[ratnobMember]

Just to nudge this topic on a bit. It's not about age; it's about the appropriateness of the imaging to the station sound.

And on that issue – as we have seen – people have different views. Me – I think it's too easy to assume that modern music needs electronic tracks and same-sounding solo voices; some of the richer, more melodic stuff adds gravitas to the station and class to the presentation. Others will differ.

But let's not fall into the stereotype of thinking that the judgement is age-related: it's all about taste and preference.

And if radio's going to remain worth listening to, PDs will remember that too – listeners like to be surprised, not categorised.

[GlennaMember]

All I'm trying to say is the jingles should fit the music.
The KILT example is what I'm trying get across.
And can't we use real voices that ( for example) Top News,
that doesn't sound like a computer. Yes; Jon enhanced them but they don't sound like fingernails on a chalkboard.
I didn't mean to insult Cody or anybody else that's a RW fan.Its just my opinion.

[MarcMannetje]

Although I am a big JAM fan and I also feel that the STATIONALITY of KOST was one of a kind (it did not had to sound modern, they didn't have to change in the nineties and those artists weren't olf fashioned either) –

but what about

– the fact that TM Studio's puts out a lot more packages, also in a more 'old fashion'-AC/Brass style?
– the fact that JAM still is the only company who is able to put musicality into for instance Oldies-jingles?

[jlehmann]

mjb1124 wrote:
Hey, I'm a “younger” contributor and I much prefer the classic JAM sound over the “cool” Reelworld sound.

I'm 24, so you can count me as a member of the group as well.

[scotronMember]

As a jingle collector and fan of many years, I have rated all the KOST packages from Jam, as some of the best jingles ever produced for any Radio station. They are lovingly crafted and gems of musical excellence. The orchestrations are superb and there are a few that quite literally make the hair on the back of my neck rise up. If I am driving to a job of work and the music, or inane chat on whatever radio station I am listening to bores me, I will often stick on a Jam Cd and more often than not, it's a KOST package or two. Listen to the 'Making of a Jingle'on the anniversary Cd. It's a KOST track of course. It proves the love and dedication that goes into making each and every superb track. Yes changes happen, stations evolve, but not always for the better. It would always be a huge task probably impossible – for another company to come up with something better in the production of a new KOST package. From what I have heard in the examples from Geoff, the resulting package does not even come close. Boring, dull, bland..I could go on. It is a sad day for KOST, and yes, what do their listeners think of them? At least I still have all those fabulous demos to listen to. Now here is a thought. I wonder what Jhani Kaye's opinions are on this new sound.

[GlennaMember]

Jhani Kaye is probably too afraid to talk about it.

[martinlesterMember]

Beaver205 wrote:
Jhani Kaye is probably too afraid to talk about it.

If anything this might be good news for him , if the listners don't like the “new” sound he might pick up some of them

[calguy]

Maya53 wrote:
Do not forget that JAM recently did a AC custom package for Q92.9 in Pittsburgh about a year ago after that station adjusted its formats and moved away from the “Lite Rock” moniker. The jingles that are used on the station sounds too old and some of the cuts sounded like they are from the late 80's/early-to-mid 90's. I really doubt that this package won't be as successful as the “Fresh” package, which I believe was the first package that does not use their seven-voice vocal group. That package is also used for Sunny 95 in Columbus, KAFE from somewhere in Washington state, and certain others. I think mainly is because 75% of the top rated AC stations prefer newer sounding jingles than the outdated ones such as JAM to match with today's music.

My belief is that JAM's days are being numbered, not just because of decisions being made by PDs to match their station's imaging to today's taste of music, but because they sounded too old. It is like you can't have a PAMS cut played before a Justin Timberlake song, it doesn't fit to their current format. But fortunately, there are some stations that still going for newer customs from them, such as WLS which is known for JAM jingles since it was first used in the mid 70's during its top 40 days. Not only that, they are now airing a new custom package. Also you can hear JAM on certain music channels on Sirius XM.

So, this could be the end of JAM. Now with stations, even WABC dropping them. Only time would tell…

I don't agree with your reasoning about JAM. Why is this the end of JAM? Stations have changed jingle companies over the years looking for what they perceive as a fresher sound only to return to the company that they left a year or two before. This has happened with JAM, TM, and all of the others. Yes, because of the economy and the dismal way North American stations have been mismanaged it's a tougher market for jingle companies to compete in and from what I've seen Reel World has found their niche. They barter and undercut the competition. Nothing new there, companies of all types have done that for years. As for sounding old, I don't agree there either. JAM makes jingles for all formats and they don't all sound the same. And something they have over these newer packages from Reel World is quality. Great singers that actually sing, great arrangements and here is where they really beat RW. Their jingles have a melody. JAM has evolved too. Their latest stuff doesn't sound like the jingles they made 30 years ago. Business is tough, but JAM can overcome this. Believe me, if you listen and compare you'll see that these latest KOST jingles from RW are truly awful. Besides, if all you want is minimal instrumentation that comes from a keyboard and a 3 or 4 person vocal group stacked a time or two, then RW is for you. But I bet JAM could do that, and do it better. By the way, it's really a money issue at most of these new RW affiliates. You mention WABC, a station that is currently owned by a super cash poor radio group. Citadel is barely scraping by, so they're going the cheap route as are many of the cost cutters in the American radio business.

[GlennaMember]

There is alot more jingle companies to choose from now.
Too bad some are putting out trash.

[kolossMember]

I really can't add much that has not been said, but felt complelled to say something-
As someone with a good ear, can sing and a collection of 50,000+ jingles; I can fairly say Reelworlds quality varies so much, alot is good, but some just plain can't understand what they are singing, or the music is louder than the vocals. Even when the breathy girls are trying to harmonize it leaves alot to be desired. That WLIT logo is sooo tired. Ironically, Here in Chicago WLITs current jingles sound pretty good.
The music KOST played seemed pretty tired, and very slow paced (I know by design). Jam's jingles definitely stood out and created an image(the purpose of a jingle)on this station probably more than any other. People listening in offices, cars – like pavlovs dog- expected to hear those jingles… people will notice something is different, but sadly, no one really cares anymore.
Radio is vastly different than even 10 years ago
(deregulation) and I don't think it is going in a positive direction anymore. Its really sad.

Thank you Jon – keep up the quality product you are known for!

http://jinglemad.com/e107_files/public/1248918708_5465_FT73346_kost_jam_birth_of_a_jingle.mp3 filename:kost_jam_birth_of_a_jingle.mp3

[Bear]

How very sad. They were known as KOST jingles and so many other stations used them and wanted to sound like KOST. Now KOST is a lemming getting resings using a WLIT logo.

I'm glad I got interested in jingles a long time ago and was able to play some on air that I really appreciated. I don't understand why companies throw away so many years of branding and leadership just to become another clone.

Personality radio = obsolete terminology.

[GlennaMember]

I always thought that it was interesting that Clear Channel is called the beast.

[Chowchillah]

*facepalm*

WABC had better not be a victim of “Reelworld-ism”.

Why, KOST? WHY????

[mjb1124Member]

WABC has become a victim of sweeper-ism.

[ratnobMember]

Here's how odd the station is now sounding – these two cuts recorded within thirty minutes of each other: different vocals, different feel, different logos.

And people thought my “Christmas Cracker” was strange. Feels to me like the station has lost all sense of direction, but – hey – I'm only a listener.

[mbMember]

Those vocals are awful on the second one an odd forced sound.
Constipated jingle singers.

[Author]

Posts