A silly question?

My friends,

Is AM radio still a viable medium?

Reason I ask, I'll be honest and say that I haven't tuned an AM radio since I was a teenager. That's been longer ago than I care to recall, lol. :)

Just on a lark, I did a scan across the AM dial recently to see what was there. It seems that AM radio is mostly talking and religious programming. Or it is around here anyhow. I was able to find 6, maybe 7 stations all across the AM band. I couldn't find a station that was playing music.

That's one helluva change from the early '70s.

What are your thoughts on the AM market? Is there still anything to it?

When not listening to sat radio, I only listen to AM.... 2 local sports channels, a local news station, and, occasionally an infomercial... :sqerr:

Hell I haven't listened to FM stereo in an eternity ;) AM is even further behind ;) I'm sure it still is if not major stations would not have programs there.

when driving I listen mostly to a local news AM station. I have choices of two bridges to cross in many of my trips to gigs and its likely the most up to date info on helping my decision.

Fred - if you haven't already tried - and I know you probably have - try tuning across the AM band on a crisp, cold night when the sky is full of stars and see what you find. There are still 50,000 watt AM clear channel (no relation to the company) stations that you'll find out of New York, Cincy, Baltimore (thats close to you), and on a good night, you may even be able to pick up some from near the Dakota's.

In some parts of the country, AM is still king.

Jenny listens to an AM station that's a news/talker out of the Mid-Ohio valley area every morning while she's getting ready for work.

In the 2 biggest markets in the U.S., (Los Angeles and New York) there are about the same number of AM & FM stations in both cities. Some of the AM's in New York still do music and make good money.

For the latest on what's happening in radio across the land these days, the definitive site is Radio & Records.

Go here> http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/

You can also get the most up to date music charts from this site for databasing your music inventory and keeping up to date on what's hot and what's not.

Hope this helps.

Greets, Greg and thanks for the reminder about R&R. I used to print out their Country Singles Top 50 when I did the street festivals.

You're right about nighttime AM listening. Gosh, that takes me back to when I was a little pup... I had a '50s vintage Silvertone tube tabletop AM radio in them days. That thing would pick up stations from all over the country at night. :)

I guess I'm just nostalgic for the old days when local AM radio was king. These days, FM is becoming as bad as AM.

We used to listen to Wolf Man live syndicated on Sunday nights I believe the alternate call letters were XPRS out of L.A. we were in the Redwoods in Northern California. Yes the Redwoods likely arent to great for cwll phone users but the skip and a good cloud cover would allow us often to hear Wolfmans show. What memories.

Greets, Greg and thanks for the reminder about R&R. I used to print out their Country Singles Top 50 when I did the street festivals.

You're right about nighttime AM listening. Gosh, that takes me back to when I was a little pup... I had a '50s vintage Silvertone tube tabletop AM radio in them days. That thing would pick up stations from all over the country at night. :)

I guess I'm just nostalgic for the old days when local AM radio was king. These days, FM is becoming as bad as AM.

FM... what is that?

Fred, I have no access to numbers right now, but I do believe that in Philly, AM radio holds two of the top 8 stations....

KYW 1060 news radio

610 WIP a HUGELY successful sports radio station.

We used to listen to Wolf Man live syndicated on Sunday nights I believe the alternate call letters were XPRS out of L.A. we were in the Redwoods in Northern California. Yes the Redwoods likely arent to great for cwll phone users but the skip and a good cloud cover would allow us often to hear Wolfmans show. What memories.
I sure remember that. :)

The Wolfman was on WKLX AM in Norfolk back in the day. I used to listen to his shows at night. Also, one of the local AM stations broadcast the CBS Radio Mystery Theater at night. Man, that was good listening... like a suspense film without the video. It was definately the theater of the mind. :)

Papa, I love my FM radio. We've got a Boston Acoustics (http://www.bostonacoustics.com/home_product.aspx?product_id=325) radio in the kitchen that plays 24/7 at listening level.

And it doesn't cost a dime to listen to it. ;)

I'm 23 and have only ever tuned to AM when the traffic advisory light is flashing on the highway and they say tune to 660 for information.

Not for nothing, I cannot even stand FM with all the commercials. I love my MP3 player and I believe that's a part of why iPods are so popular: your music when you want it not after 13 commercials.

Local AM Stations around here (only 3 left) have left the music behind many years ago.

One is now a sports station (they used to be the "pop" powerhouse station in the late 50's to the early 80's), the other two are now news and talk radio (both were lighter pop music...but not "muzak").

I still listen to one of the local AM stations (in the car), as they do an excellent job on local news and their local talk show hosts are sometimes informative and entertaining. Never listen to their night-time offerings of syndicated "hate" radio shows.

We used to listen to Wolf Man live syndicated on Sunday nights I believe the alternate call letters were XPRS out of L.A. we were in the Redwoods in Northern California. Yes the Redwoods likely arent to great for cwll phone users but the skip and a good cloud cover would allow us often to hear Wolfmans show. What memories.

Ahhhh the memories.......................

A little useless history on Wolfman Jack - real name Bob Smith (honest!)

The infamous Wolfman was a fan of Alan Freed (http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Freed).
Freed originally called himself the "Moondog" after New York City street musician Moondog. Freed both adopted this name and used a recorded howl to give his early broadcasts a unique character. Smith's adaptation of the Moondog theme was to call himself Wolfman Jack and add his own sound effects. The character was based in part on the manner and style of bluesman Howlin' Wolf.

Subsequently, Smith appeared in several television shows as Wolfman Jack. They included The Wolfman Jack Show; The Odd Couple; What's Happening!!; Vega$; Hollywood Squares; Married… with Children and Galactica 1980. He was the regular announcer and occasional host for The Midnight Special on NBC from 1973 to 1981. (The Midnight Special is what I remember him best for ironically)

He also furnished his voice in The Guess Who's 1974 tribute, the top 40 hit single, "Clap for the Wolfman." (which I used to have the original 45 of before I sold all of them for a measley $350 bucks)

Now for the really interesting part:
Wolfman Jack died of a heart attack in Belvidere, North Carolina, on July 1, 1995, age 57. The day before his death, he had finished broadcasting his last live radio program, a weekly program nationally syndicated from Planet Hollywood in downtown Washington, D.C. Wolfman Jack said that night, "I can't wait to get home and give Lou a hug, I haven't missed her this much in years." Wolfman had been on the road, promoting his new autobiography Have Mercy!. When he got home, he entered his house, hugged his wife, said "Oh, it is so good to be home!", and literally died in his wife's arms.

His business, Wolfman Jack Productions (based in Hertford, North Carolina), is still listed in the local telephone book.

Makes me think of Todd Rundgren's song..

Wolfman Jack...

Hey baby, you're on a subliminal trip to nowhere. You better get your trip
Together before you step
In here with us!

Full moon tonight, everythings all right
Baby come on back to Wolfman Jack
If you want yourself a day man, well I don't mind
You just ditch him when the sun goes down
cause the moon shines bright
And everythings all right
When the wolfman, he creeps into town

Now you maybe want a man who throws round his money
But he aint as cool as Wolfman Jack
And you might want yourself a man
Who don't act so funny
But he aint your fool like Wolfman Jack

I don't mean to treat you evil
Im just a good boy gone bad
But if I catch you after dark walking through the park
I'm just liable to do something mad

You maybe think you know what love is about girl
But its nothing 'til it's Wolfman Jack
And everybody knows, you go round and shout it
That your only thrill is Wolfman Jack

Full moon tonight, every things all right
Baby come on back to Wolfman Jack
I may miss your loving while I"m on my back
But you cant escape from Wolfman Jack
You cant do this to me

Look me in the eyes baby, now you cut that jive
You know the Wolfmans just about
The number one cat alive
You got my great big eyes spinning round in my head
How could you love another man instead?

I have his last show on tape.

When I am not listening to my Zune, I only listen to AM.

It is where I get all my news and sports.

I'm 23 and have only ever tuned to AM when the traffic advisory light is flashing on the highway and they say tune to 660 for information.

Not for nothing, I cannot even stand FM with all the commercials. I love my MP3 player and I believe that's a part of why iPods are so popular: your music when you want it not after 13 commercials.

It's a little different here in the UK. I used to work on an AM station around 1990, and the format hasn't changed that much over the years. All that seems to have happened is that as the audience for AM music radio has shrunk, takeovers have meant that stations are either simulcasting or merging and only splitting for breakfast and drive. There are of course more talk and sport type stations on AM too, but like Dan, I rarely listen to AM these days, and also like Dan, the endless FM ads drive me nuts.

We do at least have the BBC here, which is commercial-free, but that doesn't stop the jocks churning out mind-numbing 'competitions' for people with the IQ of a banana. Another thing that drives me crazy is that radio stations will always choose the 'lively' winner to put to air. I know, I've seen it done where someone with the right answer has been bypassed because another caller will sound 'better' on air. So, you have to put up with some shrieking over-exciteable knicker-wetting teenager that has just won a competition that a flea could have got right. I would guess it's the same where you are.

If it's not BBC Radio 4 FM (Mainly talk/news/consumer programming/info), then the CD player or MP3 goes on.

All I listen to his AM. I'm a news talk junkie. Listen to KGO 810 out of the S.F. Bay Area.

Yes, me too, but as I said I get my news from the BBC Radio 4 on FM. AM radio here is too poor in quality most of the time, and I am not into sport so many of the AM stations don't interest me.

I know that AM was always quite popular for music programming in the States, but then I think you have AM Stereo, which we've never had. Do you have DAB radio there?

when driving I listen mostly to a local news AM station. I have choices of two bridges to cross in many of my trips to gigs and its likely the most up to date info on helping my decision.

Do they play Bridge Over Troubled Water often?

Why don't ya just cross that bridge when you get to it.

Why don't you call Ted Kennedy and let him know about this station. :sqbiggrin:

Yeah, I know I've got a sick sense of humor. Just trying to amuse myself.

The AM band is what got me HOOKED on radio. It was in 1963 and I was a young boy in Ashland Ma. I was in my room and listening to the AM band. I found WABC in NYC and the dj was excited to be playing music from an amazing new band from England....The Beatles. The passion, the excitement of hearing "I Want To Hold Your Hand" just captivated me. I was in...hook, line and sinker.

Those opportunities don't exist anymore. We can't eavesdrop on far away states and hear something different.

Try scanning the AM band on a clear summer night. You'll hear America.

Best,

Dave

Fred - if you haven't already tried - and I know you probably have - try tuning across the AM band on a crisp, cold night when the sky is full of stars and see what you find. There are still 50,000 watt AM clear channel (no relation to the company) stations that you'll find out of New York, Cincy, Baltimore (thats close to you), and on a good night, you may even be able to pick up some from near the Dakota's.

In some parts of the country, AM is still king.
And skip is why I still love AM radio. Not for music, but for hearing what's going on in different parts of the U.S. Especially when I'm driving at night, I love to cruise the AM band!

Even though I started and ended my radio experience with an AM music station, music and AM don't mix. AM is best with talk. Period. Unless you don't care about fidelity!

The Atlanta AM band has mostly Mexican music stations with some religious, political/news, and sports talk.

Never listen to their night-time offerings of syndicated "hate" radio shows.
Like Michael Savage or Air America?? :D

He also furnished his voice in The Guess Who's 1974 tribute, the top 40 hit single, "Clap for the Wolfman." (which I used to have the original 45 of before I sold all of them for a measley $350 bucks)

I submit for your listening pleasure: Guess Who - Clap For The Wolfman (http://boogietime.com/GuessWho-ClapForTheWolfman.m3u)

Interesting thing Bryan..I spent the 80's at a Country Music AM-FM Combo..The AM was on 750..It had to sign off at sunset to protect WSB...Rumor has it that one time a Jock failed to sign off and with 1,000 watts you could hear it under WSB 50 miles from Atlanta..The WSB enginner supposedly called our enginner and was very upset.

if they ever get that IBOC thing finished it would definitely be a viable medium

I remember sneaking my transistor radio to listen to the San Diego Gulls hockey games in bed. Very fun days. I still listen to AM but must admit that religious radio and talk radio are two of my favorites. Love sports radio (wanted to be a sports radio guy), and can never pass up a good Tejano station! FM commercials are too busy.

In the evening I often get 740 am out of San Fransisco, and sometimes get KBOI out of Boise ID. love the evening bounce of the signal!

Has anyone tried the HD radio? Are the claims legit?

Gee the last time I listened to AM radio is when Howard Stern was there....geez...I am old lol

There is a huge AM market here in NJ/NY area. A bit of music, but mostly sports, news, and talk radio. It's the only thing I listen to. I check out new music online.

After listening to music for hours on end while working, or in my office, AM is kind of like cleansing my palate..:sqwink:

I remember sneaking my transistor radio to listen to the San Diego Gulls hockey games in bed. Very fun days. I still listen to AM but must admit that religious radio and talk radio are two of my favorites. Love sports radio (wanted to be a sports radio guy), and can never pass up a good Tejano station! FM commercials are too busy.

In the evening I often get 740 am out of San Fransisco, and sometimes get KBOI out of Boise ID. love the evening bounce of the signal!

Has anyone tried the HD radio? Are the claims legit?

Ah I sure remember that. The transistor late at night. I grew up with it. Still, it didn't have the sensitivity of the old Silvertone tube radio. :)

HD is misleading. It doesn't meant Hi Def. It's something to do with diversity. As I understand, the claims are accurate ~ it sounds better than analog FM but remember, it is based upon FM technology. :)

a have a friend who's been a morning guy since before I can remember.
Best thing he ever said was,
"pretty soon, AM radio signals will only be good for opening garage doors".

(he was joking)

Considering the popularity of talk radio and sports...

don't think it'll ever go away

I remember listening to a Chicago station back in the 60's but I can't remember the call sign. Also picked up Cincinnati AM radio and a couple of others but only at night when a few were allowed to increase the output power.

There is talk going on now of extending the FM Band lower this proposed expansion will move AM stations to FM with the exception of the 50Kwatt stations. Except for the long haul AM's the local and regional AM's will be gone.

What is radio? Like a TV without a picture?

Seriously I listen to sports talk on AM. That is about it.

Mike

In my part of Tennesse surrounded by the mountains, is you wanted anything other that the local fare, you had to wait for the night. Loved to fire up my old Hallicrafter and listen most of the night to either WLS out of Chicago or WOWO out of Ft. Wayne.:sqcool: