WWBA AM 820

[MichaelCrose]

I have to agree with Cedric on this one. I love listening to the wanna be’s on TanTalk. It is sad when they run out of money. I miss, Glenn Kline Online (that one goes back), Schrader, Dr. Robyn (there is now a clone of her show on Friday nights called The Foxxy Fourm) , Don from Largo, The Hooter girl, (just kidding BL) Those two guys who worked over a CBS, oh and that liberal lion guy. Now I enjoy (somewhat) the book club guy, the Good News radio lady (although I want to call and be negative to her for fun) and the PC hero guy. But Cedric, I just have to ask you… I just gotta know. Is Bobby Lee for real?

 

[coolaid213]

Correction, I made $7 an hour when I worked at Salem. :

I'm doing much better since leaving there. I'm not sure what you're so bitter about. I have managed to pay all of my bills solely by working in radio for the past 8 or so years. And it's allowed me to start doing freelance production work on the side, and it's been a blast. I love it dude, this is my dream job. I've never been out of work, and I've never gone hungry. I don't care what the officers' families think, dude. I do feel sorry for them, but I don't know them. I'm not happy when anyone dies, I don't think anyone is, and I'm not sure why you keep harping on this. Apparently you heard a comment I made on air that was to the effect that those officers knew what they were getting into when they took the job. It a dangerous job, and it's very dangerous to enter an attic where there is a deranged man with a gun. I'm sorry you're so upset with me. I hope you have a great day.

And yes, Bobby Lee is for real.

 

[klutch00]

Very thoughtful reply by Frank Ferrari. The bills have to be paid.

And regarding his second point, I, for one, would be thrilled with either adult standards or country gold.

Even though I've always understood the argument about demographics, I find it hard to understand why owners keep slicing off pieces of the same demographic pie until each only has just a thin little piece.

Great point. If everyone is after basically the same demo...why not OWN a demo that no one is going after...ears are ears whether they be on a 65 year old or 25 year old....heck, ever see a retailer turn away a customer with money in hand because they aren't in the store's target?

Exactly

And this formula can work with other minor subgenres. Punk Rock. Folk. "Real" Country (not that pop country mess you hear 99% of the time). All of these, sure, may not have huge numbers, but they are LOYAL numbers who support the businesses who support them. At least in theory lol

I've been saying for awhile that if your an AM operator - especially one who's not a major broadcaster - you've GOT to innovate! For Florida (and many other communities for that matter) having a classic country or pop-standards could 'fit the bill'. I might suggest that appropriate material from more recent years be added to the playlists, though. Either way, play stuff that FMs won't touch with a 20' pole but that still has viability! For a classic country format, including bluegrass might be a viable option.

I might also suggest offering events for which the station can make money off of. For the aforementioned formats, an auto show, concert or dance might be a few examples. I might also suggest utilizing a hybrid revenue model where the station relies on donations events revenue for its income as well as advertisement.

Some will scoff at the idea of underground rock on AM; but I can see where this could be a viable option; especially if a hybrid revenue model or non-commercial model is utilized.

http://www.wbzh.net/
http://www.openaircpr.org
http://tunein.com/radio/947-too-910-s34577/

 

[JerkyBoy33707]

Cedric- its not that Im bitter about anything- . The teaser for the interview with Nicholas Lindsay just reminded me of when you did INDEED say on Facebook that you had no sympathy for the FAMILIES of the murdered officers because they knew it was a hazardous job. That is one of the most stupid things anyone has ever said and puts you in a michael moore or that Alan Grayson guy- on a smaller scale. I will always remember that comment because it was so stupid. I don't know you personally and know nothing about you so thats all I have. The comment itself says alot about your character. I know the next day the comment was deleted so I can't go back and copy it to "remind" you of what you stated.

 

[SCMcKinney]

>>WWBA runs America's Radio News during the week augmented with local news and they sound pretty good.<<

As a listener, I concur that they sound good, and their oft repeated self promoting commercial touting the "non-controversial" aspect of News rings true. I can leave it on at the office, and customers who come in won't be turned off by a talk show host who they disagree with. The problem with listening to them in the car is that my Garmin Quest GPS for some reason stomps on 820 and to a lesser degree 620 when it is switched on. America's Radio News is also on 1200 WINK, and their 50KW signal booms in all over.

As for the speculation of music on AM, most of the radio professionals I read on this board and others say such an endeavor is a no go. That said, I wonder what might become of WHBO 1040? I have heard being the third place finisher in a format is not a spot to be in, and with the dumping of ESPN, there has been IMHO a loss of audience draw. (no World Series for example). Years ago Scott Robbins proved that properly done, Doo Wops could attract audience at 1040, but WMTX owners were not interested.

When the great shiftola of formats happened several years ago, with 820 taking on Mark Larsen, and 1470's sports programming moving to 1040, I had posted about possibilities for the vacated 1470, and suggested that a WGUL-type format might be an idea. This was nixed by others because 105.5 WDUV had that audience. Since that time, the Dove has really morphed into a jockless oldies station. I submit that Les Forrester, if he is still around, could make an available AM "swing."

As for country that is not played by 99.5 or 103.5 or most other country stations, try listening to Crestview Florida's 104.7 WAAZ, if you can. They have a super signal that stretches across the Panhandle, and the selections are consistently unique from what WXBM and others up there play.

 

[Mike_Hennessy]

WAAZ is a throwback to an entirely different age of radio. It's still owned by the Whittaker family and Jim Whittaker is also his own chief engineer. The programming includes the Atlanta Braves and (unless the Braves on the West Coast I guess) the station signs off at midnight. It also does not stream. It's not because Whittaker is stupid, he just doesn't see any money out there to make either worth while. The station also broadcast in mono for many years. (Not sure why, I'm sure he has reasons). Most interestingly I visited the station back in the 70's. It's in a house built in a residential area. The only thing that gives it away is the tower. (They don't have zoning in Okaloosa County) Inside it was like a time machine with every piece of equipment looking like it had been spit-shined. Turntables, cart machines, the old Ampex reel to reel decks...they all looked like they had just come out of the box, there was a studio for live music and the floors were so clean you could eat off them. I'm sure there are plenty of consultants who would love to "fix" WAAZ and I'm sure the big mega corps have offered plenty of money, but it gives me comfort to know that there's one station out there that's owned by a local family, that's more interested in making a living by serving the community, than in making a quick fortune.

End of rant. Now back to our regular programming. ;D

 

[Studio20]

>>WWBA runs America's Radio News during the week augmented with local news and they sound pretty good.<<

As a listener, I concur that they sound good, and their oft repeated self promoting commercial touting the "non-controversial" aspect of News rings true. I can leave it on at the office, and customers who come in won't be turned off by a talk show host who they disagree with.

They just lean a little less right than Fox News. The anchors ask well placed questions amongst themselves. You don't hear that on WCBS, WINS, etc. And stop telling me its news without agenda. Just read the news.



As for the speculation of music on AM, most of the radio professionals I read on this board and others say such an endeavor is a no go. That said, I wonder what might become of WHBO 1040? I have heard being the third place finisher in a format is not a spot to be in, and with the dumping of ESPN, there has been IMHO a loss of audience draw. (no World Series for example). Years ago Scott Robbins proved that properly done, Doo Wops could attract audience at 1040, but WMTX owners were not interested.[/quote]

Music on AM as a viable alternative is done. Finished. More and more seniors with money are either getting newer vehicles with satellite which gives them exactly what they want; the rest are dying out with no money. Though before my time, I appreciate the greats of the past, which if I really want them, I dial up the internet radio on my ITouch.


[/quote]As for country that is not played by 99.5 or 103.5 or most other country stations, try listening to Crestview Florida's 104.7 WAAZ, if you can. They have a super signal that stretches across the Panhandle, and the selections are consistently unique from what WXBM and others up there play. [/quote]


Most of todays big city"Country" is either Southern Rock (Eric Church, etc.) or Pablum (Taylor Swift). It caters to suburbanites who are turned off by rap, hip hop, r and b and pop. Rural areas are able to offer alternatives to the slickness being pumped out of Nashville today.

 

[coolaid213]

Cedric- its not that Im bitter about anything- . The teaser for the interview with Nicholas Lindsay just reminded me of when you did INDEED say on Facebook that you had no sympathy for the FAMILIES of the murdered officers because they knew it was a hazardous job. That is one of the most stupid things anyone has ever said and puts you in a michael moore or that Alan Grayson guy- on a smaller scale. I will always remember that comment because it was so stupid. I don't know you personally and know nothing about you so thats all I have. The comment itself says alot about your character. I know the next day the comment was deleted so I can't go back and copy it to "remind" you of what you stated.

JerkyBoy, again, can you please tell me what this has to do with the ongoing discussion of brokered radio and Newstalk 820? I don't know who you are, and you even admit you can't tell me exactly what it was I said. Your unconditional obsequious adoration for police officers has nothing to do with talk radio. I was saddened by the deaths of all men involved in that incident, just like any other reasonable human would be. But again, this has nothing to do with the opinions I was giving regarding AM 820. What you're doing is a textbook example of a red herring. If you'd like to talk about radio, I'm all about that. Thanks