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Worcester's 98.9/WORC-FM flipping to country Friday morning at 10
- Thread starter WMC2006
- Start date
Just in case anyone can't get the link:
WORCESTER_ On Friday, the City's oldies/classic hit radio station WORC 98.9 FM will switch to a country music format.
Bob Goodell, vice president and market manager for WXLO 104.5 FM, WWFX 100 FM (a.k.a "The Pike") and WORC FM 98.9 FM, expects the switch to be a popular one.
"This is a country format that our company (Cumulus Media) has that's very popular all across the country. They're creating their own cable TV channel. They have their own record label. They got a concert tour. They're going to have their own country awards show on television," Mr. Goodell said.
"It's a pretty big deal. They're trying to do the country music equivalent of ESPN, where they are trying to have a national brand with all this music and then there will be all these other tentacles around to promote it. We're part of a much bigger universe, which is going to make this even better than if we just decided to do it on our own."
Cumulus Media (which owns the three Worcester stations) has Nash FM stations (typically "hot country" formats) and Nash Icons (a "middle ground" between modern and classic country).
It launched its first Nash FM station last year in Newark, N.J., and its first Nash Icons station in August in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., with a series of stations following suit.
Cumulus Media announced a joint venture with Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift's label).
As the first radio station in Worcester dedicated to country music in many of moons, WORC 98.9 FM will serve up its share cry-in-your-beer tearjerkers, hoedown hootenannies and honky-tonk power ballads to the Central Mass. audience. WORC AM had a country format in the 1980s.
"Country music is now the second most popular (radio) format in the United States. It's really where some of the best music development is going on with new artists. So it's a very exciting area for us to get into," Mr. Goodell said. "The most popular format in the country is hot adult-contemporary, which WXLO is. So, we really wanted to throw our cowboy hat in the ring with something big."
Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey has been quoted as saying Nash Icons brand would emphasize the "biggest country artists of the last two decades, who are still recording and touring but not getting enough exposure today."
"We're going to play the country music of the '90s up to today," Mr. Goodell said. "So you're going to hear some classic artists like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Alabama," Mr. Goodell said. "And, there's a demand for that."
With the number one and two most popular radio formats covered (and classic rock covered with the Pike), Mr. Goodell expects big listening numbers. Even better for fans of the former oldies station, WORC current radio personalities (Adam Webster, Dave O,Gara and Mark Veau) will continue on NASH Icons.
"They're all really excited mainly because they're going to a very popular music format, so we know the radio station is going to grow," Mr. Goodell said. "We're going to be a bigger radio station than we are right and being a business, that's the goal."
WORCESTER_ On Friday, the City's oldies/classic hit radio station WORC 98.9 FM will switch to a country music format.
Bob Goodell, vice president and market manager for WXLO 104.5 FM, WWFX 100 FM (a.k.a "The Pike") and WORC FM 98.9 FM, expects the switch to be a popular one.
"This is a country format that our company (Cumulus Media) has that's very popular all across the country. They're creating their own cable TV channel. They have their own record label. They got a concert tour. They're going to have their own country awards show on television," Mr. Goodell said.
"It's a pretty big deal. They're trying to do the country music equivalent of ESPN, where they are trying to have a national brand with all this music and then there will be all these other tentacles around to promote it. We're part of a much bigger universe, which is going to make this even better than if we just decided to do it on our own."
Cumulus Media (which owns the three Worcester stations) has Nash FM stations (typically "hot country" formats) and Nash Icons (a "middle ground" between modern and classic country).
It launched its first Nash FM station last year in Newark, N.J., and its first Nash Icons station in August in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., with a series of stations following suit.
Cumulus Media announced a joint venture with Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift's label).
As the first radio station in Worcester dedicated to country music in many of moons, WORC 98.9 FM will serve up its share cry-in-your-beer tearjerkers, hoedown hootenannies and honky-tonk power ballads to the Central Mass. audience. WORC AM had a country format in the 1980s.
"Country music is now the second most popular (radio) format in the United States. It's really where some of the best music development is going on with new artists. So it's a very exciting area for us to get into," Mr. Goodell said. "The most popular format in the country is hot adult-contemporary, which WXLO is. So, we really wanted to throw our cowboy hat in the ring with something big."
Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey has been quoted as saying Nash Icons brand would emphasize the "biggest country artists of the last two decades, who are still recording and touring but not getting enough exposure today."
"We're going to play the country music of the '90s up to today," Mr. Goodell said. "So you're going to hear some classic artists like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Alabama," Mr. Goodell said. "And, there's a demand for that."
With the number one and two most popular radio formats covered (and classic rock covered with the Pike), Mr. Goodell expects big listening numbers. Even better for fans of the former oldies station, WORC current radio personalities (Adam Webster, Dave O,Gara and Mark Veau) will continue on NASH Icons.
"They're all really excited mainly because they're going to a very popular music format, so we know the radio station is going to grow," Mr. Goodell said. "We're going to be a bigger radio station than we are right and being a business, that's the goal."
I think this a good move by Cumulus. Country has always been very big in Central New England. It's great they are keeping the air staff! And for Dave O'Gara, it's back to the future for him. I believe he was at the original WORC (AM 1310) when they switched to country back in the day.
The only ones that are probably not happy is the owner of Cool Country 940 in Webster. WORC is a very strong signal in the same areas. I think many of Cool Country's listeners will choose the new WORC-FM.
And I'm listening to WORC right now and Dave promised a eclectic mix for the final hour. He's playing "Goodbye Again" by the Carpenters right now.
The only ones that are probably not happy is the owner of Cool Country 940 in Webster. WORC is a very strong signal in the same areas. I think many of Cool Country's listeners will choose the new WORC-FM.
And I'm listening to WORC right now and Dave promised a eclectic mix for the final hour. He's playing "Goodbye Again" by the Carpenters right now.
Last oldie played was the Beatles' "A Day In The Life." A brief live introduction, then a Cumulus liner about what an "iconic" place "WOOO-ster" is, canned greetings from country stars of the past couple of decades, and right into the canned Nash Icon format. Surprised they're keeping the air staff. Wonder how long that will last.
Nash Icon is an updated version of your typical classic country station that still plays Merle,Buck Owens,The Statler Brothers, George Jones and the first generation of country stars. Smart move by Cumulus by focusing on 90's and early 00's country stars. Current country radio hardly plays songs that are 20 years old anymore.
When I listen to a contemporary country station I get burned out in about 20 minutes. It's the same kind of sound...country and rock mixed. A George Strait or any song that sounds like traditional country is a welcome respite.
When I listen to a contemporary country station I get burned out in about 20 minutes. It's the same kind of sound...country and rock mixed. A George Strait or any song that sounds like traditional country is a welcome respite.
Indeed it did. "Q100". Then to classic rock "100.1 The Fox", active rock "100.1 The Fox", and then to The Pike.
Excellent move by Cumulus Worcester... given the musical similarity between the former WORC-FM and WWFX, can't believe it took so long! Nash Icon adds something new to the dial that should really take off... though the 98.9 signal could be a limitation if it does.
Yes they were a long time country station (Q100) under previous ownership based in Southbridge, MA. In fact, Joe G who who did morning drive for them is now on Cool Country 940 in Webster.
http://www.coolcountry940.com/newweb/
http://www.coolcountry940.com/newweb/
This is a totally moronic move. Why the hell would you put Nash Icon on there instead of the main Nash feed? Let me tell you something about that 90's country... it's not aging well. I'm in my 30s and it sounds AWFUL. Maybe it plays well in a market with deep country heritage, as a second tier station in a market with several country outlets. But as a stand-alone? It's like they're not even trying here.
The signal isn't a Worcester signal, and it was never intended to be. Nothing's going to do great on that stick, but this one is just a real puzzler.
Oh, the Legal ID that says "WORC-FM Webster/Wooooster" is a nice touch too. *eye roll*
The signal isn't a Worcester signal, and it was never intended to be. Nothing's going to do great on that stick, but this one is just a real puzzler.
Oh, the Legal ID that says "WORC-FM Webster/Wooooster" is a nice touch too. *eye roll*
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It's an interesting move, but maybe the best possible one. As an oldies station, they shared with 100.1 in their own building, 105.7, and 101.5. Now, they technically share with only 102.5 and 98.1, but know that they couldn't do Hit Country because WKLB would still win. As an older skewing station, they sound fairly different than 102.5, so may be able to grab some older disenfranchised WKLB listeners. Also, this is a good strategic move in that if they pull any share at all from WKLB in Worcester, it helps The Pike and WXLO's ranking with men and women, respectively.
http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WORC&service=FM&status=L&hours=U
Signal range--indeed Worc. isn't in their primary range, more like distant but they're covering the tri state area of MA/CT/RI including
the "quiet corner" of Conn. (which explains why I heard an ad on their stream for a place in Putnam CT) Judging by the map,
Framingham, Providence, and Springfield are in the fringe range (within blue circle) while, again, Worc. itself is in the
distant range (purple circle). They may do "OK" but not gangbusters given their coverage area. Maybe the Nash Icon is to try
and get some middle aged _and_ young listeners (I think the article mentioned that while young listeners like the new stuff
some may enjoy stuff from 20 yrs ago, too) May not be a roaring success but not a total bust, if the guy quoted knows his stuff.
The "Bull" type stations (not that 101.7 gets out there) may stick with strictly new stuff.
>>"We're going to play the country music of the '90s up to today," Mr. Goodell said. "So you're going to hear some classic artists like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Alabama," Mr. Goodell said. "And, there's a demand for that." With the number one and two most popular radio formats covered (and classic rock covered with the Pike), Mr. Goodell expects big listening numbers.
Signal range--indeed Worc. isn't in their primary range, more like distant but they're covering the tri state area of MA/CT/RI including
the "quiet corner" of Conn. (which explains why I heard an ad on their stream for a place in Putnam CT) Judging by the map,
Framingham, Providence, and Springfield are in the fringe range (within blue circle) while, again, Worc. itself is in the
distant range (purple circle). They may do "OK" but not gangbusters given their coverage area. Maybe the Nash Icon is to try
and get some middle aged _and_ young listeners (I think the article mentioned that while young listeners like the new stuff
some may enjoy stuff from 20 yrs ago, too) May not be a roaring success but not a total bust, if the guy quoted knows his stuff.
The "Bull" type stations (not that 101.7 gets out there) may stick with strictly new stuff.
>>"We're going to play the country music of the '90s up to today," Mr. Goodell said. "So you're going to hear some classic artists like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Alabama," Mr. Goodell said. "And, there's a demand for that." With the number one and two most popular radio formats covered (and classic rock covered with the Pike), Mr. Goodell expects big listening numbers.
Unless you're playing games with a Yagi, WORC-FM has no signal in Framingham or any of Eastern Worcester County. Much like our friends 101.7 and 101.5, 98.9 plays signal wars with 99.1 -- which wouldn't show up on any of the Radio-Locator maps. While the station has a signal in Worcester, 98.9 booms in through the rural parts of I-90/I-84. And for that reason, going with Nash Icon rather than Nash FM could end up really paying off.
I live in Shrewsbury (opposite side of Worcester from Webster) and 98.9 comes in fine here. Driving from here to Bellingham, MA yesterday morning (via Rt 9 East to 495 South), the station quickly got static-y in Westboro, then in and out briefly, at which point I changed stations completely. Happened to try it in Bellingham yesterday afternoon around 4pm and got good reception (heard Mark Veau do the ID as "the all new 98-9 Nash Icon"). Having said that, I don't do country and will not be listening again. I'm an avid listener of 100FM The Pike at home and around Worcester County. In my truck, out of The Pike's signal range, it's WROR.
As normally would happen with a format change, there are people on both The Pike's and 98.9's Facebook pages who love the change and who hate the change. Someone on one of those posts mentioned that it was Dave O'Gara who suggested (or had a hand in suggesting) the flip to country. Don't know if that's true. It's nice that they kept him (and the others) on with the change, always enjoyed listening to him (listened to him when I was a kid when he had the morning show at the original WORC-AM), but I won't be listening to him anymore.
As normally would happen with a format change, there are people on both The Pike's and 98.9's Facebook pages who love the change and who hate the change. Someone on one of those posts mentioned that it was Dave O'Gara who suggested (or had a hand in suggesting) the flip to country. Don't know if that's true. It's nice that they kept him (and the others) on with the change, always enjoyed listening to him (listened to him when I was a kid when he had the morning show at the original WORC-AM), but I won't be listening to him anymore.
I live In the northeastern part of Worcester and get them in just fine. In fact, while not as strong as The Pike, WORC-FM comes in quite well in the city. And another possible reason for going the Nash Icon route is that WKLB covers greater Worcester extremely well so they would be up against a well established competitor.
They need to fix their website. It says NOW PLAYING: A Day in the Life by the Beatles. LOL It said that last night too.
http://www.nashicon989.com/
I liked the music mix when I tuned in via I-HEART RADIO last night. (Aside from the fact they were jockless).
http://www.nashicon989.com/
I liked the music mix when I tuned in via I-HEART RADIO last night. (Aside from the fact they were jockless).
WORC has always been jockless after 7 p.m. As for the Now Playing: A Day in the Life by the Beatles, that was the final song played by Dave O'Gara before the switch to Nash Icon. Seeing they were ready with a new website as soon as the Classic Hits format ended, you would have thought that the "Now Playing" would have been updated as well.
I do agree about the music mix, I think they made the right choice and I have been enjoying the music as well.
I do agree about the music mix, I think they made the right choice and I have been enjoying the music as well.
David's right, they only time they have jocks is between 6am and 7pm. And the legendary Dave O'Gara handles most of that from 9am to 3pm plus weekends. I'm taking a listen right now for a few minutes just to hear him. Hate the music but I've always loved listening to Dave O on the radio.
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Has anyone noticed the legal ID? "Southbridge-Wooster"?
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