Tight Play Lists

[Roger Kirk <rkirk@VideoServer.com>]

Rick Kelly wrote:
	<snip> there have been tight listed stations for way
	>longer than some can remember.  I recall a Top 40 
	>station in Cincinnati that ran with 47 records for an 
	>entire ratings period in 1977.  
>From 1970-71, WRKO's play list consisted of the Top 30
(pink sheet), 3 to 6 hitbounds (blue sheet) and two or three
"goldens" an hour (1956 to 1969)

> People have complained about tight lists for years.  
IMHO, complaints about tight playlists tend to reflect the 
age and maturity of the listener(s).

In my teens, my taste in radio wavered between the music 
and the DJ (read witty, outrageous, etc.) so Joey Reynolds 
and Arnie Ginsburg got my nod. To be honest, how often 
they played a record was of little interest - although I did 
notice that Buffalo and Albany tended to be a little behind 
Boston, so I could hear my favorites that had dropped off 
the Boston charts and were still playing in NY.

In my early 20's and still listening to Top 40,  DJ's were
a little less important and MUCH MORE MUSIC was my 
key, so WRKO filled the bill nicely (so did WMEX and a 
few others).  I wanted to hear my favorite few songs 
frequently and would scan the dial looking.

Fast forward 30 years and I'm in my early 50's.  I listen to many
stations KISS-108, WKLB, WODS, WROR, WBZ.  I like to
hear my old favorites, but Oldies stations repeat so often they
burn.  Tight playlists send me running as soon as repeatdom 
sets in.

I like much of today's Top-40 music, though not a big fan 
of Gansta Rap, Hard Rock or Angsternative.  DJ's are less 
of a component, but I can appreciate a good, witty DJ like 
Dale Dorman and a tight team like Loren & Wally.
Shock Jocks like Stern or teams like O&A trading on
Rock's Bad Boy image (and the sophomoric, juvenile jokes) 
leave me cold.

Personally, I think the majority of people who JUST LOVE 
tight-playlist Oldies stations (Top 40 or Classic Rock) are 
stuck in one, small musical era and can't or won't let go.
My engine runs better with variety.

Check with me in 10 years and see if I've turned into a
sour, old curmudgeon - muttering "dammit, they just 
don't make good music any more"  Or worse, an 
unrepentant Spice Girls fan.

Roger Kirk
RogerKirk@usa.net

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