when Sunny was on the air here they didn't do that. Any comments.

 

[JayDavis]

IF and this is a huge IF, Smooth Jazz did come back, I would much prefer the format of 106.1 The Oasis, to 107.5 The Oasis.

106.1 played more real "smooth jazz' and not as many R&B crossovers. As much as I like Luther Vandross and Anita Baker, is there music really
"smooth jazz"? Same situation I've said over and over again on this type of thread. Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street" does not = Smooth Jazz and
as much as I love Phil Collins and his Genesis buddies, "Hold on my Heart" is really not "smooth jazz".

I'm thinking I'll go the XM or Sirrius (or whatever the merger provides) route, very soon.

 

[MikeShannon914]

If memory serves me correctly, 106.1 The Oasis was originally billed as "New Age Jazz," not "Smooth Jazz." Now what the difference is, I don't know. "Smooth" is likely a broader term where stations take that latitude and work in whatever they think is compatible...hence the R&B, and hence ANY musical selection that has any type of horn in it!

The only time I truly gave The Oasis a lengthy listen was around 1998. I wanted something light and non-vocal and a li'l breezy...trying to do ANYTHING to reduce my stress level at my old job. Problem was, it may as well have been Top 40...the same songs, day in and day out, some repeating every couple of hours, and most having that whiney, boring Kenny G timbre. I don't know if it was a bad year for Smooth Jazz, or why there wasn't a variety of songs available, or if that's just the way it was programmed...but it SUCKED. I left the radio on KOAI for 8 weeks straight at work, and it was horrible.

Honestly, and you purists will hate me for this, I welcomed the smooth R&B when Bret added it. I listened fairly regularly after that. That's not unlike the old KOAX or KTLC/KMEZ peppering their elevator music with a few soft currents here and there. It made it more palatable for folks to leave the dial there...knowing that if they'll wait a few songs, something they know and like will come up...and you might just start liking some of the stuff that's played in between as time goes on.

OK, 106.1 purists...answer me this: On KOAI's original format, were there any vocals? Or just instrumentals? I really don't recall...and does the absence of vocals part of what you "grade" what's smooth jazz or what's not? Not trying to sound like a smarta$$, just trying to understand what the differences are.

 

[salemjedi54]

If memory serves me correctly, 106.1 The Oasis was originally billed as "New Age Jazz," not "Smooth Jazz." Now what the difference is, I don't know. "Smooth" is likely a broader term where stations take that latitude and work in whatever they think is compatible...hence the R&B, and hence ANY musical selection that has any type of horn in it!

The only time I truly gave The Oasis a lengthy listen was around 1998. I wanted something light and non-vocal and a li'l breezy...trying to do ANYTHING to reduce my stress level at my old job. Problem was, it may as well have been Top 40...the same songs, day in and day out, some repeating every couple of hours, and most having that whiney, boring Kenny G timbre. I don't know if it was a bad year for Smooth Jazz, or why there wasn't a variety of songs available, or if that's just the way it was programmed...but it SUCKED. I left the radio on KOAI for 8 weeks straight at work, and it was horrible.

Honestly, and you purists will hate me for this, I welcomed the smooth R&B when Bret added it. I listened fairly regularly after that. That's not unlike the old KOAX or KTLC/KMEZ peppering their elevator music with a few soft currents here and there. It made it more palatable for folks to leave the dial there...knowing that if they'll wait a few songs, something they know and like will come up...and you might just start liking some of the stuff that's played in between as time goes on.

OK, 106.1 purists...answer me this: On KOAI's original format, were there any vocals? Or just instrumentals? I really don't recall...and does the absence of vocals part of what you "grade" what's smooth jazz or what's not? Not trying to sound like a smarta$$, just trying to understand what the differences are.

Yes, but not that much.

 

[shailey]

Try this site for a potential KEGL format...www.kegl.com/main

The logo on the top left corner could be the direction there headed. I.E Philly station 104.9 is doing killer in PPM

Or 97.1 the Bull. Like in Atlanta..

 

[jeff715]

I've got it! It's gonna be REAL oldies like this... http://www.isurfthewave.com/main.html

Not a Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, or Billy Joel song anywhere.

Supremes, "You Can't Hurry Love"
Phil Phillips, "Sea Of Love"
Johnny & Hurricanes, "Red River Rock"
Ray Charles, "What'd I Say"
Little Anthony & Imperials, "Hurt So Bad"
Lovin' Spoonful, "Nashville Cats"
Cookies, "Chains"
Sam the Sham & Pharoahs, "Li'l Red Riding Hood"
Temptations, "My Girl"
Marvelettes, "Don't Mess With Bill"
David Seville, "Witch Doctor"
Mark Lindsay, "Arizona"
Castaways, "Liar Liar"
Human Beinz, "Nobody But Me"
Nino Tempo & April Stevens, "Deep Purple"
Honeycombs, "Have I The Right"
Box Tops, "The Letter"
Connie Francis, "Lipstick On Your Collar"
Drifters, "There Goes My Baby"
R. Dean Taylor, "Indiana Wants Me"

 

[Kent]

If memory serves me correctly, 106.1 The Oasis was originally billed as "New Age Jazz," not "Smooth Jazz." Now what the difference is, I don't know. "Smooth" is likely a broader term where stations take that latitude and work in whatever they think is compatible...hence the R&B, and hence ANY musical selection that has any type of horn in it!

The difference is kind of hard to explain, but new age is artists like Kitaro and Yanni while smooth jazz is Kenny G and Dave Koz. New age tends to be focused more on replicating nature while smooth jazz has a musical focus.

OK, 106.1 purists...answer me this: On KOAI's original format, were there any vocals? Or just instrumentals? I really don't recall...and does the absence of vocals part of what you "grade" what's smooth jazz or what's not? Not trying to sound like a smarta$$, just trying to understand what the differences are.

Toward the end of 106.1 The Oasis, I remember hearing "Missing You Now" by Michael Bolton. However, I didn't listen to the Oasis very often when it was at 106.1. I also seem to remember 106.1 The Oasis having a much higher instrumental-to-vocal ratio than 107.5 had.

 

[salemjedi54]

If memory serves me correctly, 106.1 The Oasis was originally billed as "New Age Jazz," not "Smooth Jazz." Now what the difference is, I don't know. "Smooth" is likely a broader term where stations take that latitude and work in whatever they think is compatible...hence the R&B, and hence ANY musical selection that has any type of horn in it!

The difference is kind of hard to explain, but new age is artists like Kitaro and Yanni while smooth jazz is Kenny G and Dave Koz. New age tends to be focused more on replicating nature while smooth jazz has a musical focus.

OK, 106.1 purists...answer me this: On KOAI's original format, were there any vocals? Or just instrumentals? I really don't recall...and does the absence of vocals part of what you "grade" what's smooth jazz or what's not? Not trying to sound like a smarta$$, just trying to understand what the differences are.

Toward the end of 106.1 The Oasis, I remember hearing "Missing You Now" by Michael Bolton. However, I didn't listen to the Oasis very often when it was at 106.1. I also seem to remember 106.1 The Oasis having a much higher instrumental-to-vocal ratio than 107.5 had.

Also, if I remember, there was not a New Age/Smooth Jazz airplay chart back then. So the MD and PD just played good music. Pat Metheny, Basia, Swing Out Sister, and Yanni got lots of airplay. But it seemed to me they just played song from albums, not a particular playlist.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

Most of the aforementioned radio buzz kills got play when their concert came to town. Promoters got deep pockets and God knows CBS gave a middle finger to Nancy Reagan. They never "just say no".

BTW, musically speaking (and waxing a little philosophical from someone that aired a playlist) New Age is about creating feeling... Jazz is all about emotion.

Ah yes, pass the incense and the red beans and rice.

 

[adub]

FM Gospel would do well in DFW. Maybe even get to the top 15 or so 12+.
However, Ad agencies tend to discount the ratings of Urban, Urban AC or Gospel Stations.

Memphis, ATL, Birmingham, Charlotte all have gospel stations that are top 5.

There are well over 1 mil + AA's in DFW and if you get 10% as your cume that aint bad to start.

TSL among black gospel listeners dwarfs most other formats.

CC is not that comitted to Gospel or Urban radio in general. We know CBS in Dallas is pure as the driven snow. Cumulus (LOL)

It will never happen here. ???

Oh Yeah Radio One is out of sticks in this market.

 

[MikeShannon914]

You have to consider the percentage of black listeners in this market compared to Memphis, Atlanta, etc, who all have a high percentage to draw listeners from. Personally, I'd take KSOC, blow it out and put such a format there. I know they've made some recent progress with whatever it is they're playing now, but they've had since April, 2002 with this same basic format, and only now have shown some gains. THIS is where ABC's Rejoice format should have wound up...not 990AM...and no real need to program a local station instead, since Rejoice already has all the jocks that black listeners grew up with on KNOK-107.5 and other local stations. And Radio One is probably the only ownership in town who would take Rejoice, or a locally-programmed, live version of, and give it the proper time to grow. And yes, it needs to be in stereo, unlike 990.

Many threads back, we were talking about the disenfranchised black listener, say 35+, who lost their favorite station when The Oasis flipped. I think that explains the new-found ratings at KSOC and KRNB...they're picking up those listeners by default. BUT...If you'll give them something positive and inspirational and contemporary, and music-intensive, without the heavy-handedness of typical religious stations or typical black gospel stations, I believe they would flock to it. If the agencies want to be closed-minded about this, so be it...but surely some visionary out there could see through the clouds and do something with this format--and create a plan to peddle it without depending so much on the agencies. Ya know, KKDA-AM used to attract lots of national accounts with ease. (Not sure if that's still the case, but it once did, at least---SOMEONE out there knew how to work it.)

 

[charles123]

Man, I hope it's not Gospel ARGH!!! I still think it's going to be Smooth Jazz.

 

[salemjedi54]

You have to consider the percentage of black listeners in this market compared to Memphis, Atlanta, etc, who all have a high percentage to draw listeners from. Personally, I'd take KSOC, blow it out and put such a format there. I know they've made some recent progress with whatever it is they're playing now, but they've had since April, 2002 with this same basic format, and only now have shown some gains. THIS is where ABC's Rejoice format should have wound up...not 990AM...and no real need to program a local station instead, since Rejoice already has all the jocks that black listeners grew up with on KNOK-107.5 and other local stations. And Radio One is probably the only ownership in town who would take Rejoice, or a locally-programmed, live version of, and give it the proper time to grow. And yes, it needs to be in stereo, unlike 990.

Many threads back, we were talking about the disenfranchised black listener, say 35+, who lost their favorite station when The Oasis flipped. I think that explains the new-found ratings at KSOC and KRNB...they're picking up those listeners by default. BUT...If you'll give them something positive and inspirational and contemporary, and music-intensive, without the heavy-handedness of typical religious stations or typical black gospel stations, I believe they would flock to it. If the agencies want to be closed-minded about this, so be it...but surely some visionary out there could see through the clouds and do something with this format--and create a plan to peddle it without depending so much on the agencies. Ya know, KKDA-AM used to attract lots of national accounts with ease. (Not sure if that's still the case, but it once did, at least---SOMEONE out there knew how to work it.)

I have said this several times, Radio One should have bought 970 as well when they bought 97.9 and made KHVN-FM with a contemporary gospel format(music that would appeal to 25-49 adults) with no ministries. 970 KHVN would have the format they have now, but with more slanted to 35-54 adults and ministries. 94.5 could have the format of the Beat now.

 

[charles123]

Here's another option besides Smooth Jazz on KEGL, how about another Adult Hits format to compete with JACK.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Here's another option besides Smooth Jazz on KEGL, how about another Adult Hits format to compete with JACK.

Nah, that would violate CC's secret handshake agreement with CBS to not program competing formats in this market. It's a Purdy Good Deal for both companies.

(In hindsight, and bearing this concept in mind, wasn't it strange to pull off Sunny 97.1 just to program a Spanish format, of which CC has little experience in, just when Sunny was making some inroads on KVIL? Things that make you go 'hmmmmmm' [or 'mmm-hmm.'])