WHY OH WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A STATION LIKE THIS IN ATLANTA?????????

[Marv-L.A.]

Jim Rich---As a former employee of Drake-Chennault, you're probably very familiar with LA's KRTH-101, a heritage gold station if there ever was one.

Would a station similar to KRTH with 500-600 titles in its library be successful in Atlanta?

 

[BIGSTICK]

Very good points. But we are number 8 or 9 now, we have far more people than B'ham, and they have at least three station's like this.

I live in AL close to Birmingham, and I can tell you that Birmingham is arguably one of the most under-served radio markets in America. The fact that we have several Oldies/AC/Classic Hits stations is actually a very negative part of Birmingham-area radio. At least Atlanta has a slightly better variety of stations. Another problem? The station you're talking about (WYDE) has a nominal signal in Birmingham, compared to the heritage AC/Oldies station they're now competing with: Magic 96.

Another notable fact about WYDE: They just flipped to Oldies after dropping FM Talk. After stunting with Christmas music (in July) for a few days, they changed their name to "Fun 101." A few days later, they became "Star 101." At last report, they are now using the name "The New 101." All of these names infringe upon other station identities within their coverage area. So Brent: If you like them, enjoy them while you can. There's no telling what they'll change tomorrow....

I know you are so correct .
It is like the prostitute on Peachtree, they have a different look all the time. ;D
But I am very orgasmic with what the old Cullmam 101.1 is playing right now. :-* :-* :-* :-*

 

[trusty]

There's a lot of discussion about this station on the Alabama board, and even they are calling the format "oldies".

However, the station is describing itself as "classic hits" - probably because "oldies" has such a bad reputation (300-song playlist). I've been listening for a week, and I've heard just ONE repeat. (Maybe a coincidence, but definetly more than a 300-song playlist.)

Like I said on the "Stale River" thread, this station sounds like a "fresh" River. It just seems that someone tweaked a combo classic hits/oldies/magic format to make it sound pretty darn good - almost like classic hits you can dance to.

Whatever the concept, it does sound "fresh" compared to what we have now in ATL. All it takes is for someone to believe in it and give it a chance. There is an audience (and $$$) for it here - as long as it stays "fresh".

 

[FloydB]

What about AM? So many talk about being nostalgic about the "good old days", why not put oldies where they started in the first place: on an AM? N/T, spanish and gospel is so over-saturated on AM, oldies would ironically be a "fresh change".

You take radio back to where it all began, and you can have that same nostalgic music just the way you heard it when you were young: mono and all the static you could stand!

Don't get me wrong. I'm 30 and love oldies. But, these guys are right. Oldies just wouldn't bill well here. I doubt oldies will bill well with WCBS. We'll have to see if they flip in less than a year.

 

[FloydB]

I'm sorry. I HAD to do it!

2) If "the best music ever made" falls in the woods but no one is there to hear it......

........how does this affect Q100?

 

[Grindlfan]

Brent, I totally empathize with you. I live in Seattle and I have a station that I stream out of Portland Oregon (K-HITS 106.7 FM) that plays strictly 60s and 70s music. NO 80s!!! I have been singing K-HITS praises on the Seattle threads and publicly stating that I wish our Seattle classic hits station would drop the 80s and stick to 60s and 70s. I get a lot of the same radio insider types barking statistics and radio jargon stating how that demo is aging out and that listeners don't want to hear 60s music anymore. I am 44 which I believe is in the desired target advertiser demo and I am a listener. K-HITS, as of the last ratings book is #6 in the Portland market beating out the Classic Rock station!

Instead of these stations and radio types accepting data from research companies and consultants who pay a bunch of out of work drunks $75 to sit in a room and listen to music, they should listen to the people who are actually listening to the radio. Believe me, I was in one of those paid survey groups in Seattle and was apalled. Those idiots were only there for the money, the free food and all they wanted to hear was Free Bird and Stairway to Heaven so of course they are going to say they had a disdain for records like Knock Three Times or Sugar Sugar.

We have two classic hits stations in Seattle, KJR FM and KBSG. KJR has headed in a full on 70s 80s and 90s direction and their listenership has dropped. KBSG has a new PD and has made some positive moves, definitely and improvement over the prior PD, but he has added 80s to the mix which I do not approve of. Don't get me wrong, I loved the 80s and 80s music and still do. I just want it on a different station. I think the reason the JACK FM station in Seattle was such a miserable failure is that it was just too all over the map. 60s,70s,80s,90s etc.
When you are covering that broad of a time span there is a lot of music that is not going to be played. Same with having a station covering three decades. When you add the 80s, there is a lot of great music from the 60s that is going to go bye bye. I don't care what you radio know- it-all's say, 60s and 70s music transcends generations and the demo is not aging out.

I was at an end of the year high school choir concert recently. After the concert was over parents were mingling with the kids and the school staff. The back up band began to jam and one of the singers from the choir grabbed a mic and began to sing. They weren't singing Kelly Clarkson or Maroon 5 or Diddy or T.I. or Red Hot Chili Peppers. These 16 and 17 year olds were singing Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream and they knew it word for word. Don't tell me 60s music is irrelevant and is losing its audience.

It just seems to me like the move to 80s music on classic hits stations is being forced and manipulated.

Brent, check this stream. If you like 60s and 70s you're gonna love this station.

http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/index.php? CALLSIGN=KLTHFM

 

[leethalweapon]

Your profile says you are 40.
I cannot believe that you would not like a station like this. It brings back a lot of great memories for me. Like I said, it has a great sound like an old AM station.
Does everything have to sound the same, like it does today. I am 46, from Atlanta, and yearn for the days of the way radio use to be.
Not everyone that listens to the radio is 12. The population is getting older.

Not everybody wants to be stuck in a time warp either. I am 34 and that means (in theory) that I should like 80's music. While I do, I am firmly entrenched in the now. Just because someone grew up in an era, doesn't mean they have to like it.

 

[BIGSTICK]

Brent, I totally empathize with you. I live in Seattle and I have a station that I stream out of Portland Oregon (K-HITS 106.7 FM) that plays strictly 60s and 70s music. NO 80s!!! I have been singing K-HITS praises on the Seattle threads and publicly stating that I wish our Seattle classic hits station would drop the 80s and stick to 60s and 70s. I get a lot of the same radio insider types barking statistics and radio jargon stating how that demo is aging out and that listeners don't want to hear 60s music anymore. I am 44 which I believe is in the desired target advertiser demo and I am a listener. K-HITS, as of the last ratings book is #6 in the Portland market beating out the Classic Rock station!

Instead of these stations and radio types accepting data from research companies and consultants who pay a bunch of out of work drunks $75 to sit in a room and listen to music, they should listen to the people who are actually listening to the radio. Believe me, I was in one of those paid survey groups in Seattle and was apalled. Those idiots were only there for the money, the free food and all they wanted to hear was Free Bird and Stairway to Heaven so of course they are going to say they had a disdain for records like Knock Three Times or Sugar Sugar.

We have two classic hits stations in Seattle, KJR FM and KBSG. KJR has headed in a full on 70s 80s and 90s direction and their listenership has dropped. KBSG has a new PD and has made some positive moves, definitely and improvement over the prior PD, but he has added 80s to the mix which I do not approve of. Don't get me wrong, I loved the 80s and 80s music and still do. I just want it on a different station. I think the reason the JACK FM station in Seattle was such a miserable failure is that it was just too all over the map. 60s,70s,80s,90s etc.
When you are covering that broad of a time span there is a lot of music that is not going to be played. Same with having a station covering three decades. When you add the 80s, there is a lot of great music from the 60s that is going to go bye bye. I don't care what you radio know- it-all's say, 60s and 70s music transcends generations and the demo is not aging out.

I was at an end of the year high school choir concert recently. After the concert was over parents were mingling with the kids and the school staff. The back up band began to jam and one of the singers from the choir grabbed a mic and began to sing. They weren't singing Kelly Clarkson or Maroon 5 or Diddy or T.I. or Red Hot Chili Peppers. These 16 and 17 year olds were singing Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream and they knew it word for word. Don't tell me 60s music is irrelevant and is losing its audience.

It just seems to me like the move to 80s music on classic hits stations is being forced and manipulated.

Brent, check this stream. If you like 60s and 70s you're gonna love this station.

http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/index.php? CALLSIGN=KLTHFM

You hit it right on the head. ;D ;D

Thanks

 

[DashRiprock]

Not everybody wants to be stuck in a time warp either. I am 34 and that means (in theory) that I should like 80's music. While I do, I am firmly entrenched in the now. Just because someone grew up in an era, doesn't mean they have to like it.

Let's face it, 80's music is just not as good as 60's, 70's and 90's

 

[jimrichvo]

Lee: I agree living in the past is not good. But rarely does a person listen to just one radio station. Right now I'm listening to a jazz flavors station online. On the way into town I switched between WSB and Rubarb Jones and finally Jack Johnson on my ipod. I'm not proposing "oldies" as a steady diet but the option could help stem the satellite trend. Having a "greatest hits" alternative could help a chain procure a greater overall slice of the pie.
To those who say "agencies don't want to appeal to boomers" I have to wonder why Target, GM, and a host of other national advertisers have selected familiar "oldies" songs for so many of their tv spots over the last few years. It's because the songs are familiar, have a good hook, or are associated with a positive experience in one's life. Look at the national tv spots on the evening network news and in prime time. Who are the drug companies targeting? Boomers who are still young at heart. If you want to shake apples off a tree why not shake the tree with the most apples?
In this age of "instant gratification", satellite, and ipods traditional radio needs to be more innovative to survive.

 

[jimrichvo]

Marv and the other good responders:
Just to clarify one point. For the record, I never said I was an employee of Drake Chenault (but thanks for flattery). I did however serve as OM for numerous stations they consulted. In each market running Hit Parade, Solid Gold and Classic Gold we consistenly made boatloads of money and pulled very good numbers.
It's all about presentation and execution of the format. Bill Drake, created formats that focused on the music and it's presentation. Sure there were "power hits" but the rotation of the basic library was deep and wide. I doubt even a 500 cut playlist on a greatest hits station would survive.
At the pool or country club this weekend ask ten people what they dislike most about Atlanta radio. The complaint I hear is "it's the same thing over and over". To put it another way, even if you like cherry pie you don't want it with every meal. There is a place in Atlanta for an oldies or greatest hits station, but I seriously doubt it will happen. Of course all the logic in the world will never enter a closed mind.

 

[trusty]

The PD of WCBS-FM was just reported as saying, "We've listened to what the people want, and we're gonna give it to them."

Just which PD in ATL is gonna say that?

Just when are the people in ATL gonna say what they want?

 

[Marv-L.A.]

Jim---Sorry I monconstrued your post--thanks for clarifying.

I'm 55, and I'm very blessed to have grown up listening to 93/KHJ since its inception in 1965, and how Bill Drake and PD Ron Jacobs combined to reinvent and/or refresh the top 40 format there, and obliterating TWO legendary top 40 stations in the process.

One of those stations was KRLA, whose airstaff included Charlie O"Donnell (he's been the announcer on 'Wheel Of Fortune' since day one), Bob 'The Newlywed Game' Eubanks, and some guy named Casey Kasem.

You're absolutely right; presentation and execution is everything, and apparently your last Oldies station did neither one very well, if at all, and that 250-300 song playlist which consultants seem to be stuck on for numerous format libraries is a HUGE reason why radio has lost millions of listeners over the past twenty years.

 

[tcsnrayp]

Don't be surprised if OLDIES makes a comeback in the near future.

Arbitron is releasing info from the PPM markets that indicates the Oldies formatted stations are picking up very good cume numbers using the new technology. That could mean some station groups would be happy to have those geezers* giving them a top 5 station.

Note CBS returning to Oldies in NY at WCBS FM, KFRC SF and others.

*Geezers: we are Boomers... late 40's to mid 60's and we buy things because we are still working, have disposable income, kids who are finally on their own, etc.

 

[tcsnrayp]

Grindlfan, thanks for the tip on this Portland station... especially right now on Saturday night where Mark Lindsay (of Paul Revere and the Raiders) is the jock! Very cool!

I had trouble with the link until I got it put together this way:

http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/?CALLSIGN=KLTHFM

I have a station that I stream out of Portland Oregon (K-HITS 106.7 FM) that plays strictly 60s and 70s music. check this stream. If you like 60s and 70s you're gonna love this station.

http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/index.php? CALLSIGN=KLTHFM

 

[Grindlfan]

tcsnrayp, glad you checked out K-HITS. I listen to Mark Lindsay's show every Saturday night too. He is a very entertaining radio host he has great stories and he plays great tunes.

On Sunday mornings from 7 -10AM pacific time the station is airing classic 70s American Top 40 shows with Casey Kasem! The entire countdown! Boy, talk about taking me back. I used to listen to Casey Kasem every Sunday night on AM radio. I would sit in my bedroom and write down every song Casey played in order.

While the station is basically a 60s and 70s format, they do have theme weekends too where they will delve into the 50s. This weekend for example it is Cruisin With K-HITS Weekend, to coincide with a big classic car show in the Portland, OR area. They were playing car and cruisin songs from all three decades.
All this summer they are also celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Summer Of Love with numerous events. It is fun to spice things up for the listeners.

K-HITS is a station that involves their audience, they haven't resigned themselves to being merely aural wallpaper.

Check out their home page at http://www.khits1067.com
They invite their listers to join the Hitmakers club.They send out a periodic survey with a list of about 30 classic hits. They ask you to rate them based on your familiarity with the song, rate each song on a scale of 1 - 5 based on whether you love or hate the record, and lastly if you think the song is tired or not tired. This is a great way to get a true reading of what your actual listeners feel about the station and the music it plays!


They have games on their site too! You can play PONG, FROGGER, SPACE INVADERS, ASTEROIDS, PACMAN and SIMON.

I can't say enough good things about the station. I wish I had it in Seattle.

Oh yeah, the station is owned by CBS Radio!

 

[TheRealOtherNeil]

The PD of WCBS-FM was just reported as saying, "We've listened to what the people want, and we're gonna give it to them."

Just which PD in ATL is gonna say that?

Just when are the people in ATL gonna say what they want?

When' I'm PD at 929 Radio Atlanta, I will listen to the people.

As for Oldies on the station, there will be a home for more obscure and forgotten tunes from 1967-1974 in regular rotation In addition, I will have an oldies show on Saturday's from 7am-noon that will feature songs from the Age of Rock (50's, 60's and early 70's.) It will be similar to "Rock and Roll Roots," Bob Stroud's excellent show on WDRV-FM, Chicago.

 

[ClarkKent]

Neil, buddy, there's that pesky step of actually applying for the PD job...and I think that position is filled, anyway. You do understand the position of program director isn't an elected office, don't you? Nobody's going to vote you in. You're not anointed from on high. The CBS folks actually have to know about you.

So unless and until they do, can the whole "when I'm PD" act. It's beyond sad at this point.