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WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE? / DOES ANYONE CARE?

J

J-Street

Guest
I haven't been on this board in many, many months, but I was thinking about my favorite show when I was younger and came here to ask if anyone knows anything about it. Did you catch that, author of the post "does anyone care?" I'm 27, and came here solely to ask about radio of the past. That is after all what this board is for, right? So onto it...

I remember a great program on 92.7 out of Abingdon in the dawn of 90's "alternative." It was about the only thing I ever listened to. "The station that turned me onto radio," or so to speak. I think that was the same station I listed to Casey's Top 40 on every Sunday afternoon as well. I didn't care for WXBQ, or certainly WTFM, maybe only a little for WQUT, but only when I heard Tom Petty, Aerosmith or GNR. (12 year olds know not of BTO or the Guess Who). Those were the"parent's stations."

So we're talking "What's The Alternative?" Mostly 1994 is when I remember it. Lots of Pearl Jam, Counting Crows, Nirvana, R.E.M, Bad Religion, Pete Droge, Stone Temple Pilots... the works. I think it was before Bristol bought 92.7 and even though I don't remember the exact airtime, it was definitely after the sun went down. At 12-13, at least 5 years before learning all about broadcasting in college (woohoo), I have no clue if it was a syndicated program or just something to staff at 92.7 put together. I've googled all over and can find nothing so I would assume it was a local only program. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Is this the station that has evolved into ZROCK, the "so-called alternative" station? And I say that not to insult BBC, but simply stating that alternative is no longer alternative. Same way country is most definitely no longer country. While CHR sounds Hip-Hip and the CHR of old is now HAC. You all know this. Just rambling about how great the mid-90's were for all kinds of music!

So if anyone knows anything about this, please let me know.

Hoping my "old radio" post is more interesting than the WQUT aircheck fanatics.
 
The term "Alternative" too me, is a radio term that vaguely defines a format. Much like Active Rock, CHR and so on. The early-mid 90's were great for the new rock format that everyone labeled as Alternative. It was, at the time, an "Alternative" to the stations you mentioned......especially the rock stations. Most of the acts that started out as Alternative became too popular be alternative.....and as formats fragmented and technology beyond radio improved drastically......the term Alternative became less "a movement" and more of a radio term......I myself, prefer "new rock".....as you'll notice Z Rock mentions ALOT. Maybe I'm missing the point of your post....but its just my 2 cents.
 
Yeah thanks a lot for a whole lot of nothing. I was referring to "Alternative" as the genre/format defined by outlets such as Radio & Records or all access. What it was in 1994 when it was created and what it is now. By your definition, there is no need for a Rock, Active Rock, AND Alternative format like on R&R now, and every since 1996 when they created "Active Rock." Of course they tried "Heritage Rock" for half a year in 2006 but that didn't last long and now it's back to simply "Rock."

SO... we could go back and forth all day. We basically agree, we are just getting to the point differently.

But of course, THE POINT OF THE POST was in reference to the "WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE" show on 92.7 out of Abingdon that ran in 1994, possibly longer. Does anyone wish to help me with my personal research here? PLEASE!

I guess since Abingdon stations do not reach the almighty "Knox-Vegas" that swamps this board, my search will remain only a search, a dream and a fond memory. Where are James Allen and board-op Tim when you need them? ???
 
1994 was the year that music started going down the toilet bowl, and from there on out it got worse by the year.

I will always remember Kurt Cobain as being someone who left a black eye on the face of rock n' roll. Nirvana ruined the rock and roll industry just like rap and hip hop ruined the R&B music industry.
 
Well then. I think there are dozens of acts that came out around 1993-1995 that were amazing, in both rock, county and R&B. Did you want The Fixx and Heart forever? Never was a Nirvana fan but love most of the bands that came about the same time (minus NIN, Korn and Manson please). But when those bands faded out is when there was nothing left but junk. And by junk, I mean rock music where you could no longer understand the words, and yes Rap did ruin R&B... and the ol' CHR chart as well.

With the internet, etc, there is actually still lots of great music around, those just aren't the bands that chart anymore.

So, answer to my question? Anyone? Of course not. :(
 
I think the music industry started tumbling when 45's went out the door as CD's moved in. Yes, there were CD singles available for awhile, but were sort of cost prohibitive. A previous poster is correct in that there is still a lot of great music out there that commercial radio is turning its back to. I have just finished listening to the Nicole Atkins CD "Neptune City" and WOW! What a shame there is no commercial FM rock station playing this in Knoxville! It would have been a perfect fit for 100.3 when they were doing their shortlived "world class rock" format. I liked that format for 100.3 but it tended to be repetitive. All you heard them play from John Mayer was "Daughters" and "Wonderland" to the point that I got sick of both songs, yet there were lots of other tracks on his CD's that were/are worthy of airplay that got no exposure. The same was true for other artists they played. Oh how I long for the return of the day when new rock albums would arrive on the LOCAL program director's desk for him to listen to and then get on the airwaves.
 
Good Music in East Tennessee died when the Original CHR/Rock WOKI 100.3 I-100 format ended in 1993.. After that, all music on the CHR/ROCK/R&B side went down hill... This wasnt just because WOKI ended the Top 40 format, but I think Johnny Pirkle saw it coming in the industry is why he ended the long running CHR format on 100.3........ CHR music is getting better, slowly but surely, but I dont think it will ever be what it was from 1986-1992..... And even before hand for those older than me.
 
Had no idea there was a show called "WHATS THE ALTERNATIVE" on 92.7 nearly 15 years ago....my bad. I thought you were posing a question...... should have known better, after all it is J-Street.....he knows all.
 
Um, yeah I was posing a question. A question that your first reply did not answer. Your last reply bored op makes no sense. I see James has made his triumphant return, and I am SHOCKED he could not answer my question. I guess probably because Abingdon stations didn't reach Oak Ridge either. But to clarify your clever comment: J-Street knows everything about MUSIC. You people are supposed to know everything about RADIO and radio history, who's aircheck was recorded at which station in 1974, who made the legendary long visit to the porcelain throne at BBC in 1989, who made drunken love to the Midnight Rambler after a bottle of Jack Daniels behind the rockin' roadhouse in 1982, and for god's sakes, what programs ran at tiny stations in Southwest Virginia in the mid 1990's. Afterall, you people are old seasoned.
 
J, no offense.....but you were 7 when I got started in radio...yes I am old/seasoned. And I really don't know everything about radio.....if I did, I'd own Clear Channel. ::) I would also suppose you would want to one day be an old radio guy....but calling us old and "you people" is not gonna help your cause, even though it might be true.

Now.....another fan of the station in Abingdon you were fond of is Rita over at Z Rock.......that is what she remembers as THE first alt. station around here. Get in touch with her.....she might remember some things you might be interested in. She told me they played stuff no one else would touch at the time....and she does know her music.
 
Actually music started going down the toilet around early 1992 which was about the same time that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana came out, and music started getting worse from there on out.

The year 1991 was the last of the best music.
 
Will y'all stop sounding like a bunch of old ladies comparing who knows best about when music stopped being good? You should all know by now that most people think music is best when they are such-and-such age (15, 18, 25, whatever...) Apparently some of you become old fogeys after that magic age. I enjoy music all the way from the Your Hit Parade favorites from the '40s and '50s to today's hip-hop. Sure there have been cycles in between that I didn't like, but I would never say the music was "down the toilet."
 
All I can say is that 102.7 or 95.9 needs to be country! 2 great signals waiting for a format!
 
Dear Mr. Board Op:

Yeah I'm gonna be a jerk here but it must be said. Do you know so much about radio that you refuse to believe that's it's over? At least, the way we know it. The economy has expedited that process as well. When I was 7, I really didn't care that some obscure radio personality bored op was pushing buttons at an obscure AM station somewhere. I cared about 2 things. Jose Canseco and Michaelangelo (not the artist). I love radio but if you honestly think that I want to be as "seasoned" as you in an industry that we love, but are losing (and have been for a decade), then you must be gargling with bong water.

On the bright said, thank you for the reference.

Dear Mr. RMarino:

I enjoyed your post immensely. I have been having nightmares for the last 3 days about why I included any reference to the sound of popular music in 1994 in my post. All I wanted to know was if anyone remembered my favorite radio program when I was 13. That's all I wanted! Why must it be so hard? WHY? Please, oh why must it be???
 
J, I know how radio has been compromised......I'm old, remember.....but I also know I'd never hire anyone with your attitude......even to push buttons on the weekend......why don't you just leave this foul industry you have such disdain for and push carts at a box store, or go back to college to learn to do something you actually like? If people like you are the ones waiting to take over one day, we are indeed doomed. We will all be talking about the "good ole days of 2008". Jesus. And your welcome for the reference.
 
Dear J-Street,

I looked you up and I must say, someone with so much experience and "talent" couldn't be so wrong about an industry he obviously has been a part of for "a long time". I realize that your vast career of working weekends and running ball games on such legendary stations such as "WQUT" and "The Peak!" has put you in a position to network with many industry professionals who analyze our current situation every day and probably share their opinions with you and yours with them. I am sure there are plenty of higher ups there at Citadel who sit around with you and talk the business. You probably make most of the decisions. Of course, I am being completely sarcastic.

Your point is correct, radio as we have executed in the past is over. That means radio evolves. We rethink clocks, stop sets, music sweeps, promotions, etc. This is what we do. We evolve. We find new solutions and avenues for our advertisers. I am probably wasting my breath because you obviously have a strong sales background and a black belt in Selector so you are ready to tackle new challenges.

I don't want to waste your time because you probably know the figures. They paint a grim picture for radio, let me remind everyone.

92% = The amount of people 12+ who use radio on a weekly basis.
90% = The amount of teens who use radio on a weekly basis.

Hang on, because I know that takes your breath away. What small numbers!!!!

93% = The amount of 18-34 year olds which radio stations reach.

So that means with I-Pods, Satellite (which will die by 2010), Streaming, Myspace, Cable, Cell Phones, CDs, Tapes, 8 Tracks, 45s, and every other medium, we still capture 92% of people on a weekly basis.

OH YEAH! And radio TSL has grown year to year.

I was pretty impressed with your assessment that the current economy has put radio at even more risk. A brilliant observation that couldn't be more incorrect. Of course, you knew that because your a veteran of our industry. Lots of time to surf the net when you're running high school basket ball and running a "two-fer tuesday".

In all reality, a recession typically slows down innovation and expansion of new technology. Less expansion on Wi-Fi by private companies, cutting back on spending by consumers (less adaptation of new technology like IPODS and satellite receivers), and belt tightening which includes cutting back on nonessential costs such as a $12 subscription to Sirrius. Which wouldn't matter because they can't pay their bills any way and will probably be forced to file Chapter 11 or cut back so severely on quality that their product will become irrelevant.

So all that said, yes, radio is changing more so than ever. The audience time is spread a little thinner. We have to continue to impress a growing technological generation. We adapt and use new media such as internet and text. But to say that we are dying would be an uneducated and ignorant observation by a kid who believes what he hears from every old timer in the business who is upset that they can no longer do the job and relate to the current audience.

Your place is working the afternoon shift at Spencers and trying to up sale earrings.
 
To answer your original question:

What's The Alternative was a program heard on WABN, 92.7-FM in Abingdon before the BBC took over the FM station. I think the show started about 10pm after Request Radio. I worked at WABN from 1985 to 1989 and 1992 to 1993. I was one of the original hosts of the Original Request Radio on WABN from 7pm until Midnight. After I left the owners hired PJ Finn and he took over the request show and started What's The Alternative which became a very popular show. Of course Request Radio was very popular too. I used to read "hellos" to listeners. Other stations that are not in this market do it to this very day. They call it "tuck-ins". Anyway, I have alot of very fond memories working at WBBI/WABN. PJ is still in radio. I don't know where but last I heard he's still working. Hope this answers your question.
 
Just some more information that may help ease the inquisitive mind jstreet....WABN was never an alternative station...it was a small...really small family owned and operated business that played what would be considered a mix of things on its fm...mostly pop and chr stuff ran from an antiquated computer system that actually used spliced reels with audio that ran from an old IBM computer that ran one after another song from these gigantic machines in the back...PJ was hired but was not originally in radio...he was a director at WCYB who left and was the roomate of the Southerland Family (owners) son Ryland (he is now on the radio in lebanon, VA)...PJ's cohost was Southerland daughter Larissa...all three worked at the station with one sales person and one engineer and not much else...except an occasional intern...the Southerlands allegedly were bought out by BBC or in alleged speak it was rumored that the station was taken by Ninenger when the Southerlands were unable to repay a loan with the BBC boss that they used to make renovations to the old equipment and control rooms at the station...the show was small and not many people were able the get the signal of the station very far and most of the listeners were tiny teens saying hello and love you to boys and girls past their bedtimes...but what the alternative was a good show
 
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