WROR vs WZLX the Countdown ...or Countup

[Varulven]

Nice to hear some different music on WROR and WZLX. Janis Joplin's MOVE OVER was played on WZLX on
Thursday around 6 PM...right after MUST'VE GOT LOST and a bunch of other "M" songs.

Why do these stations have to do "countdowns" or something outside of just playing good music to...play good music?

 

[Lucylu]

Because then what would the consultants do? ;D

 

[Infidel]

I wouldn't mind hearing something goofball like an A-Z parody show -- the original plus the parody.

In light of the recent cat food scare, "Cat's in the Cradle" followed by "There's a cat in the kettle (at the Peking Moon)" ;D

 

[raccoonradio]

Maria Muldaur's "I'm a Woman" on the WODS countdown a few weeks back. Excellent.

 

[Boston_Bill]

Nice to hear some different music on WROR and WZLX. Janis Joplin's MOVE OVER was played on WZLX on
Thursday around 6 PM...right after MUST'VE GOT LOST and a bunch of other "M" songs.

Why do these stations have to do "countdowns" or something outside of just playing good music to...play good music?

I listened to 'ROR last night and it was fun hearing some different music than the same stuff they play all the time.

 

[TowerBuzz]

Nice to hear some different music on WROR and WZLX. Janis Joplin's MOVE OVER was played on WZLX on
Thursday around 6 PM...right after MUST'VE GOT LOST and a bunch of other "M" songs.

Why do these stations have to do "countdowns" or something outside of just playing good music to...play good music?

They do countdowns etc to increase time spent listening which in turn boosts ratings. I think what you are saying is why do stations have to do countdowns etc to play somewhat obscure music?. I think that is the difference. to YOU "good music" equals somewhat obscure things not heard everyday. The average listener wants familliar stuff that he knows, remembers and likes. Remember no one here is an average listener, we're all a bit jaded because we're hyper aware of radio. The average Joe listening, is not and just wants to hear familliar stuff more than being challanged. Sad but true.

 

[Lucylu]

Spoken like true middle management. Who says 'Joe Dirt' doesn't want to hear the B side every now and again? If these stations put on more compelling DJs people might stick around through the more obscure music. Seemed to have worked for BCN in 80's.

 

[TowerBuzz]

Spoken like true middle management. Who says 'Joe Dirt' doesn't want to hear the B side every now and again? If these stations put on more compelling DJs people might stick around through the more obscure music. Seemed to have worked for BCN in 80's.

I didn't say I agree with the theory I am only answering the question posed. I agree with you that there are not a lot of compelling talents left either, that would certainly help the cause. And that is LOWER management to you Miss!

 

[Lucylu]

LOL

 

[Retro]

Does anyone know what criteria WROR is using for their countdown? It sounds like as if they are combining Billboards Hot 100 with a Rock chart to have a countdown of the songs. I say this because they have been referring to chart positions on some songs, then others that I know that never made the Top 40 being on the list as well.

 

[Varulven]

The initial question was meant to be facetious. These stations need to spice it up because even the diehards are tired of Stairway To Freebird and Sweet Home Southern Man.

Although I do find myself listening to Boston more because of Brad's passing. Their music had become so overplayed until the tragedy. Interesting that when an artist passes away we want to hear their music more.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

Interesting that when an artist passes away we want to hear their music more.

When I worked in one of the areas fine independent record stores many years ago, we used to call that "the ghoul syndrome". Whenever an artist passed away, we had a huge rush on selling their records and CD's.

 

[Lucylu]

It turned John Lennon's career around.

 

[raccoonradio]

>>When I worked in one of the areas fine independent record stores many years ago, we used to call that "the ghoul syndrome". Whenever an artist passed away, we had a huge rush on selling their records and CD's.

Yup; I'd see a place like Records Wanted in Lynn put up a display of Roy Orbison records right after he passed away. Instant nostalgia...

There was a band from Washington DC, Martha Hull and the Steady Jobs (early 80s) who put out an indie
45, "I Wanna Burnout" that had the couplet "Jim Croce's records never sold/ But when he died they all turned
gold". Well, actually, he did have a few hits before his untimely passing in a plane crash, but...

 

[Runrigger]

Does anyone know what criteria WROR is using for their countdown? It sounds like as if they are combining Billboards Hot 100 with a Rock chart to have a countdown of the songs. I say this because they have been referring to chart positions on some songs, then others that I know that never made the Top 40 being on the list as well.

It has to be some sort of national criteria rather than local, as I was scanning around & caught I Fought The Law by the Bobby Fuller Four followed by Gold by John Stewart. Interesting that some songs WROR never plays place higher in the countdown than some they do play regularly. Also odd that Terry Jacks' Seasons In The Sun is included in any countdown that probably included The Stones, but that's the way it was in the 70s so I guess it makes sense now.

 

[Boston_Bill]

Nice to hear some different music on WROR and WZLX. Janis Joplin's MOVE OVER was played on WZLX on
Thursday around 6 PM...right after MUST'VE GOT LOST and a bunch of other "M" songs.

Why do these stations have to do "countdowns" or something outside of just playing good music to...play good music?

They do countdowns etc to increase time spent listening which in turn boosts ratings. I think what you are saying is why do stations have to do countdowns etc to play somewhat obscure music?. I think that is the difference. to YOU "good music" equals somewhat obscure things not heard everyday. The average listener wants familliar stuff that he knows, remembers and likes. Remember no one here is an average listener, we're all a bit jaded because we're hyper aware of radio. The average Joe listening, is not and just wants to hear familliar stuff more than being challanged. Sad but true.

I suppose you're right but I know I don't need to hear American Pie every night on 'ROR

 

[SonicOverload]

Interesting that when an artist passes away we want to hear their music more.

When I worked in one of the areas fine independent record stores many years ago, we used to call that "the ghoul syndrome". Whenever an artist passed away, we had a huge rush on selling their records and CD's.

same where I worked... at Rockit Records. Some folks apparently thought their records would be going out of print or something... where did you work, Eli?

 

[Eli Polonsky]

same where I worked... at Rockit Records. Some folks apparently thought their records would be going out of print or something... where did you work, Eli?

I worked part-time at Stereo Jack's in Cambridge in the mid/late 80's. It's still hanging in there even in this age of digital downloads which have put many other stores out of business, because they specialize in a deep selection of hard to find jazz and blues, and a smattering of vintage rock, R&B, country and folk. Their prices on used records (they still sell vinyl!) and CD's are excellent, and condition is guaranteed.

It's owned by "Stereo Jack" Woker, who was a host of the weekend overnight "Jazz Gallery" on WGBH in the late 80's and 90's, and previously of the former "Jazz Celebrations" show on WMBR.