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WMC (79) Flipping this Weekend?

> > > 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.
>
umm. do you mean WMC..:) not WSM. oh yea im 36 and i would listen. i still listen to wsm when it comes in clear. which is rarely !!<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
> Common misconception here.

'Ya know... 'never said they were exclusively country since sign-on. But, to be sure, the Opry has been on for over 70 years, and the Barn Dance before that. How many movies have you seen with dirty-faced sharecroppers, or the like, huddled around a radio in a ramschackle shotgun house listening to the Opry while a fire crackled in the background, and the wallpaper continued to slowly, inexorably peal off the walls? For thousands, perhaps millions, in the rural South, this was the highlight of their hard-working week. That's hertitage. One cannot overstate the importance of WSM to this subculture. Sure, there were similar shows on other stations (most notably, I guess, The Lousiana Hayride on KWKH), but they were second-class copies, at best.

But, your comment that WSM's history is misconceived illustrates an important point. If your reputation can make people re-write history in their minds, you have heritage to burn. And, certainly, WSM has traded upon that.

Meanwhile, WMC hasn't played country (except for maybe the odd bumper music) since the Reagan Administration. Country was two formats and three presidents ago.

DE
 
About 680

> 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.
>

I'm hearing high-end commercials like for Cadillac dealers and jewelry stores on 680 now. while their numbers may not look that good on the 12+, SOMEBODY's listening or they wouldn't be able to sell those spots!
 
Re: About 680

They are just a "throw in" with WRVR, to give the client added value. Nothing more.

> I'm hearing high-end commercials like for Cadillac dealers
> and jewelry stores on 680 now. while their numbers may not
> look that good on the 12+, SOMEBODY's listening or they
> wouldn't be able to sell those spots!
>
 
Great points about WSM.

WMC was once a great heritage country station. Great numbers, too. No one will ever pull those digits again. Acree and Aunt Eloise...WOW! That was a blast from the past. Don't forget about Dave Michaels, Bob McLain, and of course,you all mentioned Les Tivers. I cannot begin to tell you the pants story about Les Tivers. Anyone who worked with Les....you know about the pants! LOL!

I was fortunate enough to begin my career in that building in 1987. Unfortunately, country was dying a slow, painful death at that point at 1960 Union Avenue. It was sad to see. Acree and Aunt Eloise had exited. We were running Talknet 7-mid. Lucky for me, though. My debut ;-). But, I got to do "Solid Gold Sunday". Man, that was good stuff! Free form radio at its best! We could go from the Eagles and CCR to Patsy and Loretta. Early Jack (or Willie...whatever weekend)

Then, the plug was pulled Valentines Day 1989. News/Talk. Mark Davis (who I adore). Oliver C. Reed. Rush Limbaugh. I left January of 1990.

Will country ever fly again at 1960 Union? Their signal is terrible. They will have to spend a LOT of money to go up against KIX. And if 94 goes country, there isn't a chance they'll pull above a 2. But, maybe that's what they're hoping for?

It will be good to have WMC back in the country market, but it would have been great for us "old timers" to hear...."Best Country...WMC 79!" ;-)

DD



> > Common misconception here.
>
> 'Ya know... 'never said they were exclusively country since
> sign-on. But, to be sure, the Opry has been on for over 70
> years, and the Barn Dance before that. How many movies
> have you seen with dirty-faced sharecroppers, or the like,
> huddled around a radio in a ramschackle shotgun house
> listening to the Opry while a fire crackled in the
> background, and the wallpaper continued to slowly,
> inexorably peal off the walls? For thousands, perhaps
> millions, in the rural South, this was the highlight of
> their hard-working week. That's hertitage. One cannot
> overstate the importance of WSM to this subculture. Sure,
> there were similar shows on other stations (most notably, I
> guess, The Lousiana Hayride on KWKH), but they were
> second-class copies, at best.
>
> But, your comment that WSM's history is misconceived
> illustrates an important point. If your reputation can make
> people re-write history in their minds, you have heritage to
> burn. And, certainly, WSM has traded upon that.
>
> Meanwhile, WMC hasn't played country (except for maybe the
> odd bumper music) since the Reagan Administration. Country
> was two formats and three presidents ago.
>
> DE
>
 
Re: About 680

Nice Guess, DK, but not at all accurate. Don't pretend to know, when you don't. Those spots were sold seperately, and no packages like that exist, anymore. CFKane

> They are just a "throw in" with WRVR, to give the client
> added value. Nothing more.
 
> I too was at WMC in those days.....I know what you're talking about Les Tivers' pants. You forgot about Jim Tabor. I'm glad they're going Classic Country. I'll listen to it some. They'll never come close to recapturing the numbers they had in the 70's and 80's, but it'll certainly do better than the current sports format. I expect them to return to some of the old jingles and imaging etc. but, I seriously doubt that they'll try to bring back any of the old jocks.

Where are you now China? Still in Memphis? I'd love to chat with you sometime.
 
Re: About 680

Yeah, okay...whatever.

> Nice Guess, DK, but not at all accurate. Don't pretend to
> know, when you don't. Those spots were sold seperately, and
> no packages like that exist, anymore. CFKane
>
> > They are just a "throw in" with WRVR, to give the client
> > added value. Nothing more.
>
 
Could never forget Jim Tabor!

Still...or back in Memphis. V/t-ing nights and live on the weekends at KIX 106...using the real name these days. Great group of people to work with.

Will actually be on LIVE tomorrow at KIX. 9a-2p. Give me a shout.

DD

> > I too was at WMC in those days.....I know what you're
> talking about Les Tivers' pants. You forgot about Jim
> Tabor. I'm glad they're going Classic Country. I'll listen
> to it some. They'll never come close to recapturing the
> numbers they had in the 70's and 80's, but it'll certainly
> do better than the current sports format. I expect them to
> return to some of the old jingles and imaging etc. but, I
> seriously doubt that they'll try to bring back any of the
> old jocks.
>
> Where are you now China? Still in Memphis? I'd love to
> chat with you sometime.
>
 
Re: About 680

> Nice Guess, DK, but not at all accurate. Don't pretend to
> know, when you don't. Those spots were sold seperately, and
> no packages like that exist, anymore. CFKane
>
> > They are just a "throw in" with WRVR, to give the client
> > added value. Nothing more.
>

Maybe, but I was told by someone in your organization AAR has one more year (if the network exists that long) to produce or be dumped.

680 could have, and arguably maybe should have beat 79 to the punch on classic country with their bigger signal, but it's moot now.


<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
 
>
> Will country ever fly again at 1960 Union? Their signal is
> terrible. They will have to spend a LOT of money to go up
> against KIX. And if 94 goes country, there isn't a chance
> they'll pull above a 2. But, maybe that's what they're
> hoping for?
>
> It will be good to have WMC back in the country market, but
> it would have been great for us "old timers" to
> hear...."Best Country...WMC 79!" ;-)
>

The signal's not that bad...if they can keep it on the air, which has been an issue of late. And I don't think they will have to spend that much. A satellite format would get a 2. I think this is a good move. 94 is the unknown here.

BTW e-mail me off board. You know me from the WMC days. <P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
 
Music can still sound good on AM and this is music people grew up with
listening to on AM.

I'm from Boston (visited Memphis in June) and enjoy country (as well as
blues, 70s-90s pop, some bluegrass, etc.) We only have one country station--
WKLB, though there are some rimshotters. They have a country oldies show
Sunday mornings. But lately I've gotten some great classic country from
a tape trader in Memphis--with WEVL's Bashful Bob and Back to the Country.
Interesting to hear the "accent" of Back to the Country's host...sounds
not much different from mine. (That's because Ken Ward is from N.
Providence, RI!)

anyway, could work...

> 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">______________
raccoonradio5ap.gif
</P>
 
> 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.
>
I was thinking (up oh). A good sponsor would be Sam's Town Casino. They have a lot of Country Ledgens play there. I believe George Jones is coming in February. They could have a drawing for tickets and a hotel package and give away buffets all week long. Just a thought.
 
Re: About 680

> 680 could have, and arguably maybe should have beat 79 to
> the punch on classic country with their bigger signal, but
> it's moot now.
>
680 DID do country, against 79 in 1978. 680 (WMPS) was suffering through the "firing Rick Dees backlash" at the time, and 56 was going full-tilt boogie, so Plough thought the big signal would do the trick as a country station (they had other successful country stations in the chain). National PD at the time was Craig Scott, and didn't he go on to kick off KIX?
RG
 
Re: About 680

> > 680 could have, and arguably maybe should have beat 79 to
> > the punch on classic country with their bigger signal, but
>
> > it's moot now.
> >
> 680 DID do country, against 79 in 1978. 680 (WMPS) was
> suffering through the "firing Rick Dees backlash" at the
> time, and 56 was going full-tilt boogie, so Plough thought
> the big signal would do the trick as a country station (they
> had other successful country stations in the chain).
> National PD at the time was Craig Scott, and didn't he go on
> to kick off KIX?
> RG
>

That's exactly what I meant. 680 has somewhat of a country heritage, so it would be plausible for them to do it. I remember 68 country well. I was hired to do weekends there about 3 days before they dumped the country format. I never made it on the air...



<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
 
Re: About 680

> > National PD [of 680] at the time was Craig Scott, and didn't he go
> on to kick off KIX?

Yup. And, eventually was owner/GM of a big-stick FM in Jackson, MS.

Interesting guy... 'taught me a lot.

DE
 
Re: About 680

> > > National PD [of 680] at the time was Craig Scott, and
> didn't he go
> > on to kick off KIX?
>
> Yup. And, eventually was owner/GM of a big-stick FM in
> Jackson, MS.
>
> Interesting guy... 'taught me a lot.
>
> DE
>
Very sweet man! Love Craig. No matter how "big" Craig was, he always had time for you. He's one of the good guys. Tried to talk his daughter Allison out of getting into the business, but no go (lol!).

Last I heard, he was still knocking around Germantown, but that was 4 or 5 years ago. Anyone know where he is?

DD
 
Re: About 680/Craig Scott

> Very sweet man! Love Craig. No matter how "big" Craig was,
> he always had time for you. He's one of the good guys.
> Tried to talk his daughter Allison out of getting into the
> business, but no go (lol!).
>
> Last I heard, he was still knocking around Germantown, but
> that was 4 or 5 years ago. Anyone know where he is?

Craig's gone, and has been for quite a while. Cathy made him get a real job. :) And the thought of Allison out there in the business is scary to me -- when I first met her in Jackson, she was six. But, that was (yikes) 1988.

Last I heard, Craig was running some network or other in Pennsylvania, but I am unsure of specifics. It would be fun to find him again; I worked for Craig for three years in Mississippi and a few years up here. He taught me much, not just about radio, but more important things like self-dicipline. Without him, I wouldn't have the letters after I name I have now.

And, last I saw Craig, he wasn't too big. Lost a bit of weight, which was a good thing. Craig was a big man in more ways than one.

Funny thing about Craig... have you ever noticed that people either loved him, or hated him? No one was luke-warm about Craig. Craig was really smart, and was often over some people's heads.

I could relate some funny Craig stories. But, many involve way too much alcohol. Some still remain a bit foggy.

DE
 
Re: About 680/Craig Scott

> > Very sweet man! Love Craig. No matter how "big" Craig
> was,
> > he always had time for you. He's one of the good guys.
> > Tried to talk his daughter Allison out of getting into the
>
> > business, but no go (lol!).
> >
> > Last I heard, he was still knocking around Germantown, but
>
> > that was 4 or 5 years ago. Anyone know where he is?
>
> Craig's gone, and has been for quite a while. Cathy made
> him get a real job. :) And the thought of Allison out there
> in the business is scary to me -- when I first met her in
> Jackson, she was six. But, that was (yikes) 1988.
>
> Last I heard, Craig was running some network or other in
> Pennsylvania, but I am unsure of specifics. It would be fun
> to find him again; I worked for Craig for three years in
> Mississippi and a few years up here. He taught me much, not
> just about radio, but more important things like
> self-dicipline. Without him, I wouldn't have the letters
> after I name I have now.
>
> And, last I saw Craig, he wasn't too big. Lost a bit of
> weight, which was a good thing. Craig was a big man in more
> ways than one.
>
> Funny thing about Craig... have you ever noticed that people
> either loved him, or hated him? No one was luke-warm about
> Craig. Craig was really smart, and was often over some
> people's heads.
>
> I could relate some funny Craig stories. But, many involve
> way too much alcohol. Some still remain a bit foggy.
>
> DE

Didn't mean anything about the "big" comment...should have said "big time", maybe?

And, yes....the first time I met Craig was during the Jackson, MS St. Patrick's Day parade in 1990, so you can well imagine what condition we were all in ;-)! Amazing that I didn't fall off our float as I tossed my beads! LOL!

Craig is a class act and I hope, whatever he is doing, he is happy and fulfilled. He deserves it.

DD
 
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