Kevin, the Top song lists Majic is now producing represents the core playlist songs. The lost 45s are hits that are not heard in regular rotation. Some examples of this are the Knickerbockers (Beatles sound-alike) with "Lies" or Gary Lewis and the Playboys' "Save Your Heart for Me".
They've done the Lost 45s in the past so this isn't something new. How effective this will be remains to be seen but in some ways it's like being treated to Ruth Chris for a very rare fantastic meal while fast food is always the norm. I've always thought the effect was more harmful than good as once you get back to business as usual, the wow factor certainly disappears.
I have been a very big fan of Majic's for decades. They have so much going for them but they are making choices that are proving to be wrong.
One of the best things Majic has going for them is their talent. Ron St. John, for example, is a class act. He is witty, clever, funny and has a great sense of timing. Yet, most of his show, as is the others, has decreasing participation by him. Unlike other formats, an oldies format or even today's version demands personality and interraction.
You have to remember, when a lot of that music was popular, the jocks did a heck of a lot of talking. While I wouldn't expect the station to sound like an AM Top 40 of the 60s with screaming DJs, there is way too many songs joined by sweeper. Frankly, it's dull. Automation has not been a friend to this format, in my opinion.
While I can understand why stations tend to be conservative in song selections, you still need to consider this. Songs that were hits were hits because PEOPLE WERE BUYING THE RECORDS. I have always been suspect of research because people will often say what they think the researcher wants to hear. I've always believed that the best research comes from ACTUAL consumer behavior and not from taking surveys or listening to a few notes of a song and rating them.
Anyway, I believe firmly that the format has life in it if programmed correctly. While I understand this is the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale board, let me digress briefly to make a point. In Jacksonville there was a PD named Pat Garrett who programmed Cool 96.9 when it was oldies. He did a fantastic job back then when traditional oldies (60s/late 50s/limited early 70s) was the norm. Today he is programming a station in Greensboro NC (WMQX, Oldies 93) that mixes lots of 70s with 60s and on occasion they go back Pre-Beatles. There's a lot of life in the overall sound of the station because the jocks do talk and are upbeat! They feature a lost oldie or Lost 45, whatever you want to call it, sporatically during the day as a feature. And it all works. It gives that "Wow" factor on occasion our friend, Stu Elliott, so aptly sites as to what is lacking in today's radio.
I really do believe that Majic needs to trust it's audience and understand that they need to sound like they are enjoying themselves and having fun. I'd love to see them spotlight some of those lost 45s as a regualr feature throughout the day on each DJ show with a little commentary about the tune. And let the jocks talk some more and have more interraction with the audience. They were really at their best when they sounded like they as the song goes...believed in Majic.....
