Comments on: The Formats That Make Too Much Sense To Work (Until Now?)

By: Buzz Brindle

Buzz Brindle — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:30:08 +0000

I appreciate the traditionalists perspective on what should be deemed “country” but my observations while successfully programming the format in the Northeast differ. Unlike in other parts of America, I found that the majority of my target audience grew up listening to pop or rock music and didn’t have much or any exposure to country. They were discovering country as a genre to which they could relate as they became adults with families to raise, mortgages to pay, and the other real-life challenges that suburbanites encounter in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s. So, the country artists to whom they related were those who incorporated the rock & pop sensibilities into their work. We used that perspective and were successful in our efforts to harvest new cume and build our brand.

I find it interesting that now my 18 year old daughter, who grew up being exposed to country music but then rejected it during her middle school/high school years, has now become a country P1 because of acts like Taylor Swift (“bubblegum”?-Before she became an icon, I vividly recall being blown away by her talent & maturity during her 1st conference room tour, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, etc. Of course, Willie Nelson & Johnny Cash were initially dismissed by a traditionalists as were Garth Brooks & the class of 1992.

So, as Ed pointed out earlier, I think the possibility for success of a country/classic rock hybrid on a broadcast radio station really boils down to the “local” aspect of where it’s being offered and if that particular mix satisfies the need of that particular “local” audience. (Note: Change the term “local” to “tribe” if the distribution platform becomes regional, national, or international).

By: Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:18:56 +0000

Good point, Mike. The key to extending the boundaries of a music station is adding only those songs that listeners feel “fit” the format. WHN’s New York audience defined country music broader than most other markets, we had a lot of latitude, but were always cautious when we played Bob Seger or The Atlanta Rhythm Section that WHN listeners considered it a country song that fit the format, rather than breaking format to play a rock song. That took a lot of asking the listener (local music research), which proved a good investment for WHN.

By: Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.

Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr. — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:50:27 +0000

Whether or not this is a good idea is irrelevant if these country/classic rock stations become stale, predictable, & won’t deviate from a etched in stone playlist. I, personally am sick of “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Freebird”, “Ramblin’ Man”, “Can’t you See”, & just about every other “classic rock” song played endlessly by classic rock stations today. As for country, today’s “country music” is not country music. It has become very homogenized & predictable, not to mention bubblegummy. Country music is Marty Robbins, Chet Atkins, Hank Williams, Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard, Don Williams, John Denver, etc. The closest thing to real country music today is bluegrass artists like Rhonda Vincent, Bobby Osbourne, & David Grisman. Until repetition is removed from the classic rock format & more attention is given to classic country music & bluegrass music instead of bubblegum “country” poptarts like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, & Faith Hill to name just a few, this format will not work. Unless most prefer “classic rock” repetition & bubblegum “country” poptarts.

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:21:19 +0000

Back in the ’70′s 1330 KPOK in Portland tried a “Rock’in Country format. The picture on their music survey had a cowboy in a rocking chair. It was a great station.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:37:54 +0000

Personally, when I tune to a country music station, I want to hear country music; not classic rock. When I turn to the classic rock station, it’s because I want to hear classic rock, not country. I would much prefer a country station that mixes 60′s-70′s country titles w/ new music. Then, when I have the urge to hear Skynyrd, Allmans, etc., I’ll turn to the classic rock station.

By: Matt DuBiel

Matt DuBiel — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:33:01 +0000

I hear a lot of people mention similarities between new formats. There often seems to be that line, “it’s just like Jack” or “it’s just like (fill in format here)”.
I think the important thing here is to judge each idea based on hearing it. Blue Collar Radio (TM) is very different from Hank, and both are extremely different than The Bar.
Our team has sampled every “country/rock” format we can find, and they are all very different.
The one thing that is undeniable about Blue Collar Radio (TM) is that this format is flat out, hands down, a male targeted country station first and foremost. This brand we designed is founded on being a lifestyle radio format, about the target listener.
Hank is Jack for country. The Bar is Bob FM with the same liners, a different voice and country songs instead of 80s hits. Blue Collar Radio (TM) is a country station built around men 25-54. Sirius, XM, Clear Channel, and others have formats that incorporate country and rock sure, but no one has developed a product quite like Blue Collar Radio (TM).
We’ve been from Fort Meyers to Coal City to Charlotte to Las Vegas to Dubuque…in taverns, racetracks, john-boats, bait shops, board rooms, in cadilacs, pick up trucks and hum v’s…..on cell phones, email, and CBs….we have talked with radio executives and research specialtists, business owners, accountants, carpenters, doctors, software engineers, truck drivers and pipefitters…and we have studied country radio in depth. Based on various information we have paid for….overheard, and harvested ourselves…. This is what red blooded American men who listen to country radio crave.
Anyone who wants to try it for a week, just email me!

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:52:15 +0000

Hey Ross
Great article. I am wondering how these stations are promoting and marketing their product? Do they start strong promotionally and then tail off when they start seeing success or are they doing enough promotion and marketing or any at all?
Are they doing a good job of selling this idea to the listener and telling them that this format is new and it’s the coolest thing on the radio? Also do these stations have the type of on air talent that can relate and talk to the different and mixed audience that they are trying to attract? The formats are like a cake. If you make it with all the right ingredients but instead of sugar you use salt, the cake will look the same but it won’t taste the same and people will be left with a bad taste in their mouth and will go elsewhere for their cake. It’s great that someone is trying some different things. Everyone is saying things need to change but very few are really going out and doing it.

By: Lou Pickney

Lou Pickney — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:00:09 +0000

Great article as always, Sean. KMBY, from what I’ve read, is similar in format to Sirius Radio’s excellent Faction 28. I see that format having real potential, particularly in markets where M18-34 is a sellable demo. But, as with most formats, I anticipate that we’ll have to see several success stories for it before the format takes off in a major way.