All That Jazz - The Straight Skinny

The Straight Skinny

Long May The Wave, Wave

By Carol Archer

Homegrown Hits

I was intrigued to note that the most FAQ regarding a recent Straight Skinny on Chicago Smooth Jazz listening alternatives concerned the titles on WLFM/Chicago PD/midday host Rick O'Dell's list of local hits: "The Chicago 10." (Sorry, he is not willing to share them.) The voluminous inquiries I received raised several points: Programmers always seek compatible library gold and may imagine that Chicago hits could work for them; however, unearthing fresh tracks requires perseverance today, in view of the proliferation of corporate programming and increasingly homogenous playlists.

Certainly, the hits are the hits. Still, there is truth to the old adage: each market is unique. Every format in every market has a select group of songs that help define the format within that market – a topic explored repeatedly in the SJ section of R&R through the years. Those songs play a major role in giving the format -- and the station -- their local identity. In the absence of research budgets, programmers must do their utmost to communicate with listeners for insight into un-mined songs that work in their towns. They can use their gut too. In other words, grow your own.

Chicago: Another Step In The Right Direction

Tom Taylor reports in radio-info.com that respected national rep firm McGavren Guild Media now represents WLFM/Chicago. Former WNUA GM Pat Kelley and PD/midday host Rick O'Dell, Taylor notes, "are enticing listeners to the very bottom part of the FM dial, to the audio signal of low power TV WLFM-LP -- and they're getting numbers."

Brain Bulge: Triton Digital Names Fischer VP

Finally, hearty congratulations and huzzahs to former format luminary and comrade-in-arms during his long tenure as APD/MD at WNUA/Chicago and PD at KOAI(The Oasis)/Dallas) and KJCD/Denver Michael Fischer, who has been promoted by Triton Digital to VP/Interactive Solutions.

As always, I welcome your feedback on this posting or any subject. Contact me at jazzdolphingirl@gmail.com.

Have a great week and stay smooth.

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The views expressed by Carol Archer do not necessarily

reflect the opinions of All That Jazz. But often they do.

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