There's supposedly something going around about these guys flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to comment?
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WMC (79) Flipping this Weekend?
- Thread starter KMS2020
- Start date
> There's supposedly something going around about these guys
> flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this
> weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that
> it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> comment?
>
IF this occurs, they'll obviously still have the Tigers, but I'll bet that's the end of the Cardinals on 790.
Whether the U of M chooses to renew with 790 after that, that's another story...
> flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this
> weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that
> it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> comment?
>
IF this occurs, they'll obviously still have the Tigers, but I'll bet that's the end of the Cardinals on 790.
Whether the U of M chooses to renew with 790 after that, that's another story...
> There's supposedly something going around about these guys
> flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this
> weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that
> it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> comment?
>
Great idea format wise; unfortunatly wrong band. Won't work on AM.
> flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this
> weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that
> it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> comment?
>
Great idea format wise; unfortunatly wrong band. Won't work on AM.
> >
> IF this occurs, they'll obviously still have the Tigers, but
> I'll bet that's the end of the Cardinals on 790.
>
Well their commitment to the Cardinals was all but nonexistent anyway. They were just as likely not to carry any given game as to do so, and many of the ones they did carry were joined in progress, after they ran out of paid programming--especially on the weekends. In all honesty, if the Cardinals can't find a better local partner than WMC has been, they'd just about be better off out of the market again altogether.
Who knows, this might not even happen, but allegedly word got out about it by virtue of Premiere starting to shop Jim Rome around elsewhere in the market over the past week or two
Update: It's apparently true, as evidenced by:
http://www.wmc79.com<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by KMS2020 on 12/29/05 04:59 PM.</FONT></P>
> IF this occurs, they'll obviously still have the Tigers, but
> I'll bet that's the end of the Cardinals on 790.
>
Well their commitment to the Cardinals was all but nonexistent anyway. They were just as likely not to carry any given game as to do so, and many of the ones they did carry were joined in progress, after they ran out of paid programming--especially on the weekends. In all honesty, if the Cardinals can't find a better local partner than WMC has been, they'd just about be better off out of the market again altogether.
Who knows, this might not even happen, but allegedly word got out about it by virtue of Premiere starting to shop Jim Rome around elsewhere in the market over the past week or two
Update: It's apparently true, as evidenced by:
http://www.wmc79.com<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by KMS2020 on 12/29/05 04:59 PM.</FONT></P>
F
FMSales
Guest
Lack of leadership and a management staff that never bought into the sports format meant they were destined to fail the day they flipped to sports in May of 2001.
> > There's supposedly something going around about these guys
>
> > flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime
> this
> > weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange
> that
> > it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> > on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> > months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> > comment?
> >
> Great idea format wise; unfortunatly wrong band. Won't work
> on AM.
>
3 letters. W-S-M. sure it want work??
they want pull a 5 share. but i bet it works. ratings arent everything. its the south. country sells.<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
>
> > flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime
> this
> > weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange
> that
> > it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> > on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> > months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> > comment?
> >
> Great idea format wise; unfortunatly wrong band. Won't work
> on AM.
>
3 letters. W-S-M. sure it want work??
they want pull a 5 share. but i bet it works. ratings arent everything. its the south. country sells.<P ID="signature">______________note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
I think I've probably posted on this format / topic a dozen times. Good for them and best of luck...now if the imaging doesn't include something along the lines of "The legend returns" then they are asleep at the switch. Based on the logo it might also be a "Highway" moniker. Also a good move.
As for AM I think that's not an issue. The older folks are going to remember the old 79 and won't care what band it's on.
<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
As for AM I think that's not an issue. The older folks are going to remember the old 79 and won't care what band it's on.
<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
> 3 letters. W-S-M. sure it want work?? they want pull a 5
> share. but i bet it works. ratings arent everything. its the
> south. country sells.
While I agree that Gold-based Country is about as good an idea as any, I am not sure that WSM is analogous.
WSM has decades of heritage. WSM has the biggest signal in this part of the country. WSM has an airstaff plugged into its city and, most importantly, the industry. WSM has a budget. And, as an odd bonus, WSM is live nationwide on Sirius (r) Satellite Radio.
WMC has none.
But, assuming the rumors are true, we should all wish them well, and hope they don't just hook up to Real Country, or some similar service. A great signal is a terrible thing to waste.
DE
they want pull a 5> share. but i bet it works. ratings arent everything. its the
> south. country sells.
While I agree that Gold-based Country is about as good an idea as any, I am not sure that WSM is analogous.
WSM has decades of heritage. WSM has the biggest signal in this part of the country. WSM has an airstaff plugged into its city and, most importantly, the industry. WSM has a budget. And, as an odd bonus, WSM is live nationwide on Sirius (r) Satellite Radio.
WMC has none.
But, assuming the rumors are true, we should all wish them well, and hope they don't just hook up to Real Country, or some similar service. A great signal is a terrible thing to waste.
DE
>
> WSM has decades of heritage. WSM has the biggest signal in
> this part of the country. WSM has an airstaff plugged into
> its city and, most importantly, the industry. WSM has a
> budget. And, as an odd bonus, WSM is live nationwide on
> Sirius (r) Satellite Radio.
>
> WMC has none.
>
Signal? No
Airstaff? No
Budget? probably no...but hertitage? Yep.
WMC has a rich country heritage, it's just well-seasoned I'm 44, and I remember WMC79 when it was country, That puts me nicely into the 25-54 range. They'll just have to do a good job of jogging folks' memory.
I'd start by making imagers using some of the old airchecks.
<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
> WSM has decades of heritage. WSM has the biggest signal in
> this part of the country. WSM has an airstaff plugged into
> its city and, most importantly, the industry. WSM has a
> budget. And, as an odd bonus, WSM is live nationwide on
> Sirius (r) Satellite Radio.
>
> WMC has none.
>
Signal? No
Airstaff? No
Budget? probably no...but hertitage? Yep.
WMC has a rich country heritage, it's just well-seasoned
I'm 44, and I remember WMC79 when it was country, That puts me nicely into the 25-54 range. They'll just have to do a good job of jogging folks' memory.I'd start by making imagers using some of the old airchecks.
<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
>
> Signal? No
> Airstaff? No
> Budget? probably no...but hertitage? Yep.
>
> WMC has a rich country heritage, it's just well-seasoned
> I'm 44, and I remember WMC79 when it was country, That puts
> me nicely into the 25-54 range. They'll just have to do a
> good job of jogging folks' memory.
>
> I'd start by making imagers using some of the old airchecks.
Damn skippy! I'm 47 and I have FOND memories of WMC79. Where's Les Tivers now that we need him?
>
> Signal? No
> Airstaff? No
> Budget? probably no...but hertitage? Yep.
>
> WMC has a rich country heritage, it's just well-seasoned
> I'm 44, and I remember WMC79 when it was country, That puts
> me nicely into the 25-54 range. They'll just have to do a
> good job of jogging folks' memory.
>
> I'd start by making imagers using some of the old airchecks.
Damn skippy! I'm 47 and I have FOND memories of WMC79. Where's Les Tivers now that we need him?
>
please post when the flip happens. i hope it goes online. i have relatives there (memphis). maybe i can get some airchecks.
> >
> > Signal? No
> > Airstaff? No
> > Budget? probably no...but hertitage? Yep.
> >
> > WMC has a rich country heritage, it's just well-seasoned
>
> > I'm 44, and I remember WMC79 when it was country, That
> puts
> > me nicely into the 25-54 range. They'll just have to do a
> > good job of jogging folks' memory.
> >
> > I'd start by making imagers using some of the old
> airchecks.
>
> Damn skippy! I'm 47 and I have FOND memories of WMC79.
> Where's Les Tivers now that we need him?
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> >
> > Signal? No
> > Airstaff? No
> > Budget? probably no...but hertitage? Yep.
> >
> > WMC has a rich country heritage, it's just well-seasoned
>
> > I'm 44, and I remember WMC79 when it was country, That
> puts
> > me nicely into the 25-54 range. They'll just have to do a
> > good job of jogging folks' memory.
> >
> > I'd start by making imagers using some of the old
> airchecks.
>
> Damn skippy! I'm 47 and I have FOND memories of WMC79.
> Where's Les Tivers now that we need him?
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> I think I've probably posted on this format / topic a dozen
> times. Good for them and best of luck...now if the imaging
> doesn't include something along the lines of "The legend
> returns" then they are asleep at the switch. Based on the
> logo it might also be a "Highway" moniker. Also a good move.
>
>
> As for AM I think that's not an issue. The older folks are
> going to remember the old 79 and won't care what band it's
> on.
>
and since its on am. and i have a 53 inch antenna on my truck..maybe i can pick it up in the early afternoon hours. i can pick up rock n roldies am 1190 out of dallas daily !!..im in baton rouge.<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> times. Good for them and best of luck...now if the imaging
> doesn't include something along the lines of "The legend
> returns" then they are asleep at the switch. Based on the
> logo it might also be a "Highway" moniker. Also a good move.
>
>
> As for AM I think that's not an issue. The older folks are
> going to remember the old 79 and won't care what band it's
> on.
>
and since its on am. and i have a 53 inch antenna on my truck
..maybe i can pick it up in the early afternoon hours. i can pick up rock n roldies am 1190 out of dallas daily !!..im in baton rouge.<P ID="signature">______________note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> Damn skippy! I'm 47 and I have FOND memories of WMC79.
I understand that WMC spent many years in format, and there may still be people around that remember. But, to compare the leftover heritage of the WMC to WSM just doesn't work -- it's like comparing a Yugo to a Hummer.
WMC hasn't been in the format since the 80s. WSM started playing country just shortly after Marconi connected his first ground rod, and has been doing it ever since.
WSM is the station that gave us the Grand Ole' Opry. It introduced the world to Bluegrass, an artform little known outside Appalachia before 50,000 watts spread it across the Southern US. This is the station that inpired the greats like Loretta Lynn, and is still discussed with hushed reverence by today's stars like Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. WSM is the station that first announced the death of Patsy Cline, arguably the most talented performer ever to grace the Ryman. Heck, even Garth Brooks was humbled the first time he stood behind the WSM mic flag one Saturday night.
This is, well, WSM, the blowtorch with the diamond-shaped, vertical antenna, 878 feet high. There ain't no other.
WMC? They have spent the last several years running Dave Woloshin and Focus on Racing, battling to stay above a 1-share. Heritage? OK...
And, beyond that, WSM isn't just trading on the ghost of its past, it builds upon it. It's tough to hear here because of WCRV, but check it out sometime. WSM is a true full-service station. Without major bucks, that's not a trick WMC can hope to pull off.
Again, I wish WMC well. I enjoy Classic Country, and may sample from time-to-time. I really hope they can make a go of it, if the rumors are true. But, it'll be tough.
Good luck guys.
DE
I understand that WMC spent many years in format, and there may still be people around that remember. But, to compare the leftover heritage of the WMC to WSM just doesn't work -- it's like comparing a Yugo to a Hummer.
WMC hasn't been in the format since the 80s. WSM started playing country just shortly after Marconi connected his first ground rod, and has been doing it ever since.
WSM is the station that gave us the Grand Ole' Opry. It introduced the world to Bluegrass, an artform little known outside Appalachia before 50,000 watts spread it across the Southern US. This is the station that inpired the greats like Loretta Lynn, and is still discussed with hushed reverence by today's stars like Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. WSM is the station that first announced the death of Patsy Cline, arguably the most talented performer ever to grace the Ryman. Heck, even Garth Brooks was humbled the first time he stood behind the WSM mic flag one Saturday night.
This is, well, WSM, the blowtorch with the diamond-shaped, vertical antenna, 878 feet high. There ain't no other.
WMC? They have spent the last several years running Dave Woloshin and Focus on Racing, battling to stay above a 1-share. Heritage? OK...
And, beyond that, WSM isn't just trading on the ghost of its past, it builds upon it. It's tough to hear here because of WCRV, but check it out sometime. WSM is a true full-service station. Without major bucks, that's not a trick WMC can hope to pull off.
Again, I wish WMC well. I enjoy Classic Country, and may sample from time-to-time. I really hope they can make a go of it, if the rumors are true. But, it'll be tough.
Good luck guys.
DE
F
foreverchanges
Guest
> please post when the flip happens. i hope it goes online. i
> have relatives there (memphis). maybe i can get some
> airchecks.
>
I plan on taping some whatever morning it flips. I may not get the actual flip, but I'll get some of the first morning.
> have relatives there (memphis). maybe i can get some
> airchecks.
>
I plan on taping some whatever morning it flips. I may not get the actual flip, but I'll get some of the first morning.
> WMC hasn't been in the format since the 80s. WSM started
> playing country just shortly after Marconi connected his
> first ground rod, and has been doing it ever since.
Common misconception here. WSM actually did not start playing country until the late 70's or early 80's. The AM was an MOR while the FM was AC "SM 95." The FM dropped SM-95 for country in 1984. Prior to the flip to country, the only time country aired on WSM was during the Grand Ole Opry. Certainly, it provided an inspiration to those who wanted to perform at the Opry one day simply because it carried the show at a time of the night when the skywave signal covered a substantial part of the country, and, yes, it covered country due to its connection to the Opry even when it wasn't playing country. America's first full-time country station was actually WCMS "Where Country Music Swings" in Newport News, VA.
> playing country just shortly after Marconi connected his
> first ground rod, and has been doing it ever since.
Common misconception here. WSM actually did not start playing country until the late 70's or early 80's. The AM was an MOR while the FM was AC "SM 95." The FM dropped SM-95 for country in 1984. Prior to the flip to country, the only time country aired on WSM was during the Grand Ole Opry. Certainly, it provided an inspiration to those who wanted to perform at the Opry one day simply because it carried the show at a time of the night when the skywave signal covered a substantial part of the country, and, yes, it covered country due to its connection to the Opry even when it wasn't playing country. America's first full-time country station was actually WCMS "Where Country Music Swings" in Newport News, VA.
M
meepmeep
Guest
> There's supposedly something going around about these guys
> flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this
> weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that
> it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> comment?
>
Speculation is over at least; there was a story on it on WMC=TV's 6' o'clock news. They interviewed the manager and all. Saw the logo in the background...looked like an interstate sign with a 79 on it.
George, Willie, Johnny and the like.
It'll be good...I think lots will sample.
> flipping to country legends/classics/whatever sometime this
> weekend, no later than Sunday. Seems a little strange that
> it hasn't been mentioned directly here, beyond the
> on-again/off-again, generic speculation over the past few
> months about who might do this and when. Anybody care to
> comment?
>
Speculation is over at least; there was a story on it on WMC=TV's 6' o'clock news. They interviewed the manager and all. Saw the logo in the background...looked like an interstate sign with a 79 on it.
George, Willie, Johnny and the like.
It'll be good...I think lots will sample.
WMC can be picked up at night a little in Jackson, MS. I'll be sure to listen to it when it goes country. I wish AM 680 would go back to country, or oldies or all polka and funeral marches or anything but that God awful Air America laughing stock. That is a waste of a perfectly good flame thrower.
ditto on the Mighty 1190 in Dallas. I've heard them a couple of times when they forgot to switch off the blowtorch at night, and that is one heck of a cool music selection. 1950's to the present. Like Jack FM but better.
ditto on the Mighty 1190 in Dallas. I've heard them a couple of times when they forgot to switch off the blowtorch at night, and that is one heck of a cool music selection. 1950's to the present. Like Jack FM but better.
> ditto on the Mighty 1190 in Dallas. I've heard them a
> couple of times when they forgot to switch off the blowtorch
> at night, and that is one heck of a cool music selection.
> 1950's to the present. Like Jack FM but better.
>
agreed. wish it was online..
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> couple of times when they forgot to switch off the blowtorch
> at night, and that is one heck of a cool music selection.
> 1950's to the present. Like Jack FM but better.
>
agreed. wish it was online..
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> > Damn skippy! I'm 47 and I have FOND memories of WMC79.
>
> I understand that WMC spent many years in format, and there
> may still be people around that remember. But, to compare
> the leftover heritage of the WMC to WSM just doesn't work --
> it's like comparing a Yugo to a Hummer.
>
> WMC hasn't been in the format since the 80s. WSM started
> playing country just shortly after Marconi connected his
> first ground rod, and has been doing it ever since.
>
not true. wsm was a variety format till the mid 70s..they played everything including country..
> WSM is the station that gave us the Grand Ole' Opry. It
> introduced the world to Bluegrass, an artform little known
> outside Appalachia before 50,000 watts spread it across the
> Southern US. This is the station that inpired the greats
> like Loretta Lynn, and is still discussed with hushed
> reverence by today's stars like Brad Paisley and Alison
> Krauss. WSM is the station that first announced the death
> of Patsy Cline, arguably the most talented performer ever to
> grace the Ryman. Heck, even Garth Brooks was humbled the
> first time he stood behind the WSM mic flag one Saturday
> night.
>
> This is, well, WSM, the blowtorch with the diamond-shaped,
> vertical antenna, 878 feet high. There ain't no other.
>
> WMC? They have spent the last several years running Dave
> Woloshin and Focus on Racing, battling to stay above a
> 1-share. Heritage? OK...
>
> And, beyond that, WSM isn't just trading on the ghost of its
> past, it builds upon it. It's tough to hear here because of
> WCRV, but check it out sometime. WSM is a true full-service
> station. Without major bucks, that's not a trick WMC can
> hope to pull off.
>
> Again, I wish WMC well. I enjoy Classic Country, and may
> sample from time-to-time. I really hope they can make a go
> of it, if the rumors are true. But, it'll be tough.
>
> Good luck guys.
>
> DE
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
>
> I understand that WMC spent many years in format, and there
> may still be people around that remember. But, to compare
> the leftover heritage of the WMC to WSM just doesn't work --
> it's like comparing a Yugo to a Hummer.
>
> WMC hasn't been in the format since the 80s. WSM started
> playing country just shortly after Marconi connected his
> first ground rod, and has been doing it ever since.
>
not true. wsm was a variety format till the mid 70s..they played everything including country..
> WSM is the station that gave us the Grand Ole' Opry. It
> introduced the world to Bluegrass, an artform little known
> outside Appalachia before 50,000 watts spread it across the
> Southern US. This is the station that inpired the greats
> like Loretta Lynn, and is still discussed with hushed
> reverence by today's stars like Brad Paisley and Alison
> Krauss. WSM is the station that first announced the death
> of Patsy Cline, arguably the most talented performer ever to
> grace the Ryman. Heck, even Garth Brooks was humbled the
> first time he stood behind the WSM mic flag one Saturday
> night.
>
> This is, well, WSM, the blowtorch with the diamond-shaped,
> vertical antenna, 878 feet high. There ain't no other.
>
> WMC? They have spent the last several years running Dave
> Woloshin and Focus on Racing, battling to stay above a
> 1-share. Heritage? OK...
>
> And, beyond that, WSM isn't just trading on the ghost of its
> past, it builds upon it. It's tough to hear here because of
> WCRV, but check it out sometime. WSM is a true full-service
> station. Without major bucks, that's not a trick WMC can
> hope to pull off.
>
> Again, I wish WMC well. I enjoy Classic Country, and may
> sample from time-to-time. I really hope they can make a go
> of it, if the rumors are true. But, it'll be tough.
>
> Good luck guys.
>
> DE
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
> > ditto on the Mighty 1190 in Dallas. I've heard them a
> > couple of times when they forgot to switch off the
> blowtorch
> > at night, and that is one heck of a cool music selection.
> > 1950's to the present. Like Jack FM but better.
> >
>
> agreed. wish it was online..
>
As someone else posted earlier, WSM made the change for economic reasons, not programming reasons. They are letting go of University of Memphis Sports, because it was too expensive. Chances are, they are probably going to do a satellite version of the format and maybe have one live slot.
It's on AM, so I think the listening will come from the older demos, which are a tough sell in the first place.
But, Hey! It would be great to have an alternative to the crap that KIX is putting out! Good luck to them.
> > couple of times when they forgot to switch off the
> blowtorch
> > at night, and that is one heck of a cool music selection.
> > 1950's to the present. Like Jack FM but better.
> >
>
> agreed. wish it was online..
>
As someone else posted earlier, WSM made the change for economic reasons, not programming reasons. They are letting go of University of Memphis Sports, because it was too expensive. Chances are, they are probably going to do a satellite version of the format and maybe have one live slot.
It's on AM, so I think the listening will come from the older demos, which are a tough sell in the first place.
But, Hey! It would be great to have an alternative to the crap that KIX is putting out! Good luck to them.
- Status