A 60’s/70’s Motown/Soul/R&B format probably makes sense for AM or a LPFM where this option to stand alone in a sea of music sameness can prove viable. I suspect the issue can be an owner/programmer who doesn’t have the knowledge and passion for the music. Perhaps too is that expectations are low so creativity is not considered worth the effort.
While I can understand the need to feature the biggest hits by the well-known successful artists, there are so many classics –many even in the one hit wonder category- that could make sense for a more specialized format to air.
For the 60’s, I can recall dozens of titles that should find their way on to a specialized format. Consider Joe Jeffrey’s “ My Pledge of Love,” Robert Knight’s original version of “Everlasting Love,” The Fantastic Johnny C.’s “Boogooloo Down Broadway,” Robert Parker’s “Barefootin,” “The In Crowd” both by Dobie Gray and The Ramsey Lewis Trio, upbeat party tunes like Jackie Wilson’s “ Baby Workout” and of course some of those great early 60’s girl groups today considered taboo but it doesn’t get more classic than the Shirelles “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”
Even for the biggest artists, there’s so much forgotten music. When done right, some of these songs can be rediscovered. Here’s one example. Last year, WCBS-FM featured Stevie Wonder’s “A Place In The Sun” – a fantastic 1966 song in one of their music specials. The audience reaction was so positive and it became one of their most requested songs that today that song is featured in regular programming landing in the Top 10 numerous times according to yes.com. There’s so much more to the Temps besides “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” The same can be said for the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and on and on I can go.
Some artists too get a very bad wrap because they wind up in the same category as Manilow, The Carpenters, Streisand etc. Dionne Warwick is one such artist. Say what you will but to me it doesn’t get any better than the genius that was Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Miss Warwick had lots of hits spanning decades but one that has especially has stood the test of time is “Anyone Who Had A Heart.” Like it was yesterday, I remember that song was released at the same time Beatlemania hit the country – early 1964. Luther Vandross covered that song decades later. IMHO, her version has aged with grace. To me, it still sounds as good today as it did if my math is right – 47 years ago.
Gees, I haven’t even gotten to all the great forgotten music of the 70’s. Soul was still M-T-Fine as things slowed down a bit. When was the last time you heard Johnny Bristol’s “Hang On In There Baby” or Al Wilson’s “Show And Tell,” Ronnie Dyson’s “Why Can’t I Touch You” or all that Stylistics music. music from the city of brotherly love and so much more.
Do y’all remember the term ‘blue eyed soul?” That could work as well in a format like this. Righteous Brothers, The Walker Brothers to name two. A lot of great music was really color blind years ago. A song like “I’m A Girl Watcher” by the O’Kaysions was actually a white band. I’ve long suspected that groups like the Rascals had such an impressive string of hits and that was because they appealed to diversity that was all apart of mass appeal radio of the day.
I don’t know the Gainesville market. But for an AMer trying to be different and isn’t on the same playing field as a corporate flame thrower FM, I would think going deeper into Motown and perhaps over time expanding the playlist to mirror the soundtrack of the way Top 40 really was could be an option for a small station in a smaller market. As far as revenue goes, it would appear local all the way would be the way to go.
Occasionally we hear from a poster in Cross City who owns a radio station featuring the True Oldies Channel. Even with syndicated programming, I have to wonder if he has the option on long holiday weekends or during Christmas week to venture into different territory doing an A-Z special or a Top 500 of the 60’s etc.
I have been a very long advocate of the Greatest Hits format because it can offer something different to the listener. Sometimes I really do believe I missed my calling. Songs that I have featured on all those music lists I shared on these boards have now surfaced on some of the greatest hits stations I listen to. One I’m especially proud of is Jose Feliciano’s cover of “Light My Fire.” Not only has that song stood the test of time, but it works so well with all the different genres of music than the rock-oriented original.
For the July 4th holiday, WMXJ Miami presented an A-Z special that receives such rave reviews that they repeated it twice and even added more songs the second time around – like Donovan’s “Atlantis.” When was the last time you heard that one? Check it out. Here is the link.
http://www.majic1027.com/atoz.aspx
Perhaps the powers that be at WAJD or for that matter anyone interested in shaking things up can use this as a good starting point picking apprpriate songs , especially if you don’t have a clue.
Sorry folks for the long response. I just have such a passion for music that shaped a generation and especially for so many forgotten and deserving singers and writers who I believe have earned a place - somewhere.
