WOO HOO, Manheim Steamroller on KRTH!

[Bianco500]

Oh boy, someone on this board is gonna be so pissed!

Bianco500 LOVES it when people get pissed.

Now if Johnnie Kaye could only play some Richard Carpenter someone's really crappy day would be complete

 

[surfdude]

If you're going to play Christmas music, play stuff people like.
They like Mannheim Steamroller. Their albums sell like hotcakes.

Mr. Kaye knows this, and that's why he's successful.

 

[scooty430]

Kanye West and Jay Z also sell a lot of records. But they don't play 'em on KRTH, because it's an OLDIES station.

For this reason, playing KOST music like Air Supply, Barry Manilow, and worst of all Mannheim Steamroller is a real bummer on KRTH. These are not artists the station would ever play normally. Common sense says some listeners must be alienated or at least scratching their heads.

Especially since the station is a ratings success the rest of the year, the temporary partial format switch is a little strange, and frankly a little insulting to the core audience.

Now we have two KOSTs, a full-time KOST and a three times an hour KOST. It means less choice for the listener. And whenever that happens, it's unfortunate.

 

[surfdude]

Actually 50 year old females love Mannheim Steamroller and Nat King Cole
around Christmas, even on an upbeat Oldies station. Playing a few of these songs this
time of the year is smart. Relying on JUST Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
would be foolish and narrow.

FYI: Females control most radio listening. Ask your wife.

 

[calguy]

Guess you have to balance what sells with what fits your format. KRTH has been introducing newer music for some time now and while Manheim Steamroller doesn't sound like it fits it's not exactly new as I believe their first Christmas album was released 22 or 23 years ago. I personally feel it that it sticks out like a sore thumb, but I believe that Kaye will continue to play it as his goal is to overtake KOST completely. After all he finally beat his old station 12 plus in a trend and has to be happy about that, so he'll continue to play as much music as he can from the KOST playlist in order to do it in an actual book. Personally I don't care for Manheim Steamroller as the heavy keyboard oriented stuff doesn't seem to blend well with the KRTH format.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

Kanye West and Jay Z also sell a lot of records. But they don't play 'em on KRTH, because it's an OLDIES station.

For this reason, playing KOST music like Air Supply, Barry Manilow, and worst of all Mannheim Steamroller is a real bummer on KRTH. These are not artists the station would ever play normally. Common sense says some listeners must be alienated or at least scratching their heads.

Especially since the station is a ratings success the rest of the year, the temporary partial format switch is a little strange, and frankly a little insulting to the core audience.

Now we have two KOSTs, a full-time KOST and a three times an hour KOST. It means less choice for the listener. And whenever that happens, it's unfortunate.

Well Kanye & Jay Z doesnt have the same demo appeal as Mannheim Steamroller (which IS KRTH's demo in large part).
As for the Beatles (as a group), Stones, CSN, Temptations, EWF, Guess Who, CCR, Doors, Supremes, and Billy Joel (not a hit Christmas record amongst them). So KRTH needs to fall back on Christmas hits from Air Supply and Barry Manilow to fill the gaps due to the lack of core artist hit Christmas music.

 

[scooty430]

Kanye West and Jay Z also sell a lot of records. But they don't play 'em on KRTH, because it's an OLDIES station.

For this reason, playing KOST music like Air Supply, Barry Manilow, and worst of all Mannheim Steamroller is a real bummer on KRTH. These are not artists the station would ever play normally. Common sense says some listeners must be alienated or at least scratching their heads.

Especially since the station is a ratings success the rest of the year, the temporary partial format switch is a little strange, and frankly a little insulting to the core audience.

Now we have two KOSTs, a full-time KOST and a three times an hour KOST. It means less choice for the listener. And whenever that happens, it's unfortunate.

Well Kanye & Jay Z doesnt have the same demo appeal as Mannheim Steamroller (which IS KRTH's demo in large part).
As for the Beatles (as a group), Stones, CSN, Temptations, EWF, Guess Who, CCR, Doors, Supremes, and Billy Joel (not a hit Christmas record amongst them). So KRTH needs to fall back on Christmas hits from Air Supply and Barry Manilow to fill the gaps due to the lack of core artist hit Christmas music.

Obviously Mannheim isn't as far off as Kanye West would be, but I was making a point: popularity can't dictate it all.

You make a point that there are more middle of the road Xmas tunes out there. That's for sure! However, to say he has to dip into the land of KOST to fill the playlist is not quite true. Jhani doesn't play very many Xmas tunes - he just repeats them over and over. There are plenty of KRTH-ish tunes out there, many of which he has thrown out to make room for all the Air Supply. How about Elvis, the Beach Boys (major KRTH artist), the Chipmunks (heck, it's now a movie), the Ventures, and of course Augie Rios - now there's a local style hit. Bing and Frank should be there too - they were up until Jhnai arrived.

You can check out WCBSFM's Top 101 Xmas tunes for even more examples.

 

[Carlito Brigante]

Am I really witnessing an tissy between old white people on their thoughts about Kanye west vs. Mannheim? K-Earth will be just fine....

 

[Bob_Hudson]

Am I really witnessing an tissy between old white people on their thoughts about Kanye west vs. Mannheim? K-Earth will be just fine....

Reminds me of when I worked at The Planet in San Diego, which was allegedly "classic rock" (actually classic pop with Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac most pf the time).

I suggested they station's slogan be:

MUSIC FOR OLD WHITE GUYS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM

 

[emailfailed]

I think the issue here with KRTH is there is plenty more Christmas music Mr Kaye could be and should be adding to the holiday playlist. It seems his focus, as many have pointed out, is to beat KOST. The advantage at KRTH is many holiday tunes from past generations can be added without sounding out of place.

Hell, even during the Mike Phillips air-tight playlist days Phillips expanded the Christmas playlist very liberally by adding a wide variety of music.

 

[hamNcheese]

Am I really witnessing an tissy between old white people on their thoughts about Kanye west vs. Mannheim? K-Earth will be just fine....

Reminds me of when I worked at The Planet in San Diego, which was allegedly "classic rock" (actually classic pop with Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac most pf the time).

I suggested they station's slogan be:

MUSIC FOR OLD WHITE GUYS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM

Music For Old White Guys And The Women Who Love Them....Classic!!!...as in 'Hits'

 

[DoctorWu]

Personally, I don't care for Mannheim Steamroller, but I understand their audience appeal. And so does Jhani, and that's the point. Back in the day, when I was programming CHR and Dance/40, we "broke format" every Christmas with past hits from Elton John, the Carpenters and even the friggin' Harry Simeon Chorale. Did it fit the format? Hell no. But the listeners sure loved it.

- Doc