What Tha???

[lovethebiz]

"I've Had The Time Of My Life" by, was it, Jennifer Warnes(sp?) and Bill Meddly(sp?)...You know, the song from, I think, "Dirty Dancing"...
ANYWAY, heard it on MJI this morning around 8:30. Hey, look, I know you can't keep playing the "traditional" oldies for ever and ever, but come on! I have nothing against the song, I know it was very popular, but if I wanted to hear that, I'd be listening to DOK. I couldn't believe it!
Go to airchexx.com (I think thats the one) and check out the Majic aircheck from, I think, 1988. Listen to the eclectic mix of music...it won't be long until oldies stations start sounding more and more like that.
This morning, the "Dirty Dancing" song was followed by The Animals, IIRC. A sign of things to come?

 

[bigwoody]

> "I've Had The Time Of My Life" by, was it, Jennifer
> Warnes(sp?) and Bill Meddly(sp?)...You know, the song from,
> I think, "Dirty Dancing"...
> ANYWAY, heard it on MJI this morning around 8:30. Hey,
> look, I know you can't keep playing the "traditional" oldies
> for ever and ever, but come on! I have nothing against the
> song, I know it was very popular, but if I wanted to hear
> that, I'd be listening to DOK. I couldn't believe it!
> Go to airchexx.com (I think thats the one) and check out the
> Majic aircheck from, I think, 1988. Listen to the eclectic
> mix of music...it won't be long until oldies stations start
> sounding more and more like that.
> This morning, the "Dirty Dancing" song was followed by The
> Animals, IIRC. A sign of things to come?
>

Agreed. But now I'll be Devil's Advocate. What about Beach Boys "Kokomo"? A hit in 1988. Many oldies stations play it. I think it fits. It's the Beach Boys, but more importantly it has the old BB sound. So it fits. And it was a #1 hit. Another example; John Fogerty's "Centerfield" (1985). Does it belong? I played it at WMJI in 1997 - only during baseball season and only as a request. Many "Oldies" stations now have it in rotation. Again, it sounds like old late 60's CCR. So texture wise it works, yet wasn't a big hit. How about Roy Orbison's "You Got It" (#9, 1989)? Many of your 60s/70s oldies stations are playing this one. It was a top 10 and sounds like Orbison tunes of old. So where do you draw the line. The three examples I gave, IMHO, DO fit an oldies station because of their old school sound AND more importantly because the songs are by core artist of the format.

In the case of the Warnes-Medly hit "I've Had The Time Of My Life". A huge hit in 1987, associated with one of the biggest movies of the last 20 years. A movie set in the early 60's that featured 99% true pre-63 oldies hits. And, the song has RRHOF inductee Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers. Almost has a RB sound, but mostly because of Bill's voice. Do I like the song? Yes.

Does it belong? IMHO...NO. Not yet.

With that said. WMJI MIGHT have had a recent music test where they were testing the outer edges of possibilities. I remember in 1997 when WMJI started playing The Carpenters. We, the staff, b*tched and moaned to then PD Denny Sanders. He explained the recent music test, etc, etc. Carpenters were moved daypart to daypart and eventually fell out of power rotation. Eventually some of the tunes made their way back. Don't get me started on research. That's a topic that will make me go off, lol!

"Oldies" is an ever changing format. Traditional oldies has been gone for a few years in the top 50 markets. WMJI has always been ahead of the curve, setting the tone for other stations around the country. What WMJI does doesn't always play in Peoria...or Raleigh..or Columbus. WMJI is and always has been an anomaly within the genre.

All music tests, regardless of format, are only good for about 90 days, then music directors/PD's need to start freshening the database by rotating rested and lunars. Time will tell whether "I've Had The Time Of My Life" will make the final cut.

Honestly, WMJI could play a loop of dogs farting and still do well. Lanigan drives the bus.

Arguably the rest of the talent after AMD is suspect. Not because they aren't good, they just don't fit the format. Not they have to be "Boss jocks", but it would help to sound like you give a crap about the music and the listeners. Station sounds stale, no personality, too many dead segues, no creativity, on and on. It survives on L&M and heritage. One thing I DO like that I've heard recently on the station are the jingles. Not the jingles themselves...they're not that good. But what TR did with them by interspersing listener drops throughout the jingle. Accomplishes two ID's in one; jingle and listener ID. Great idea.

If the Sunday night oldies show goes away, there goes more of the upper core that helped to build the station in the first place. Outgoing CC Chicago VP Programming John Gehron has been quoted many times regarding the 35-64 demos. He's said they are the new 25-54. I agree with him. 67% of the population is over 50. Radio is just going to ignore those demos? There's A LOT of money there. And money talks.

Oldies as we know it will eventually morph back to whence they came, SAC. Traditional oldies will end up on AM.

<P ID="signature">______________
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by bigwoody on 10/22/05 02:17 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[adz]

>Oldies, like many formats, is in a transition period..much of the 50s and early 60s stuff sounds dated--on the one hand, because IT IS dated--and because its been burned out after being played for years on FM and AM Oldies formats..

There has been discussion about some late 70s and early 80s stuff starting to move into Oldies rotations, because the audience is ready for it, and because it helps freshen up a format that doesn't get the advantage of ''new music''...rotating titles is something that every format does, and Oldies is no exception.

 

[lovethebiz]

I agree with you on the Beach Boys and "Kokomo".

Here's a question for you...how about Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl"? I've heard that one on MJI a few times recently. I think it works. I think it fits. But, it's an exception to the rule so to speak, because Billy is not a core artist.

As far as "Time Of My Life", I just think it sounds out of place...Honestly, when I heard it, my very first thought was, this must be some kind of scheduling mistake....did somehow a song from MVX's library end up on MJI's schedule???

As far as making a case for it to be ON the playlist...the whole arguement of the song being from a popular movie and that the movie took place in the early 60's and featured pre-63 songs doesn't mean anything to me...I think that's a bit of a stretch. Obviously a lot of people liked the movie and the song...both were huge hits. But how many people just LOVE the song because of the setting of the movie or because of the OTHER songs? Personally, I like songs for what they are, they're sound, not because of the movie they are associated with. If it's a song that I like and it's featured in a movie that I like, well, than that association adds to the "likability factor". But there are countless movies I like and would never buy the soundtrack and likewise, many movies I like but couldn't name one song off the soundtrack.

I really like MJI as a whole. I love the genre. I can't stand all the voice tracking. When was the last time you heard current temps outside of AMD and PMD?...Huge pet-peeve of mine, just sounds horrible...dead giveaway nobody's there.

> > "I've Had The Time Of My Life" by, was it, Jennifer
> > Warnes(sp?) and Bill Meddly(sp?)...You know, the song
> from,
> > I think, "Dirty Dancing"...
> > ANYWAY, heard it on MJI this morning around 8:30. Hey,
> > look, I know you can't keep playing the "traditional"
> oldies
> > for ever and ever, but come on! I have nothing against
> the
> > song, I know it was very popular, but if I wanted to hear
> > that, I'd be listening to DOK. I couldn't believe it!
> > Go to airchexx.com (I think thats the one) and check out
> the
> > Majic aircheck from, I think, 1988. Listen to the
> eclectic
> > mix of music...it won't be long until oldies stations
> start
> > sounding more and more like that.
> > This morning, the "Dirty Dancing" song was followed by The
>
> > Animals, IIRC. A sign of things to come?
> >
>
> Agreed. But now I'll be Devil's Advocate. What about Beach
> Boys "Kokomo"? A hit in 1988. Many oldies stations play it.
> I think it fits. It's the Beach Boys, but more importantly
> it has the old BB sound. So it fits. And it was a #1 hit.
> Another example; John Fogerty's "Centerfield" (1985). Does
> it belong? I played it at WMJI in 1997 - only during
> baseball season and only as a request. Many "Oldies"
> stations now have it in rotation. Again, it sounds like old
> late 60's CCR. So texture wise it works, yet wasn't a big
> hit. How about Roy Orbison's "You Got It" (#9, 1989)? Many
> of your 60s/70s oldies stations are playing this one. It was
> a top 10 and sounds like Orbison tunes of old. So where do
> you draw the line. The three examples I gave, IMHO, DO fit
> an oldies station because of their old school sound AND more
> importantly because the songs are by core artist of the
> format.
>
> In the case of the Warnes-Medly hit "I've Had The Time Of My
> Life". A huge hit in 1987, associated with one of the
> biggest movies of the last 20 years. A movie set in the
> early 60's that featured 99% true pre-63 oldies hits. And,
> the song has RRHOF inductee Bill Medley of the Righteous
> Brothers. Almost has a RB sound, but mostly because of
> Bill's voice. Do I like the song? Yes.
>
> Does it belong? IMHO...NO. Not yet.
>
> With that said. WMJI MIGHT have had a recent music test
> where they were testing the outer edges of possibilities. I
> remember in 1997 when WMJI started playing The Carpenters.
> We, the staff, b*tched and moaned to then PD Denny Sanders.
> He explained the recent music test, etc, etc. Carpenters
> were moved daypart to daypart and eventually fell out of
> power rotation. Eventually some of the tunes made their way
> back. Don't get me started on research. That's a topic that
> will make me go off, lol!
>
> "Oldies" is an ever changing format. Traditional oldies has
> been gone for a few years in the top 50 markets. WMJI has
> always been ahead of the curve, setting the tone for other
> stations around the country. What WMJI does doesn't always
> play in Peoria...or Raleigh..or Columbus. WMJI is and always
> has been an anomaly within the genre.
>
> All music tests, regardless of format, are only good for
> about 90 days, then music directors/PD's need to start
> freshening the database by rotating rested and lunars. Time
> will tell whether "I've Had The Time Of My Life" will make
> the final cut.
>
> Honestly, WMJI could play a loop of dogs farting and still
> do well. Lanigan drives the bus.
>
> Arguably the rest of the talent after AMD is suspect. Not
> because they aren't good, they just don't fit the format.
> Not they have to be "Boss jocks", but it would help to sound
> like you give a crap about the music and the listeners.
> Station sounds stale, no personality, too many dead segues,
> no creativity, on and on. It survives on L&M and heritage.
> One thing I DO like that I've heard recently on the station
> are the jingles. Not the jingles themselves...they're not
> that good. But what TR did with them by interspersing
> listener drops throughout the jingle. Accomplishes two ID's
> in one; jingle and listener ID. Great idea.
>
> If the Sunday night oldies show goes away, there goes more
> of the upper core that helped to build the station in the
> first place. Outgoing CC Chicago VP Programming John Gehron
> has been quoted many times regarding the 35-64 demos. He's
> said they are the new 25-54. I agree with him. 67% of the
> population is over 50. Radio is just going to ignore those
> demos? There's A LOT of money there. And money talks.
>
> Oldies as we know it will eventually morph back to whence
> they came, SAC. Traditional oldies will end up on AM.
>

 

[bigwoody]

> I agree with you on the Beach Boys and "Kokomo".
>
> Here's a question for you...how about Billy Joel's "Uptown
> Girl"? I've heard that one on MJI a few times recently. I
> think it works. I think it fits. But, it's an exception to
> the rule so to speak, because Billy is not a core artist.

I think it's ok. It can fit in with the rest. Music just needs to be scheduled in such a way so that a late 60's/early 70's tune is scheduled around it. Gotta "step up and down" with a few songs. It can't play next to anything pre-65.




>
> As far as "Time Of My Life", I just think it sounds out of
> place...Honestly, when I heard it, my very first thought
> was, this must be some kind of scheduling mistake....did
> somehow a song from MVX's library end up on MJI's
> schedule???

It would've made me sit up and take notice as well.

>
> As far as making a case for it to be ON the playlist...the
> whole arguement of the song being from a popular movie and
> that the movie took place in the early 60's and featured
> pre-63 songs doesn't mean anything to me...I think that's a
> bit of a stretch. Obviously a lot of people liked the movie
> and the song...both were huge hits. But how many people
> just LOVE the song because of the setting of the movie or
> because of the OTHER songs? Personally, I like songs for
> what they are, they're sound, not because of the movie they
> are associated with. If it's a song that I like and it's
> featured in a movie that I like, well, than that association
> adds to the "likability factor". But there are countless
> movies I like and would never buy the soundtrack and
> likewise, many movies I like but couldn't name one song off
> the soundtrack.

That's where research comes into play. An AMT (auditorium test) or call out is conducted. If the POP score (popular) is high enough, usually over 75, then it makes the playlist. And it may/may not be dayparted. Would have to look at Mediabase to get an idea. If it scores over 95 it's a power.


> I really like MJI as a whole. I love the genre. I can't
> stand all the voice tracking. When was the last time you
> heard current temps outside of AMD and PMD?...Huge pet-peeve
> of mine, just sounds horrible...dead giveaway nobody's
> there.

I LOVE the oldies format. I admit, I'm more of a traditionalist, yet I can roll with the punches...to an extent. We all have our limits. I'm very protective of the format in general.

As for VT'ing. It has it's place; early weekend dayparts, overnights (depending on format), holidays and if someone has to go to a doctor's appt. VT'ing, if done properly, can sound as good if not better than a live show. Big Rig, who tracks WMMS (and 7 others) does a great job. It's also up to those who are in contact with VT talent to keep them aprised of things in the market. Rig even incorporates phoners. Better than some live jocks. <P ID="signature">______________
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by bigwoody on 10/23/05 02:22 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[dab1100]

In order for "oldies" to continue to be a viable format, it must continue to evolve and play the music that the current 35-54 year olds grew up with. Right now, that encompasses music from the mid-60's to the mid 80's. Songs like "Time of My Life," "Kokomo," and "Uptown Girl" are now appriximately twenty years old. In addition, when they were hits, they already had a "retro" sound, recalling a movie set in 1963, the early 60's "surf" sound, and classic early 60's Four Seasons, respectively. By two criteria, they fit. Keep in mind, when the "Oldies" format first made its debut in the early 70's, the OLDEST songs they played were anywhere from one to eighteen years old. Now you're complainging about them playing a record that's a mere 20 years old. If stations like WMJI don't continue to follow the demographic bubble (albeit 20-30 years behind musically) they will go the way of "Music of Your Life" and have a median listener age of 70. There will still be some room for a few "evergreens" from the 50's and 60's but the format must evolve to survive.