After posting about how much I liked the new format over at KZPS 92.5, I wake up this morning to find that I might be in the minority. Media types are all abuzz over the lack of traditional advertising spots which is unique and groundbreaking in the radio business. FMQB which covers media trends says:
Clear Channel unveiled a new format today in Dallas, as Classic Rock KZPS flipped to “Lone Star 92.5.” After being tried out as an HD-2 side channel, the new format mixes “outlaw” Country with Southern Rock and Alt-Country music. The Lone Star format was created by programmer Duane Doherty, who says, “All we had on the HD-2 channel was the music and the response was incredible. In a sense, we’re recapturing the early days of FM – when your jock was a trusted guide through what was new and important. Lone Star is the music we love in Dallas without the hype.”
Also, Lone Star 92.5 will not air traditional spots. Instead, the station will have “sponsors” whose content will be integrated in throughout the hour. “There’s a credibility and an authenticity of partnering with sponsors who share our passion for this music,” said Kelly Kibler, director of sales for CC Radio/Dallas. “We’ll only have one airline, one cellular carrier, one beer. This is about sharing an experience and a commitment to the incredible creativity of these artists. To do that honestly and well, you have to step up. Traditional commercials are fine for many radio formats, they just didn’t work here.”
Lone Star 92.5 will feature such artists as ZZ Top, The Old 97’s, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and of course, Willie Nelson. In fact, the Red Headed Stranger will also serve as the voice of
the station.
Bo Roberts (left) nuzzles with Mavs owner, Mark Cuban at his previous radio gig.
For those concerned about the fate of the inexplicably popular Bo Roberts & Long Jim White morning show, fear not. MediaWeek reports that they will be staying on board:
The station’s line-up will include current morning men Bo & Jim and former night guy Jon Dillon will now handle middays. For afternoons, Redbeard, the longtime Dallas radio personality is coming out of retirement and his syndicated “In The Studio” show will continue to run on the station. Cousin Deke, the station’s imaging director, will handle nights.
With the format flip and restructuring, midday host Cindy Skull and afternoon driver Crash exit.
Listener feedback has been decidedly unkind. Commenters on Steve Blow’s entry in the DaMN metro blog had this to say:
Local rock radio is dead. It’s run by idiots and programmed by people even worse than that. -Chuck
Took 3 songs this morning for me to yank the station off my presets. – Don
And Bob commenting on this blog:
…I think the new format bites and wherever Bo and Jim end up is where you’ll find my staion [sic] knob.
Signed,
One very upset listener
Ouch. Strong words from a Bo & Jim lover. Bob, looks like your knob will be hanging at 92.5 for awhile longer. I was more than a little surprised to hear that Bo would be held over, the website promised no yappy DJs, so we’ll have to wait until the official launch on April 30th to see how much actual music gets played during morning drive time and how much time is spent making prank phone calls that haven’t been funny since the 500th time they did it back in 1982.
Getting back to the music, here’s an hour from yesterday’s playlist:
ZZ Top “Heard It On The X”
Willie Nelson “Ten With A Two”
Allman Brothers “Blue Sky”
Lynyrd Skynyrd “I Know A Little”
Old 97’s “Barrier Reef”
John Mellencamp “Rain On The Scarecrow”
Bob Dylan “Someday Baby”
Johnny Cash “Folsom Prison Blues”
Molly Hatchet “Gator Country”
Arc Angels “Living In A Dream”
Pat Green “Take Me Out To A Dancehall”
Stevie Ray Vaughan “Pride And Joy”
Jimmy Buffett “Hello Texas”
Drive-By Truckers “Let There Be Rock”
Ian Moore “Nothing”
Hank Williams Jr. “Family Tradition”
Sounds pretty salty to me. If they can keep that kind of content, keep the promise of no commercial interruptions (one airline, one phone company, one beer…sounds like a George Thorogood song) and keep Bo Roberts quiet for 5 minutes at a time they have a chance to change commercial FM radio for the better.
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