oaktree said:
More people than Lujack and lil' Tommy are saying.."ah, the heck with it".
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WLS-FM Returns
- Thread starter radioman148
- Start date
More people than Lujack and lil' Tommy are saying.."ah, the heck with it".
You dislike Topsy II for some reason?
No, I don't think we ever heard it on the old WLS.
I was pleased and surprised to hear it. I look forward to WLS FM becoming the oldies station with sense enough
to steer clear of the ruts. So far I like what I've heard, mostly because things like Topsy II have been included.
No, I don't think we ever heard it on the old WLS.
I was pleased and surprised to hear it. I look forward to WLS FM becoming the oldies station with sense enough
to steer clear of the ruts. So far I like what I've heard, mostly because things like Topsy II have been included.
Here on Friday morning. I've listened to WLS-FM since yesterday afternoon & I'm genuinely NOT impressed. The DJs (Dick Biondi & Brant Miller) hardly mention a radio station of any kind. When they did, they still refered to Chicago's True Oldies Station. There are no jingles or mentin of WLS-FM. They may still be using the WZZN calls. I thought stations were supposed to ID near the top of the hour.
The RDS is still reading "artist title 94.7 FM CHICAGOS TRUE OLDIES".
The music is more varied. I like that.
I like the more varied playlist and not having to hear a jingle every song, like most stations.
The RDS is still reading "artist title 94.7 FM CHICAGOS TRUE OLDIES".
The music is more varied. I like that.
I like the more varied playlist and not having to hear a jingle every song, like most stations.
Tom Wells said:
Well, here's the classic difference between radio programmers and record collectors:
The only reason I was critical of "Topsy 2" is that, if the idea of the station is to "bring back" WLS, songs of that nature, no matter how "oh wow", aren't the way to do it.
You were kind enough to mention that you don't remember WLS-AM playing the song. There was reason for that. It didn't fit then. It doesn't fit now. With almost 20 years of on-again, off-again jocking and programming oldies formats, very few successful stations I know of have ever played that song, as part of it's regular format. A once a year throw in on a weekend? Maybe. Regular playlist stuff? No.
And satellite delievered formats, when they do their research, do so from a national perspective, not taking into account the individual locales where songs might work, or might not. That being the case, satellite formats tend to be too broad in scope, which is why most are relegated to smaller stations.
By the way, just for the record: I don't believe in 200 song playlists for oldies stations, unless used as a tactic, either.
The other point to make: "bringing back" a station as legendary as WLS means you have to be accurate with the portrayal. And in the case of a WLS-FM, I don't think it can succeed with just the 5 note logo imaging and a couple of pre-recorded sweepers from former jocks. It needs a live anchor or live anchors.
Lastly, WLS was a powerhouse from 1960 into the 1980's (though, granted, it had ratings issues at the end), if any station could pull off a "classic hits" position, from the 60's to the 80's (a format that, today would be much more desireable demographically to advertisers than a broad traditional "oldies" format), it would be a "WLS-FM". IF...you did it right, which so far, I don't think is happening.
To correctly pull it off playing the "heritage" card, you have to capture the "heart and soul" of the original station. So far, this one is off the mark.
I don't know what you guys are listening to, but Dick Biondi, Brant Miller, & Greg Brown are always saying "947 WLS-FM" Last night Biondi played lots of WLS jingles and I've heard WLS-FM jingles each hour.
The downside is they still have Scott Shannon on & he only says "Trueoldies".
Sure would be nice to drop Shannon and add more local talent.
Fred Winston needs to be added & Lujack as well.
The downside is they still have Scott Shannon on & he only says "Trueoldies".
Sure would be nice to drop Shannon and add more local talent.
Fred Winston needs to be added & Lujack as well.
I've heard plenty of WLS jingles; I'm listening now and they're playing them. Greg Brown even took a few minutes at the beginning of his show yesterday to mention how happy he was to be a jock with the call letters WLS following his name. He then played a bunch of jingles in a row followed by the "Life Is A Rock, WLS Rolled Me" song. I'm glad that the playlist is now expanded. It sounds better than the same 200 or songs played over, and over, and over.radioman148 said:
WLS-FM, like Jason Roberts said above, needs to capture the spirit of The Big 89. It hasn't done that yet, and won't until they dump Scott Shannon and hire local personalities. But they need to learn to crawl before they can walk. This means that they are going to take it slow and every so often put something that's "new" into the station. What I mean by "new" is something that hasn't been heard in the city since The Big 89 days. Plus they have the, if not, one of the best people at the station right now that could help guide WLS-FM into the glory days that the AM was. I'm talking about Dick Biondi. He was there at the beginning of WLS-AM and look what it turned into. WLS-FM is going to be fine as long as they make it more local.
Also, Scott Shannon did mention WLS-FM once yesterday in the 2-o'clock hour. Someone from Chicago e-mailed him and said in the e-mail that he was listening to Scott on WLS-FM. That's the only time that I've heard Scott mention the new call letters.
All I can say is that we should keep watching Robert Feder's column.
It's Citadel, it's going to be sloppy, half thought out and a mess for weeks. Remember when they launched True Oldies? They had strip bar commercials running over music.... all day long! It took weeks before they had their commercial logs linked correctly with the programming.
I hope they turn it over to Kipper McGee to fix. He grew up with WLS and will put his heart into making it live up to the heritage.
Scott is a New York legend that deserves much more respect than he's getting on this board. Just because you didn't grow up with him doesn't mean that he isn't/wasn't worth listening to. In his time he was the Lujack of NYC. It's time for him to focus on New York and leave Chicago behind. He doesn't play well in sydication, as is true for Ol' Uncle Lar too!
I hope they turn it over to Kipper McGee to fix. He grew up with WLS and will put his heart into making it live up to the heritage.
Scott is a New York legend that deserves much more respect than he's getting on this board. Just because you didn't grow up with him doesn't mean that he isn't/wasn't worth listening to. In his time he was the Lujack of NYC. It's time for him to focus on New York and leave Chicago behind. He doesn't play well in sydication, as is true for Ol' Uncle Lar too!
R
rfichaser
Guest
I hope too that this version of 94.7 is done right. It can make money and make great radio.
Regarding local talent -- in a recent thread about the high-profile decades of WIND, Connie Szerszen posted with a brief update on herself (www.toprockgirlyjock.com). She also made a reference about looking for her next radio home after being dropped by WJMK when they switched to "Jack."
Though she's not associated with the old WLS, she's still a great air talent and has a high-energy style that would fit. She's local, she's available, and she's good. I think WLS-FM should be talking with her if they aren't already.
Regarding local talent -- in a recent thread about the high-profile decades of WIND, Connie Szerszen posted with a brief update on herself (www.toprockgirlyjock.com). She also made a reference about looking for her next radio home after being dropped by WJMK when they switched to "Jack."
Though she's not associated with the old WLS, she's still a great air talent and has a high-energy style that would fit. She's local, she's available, and she's good. I think WLS-FM should be talking with her if they aren't already.
R
rfichaser
Guest
TimB said:
Midnight Wednesday was the call-letter change. They started right away with new jingles and other program elements around the music.
WJMK Fan said:
I will agree with you about the "crawl before you can walk" scenario. If that's the case, fine.
However, I will, again warn Citadel on the fact that, normally, as the old saying goes: "You only get one chance to make a first impression." And the clock is running on WLS-FM. Had it been possible, I would have had my ducks in a row, made a deal with True Oldies to carry their spots or whatever and launched in as complete a form as possible.
Granted deals with other jocks, if the discussions are underway, can take some time. One might have wondered if such was the case why they launched before they had everything in place...but, hey...I'm not there to know. We'll all watch with interest.
Just looking through the schedule, and I saw something that looked very out of place. What does place does paid block programming have on a music station? Nothing says change stations more...
Give the station a chance. I did not expect perfection during the first few days, weeks or months. I'm sure WLS-FM will do just fine. It was great listening to Dick Biondi last night. He's still the greatest! It's great to hear those call-letters and the jingles. I've been a big fan of WLS since 9/7/68. I'm not disappointed. Welcome back WLS-FM!
Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts
http://wxrbfm.com
Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts
http://wxrbfm.com
Indeed Dick Biondi's show last night was great. Lots of WLS jingles & reminicing about WLS.
If they could just drop Shannon and add more local programming it would be perfect.
I'm assuming that Shannon's Trueoldies canned programming is alot less expensive than hiring more local talent.
Too bad because that's the only downside I see to what they're doing. It's doubtful that citadel would spend the money to run this station properly even if Shannon could be dropped.
If they could just drop Shannon and add more local programming it would be perfect.
I'm assuming that Shannon's Trueoldies canned programming is alot less expensive than hiring more local talent.
Too bad because that's the only downside I see to what they're doing. It's doubtful that citadel would spend the money to run this station properly even if Shannon could be dropped.
C
CW
Guest
Jason Roberts said:
100% on the mark on YOUR comments, Jason! They still call themselves TOC and play too much early 60s...and right now hearing a copy of "Wonderful World" by Herman's Hermits...NO NO NO!!! PLAY the original version (as heard in Animal House too! GEESH!)
They want to be the old WLS on FM??? Aint doing it boys.......if you put the CALL there, you need to do it right or DONT try.....all you do is screw things up more....and this one is headed for the dumpster already...Funny, they can do the BIG89 Rewind ok, etc but yet to try to reprise WLS on the FM, they cant do it right??? Ya think after two years they could make it work right..... Makes me wonder if there will be a Rewind in 09?
Sent some comments to WLS-FM and the first thing I noticed on their "Contact Us" page, is that they still have WZZN email addresses! Bad move on their part.
Here is the lineup I suggested:
Lujack/Edwards: 5AM to 9AM
Fred Winston: 9AM to Noon
Greg Brown: Noon to 3PM
JRL: 3PM to 7PM
Biondi: Evenings
Either Bob Dearborn or Scott Miller Overnights--even if they were VT'd, they both have a strong Chicago connection.
Here is the lineup I suggested:
Lujack/Edwards: 5AM to 9AM
Fred Winston: 9AM to Noon
Greg Brown: Noon to 3PM
JRL: 3PM to 7PM
Biondi: Evenings
Either Bob Dearborn or Scott Miller Overnights--even if they were VT'd, they both have a strong Chicago connection.
That would be an excellent lineup.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
doesn't Bob Dearborn work for CBS?
Gentlemen -
I don't know how many of you have ever had the honor of putting a radio station on the air, ever. Or, even changing a format. Or all the staff.
I have. Several times.
It can be said that if it is a planned change (as this one with WLS-FM was,) the one thing you DON'T do is, in a market the size of Chicago, with heritage 3-letter calls at that and a legacy that equates to both AM & FM is put a slip-shod programming choice together and rush it to air.
Whether 'LS-FM was granted the call letters or not is not a requirement that they put them on that minute. For competitive reasons, they might have wanted to do it as quickly as possible, I understand.
However, you plan a format - you hire talent. You do what's best for the community, your station, your advertisers. You practice. You do everything right ... not throw it on the air because you got "call letters." No one in the market could have had those call letters, anyway, outside of Citadel. Same frequency, same company ... no one else but.
So, you plan, design, formulate ... then, go after the call letters, get everything as practiced signed, sealed and delivered ... then, put it all together on Thursday morning (or whatever hour chosen.)
This was horrible. It was cheap. It was a whitewash. And you people think this is just a bad dream for "stunting," still? Are you kidding?
This is either a way to turn off everybody to what the legacy of WLS(FM) was in anyone's mind to allow them to switch to talk or was the sloppiest, most hap-hazard, non-planned, non-prepared, cheap way to "blow it up" possible.
You think Lujack would come back to this? I think not.
No class, no style, no nothing.
And at $1.22 a share ... one can only wonder, "What's next?" If you think it's the rebirth of "The Rock of Chicago" after this mess, you are sadly mistaken.
Welcome to radio by bean counter.
I don't know how many of you have ever had the honor of putting a radio station on the air, ever. Or, even changing a format. Or all the staff.
I have. Several times.
It can be said that if it is a planned change (as this one with WLS-FM was,) the one thing you DON'T do is, in a market the size of Chicago, with heritage 3-letter calls at that and a legacy that equates to both AM & FM is put a slip-shod programming choice together and rush it to air.
Whether 'LS-FM was granted the call letters or not is not a requirement that they put them on that minute. For competitive reasons, they might have wanted to do it as quickly as possible, I understand.
However, you plan a format - you hire talent. You do what's best for the community, your station, your advertisers. You practice. You do everything right ... not throw it on the air because you got "call letters." No one in the market could have had those call letters, anyway, outside of Citadel. Same frequency, same company ... no one else but.
So, you plan, design, formulate ... then, go after the call letters, get everything as practiced signed, sealed and delivered ... then, put it all together on Thursday morning (or whatever hour chosen.)
This was horrible. It was cheap. It was a whitewash. And you people think this is just a bad dream for "stunting," still? Are you kidding?
This is either a way to turn off everybody to what the legacy of WLS(FM) was in anyone's mind to allow them to switch to talk or was the sloppiest, most hap-hazard, non-planned, non-prepared, cheap way to "blow it up" possible.
You think Lujack would come back to this? I think not.
No class, no style, no nothing.
And at $1.22 a share ... one can only wonder, "What's next?" If you think it's the rebirth of "The Rock of Chicago" after this mess, you are sadly mistaken.
Welcome to radio by bean counter.
Oaktree,
I understand your sentiments. However, Lujack did go to 1690 AM.
I understand your sentiments. However, Lujack did go to 1690 AM.
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