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Monday, August 3, 2009
Radio KEXP Explains Recent Programming Changes
Posted by Megan Seling on Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 10:19 AM
On Friday afternoon, Line Out reader Doug e-mailed us to ask about the recent schedule changes at KEXP:
"What's going on with the KEXP DJ changes, why isn't anyone talking about it? There's nothing on the KEXP website or blog, nothing in Line Out--it's very frustrating to see such a lack of transparency around lineup changes when they're always talking about being listener-powered (and yes, I've been a member for years)," he said. "I know that Larry Rose had his show moved from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday night, which is crazy because he has one of the best and most popular shows on the station. Can you get something going on Slog/Line-Out about this so we can at least find out what's going on?"
So I forwarded the e-mail to the folks at KEXP and asked them about the recent shuffle. As Associate Program Director John Richards explains, they're not trying to hide anything at all, they're just updating their programming, as many radio stations often do. Read on for Richards' run down of the new schedule:
You're right, we recently updated our programming schedule and added a few DJs to the roster as well. As you know Larry Mizell Jr is our new hip hop show taking over for B Mellow who did a great job over the last many years and will be missed. Can't think of a better host to replace him then Larry. We also were able to add DJ Sharlese, Tim Betterley, DJ Alex and DJ Shani to our line up. Stevie Zoom is doing Saturday and Sundays from 12-3. Michele Myers has moved from Friday nights to Saturday 3-6 and Quilty moved to Sunday 3-6pm. We made our 9pm-1am shifts even stronger by moving DJ El Toro, Troy and Chilly out of the overnights and into these shifts. Riz moves over to Mondays and Larry Rose joins them on the Tuesday shift. Jack Walters left Saturday afternoons to focus on his job in production at KEXP.In regards to the question of Larry's move, we couldn't be more excited. One of the benefits is that he now has a 4 hour show (as opposed to 3 on the weekend) and joins some of the best djs on the dial (Riz, Kurt, Troy and Chilly) at that slot. He does a great show and the vibe totally fits evenings on KEXP. Quilty has been on the air, like Larry, for over a decade and will continue to do her strong show on Sunday afternoons. Its never easy to have any of our DJs move to a new slot as we all get used to DJs at certain times but we also hope people will join others who use the streaming archive to hear whatever show whenever they want to hear them (all shows are available at any time). As for announcing the changes, we made sure the DJs were announcing on air whenever they were able, and will do our best to update our website as well, as we know many people tune in at different times and miss those.
Oh, and Larry will continue to get shifts outside his current shift, in fact you can tune in to hear him fill in on Sat 8/15 and Sun 8/16 from noon to 3pm both days.
John Richards
Associate PD
You can stream KEXP online at KEXP.org. And, as Richards mentions, archives of all the shows are also available, if you miss your favorite DJ.
1
Well that was a bunch of marketing bs non-answers. Thanks John!
I knew there was a kerfuffle about Larry Metro getting canned a few weeks back and noticed that Michele Myers was doing Saturdays, but it wasn't until yesterday that I realized that Larry Rose had moved and Street Sounds had changed as well. The three days a week I usually listen to KEXP? Fri night, Saturday afternoons, and especially Sundays. Rats.
I did listen to Street Sounds last night, and while it was totally enjoyable, it's a way different vibe than the one B-Mello gave. It's going to take some getting used to.
ps what's with all the Larrys?
I knew there was a kerfuffle about Larry Metro getting canned a few weeks back and noticed that Michele Myers was doing Saturdays, but it wasn't until yesterday that I realized that Larry Rose had moved and Street Sounds had changed as well. The three days a week I usually listen to KEXP? Fri night, Saturday afternoons, and especially Sundays. Rats.
I did listen to Street Sounds last night, and while it was totally enjoyable, it's a way different vibe than the one B-Mello gave. It's going to take some getting used to.
ps what's with all the Larrys?
2
My guess is no one was talking about it because people just aren't listening to radio much anymore. Those that do still listen to KEXP are often listening to it online where you can stream any DJ at any time you want and have more control over it. But seriously, how many people still listen to music on the radio?
3
This makes me think I don't actually listen to KEXP as much as the average Seattle Joe... Please tell me these changes influenced the 6-9pm M-F slot.....after a hard days work I can never stand a single putrid thing spewing from the KEXP antenna on my commute home. Dear KEXP, if you change the M-F 6-9pm time slot programming I promise you I will triple my yearly contribution. I promise
4
Dan10 I never listen to the radio. Maybe a few minutes each week( if I'm in the car). Commercial radio and even kexp are so much about marketing that they take so much of the fun and mystery away from my listening experience to enjoy. Which might be fine for others but not me.
Let's just call it milk-toast based broadcasting.
Let's just call it milk-toast based broadcasting.
5
After 6 years of KCRW -- amazing new (and some older) music in the evenings, especially the pre-func hours on weekends -- I came up here to find Friday evenings were hillbilly Shake the Shack shit with "The Proctologist of Rock & Roll" (aptly named, as I'm certain he pulls his playlists from the best alt.country a-holes of Seattle) and Saturdays were the spotty -- though sometimes brilliant -- Audioasis and the execrable Sonic Reducer, featuring music from a movement now 30+ years old. This is the best you can do, KEXP, to warm the people up for a night on the town?
I'm pleased to hear they've hired new talent. Let's see how it all goes down.
I'm pleased to hear they've hired new talent. Let's see how it all goes down.
6
@3: Monday to Friday 6-9pm isn't a "slot"; it was and remains five unrelated shows.
@4: "milquetoast" is an adjective, "milquetoast-based" is ungrammatical, "milk-toast based" is a rhetorical trainwreck.
Meanwhile, I can't support program changes resulting in less Riz.
@4: "milquetoast" is an adjective, "milquetoast-based" is ungrammatical, "milk-toast based" is a rhetorical trainwreck.
Meanwhile, I can't support program changes resulting in less Riz.
8
@2: I listen to actual radio all the time. I also listen to archives and podcasts of radio stations, but real live radio is the best.
John Richards: Did the DJs have any choice or input in these changes? Or did the program directors just gather and decide what would ultimately bring in more money? I get the sense that some of the DJs were not happy to change something they've had going on for years and years. (Yes, I know the old "change can be hard" mantra.) Also, what's your salary nowadays, $120K?
John Richards: Did the DJs have any choice or input in these changes? Or did the program directors just gather and decide what would ultimately bring in more money? I get the sense that some of the DJs were not happy to change something they've had going on for years and years. (Yes, I know the old "change can be hard" mantra.) Also, what's your salary nowadays, $120K?
9
I love KEXP, but honestly that has been more theory than practice for me over the last several years. Aside from the specialty shows (Street Sounds, Sonic Reducer, Swingin Doors, etc) most of the daytime programming just sounds like bland AC. I have to say that Cheryl Waters is the worst of the daytime DJs, a real snooze. Stevie Zoom seems to try the hardest to keep including local music in the rotation outside of the Audioasis timeslot.
10
The 420 comment was Jack Walters, who did the Sat 3-6 before the changes, not Larry Rose. I liked Jack's show but the 420 thing was a bit much, hello are we on a college radio station?
11
I thought they replaced John with Troy....at least it seems that way -- Does John work more than 3 days a week these days?
#3 -- I'm with you on the 3x donation. So sick of the shitkicker music W-F 6-9.
#3 -- I'm with you on the 3x donation. So sick of the shitkicker music W-F 6-9.
12
I generally can't listen to KEXP in the daytime or I quickly get an Americana-tinged indie pop/rock overload..
I don't know what changes they're making to the schedule, but if it means less Riz, then I can say pretty confidently that it must be a very bad thing.
I don't know what changes they're making to the schedule, but if it means less Riz, then I can say pretty confidently that it must be a very bad thing.
13
@6
I stand corrected. Thanks for saving me from potential future embarrassment.
Less DJ Riz is a step backwards.
I stand corrected. Thanks for saving me from potential future embarrassment.
Less DJ Riz is a step backwards.
15
Too bad they didn't move "Shake the Shack".
Yes, I know it's had the Friday night slot since 1958 or whatever, and I'm sure there are a few people left in Ballard that enjoy it, but come on. It's Friday, and people are trying to amp up for the weekend, which is impossible to do listening to KEXP.
BTW, why does KEXP's electronica programming suck so bad? Is it because John Richards can't dance? Hasn't any one at KEXP been to Burning Man? Seriously, I have enough booty-shaking mixes from local DJs on my iPhone to provide a year's worth of material for a weekly radio show that would . You're welcome to it.
Yes, I know it's had the Friday night slot since 1958 or whatever, and I'm sure there are a few people left in Ballard that enjoy it, but come on. It's Friday, and people are trying to amp up for the weekend, which is impossible to do listening to KEXP.
BTW, why does KEXP's electronica programming suck so bad? Is it because John Richards can't dance? Hasn't any one at KEXP been to Burning Man? Seriously, I have enough booty-shaking mixes from local DJs on my iPhone to provide a year's worth of material for a weekly radio show that would . You're welcome to it.
16
Less Riz: bad. More Larry (Rose): good. Who must we sacrifice to get more of both of them (so to speak) . . .
17
Smashing idea: Replace the DJs who "earn" $80,000/year and replace them with UW students who will work for free, gain broadcasting experience, and make KCMU something interesting to listen to again.
18
Too bad they didn't get rid of the Sunday morning Reggae show. That stuff was popular around here about 1986. And I have to say, I wondered why a square like me thought he was too cool for the vaunted John in the morning. I think #12 nailed it: Americana-tinged indie pop/rock. Dull dull dull.
19
I agree with #3, 12, & 17. The specialty shows featuring one genre of music (swinging doors, shake the shack, world pop, etc), should be pushed back into later time slots, since they appeal to specialized audiences.
When I moved to Seattle at 21, I felt like KEXP must just have an older audience, because the music was so mellow and bland, I didn't relate to it. There was definitely a preference for roots rock, alt-country, and soft indie pop coming from the regular Mon-Fri daytime DJs. Thirteen years later, I still feel that way.
I think they need some new DJs who can more accurately reflect what people are listening to these days. I hardly ever listen to KEXP anymore, but it's funny that whenever I turn it on, I hear so many of the same songs by the same bands they were playing ten years ago. There's nothing fresh or exciting about the station.
When I moved to Seattle at 21, I felt like KEXP must just have an older audience, because the music was so mellow and bland, I didn't relate to it. There was definitely a preference for roots rock, alt-country, and soft indie pop coming from the regular Mon-Fri daytime DJs. Thirteen years later, I still feel that way.
I think they need some new DJs who can more accurately reflect what people are listening to these days. I hardly ever listen to KEXP anymore, but it's funny that whenever I turn it on, I hear so many of the same songs by the same bands they were playing ten years ago. There's nothing fresh or exciting about the station.
20
Riz is wonderful, has been for years, and continues to open new things to me every time I listen.
After that, the Roadhouse is my personal favorite.
More and more, I find listening any time from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM dull dull dull. I'm glad John takes a lot of days off. Cheryl and John need to move to Brooklyn, where there shows sound nice to all those Brooklyn people.
The whole KEXP in NYC thing is crap.
I'd put up with a lot more from college DJs - that's what I did when I was in school, and it is why I became a supporter of KCMU 20 years ago.
After that, the Roadhouse is my personal favorite.
More and more, I find listening any time from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM dull dull dull. I'm glad John takes a lot of days off. Cheryl and John need to move to Brooklyn, where there shows sound nice to all those Brooklyn people.
The whole KEXP in NYC thing is crap.
I'd put up with a lot more from college DJs - that's what I did when I was in school, and it is why I became a supporter of KCMU 20 years ago.
22
KEXP is rad, but i'm also really glad we have a truly adventurous free-format station in Hollow Earth.
23
Generally speaking, I think Kevin Cole does a pretty good job. But I agree about John and Cheryl. I have a hard time listening to either for very long. John plays way too much Smiths/Cure/Nirvana, etc. nostalgia-trip stuff from his teen years.
I want to DISCOVER new music when I listen to KEXP. That happens, but not enough.
@7 @10 - Can we put a moratorium on 4:20 jokes? Seriously, what is this, a frat house? I am so tired of hearing that shit. We get it, you smoke pot. Letting us know by speaking in "code" that even my grandmother understands at this point is *not* cool or funny.
I want to DISCOVER new music when I listen to KEXP. That happens, but not enough.
@7 @10 - Can we put a moratorium on 4:20 jokes? Seriously, what is this, a frat house? I am so tired of hearing that shit. We get it, you smoke pot. Letting us know by speaking in "code" that even my grandmother understands at this point is *not* cool or funny.
24
@12 FTW
But for Friday night prefunkery, KBCS (91.3) easily beats KEXP hands down with Uncle Megabhuti's funk show @7:00 followed by City Soul @9:00. And they still have that independent, volunteer-driven "just for the love of it" feel that KEXP hasn't had since the KCMU days.
(To bad their daytime/drivetime programming sucks hayseed so horribly - almost makes KEXP's "Americana-tinged indie pop/rock" seem passable compared to their "yokel-hillbilly-folk-tinged Americana" afternoon show!)
But for Friday night prefunkery, KBCS (91.3) easily beats KEXP hands down with Uncle Megabhuti's funk show @7:00 followed by City Soul @9:00. And they still have that independent, volunteer-driven "just for the love of it" feel that KEXP hasn't had since the KCMU days.
(To bad their daytime/drivetime programming sucks hayseed so horribly - almost makes KEXP's "Americana-tinged indie pop/rock" seem passable compared to their "yokel-hillbilly-folk-tinged Americana" afternoon show!)
25
@17 what you said. Massive amounts of money + Music = always bad. ALWAYS!
Well, unless that massive amount of money goes to buying a sweet drum kit.
Well, unless that massive amount of money goes to buying a sweet drum kit.
26
"When I moved to Seattle at 21, I felt like KEXP must just have an older audience, because the music was so mellow and bland, I didn't relate to it. There was definitely a preference for roots rock, alt-country, and soft indie pop coming from the regular Mon-Fri daytime DJs. Thirteen years later, I still feel that way."
Ha ha ha, this is exactly what I've always thought, it's like an easy listening station for aging hipsters rather than a cutting age college station for major city (the UW still owns the license, right?). I think the DJs are just too old. The daytime music is a snooze-fest, I just can't listen to it. I love a couple of the specialty shows, but I just stream them from the website at my own convenience.
Ha ha ha, this is exactly what I've always thought, it's like an easy listening station for aging hipsters rather than a cutting age college station for major city (the UW still owns the license, right?). I think the DJs are just too old. The daytime music is a snooze-fest, I just can't listen to it. I love a couple of the specialty shows, but I just stream them from the website at my own convenience.
27
I pledged a couple of months ago for Larry's Lounge. It was a great Sunday night Lounge. I didn't even listen to other shows. Now his show's gone... I mean I can't listen to his show live here in NY since it's on so late at night. So sad.
28
When they give Troy John's morning slot I will tune back in. Dude is funny as fuck and plays great music.
29
Believe it or not, the reggae show and the rockabilly show so many commenters are hating on consistently pull the highest ratings at KEXP outside of the Morning Show. I don't disagree that the there's a lack of adventurousness in the daytime programming. However, so many of the above comments imply that the management at KEXP don't know what they're doing, that they keep putting on bland music even though no one likes it, keep putting specialty shows in the 6-9pm slots even though no one likes it, etc.
People like it. People like it a lot. The proof is in their pledge drives. The problem is that the tastemakers who prefer college radio weirdness are in the vast vast minority of KEXP's audience. The majority of the station's listeners like the bland alt indie playlist. That's why they are successful.
Oh and btw, KEXP is a public radio station, not a college radio station. UW holds the license, but the station is run by large board that calls the shots - and UW is quite happy with the arrangement. KEXP's djs, however old or irrelevant you think they are, are paid professionals.
The next time someone rants about how the station should give slots back to sleepy unreliable unpaid college djs - please STFU and tell it to KUOW. If anything, KEXP is too slow in making changes to their personnel (Larry Metro was past his prime 15 years ago).
Who am I? A former KEXP DJ, and a non-listener. I am not a fan of the station, but I am a fan of the people behind it, mostly. Props to Mr. Mizell - if I'm ever frying and lost in Magnolia, Larry, I'll be calling you..
People like it. People like it a lot. The proof is in their pledge drives. The problem is that the tastemakers who prefer college radio weirdness are in the vast vast minority of KEXP's audience. The majority of the station's listeners like the bland alt indie playlist. That's why they are successful.
Oh and btw, KEXP is a public radio station, not a college radio station. UW holds the license, but the station is run by large board that calls the shots - and UW is quite happy with the arrangement. KEXP's djs, however old or irrelevant you think they are, are paid professionals.
The next time someone rants about how the station should give slots back to sleepy unreliable unpaid college djs - please STFU and tell it to KUOW. If anything, KEXP is too slow in making changes to their personnel (Larry Metro was past his prime 15 years ago).
Who am I? A former KEXP DJ, and a non-listener. I am not a fan of the station, but I am a fan of the people behind it, mostly. Props to Mr. Mizell - if I'm ever frying and lost in Magnolia, Larry, I'll be calling you..
32
Larry Metro was the only one who would lay down the interesting tracks. You would never know what he would lay down next! He is missed...
34
I hate that Larry's Lounge (Larry Rose) is now on Tues night. Don't get me wrong, I love that his show is now 4 hours instead of 3 and I also know I can listen to his most recent show later in the week. But this last Sunday SUCKED because his show has been such a big part of my Sunday afternoon, even when I didn't live in Seattle. I've been a long time contributor and am just really disappointed. I dig KEXP but Larry's show is the only one I look forward to every week.
35
I learned a great deal today.. about the business of a non-profit radio station named KEXP.
Let me say that I have personally donated $400 this year and I will no longer be a member of KEXP. Why? because this station is misleading it's members.
Please take the time to read this article from the SLOG in 2006!!! 3 years ago!! in which fired DJ Greg Jaspan lays down the truth about the AGENDA direction of KEXP after its transformation from KCMU.
http://lineout.thestranger.com/2006/07/f…
If the idea of this bores you.. then here is a telling excerpt from that same article which says it all.. and why we are losing our favorite DJ's for an agenda...
"One might wonder how this format change was pulled off if most of the DJs stayed on in there regular time-slots after the switch to KEXP. Was a directive sent out to all the DJs saying from now on play more rock? No. Again, that would be too obvious. So how was it done? This is where I need to explain "rotations." Rotations are essentially what shapes the way KEXP sounds, and yet I am astounded at how often I talk to people who aren't even aware that KEXP has rotations. Rotations are CDs that all KEXP "variety" show DJs have to play. They are divided up into four levels: Heavy, Medium, Light, and R/N (which stands for recurrent). At any given time there are about 15 CDs in Heavy, about 35 in Medium, about 45 in Light, and about 60 in R/N. All "variety" show DJs are required every hour to play a minimum of 2 songs from Heavy, 2-3 from Medium, 1-2 from Light, and 1 from R/N. So a minimum of 6-8 songs every hour comes from rotations. That's at least 50%-75% of the total number of songs that can realistically fit into one hour when you subtract the time it takes to do all the air-breaks and play all the underwriting spots and such. So at least 50%-75% of the music you hear on the "variety" shows come from rotations. Again, "variety" shows make up over 75% of KEXP's programming. So when you consider that at least 50%-75% of the songs you hear on over 75% of the programming come from rotations, you begin to see just how much rotations shape the sound of KEXP. This would lead one to wonder just who decides what music goes in rotation and thus just who it is that decides what music all the DJs have to play (and what all the listeners have to hear). There are only three people who have any say whatsoever as to what music goes in rotations: Don "Slack" Yates, Kevin Cole, and John Richards."
If you are a paid member of KEXP.. it is imperative that you consider where you money goes and what you are actually getting these days...
This is not the true VARIETY station you think it is... and great DJ's like Larry Metro, Greg Jaspan, Riz..etc.. are all going to slowly disappear in favor of the agenda.
KEXP... sold out... and are taking you along for the money train ride.. not so "cool" now are they..
sincerely,
An ex member who know longer drinks the cool-aid
"
More...
Let me say that I have personally donated $400 this year and I will no longer be a member of KEXP. Why? because this station is misleading it's members.
Please take the time to read this article from the SLOG in 2006!!! 3 years ago!! in which fired DJ Greg Jaspan lays down the truth about the AGENDA direction of KEXP after its transformation from KCMU.
http://lineout.thestranger.com/2006/07/f…
If the idea of this bores you.. then here is a telling excerpt from that same article which says it all.. and why we are losing our favorite DJ's for an agenda...
"One might wonder how this format change was pulled off if most of the DJs stayed on in there regular time-slots after the switch to KEXP. Was a directive sent out to all the DJs saying from now on play more rock? No. Again, that would be too obvious. So how was it done? This is where I need to explain "rotations." Rotations are essentially what shapes the way KEXP sounds, and yet I am astounded at how often I talk to people who aren't even aware that KEXP has rotations. Rotations are CDs that all KEXP "variety" show DJs have to play. They are divided up into four levels: Heavy, Medium, Light, and R/N (which stands for recurrent). At any given time there are about 15 CDs in Heavy, about 35 in Medium, about 45 in Light, and about 60 in R/N. All "variety" show DJs are required every hour to play a minimum of 2 songs from Heavy, 2-3 from Medium, 1-2 from Light, and 1 from R/N. So a minimum of 6-8 songs every hour comes from rotations. That's at least 50%-75% of the total number of songs that can realistically fit into one hour when you subtract the time it takes to do all the air-breaks and play all the underwriting spots and such. So at least 50%-75% of the music you hear on the "variety" shows come from rotations. Again, "variety" shows make up over 75% of KEXP's programming. So when you consider that at least 50%-75% of the songs you hear on over 75% of the programming come from rotations, you begin to see just how much rotations shape the sound of KEXP. This would lead one to wonder just who decides what music goes in rotation and thus just who it is that decides what music all the DJs have to play (and what all the listeners have to hear). There are only three people who have any say whatsoever as to what music goes in rotations: Don "Slack" Yates, Kevin Cole, and John Richards."
If you are a paid member of KEXP.. it is imperative that you consider where you money goes and what you are actually getting these days...
This is not the true VARIETY station you think it is... and great DJ's like Larry Metro, Greg Jaspan, Riz..etc.. are all going to slowly disappear in favor of the agenda.
KEXP... sold out... and are taking you along for the money train ride.. not so "cool" now are they..
sincerely,
An ex member who know longer drinks the cool-aid
"
36
Geez, I agree about the 6-9 slot. Is some one on the board a really big fan of twang? There must be like 5 people who actually like the roadhouse. I Love "good kexp". If I have to explain that, just stop reading. Why are you playing "Bad kexp" when I get home, and want to have some decent music? Seriously, I'm in godamn Seattle, and your gonna make me use pandora?
Cut 10% of the road house each year, and I will double my donation. I Swear. Do it again the next, i'll triple it.
Cut 10% of the road house each year, and I will double my donation. I Swear. Do it again the next, i'll triple it.
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