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What Is MOR (Middle of-the-Road)?

K

kevinsealy

This is a format that came into existence 50 years and has evolved.

In the year 2007, what is the best way to describe MOR?


Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

[Color of post changed to make it easier to read]
 
The closest thing to middle of the road now is Adult Standards.
 
what is the best way to describe MOR?
Click to expand...

Uuuummmm....how about, boring?

Seriously though, is anyone still programming a true MOR format? I've always perceived it to be something between Rock/Pop and Standards/Big Band...hence, the middle part. Anne Murray, Neil Diamond, Engleburt, The Letterman, easy going stuff from the 60's and 70's.

I don't think you can say MOR and Adult Standards are the same thing (as Fred did). Standards was around as a formatlong before MOR. I think many Standards stations (those that still remain) have adopted much of the traditional MOR music as a means of reaching a slightly (emphasis on the word slightly) younger demo.
 
Neil Innes Beatles spoof band, the Rutles, had a song called "Easy listening" on their "Archaeology" album.
One line from the song actually mentions the name of that format: "Easy listening, I'm in that easy listening mode/Easy listening, why don't we do it ...in the middle of the road?" :)
 
Neil Innes Beatles spoof band, the Rutles,
Click to expand...

I had almost completely forgotten about the Rutles. They were awesome! I remember hearing that album when I was in college. I seem to recall that it regained some popularity after the release of This is Spinal Tap.
 
MOR...as you suggest, was probably closer to what is known today as "Adult Standards".

Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett, along with "light" hits by the Beatles ("And I Love Her" comes
to mind), Anne Murray, even Tony Orlando & Dawn.

But, most MOR stations were also Full Service stations...programming local news, weather, and sports
around the clock. It was more the combination of music and information that made these stations
what they were. MOR was not, by it's nature a "music" format. Music was one component of it.
 
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