Road Trip #1: WVIC to KRNQ
This first Classic Rock FM Road Trip took us from Okemos/Lansing, Michigan to the small town of Wayland, Missouri. Wayland - population 438 - is just south/southwest of Keokuk, Iowa not far off the Mississippi River.
This trip takes a little over 8 hours driving time with travel through Southwest Michigan, Northeast Indiana, across Illinois - over the Mississippi into Burlington, Iowa and down into Northeast Missouri.
Observations: Listened to radio in both large and small markets. Market size had lots to do with a solid product. Some of the smaller markets had their issues; be it with music, talent or imaging. Heard one smaller market station with a daily contest where the winners would qualify for the "grand prize" drawing of a one new CD from a local department store. Another station with good concepts behind its imaging - but lacked strong voice talent to deliver it. Also heard one station airing ads for a tobacco shop promising great deals on "packs and cartons". Does that cross the line with the longtime prohibition against cigarette advertising on radio and tv?
That said - This blog isn't about critiquing stations. Wouldn't do so with casual listening and certainly not in a public forum. Its just a list of the music heard station by station (with a few thoughts here and there).
The trip began about 11:30am on Friday, April 6, 2007. Get a map and follow along...
Okemos/Lansing to Battle Creek, MI 64.5 miles
Station: WVIC (FM) 94.1 Jackson/Lansing, MI
Format: Classic Hits ("The One For Classic Hits")
Music log starting at 11:30am
I Won't Back Down-Tom Petty (1989)
Come Sail Away-Styx (1977)
Southern Cross-Crosby, Stills & Nash (1982)
STOPSET
Go Your Own Way-Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Old Time Rock & Roll-Bob Seger (1979)
In The Air Tonight-Phil Collins (1981)
12 NOON LEGAL ID
Another Brick In The Wall-Pink Floyd (1980)
Fame-David Bowie (1975)
My Best Friends Girl-Cars (1978)
Lido Shuffle-Boz Scaggs (1976)
Comments: As my former competitor in the Lansing market, WVIC is a station that I've had to pay attention to. The station has never sounded better with their music more focused than any other time in recent memory. Middays are handled by Kevin Conrad - a great talent with great pipes. With the best product they've had in a long time, WVIC should be cause for concern by others in the market. Station website.
Battle Creek to Kalamazoo, MI 29.8 miles
Station: WRCC (FM) 104.9 Marshall/Battle Creek, MI
Format: Classic Rock
Music log starting at 12:20pm
Animal-Def Leppard (1987)
Jean Genie-David Bowie (1972)
STOPSET
Penny Lane-Beatles (1967)
Born In The USA-Bruce Springsteen (1984)
In The City-Eagles (1979)
Comments: WRCC and the rest of Clear Channel's Battle Creek Cluster are being sold to Cumulus - putting the future of Rock 104.9 in question. I wonder what WRCC would sound like had we not lost creative radio genius Allan Stagg. Programming WRCC was his last job. Station website.
Click "Older Posts" below right to continue the roadtrip.....
