Des Moines Radio Scene

[econboy]

Okay...being a former radio DJ, Technical Director, etc. I have to vent about DSM radio.

I'm not going to make this argument about corporate v. independant. That discussion goes into a whole different realm. It's legit, but trancends this argument in many ways.

I want to talk about the obvious gapping HOLE in Des Moines (MSA 550,000) radio formatics.

This hole is primarily in one key area when it comes to format demographics...and you might know where it's at if you think about it long enough.

Yes, Rhythmic styled music. It's absolutely appalling that we have no other Contemporary Hit Radio (top-40) competition for KISS 107, or a Hip-Hop & R&B competitor. In fact, I'll have to say that when it comes to basic music entertainment, it's one of the most embarrassing and frustrating things about living in Des Moines.

Can someone PLEASE shed some light on why the business community is so chilly toward a format that appeals to 18-34 year olds in a Hip-Hop or Dance music manner?? This, in itself, speaks volumes about the way Des Moines still really is. Especially given that these formats seem to work just a couple hours down the road?

Madison, Omaha, Wichita, Peoria, all have Hip-Hop stations. They also all have mainstream top-40 competition mixed in. Madison, Wichita and Peoria are SMALLER than Des Moines. This is awful. I just think there are still major inherint structural problems with the socio-economic atmosphere in Des Moines.

It can't last much longer. But, every year that goes by, it never seems to get better. It always stays the same. It got somewhat better when KISS, Channel Q and Capital came around over the last 10 years. But it's still a very substandard market compared to others.

Heck, the Ft. Dodge top-40 station (99X) will player more Hip-Hop and progressive stuff than KISS 107. (KISS is good on Saturday nights with the mix show.) If that doesn't scream of either pure bias, laziness or what, then I don't know what does.

[DMRyan]

Agreed. That's what drove me to satelite radio years ago. I always longed for a real local mix show with this kind of music on a Saturday or Sunday night.

We are in desperate need of a non corporate radio station with real signal that can play something more eclectic even if it isn't hip-hop or dance music. Public radio like what's found in Iowa's college cities could find a market here, but it would need to be propped up until it can take off enough to sell ads.

I still get a kick out of the radio corporate moniker of "rhythm-styled music."

[econboy]

Well, for me and many others I know, it's all been about the Hip-Hop/Dance and-or lack thereof. Period.

It's almost eerie, to tell the truth. It's as if they purposely try to keep it off the air here even more than other Iowa cities.

I don't understand it and I don't buy that the business community is so out of touch that they can't see that.

Yes, there is KJMC, the Urban AC station. The BEAT was around a few years ago. But aside from KISS 107 right now, which is awful compared to other top-40's around the region (aside from Saturday nights), Des Moines radio is downright strange for a city this size.

Especially given how fast DSM is growing and how progressive it has become. I can't imagine the status quo can last that much longer.

[butters]

It is odd given how successful the short lived 106.3 The Beat was. I believe Clear Channel ultimately pulled the plug on "The Beat" because it was cannibalizing listeners from their flagship KISS station (which I personally think is the absolute worst radio station on the planet - I can't stand there lame piped-in morning show).

Anyone of Clear Channels competitors could have easily picked up the beats format, but haven't. Is there some collusion between corporate radio in this town? Or a "gentlemans agreement" not to step on corporate radios toes?

[spacebetween]

Well, maybe investors will be more interested in your concept after 80/35 showed there is a music scene other than the Top 40 listeners in Des Moines. I would have to imagine something like this is on the horizon, especially after 10,000 people went to 515 Alive last weekend. At the very least, the more we talk about it the more others will catch on.

[bbnskb]

As a former DJ and music director, this has been a thorn in my side for many years in Des Moines. Lucky for me, I was able to enjoy X-106 (KXXR-FM) in Kansas City from 1990 to 1991, B96 (WBBM-FM) Chicago from 1991 to 1994 (when they were DANCE) and Mix93.3 (KMXV) in Kansas City from 1994-1996 (when they were DANCE). Since then, it has been more or less nothing - I generally listen to Energy98: http://www.energy981.com off of the Internet which plays a "dance hits" format. I always thought if I had the money and could land an open frequency in this market, I would put something on the air that resembles a "party" or "dance hits" format. Wouldn't it be great to have {say in large-balled voice-over voice} "Central Iowa's Party Radio Power-106.3"?

[JMsioux]

Agreed. That's what drove me to satelite radio years ago. I always longed for a real local mix show with this kind of music on a Saturday or Sunday night.

We are in desperate need of a non corporate radio station with real signal that can play something more eclectic even if it isn't hip-hop or dance music. Public radio like what's found in Iowa's college cities could find a market here, but it would need to be propped up until it can take off enough to sell ads.

I still get a kick out of the radio corporate moniker of "rhythm-styled music."

I cannot agree more with the satellite comment you made. IF you think Des Moines radio is bad, and it really is for such a large market, you should give Sioux City radio a try...it is unlistenable (if that's a word) and I have been a faithful satellite listener for three years now.

[econboy]

What gets me is that there is demand out there. Growing demand in fact. But, the ad agencies don't respond to it here in Des Moines, but they do respond to it in Madison or Wichita or even like I said, Peoria.

Thats where the crux of the issue lies. I've even learned that by and large LOCAL businesses don't do that much advertising nowdays. It's mostly national buys. Local business will advertise on what they have to in order to get their word out.

I know I said the Des Moines business community seems to resist it. Which is and isn't true since national buys tend to dominate.

So is it that the local business community somehow influences the national buys, or vice-versa??

[cbjason]

I have to agree with this whole argument. My friend lives in des moines while i live in Council Bluffs. I remember visiting him when The Beat was going and loved it that des moines had something like that and was disappointed when i came back later to find out that it was gone and the KISS station wasnt that appealing.

Here in omaha we have both 94.1(pop music/top 40 type station) and Power 106.9 (hip hop and rap station), both do well and 106.9 has really exploded. 94.1 has their own local morning show while 106.9's morning show is Big Boi's show from LA but they have also brought in dj's from big cities that know how to play the right music the rest of the time and have become a big part of the community. I also lived in Tulsa a few years ago and they also started a hip hop/rap station called The Beat as well and it also did great.

Hopefully des moines will get with the program on this topic!

[Philby]

I have to agree with this whole argument. My friend lives in des moines while i live in Council Bluffs. I remember visiting him when The Beat was going and loved it that des moines had something like that and was disappointed when i came back later to find out that it was gone and the KISS station wasnt that appealing.

Here in omaha we have both 94.1(pop music/top 40 type station) and Power 106.9 (hip hop and rap station), both do well and 106.9 has really exploded. 94.1 has their own local morning show while 106.9's morning show is Big Boi's show from LA but they have also brought in dj's from big cities that know how to play the right music the rest of the time and have become a big part of the community. I also lived in Tulsa a few years ago and they also started a hip hop/rap station called The Beat as well and it also did great.

Hopefully des moines will get with the program on this topic!

The station your referring to may be an exception - but most DJs no longer have much control over what songs are played, its all run by the system. Sure they may occasionally throw in a request here and there, but for the most part the computer that stores/plays the songs is programmed to play songs based on the wishes of someone (not sure of the positions title, but whoever controls what music is played).

At least that's the way it is with the few radio stations I've seen.

[econboy]

The station your referring to may be an exception - but most DJs no longer have much control over what songs are played, its all run by the system. Sure they may occasionally throw in a request here and there, but for the most part the computer that stores/plays the songs is programmed to play songs based on the wishes of someone (not sure of the positions title, but whoever controls what music is played).

At least that's the way it is with the few radio stations I've seen.

What you are refering to is called a 'Brand Manager'. It's a music consultant that directs the local program director on how to make the station sound relative to it's market. This person claims to be a demographical wiz kid, claiming he knows what the public in Des Moines wants to hear, even though he is in New York.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

I'm not a big fan of new music, i'm mostly a classic rock & 80's hair band guy, but I will say this, i've lived in Des Moines over 11 years now and i've never been a big fan of KGGO.

[DMRyan]

What about LAZR 103.3? I actually think that for it's genre, it's a damn good rock station.

[econboy]

Lazer used to be better when they played newer, more cutting edge rock. There are sometimes now, I think it's almost 70's-90's rock only. It's a shell of a station compared to what it used to be.

[DMRyan]

No wonder I like it so much, that late 80's 90's stuff is the only rock I'd listen to.

[spacebetween]

I think the argument can be made that radio in general stinks these days. No matter which station you listen to there is going to be repetitive songs that are played over and over again. I have been listening to 105.1 out of Ames for some time and I really liked their rotation for the longest time, and they feature local music, which I like. But, after listening to them on the drive to and from work, the same songs always end up being played over and over again. I dont have Satellite radio, but I think that might be the best option...

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

I think the argument can be made that radio in general stinks these days. No matter which station you listen to there is going to be repetitive songs that are played over and over again. I have been listening to 105.1 out of Ames for some time and I really liked their rotation for the longest time, and they feature local music, which I like. But, after listening to them on the drive to and from work, the same songs always end up being played over and over again. I dont have Satellite radio, but I think that might be the best option...

That's the understatement of the year. 90% of the time, my radio is tuned into sports radio, wether it be Big Sports 590 out of Omaha, WHB in KC or the 2 local stations.

[Mastermind]

2 local sports stations; NPR & 1040 occasionally here.

[dogbo]

yeah...I'm pretty much a talk radiohead. I don't listen much to the radio, but when I do it is sports talk: 1460 or 1700 or newstalk 1040am or 98.3FM. I also dabble in a little NPR (just to stay well rounded)

On the rare occasion I want to listen to music, I tune in 106.3 and am pleased to at least catch a few local bands (i.e...the Nadas) once in awhile.

[speeder]

I travel a good deal these days for work so XM (satellite) is my savior... that and CD's/MP3's. If I happen to listen to a local station, which is rare its 98.3, which is talk radio. Most of their programing is syndicated but Mac's World is interesting if I am looking for something a bit more local. I haven't listen to a Des Moines based music station in years.... don't miss them at all.

My wife, and I know this because I almost vomit out of my ears every time I start up her car, is a sucker for 102.5; particularly the morning show with Ken and Colleen (sp?). She says its a good station for her drive to/from work... I have to take her word for it.

[Des Moineser]

STAR 102.5... Probably the worst.

Anyone notice that 95 KGGO has a ratio of about 10 minutes of ads to every one song (at least in the mornings)?

[Braniff]

These days I listen to 98.3 (for Bob & Tom, Mac's World and occasionally Glen Beck) and to 105 (for Mancow--although 105's signal is weak in the West Des Moines area). For a different point of view, I read the New York Times or watch CNN. (I can also get CNN radio on the computer through its website.)

I still want to get a satellite radio but I am waiting to see if any receiver would be bothered by the proposed merger between XM and Sirius and which channels would survive and which ones would not.

Aside from that, the Des Moines area needs some radio personalities with BITE and IMPACT. There are many who would rather listen to Howard Stern than Jethro Bodine. Perhaps that is one reason why many young Iowans are leaving the state after graduating--the media market in the Des Moines area is too bland!

[djscholer]

Count me in with the Satellite Radio folks. I have been a Sirius subscriber since January of 2006, and haven't looked back. $12.95 a month is worth it. The merger makes it even sweeter (from what I can tell).

I just can't see Des Moines terrestrial radio growing, especially in the financial climate right now. Unfortunately, local advertisers aren't spending as much as they used to, which makes it tough on these radio stations. There is probably a market here for hip-hop, but could an upstart station survive if there are no ad dollars? Could it compete with ipod or a more soccer-mom friendly Kiss FM?

[spacebetween]

Sadly, I don't believe a Hip-hop/Dance station could survive here, even after last weekends 515 Alive's strong showing. I just dont think the culture is as open to those types of music yet, which is sad in my opinion cause most of the Pop music is shifting to those genres.

[Ingersoll1978]

A major portion of KISS's music is R&B isn't it?

[econboy]

Sadly, I don't believe a Hip-hop/Dance station could survive here, even after last weekends 515 Alive's strong showing. I just dont think the culture is as open to those types of music yet, which is sad in my opinion cause most of the Pop music is shifting to those genres.

And thats very telling about Des Moines if other cities our size or smaller can support that kind of stuff.

Somewhere along the line, we have left a big hole in our marketing and growth efforts. This, I believe still indicates that while Des Moines is growing well, we still have a major obstacle to our future.

There really is no reason that we should be in that situation culturally. Meaning there is no excuse for it, other than people have chosen to try and 'custom create' Des Moines into this culture that resists certain 'flavors' b/c most people either have an inherint fear of them, which I think is the case. Or, it's just willful ignorance. Either way, it can't last much longer.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

A major portion of KISS's music is R&B isn't it?

I have no idea. If there's one station that i've never listened to in the DSM metro, it's KISS. That kind of music just doesn't appeal to me at all. Hell i've listened to KWKY and Praise, but that's been for Royals baseball.

[spacebetween]

Ankeny - I am confused. You say you have no idea what KISS's music content is, but yet you also say you have never listened and that it doesn't appeal to you...?

[SharpHawkeye]

Does Drake have a student radio station at all? I know here in Iowa City we've got good old KRUI, which, while hit-or-miss at times, seems to fill some of the niches missing in the rest of the media market. If Drake were to set up a student-run radio station, not only could it reach most of downtown--it might help fill that niche in programming.

[econboy]

KiSS's music does include Hip-Hop and R&B with some dance. But they also have to play rock and pop stuff in with it. It's a top 40 format, so you get a variety of each.