[WilcoMember]

Kool 105 in Denver have launched a new jingle package this morning.

So, after years of excellent JAM custom jingle packages (except the last which was a composite) they've switched to what sounds like Reelworld.

Unless, of course, it's a very expensive practical joke.

Take a listen at http://www.kool105.com .

I don't know if they've a new PD but they've changed station voice (from Jeff Lawrence) and most of their line-up over the past few months so I suppose new jingles were inevitable.

[JingleMadMember]

This is no joke.

The package is indeed from ReelWorld.

It's the Bob-FM package, Originally created for CHOM Winnipeg.

This is a good move for Kool 105. I was tired of the jam customs.

[JingleMadMember]

Only caught the TOH so far and that is from the WLOL package.

[WilcoMemberAuthor]

Thanks for the info.

As much as I've tried over the years, on the whole I've never been able to get inspired or excited about Reelworlds jingles (apart from a couple of their earlier packages).

I'm not quite sure why as I think the production is excellent, the musicians are great and the singers are good but something is missing.

I've just been listening to the packages in their Classic Hits and Oldies categories and the one thing that struck me was the lack of a melody/tune.

There was nothing that immediately hit me – a hook that would stick with you. The station call letters just seem shouted out quickly at the end.

I realise that this is more than likely down to what the radio stations want which is a shame as the individual components of Reelworlds jingles (production, musicians, singers etc) would seem capable of so much more.

[945KBAYguy]

This is great news! i like the bob fm package and reelworld, great to see stations are realizing they are in 2008 and not 1988

[GlennaMember]

Kbay
What you have againist JAM or TM?
Just curious I guess.

[Maya53]

In my opinion, I believe that all Classic Hits stations(or Oldies) should stick with their traditional sound. The “Home of The Hits” package, used for CBS-FM in NYC is one example; it is the second best package made by JAM in recent memory.

Another reason why the imaging is changing drastically is because some oldies stations are adding 80's tracks and getting rid of some if not all of the playlists we knew and love like The Beach Boys, Beatles, Supremes and the like. I pick that the old packages released in the 80's should work well with this evolving format. Or they can remix some of the old cuts and release them as new customs with an updated vocal sound so that it can sound totally modernized, just like JAM has done for CBS-FM.

Times a changing…

[jlehmann]

I don't know how anyone could consider this great news… Even the JAM hater kbay himself has admitted that JAM is good for oldies/classic hits stations. This move is very surprising, especially after it seemed like CBS Oldies/Classic Hits stations were moving back in the JAM direction with WODS and WOCL.

[Bear]

I was sad and disappointed to hear these jingles. They were on the air (or at least the web stream) prior to April 1.

It confuses me why a station like KOOL 105 would not want to hold on to it's recognized branding. I think KOOL has had great sounding jingles for many years with JAM and that many other stations have followed along for that very reason.

I for one, think that change for the sake of change is not always a good idea. Of course, most listeners don't consciously care about jingles. But the fact is that loyal listeners have been shown to recognize musical logos and associate them with the station (and/or product) even if it has been many years since they last heard it. Why would someone give up that kind of recognition?

It is probably true that most stations just want to have their call sign or name in the jingle and they may not really be all that concerned with consistency and quality in comparison to cost. That is sad.

To me, the Reel World jingles I've heard recently on KOOL just don't tie well to the oldies format. I think that Reel World jingles sound really cool the first time you hear them … then you realise how quickly that they seem more like a fad than like something with substance. I think that the Reel World jingles sound very similar regardless of station format. I remember the lyrics of JAM jingles after years. They seem well crafted and worth the time and expense. With Reel World, some innovation happened in the beginning …. and now it seems like a 1 track album. I think Reel World needs to find a way to add variety to it's portfolio.

As for KOOL, I think they should be careful how much they change. I'm afraid that all the great legacy stations are getting sucked into a corporate homogenous world which thinks they need to invent a new Coke. Remember how well that went?

Terry

[945KBAYguy]

Ohh wait this is a Classic Hits Station? WHOA THAT CHANGES IT FOR ME wtf? a AC package for Oldies? no way, reminds me of the way KFRC Used to use WNIC 2004 in such a bad way i hated that, now they are using some awesome Jones TM Jackfm jingles but still Reelworld is AC CHR Country and that stuff, but IMHO Thompson Zone TM (ok fine jam happy now?) is for oldies, cause they fit the niche

[JingleMadMember]

Well, the BOB FM Package is for classic hits stations don't you think?
And, on another note, all classic hits stations that use this package use cut #2 as it's weather bed.

The point I'm trying to get to is that it's what the radio station wants. KXKL has a brand new Program Director so that is why you may not be hearing jam anymore on KXKL. Sky walker left the station on monday, March 31ST.

Let's be happy that ReelWorld is being heard on Classic Hits station nationwide.

[jlehmann]

The Bob FM package (and the WLOL and WLCE packages) are/were for what “classic hits” stations used to be, until the last 2 years, or so. It used to be that “classic hits” meant basically classic rock lite, with no motown, soul, etc. Those jingles fit that format pretty well.

[jlehmann]

Cody wrote:
Well, the BOB FM Package is for classic hits stations don't you think?
And, on another note, all classic hits stations that use this package use cut #2 as it's weather bed.

The point I'm trying to get to is that it's what the radio station wants. KXKL has a brand new Program Director so that is why you may not be hearing jam anymore on KXKL. Sky walker left the station on monday, March 31ST.

Let's be happy that ReelWorld is being heard on Classic Hits station nationwide.

Reel World is already everywhere… I think it's nice still hearing JAM once in a while, since radio is completely saturated with reel world these days.

[GlennaMember]

Over exposure is not always a good thing.
Anyway everything goes in cycles.
What goes up must come down.
I like some of the RW stuff {country and easy listening } but I'll go with JAM TM and Thompson anytime.
anytime

[ratnobMember]

Maya53 wrote:
“it is the second best package made by JAM in recent memory.”

Out of interest, which do you think is the best one, Maya53?

Of course, there's nothing in the cosmic rulebook to say an oldies station has to use an oldies package, and these debates about who prefers which company rarely get us very far … However, listening to the station as I type this, the ReelWorld jingles do sound odd against a backdrop of such wide-ranging oldies. They lack a sense of fun and pzazz. Still, the great thing these days is that at least we're hearing a return to jingles and not just spoken liners.

G

[mjb1124Member]

I have to agree with most of the posters here. These aren't bad as far as Reelworld jingles go, but don't sound right at all for an oldies/classic hits station, and they lack the catchy sing-along quality and vocal punch that I think good jingles should have. I also agree that this is surprising after WODS went back to JAM after using similarly out-of-place Groove Addicts jingles for several years. The Home of the Hits/Positron composite they have now sounds marvelous on the air. I can only hope WCBS-FM sticks to JAM if they get new jingles – I'd love to hear some more Positron resings, and/or a new custom in the spirit of Home of the Hits.

[Author]

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