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WCBS-FM Jocks?

F

fang39

Guest
Now that the cat is out of the bag, the next question is: Will live jocks return to the airwaves, and if so, who will they be? Given the parent corps propensity to blatently disregard their listenership, it wouldn' surprise me at all if they continued to run jockless, thus substituting the snarky JACK imaging for familiar CBS-FM jingles. Whether it's classified as "oldies" or more likely a late 60's/70's "classic hits" format, it'll good to hear the CBS-FM calls back on the air, where they belong. We've been airing this battle for over two years now, and while I know that it will "never be the same," it's time to honor the stations legacy and move the programming forward to welcome the next generation of "Golden 101" listeners.

However, if they truly want to draw back listeners, goodwill and good sense would be to bring back mainstays like Bob Shannon in PM drive and Bobby Jay at night. I'm sure both are available. Beyond that, I don't see them bringing back any of the other jocks, except for specialty programming, i.e.-"Cousin Brucie's Saturday Night Dance Party" or "Norm N. Nite live from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame." There's probably no chance at all of them reviving "Don K. Reed's Doo-Wopp Shoppe," although I believe "heritage" programs like this, even played in off hours, will help build their audience.

Successful stations in the New York City market are personality driven--it's not just the music that makes listeners tune in. Familiar names and voices help create that comfort zone for their audience and keeps them coming back, day after day, year after year. Hopefully the execs at CBS Radio, Dan Mason, et al, have learned a lesson from this experience, albeit a very expensive one!
 
Leave Norm N Nite and Cousin Brucie on Sirius!! CBS should have never cut these two guys loose!! CBS did the same thing here, got rid of KFRC for Movin,, what a joke!!! Only difference was we had nothing like Norm N Nite or Cousin Brucie,,
Three XMs
Three Sirius
 
FrankF said:
Bobby Jay is also on Sirius.
Click to expand...

Yes, plus he's got a syndicated show running in several markets. He's probably still available for a "full-time" gig and has been doing "guest" duty (a.k.a Sub) at B-103 on Long Island for the past year. Bob Shannon's been doing a show every Tuesday at WLNG in Sag Harbor, in addition to his syndicated "Behind The Hits" show.

Other former CBS jocks in the local market who may be likely to return to the fold include Mark McCann, who's currently doing updates/production at WFAN (CBS owned) and Marty Mitchell (a.k.a. Marty Michaels) who does the "Saturday Nite Dance Party" plus sub duty at Long Island's K-Joy and is also heard on several Sirius Streams.

I'm sure "Cuz" and "Mr. Music" would also like to return, if a proper invitation were extended to them. Lots of hurt feelings there, though.
 
CBS Radio's Dan Mason doesn't have a "lesson to learn" for any blame for the CBS FM flip to "Jack." That was, along with "Free FM," all on the now-departed Joel Hollander's watch.

Further, CBS was watching its fortunes slip away with a non-radio exec on top of Black Rock. Getting Mason back for his second tour of duty as President of CBS Radio was a saving grace for the company.

Mason has expressed intent to put local autonomy back on the station level in all clusters and got in with shirt-sleeves rolled up to bring change back to troubled stations. So far, he's done what he has said he would do.

Mason is no piker. He does things methodically and for reason. He also comes from a programming background. Let's see what inspiration he can add to flipping CBS-FM back to where it belongs.

The rest, now, is up to the station operators and ... $ales departments.
 
oaktree said:
CBS Radio's Dan Mason doesn't have a "lesson to learn" for any blame for the CBS FM flip to "Jack." That was, along with "Free FM," all on the now-departed Joel Hollander's watch.

Further, CBS was watching its fortunes slip away with a non-radio exec on top of Black Rock. Getting Mason back for his second tour of duty as President of CBS Radio was a saving grace for the company.

Mason has expressed intent to put local autonomy back on the station level in all clusters and got in with shirt-sleeves rolled up to bring change back to troubled stations. So far, he's done what he has said he would do.

Mason is no piker. He does things methodically and for reason. He also comes from a programming background. Let's see what inspiration he can add to flipping CBS-FM back to where it belongs.

The rest, now, is up to the station operators and ... $ales departments.
Click to expand...

Great post!
 
Marty Thompson, one of the best oldies programmer/jocks in Cincy, is now on the market and looking...any thoughts on whether he might do well in NYC?

Later....Matt Smith....WGSR-TV
 
I tend to agree with the post regarding Dan Mason. Give this man credit for proving his managerial and programming skills. Think of all he has fixed in a short period of time. KFRC in San Francisco, the return of K-Rock, blowing up "Free-FM" in Phoenix and San Diego, now the imminent return of CBS-FM in NYC. He did approach this mess with methodical precision. I guess as in any industry it helps that the person at the top comes from down in the trenches. Maybe Scott Shannon can be lured over to program and do mornings on this reinvented "modern oldies" station. Now that would be something to talk about.
 
Just took a peek at the message board on Bob Shannon's "Behind The Hits" website and if you follow the threads, you get the idea that Bob will indeed be returning to the airwaves at WCBS-FM. Wouldn't be at all surprised if his is the first voice heard after the flip on Thursday at 1:01 pm. Welcome back Bob!
 
From R&R:

As for the air staff, Dan Taylor has been named as the station’s new morning show host (6:00-10:00 a.m.), along with contributors Mr. G (weather) and Al Meredith (news headlines). Bob Shannon also marks his return to the station as host of middays (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.), and is joined on-air by market vet Broadway Bill Lee who will host afternoon drive (3:00-7:00 p.m.).
 
Dan Taylor, Bob Shannon and Broadway Bill Lee are a STRONG core to build the station around, so this announcement is highly encouraging.

Now all you need is a couple strong personalities to cover the post-7 PM hours, and some good weekenders, and the picture is complete. Who would y'all put on the night shift at the new CBS-FM?
 
Bob1370 said:
Dan Taylor, Bob Shannon and Broadway Bill Lee are a STRONG core to build the station around, so this announcement is highly encouraging.

Now all you need is a couple strong personalities to cover the post-7 PM hours, and some good weekenders, and the picture is complete. Who would y'all put on the night shift at the new CBS-FM?
Click to expand...

Bobby Jay has my vote. Like the others, he has the experience to lend credibility to the format and recognizability to listeners in the market. Randy Davis is also a possibility. I believe he's still employed by CBS and was doing fill in at 102.7 before they flipped to Fresh. However, I still associate Randy to Country Music as he was a mainstay at stations like WHN and Y97 (later Y103.5) in the 80's and early 90's.
 
I hope Bob Shannon opens up with a quip! "Boy, what a long Weekend!" I really liked him on the drive home, but at this stage, I'll take what I can get. (Dick Heatherton was great on the drive home way back when, too!)
 
I am thrilled to hear the CBS FM is coming back. I guess Coca Cola in the 80s made it OK for corporations to second guess their decisions based on consumer demand.

I have heard no mention of Bill Brown to me he was the quintessential CBS FM personality.
Any word on what Jingles they’ll be using?

Louie
 
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