• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Why Are San Diegans Turning Country?

B

Benshaton

Guest
I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place and KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8 share. Is there any reason this is happening? Could it be that in depressing times there is a mass migration to country music or is it something else?
 
> I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place and
> KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8 share.
> Is there any reason this is happening? Could it be that in
> depressing times there is a mass migration to country music
> or is it something else?
>
Why do you equate "depressing times" with country? Next you'll
be calling it "country-western". <P ID="signature">______________
you're not a lawyer, are you?</P>
 
> Why do you equate "depressing times" with country? Next
> you'll
> be calling it "country-western".

Speaking for my own listening habits: There aren't that many new top 40 or rock tracks I like right now, but country is turning out some pretty good pop records right now.<P ID="signature">______________
...co-moderator of the Satellite Radio, Phoenix, and San Diego boards...</P>
 
> I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place and
> KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8 share.
> Is there any reason this is happening?

<a href=http://www.mcvaymedia.com/adltcontmp/05/country_awesome.htm>This</a> is a good piece by AC consultant Mike McVay that addresses many of the reasons for the recent good ratings for the country format.

Also, when you add a direct competitor, especially in country, often the combined shares for the format grow.
 
> > I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place> and> > KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8> share.> > Is there any reason this is happening? > > This is a good piece by AC consultant Mike McVay that> addresses many of the reasons for the recent good ratings> for the country format.> > Also, when you add a direct competitor, especially in> country, often the combined shares for the format grow.> That may be the reason that My 94 (now Star 94) didn't gain from the demolition of Star 100.7.
 
> > Why do you equate "depressing times" with country? Next
> > you'll
> > be calling it "country-western".
>
> Speaking for my own listening habits: There aren't that
> many new top 40 or rock tracks I like right now, but country
> is turning out some pretty good pop records right now.
>


There's probably too much payola going on under the table that's causing stations that play new music to dominate the airwaves with songs that are uninspiring at best. The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Neil Young all have new music out that's had glowing reviews but with the possible exception of KPRI are probably not getting played. Maybe their demographics are too old, but the stations aren't breaking exciting new artists either. That's why I haven't even been listening to music radio that much lately except for the "X" since "Resurrection Monday".
 
Today's Country is basically 70's pop, with a
Country flavor. Kenny Chesney is Jimmy Buffett,
Faith Hill is Rita Collidge, and Brooks & Dunn
is Firefall. The old-school cats like Cash,
Jennings, Willie, Williams Jr, Haggard & Jones
were as revolutionary to COuntry as the Beatles
& Stones were to rock. They lived the life they
sang about. Many of the contemporary Country
people grew up on a steady diet of Bryan Adams,
Billy Joel, Kiss, Eagles. Hair Bands, etc. It's
a form of A/C now. Country is for the 37 year
old Santee chick with 2 kids and a big ass SUV.
Fortunately, there is Americana Music which is
in many ways is closer to real country than
today's sound. Not to say that all Top 40
country is bad, it's just not as original.
 
> I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place and
> KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8 share.
> Is there any reason this is happening? Could it be that in
> depressing times there is a mass migration to country music
> or is it something else?
>


Depressing times???? I guess it is a matter of opinion.

Personally, it is my belief that the crap coming out of the hip hop camp gets old REAL quick. I mean how many times can you slap together "music" that is basically sound bites from other pieces of music? (yes I know that not ALL Hip Hop is that way, there are some good pieces of Hip Hop).

In the past I had not been a country fan...AT ALL. But lately (within the year)I would say that Nashville has been putting out real decent music. Also the artists are very personable. I was at a Keith Urban concert last week. What a show! Real MUSICAL talent, not a bunch of bling bling dudes in Escalades bopping about.

No offense is intended to those that like Hip Hop. It is only my opinion. You Mileage may vary. Batteries not included. Order before midnight tonight.
 
> I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place and
> KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8 share.
> Is there any reason this is happening? Could it be that in
> depressing times there is a mass migration to country music
> or is it something else?
>

I'm suprised nobody has raised the possibility of a heavy country sample. More diaries in Santee and El Cajon and Escondido? This is one trend. I think this is a topic to be discussed in about 6 months if the next 2 books continue in this direction. I bet the next trend proves me correct.
 
> > Why do you equate "depressing times" with country? Next
> > you'll
> > be calling it "country-western".
>
> Speaking for my own listening habits: There aren't that
> many new top 40 or rock tracks I like right now, but country
> is turning out some pretty good pop records right now.
>


I agree, artists like Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban are putting out some of the best pop music heard in years. I don't mean that as a negative. The current country product is extremely mainstream and mass appeal sounding and it's also fresh.

As good as country is doing right now, there are still many non-country listeners who would like the format if they gave it a chance.
 
> Today's Country is basically 70's pop, with a
> Country flavor. Kenny Chesney is Jimmy Buffett,
> Faith Hill is Rita Collidge, and Brooks & Dunn
> is Firefall. The old-school cats like Cash,
> Jennings, Willie, Williams Jr, Haggard & Jones
> were as revolutionary to COuntry as the Beatles
> & Stones were to rock. They lived the life they
> sang about. Many of the contemporary Country
> people grew up on a steady diet of Bryan Adams,
> Billy Joel, Kiss, Eagles. Hair Bands, etc. It's
> a form of A/C now. Country is for the 37 year
> old Santee chick with 2 kids and a big ass SUV.
> Fortunately, there is Americana Music which is
> in many ways is closer to real country than
> today's sound. Not to say that all Top 40
> country is bad, it's just not as original.
>
Wow...that's an awfully broad brush you're using here...
I'll agree to a point, tho...country has become a very mainstream
format....targeting 25-54 females.
The majority of succesful stations have an AC or
adult chr presentation: the jocks don't have accents...and they don't
EVER talk down to the audience. <P ID="signature">______________
you're not a lawyer, are you?</P>
 
It's a good observation. I don't know how many of you remember Steve Goddard when he worked at 1170-KCBQ in the 70's. I did some work with Steve and remember sitting around with some of the staff and we all made fun of that country crap over on KSON. Well today, Steve has been at 102.5 KNIX (Phoenix)playing country hits for over 5 years. He made the same comment to me regarding the 70's and 80's rock and the similar style found in some of today's country.
 
>> Wow...that's an awfully broad brush you're using here...
> I'll agree to a point, tho...country has become a very
> mainstream
>


Steve Goddard is a terriffic jock, learned a lot from
him especially in the KCBQ-1978 days, where his newsman
was the legend J Paul Huddleston.

While it may seem like a broad brush (and it doesn't
apply with every artist) look into the bios and influences
that many of the hottest artists will readily admit to.
It's the James Taylors, Joels, Eagles, Southern Rock,
and even Elton John that they grew up listening to and
relating to. This has created a more pop/rock sound.
This is not true with a number of artists, they grew
up & were influenced more by traditional country,
western swing, or the Bakersfield sound for instance.
 
> > Why do you equate "depressing times" with country? Next
> > you'll
> > be calling it "country-western".
>
> Speaking for my own listening habits: There aren't that
> many new top 40 or rock tracks I like right now, but country
> is turning out some pretty good pop records right now.


Depressing. There once was a time when country stations played country records, not pop records.

George Jones, where have you gone? Oh, that's right, the "no longer of use to us" format consignment bin. Sad commentary on the state of country.
 
Re: Why Are San Diegans Turning (pop) Country?

Interesting observation. Of course, this is the same format that refused (and refuses) to play Carlene Carter, Rosanne Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle and Chris Isaak because they were "too pop." And this after making stars of Foster & Lloyd and Jerry Reed. Go figure.

Seems to me that country radio has traded one set of blinders for another.

- Doc

> Depressing. There once was a time when country stations
> played country records, not pop records.
>
> George Jones, where have you gone? Oh, that's right, the
> "no longer of use to us" format consignment bin. Sad
> commentary on the state of country.
>
 
> Depressing. There once was a time when country stations
> played country records, not pop records.
>
> George Jones, where have you gone? Oh, that's right, the
> "no longer of use to us" format consignment bin. Sad
> commentary on the state of country.
>

Look at it this way:If country was as traditional sounding as you would like it to be KSON would not be the #2 station in San Diego! Instead it would be a fringe format with limited appeal. From a radio perspective there is nothing sad or depressing about the state of today's country music.
 
It could be because there are a lot of good music on the country stations nowadays, whereas the CHR and Hot AC formats have become unfriendly to listeners
25 and older.

> I couldn't help but notice that KSON was in second place and
> KUSS in seventh in the recent book for a combined 7.8 share.
> Is there any reason this is happening? Could it be that in
> depressing times there is a mass migration to country music
> or is it something else?
> <P ID="signature">______________
Stuff ignored by the newspapers found at
http://www.sandiegoradionews.com/
</P>
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom