Posted by Jacques II on May 13, 2013 at 20:44:19:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Brandon Rowe (Energy PD) exits posted by Jacques on May 13, 2013 at 14:20:33:
I disagree with all you have said here. I am a CHR Freak. I live and breathe CHR radio. Even though I live near Milwaukee I listen to, record and observe CHR's all around America. AS for Milwaukee CHR Radio, up until Tuesday of last week Energy was the better sounding CHR in Milwaukee. Since Wednesday it's very clear that Energy has lost passion. Music is a mess and Imaging is no longer focused.
Prior to Tuesday Energy was the most creative CHR in Milwaukee, musically, promotionally, the imaging, and even the commercial scripts.
Please listen to my opinion as I have studied these 3 stations very closely since Energy signed on in 2012.
Imaging on Energy was not only produced better than NOW and KISS but it was also written better. It was funny, relatable, edgy, topical, and always fresh. Also, the imaging was always tight on the music. Imaging would almost always hit the post of songs. They made songs with custom intros. The customized sound on Energy never sounded forced. It sounded exciting and big market. The station moved so fast it was as if the music never stopped.
Musically Energy 106.9 was ALWAYS ahead of the curve. Energy was one of the first in the COUNTRY to play: Swedish House Mafia Don't You Worry Child, Macklemore Thrift Shop, Macklemore Can't Hold Us, Justin Timberlake Mirrors, Daft Punk Get Lucky and the list goes on. And when I say first I mean one of the first. That's groundbreaking for Milwaukee. Don't believe me? Go ask someone who has BDS. Brandon forced KISS and NOW to add songs. Forcing the heritage stations to make moves IS groundbreaking and impressive. I respect him for being able to pick the hits months before other stations played them. You don't find that quality in Milwaukee.
More on the music. The music flow on Energy WAS really something to be proud of. Hip Hop, Dance, Pop never clustered together and never two songs back to back that didn't flow well. Also, the songs always seemed to fit into the lifestyle for the day/time. It wasn't just an ipod on shuffle hoping the right song was going play at the right time. Energy was one of a few stations that I looked forward to listening to, and the best part is it was right here in my home city, Milwaukee.
Promotionally Energy was always out and about. Bars, Clubs, Food Trucks, Concerts, Parks, Parades, Colleges, High Schools, Street Corners, Overpasses, Festivals, Downtown, Oak Creek, West Allis, Waukesha, New Berlin, East Side, Brookfield, and every city in between. Look at the pics they post on their facebook they must have a massive promotion team budget. The other part of this is; they weren't just "out" standing behind a table with a prize wheel. The pics show them having fun and relating to the people. They were part of the lifestyle, not the awkward radio station in the corner with keychains. Great work by them. This is unmatched in Milwaukee.
With only 2 jocks on the station, Cousin Ed and Brandon Rowe, the station was balanced in the non-jocked dayparts with fun and fresh imaging. I agree they should have had another jock or two. Which I'm guessing they wouldn't pay for. I think the bold move with music in the morning was smart. I assume they didn't want to try to compete with the heritage morning show on Kiss and a syndicated morning show on Now? Music mornings was the brilliant alternative that was not being done in Milwaukee. Kudos to them.
Signal. Yes, it's a 5 or 6000 watt signal. But, take a drive around Milwaukee and Waukesha. It is a very impressive 5000 watts. I do notice when I drive to Illinois 106.9 would get static filled towards the end of Racine. But other than that it covers the rest of the market.
As an outsider looking at all 3 CHR's in Milwaukee, ENERGY was by far the best and most creative. It was music intense, fun, fresh, always unpredictable, and was something I never imagined Milwaukee would experience. Anyone who doesn't see the obvious positive things they did with that station either hates Saga or works for Entercom or Clear Channel. Period. Give credit where credit is due.
I give major credit to the team at Energy for the incredible product they brought to Milwaukee. As for what's happening at Energy after Brandon Rowe's departure is loud and clear through my speakers. Energy no longer has a sizzle. It is flat. Music flow is not what it once was. Imaging has no balance. The heart of the station is very clearly missing. And that makes me sad for Milwaukee and Milwaukee radio.
I'm sorry, I'm a radio geek (I know it). Round of applause to Mr. Rowe and his team. Thank you for making me excited about radio again.