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October 18, 2017 8:48 am  #1


Gord Downie

I don't like posting obits...but this man was such an inspiration...

Accch...Gord Downie passed away, what an amazing man, Canadian, a true leader and a such courage and grace...RIP Gord, you did us all proud!  It is a sad day...I am still amazed at how more than a third of all Canadians watched their live concert at the K-Rock Centre in Kingston last August...more than a Gold Medal hockey game at the Olympics...

http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/gord-downie-dies-at-53-1.3637357


 


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
 

October 18, 2017 10:45 am  #2


Re: Gord Downie

A nice article and feature on TSN's website by hockey guru Bob McKenzie about Gord's love of the Bruins and how the music spoke to hockey fans...and of course Canadian culture...as I heard today on the CBC, The  "Hip" were Canada's House Band...

http://www.tsn.ca/fully-completely-1.494972
 

Last edited by Muffaraw Joe (October 18, 2017 10:46 am)


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
     Thread Starter
 

October 18, 2017 11:57 am  #3


Re: Gord Downie

Not too surprised to see a small station like Indie 88 go all Tragically Hip but I'm surprised to see big commercial stations like Boom 97.3 and Q107 playing all Hip!
 

 

October 18, 2017 12:06 pm  #4


Re: Gord Downie

mjf wrote:

Not too surprised to see a small station like Indie 88 go all Tragically Hip but I'm surprised to see big commercial stations like Boom 97.3 and Q107 playing all Hip!
 

Surprised?  Me too.  Especially during ratings.

SO sad to have lost a man who actually cared about folks...and made his passions known.  Tributes are, obviously, deserved.  But all Hip...all day?  Now?  That's gutsy...and not business-like at all.  Meanwhile condolences to Gord's family and friends.  One of Canada's all-time greats is gone and there's a hole in our collective heart and soul.

 

October 18, 2017 3:58 pm  #5


Re: Gord Downie

It's not just the music stations. CFRB is doing an hour long tribute during the drive home between 5-6 PM Wednesday. Obviously, something they had prepared, since they knew this day was coming. 

 

October 18, 2017 10:42 pm  #6


Re: Gord Downie

Did the P.A. for tonight's Jr. hockey game...THAT included a quick tribute followed by about 45 seconds of silence...just ahead of the national anthem.  The team requested that I do it.  Glad to.  The least I could do really.

 

October 19, 2017 7:10 am  #7


Re: Gord Downie

Old Codger wrote:

mjf wrote:

Not too surprised to see a small station like Indie 88 go all Tragically Hip but I'm surprised to see big commercial stations like Boom 97.3 and Q107 playing all Hip!
 

Surprised?  Me too.  Especially during ratings.

SO sad to have lost a man who actually cared about folks...and made his passions known.  Tributes are, obviously, deserved.  But all Hip...all day?  Now?  That's gutsy...and not business-like at all. 

FYI... everyday in Toronto radio is "ratings". Gord Downie brought the country together - playing The Hip all day was a no-brainer and the least we could do at boom.

Last edited by boom boy (October 19, 2017 7:11 am)

 

October 19, 2017 9:17 am  #8


Re: Gord Downie

I'm sure it was.  The comment wasn't about whether or not is was the right thing to do.  It was about management and sales squirming with it...especially during ratings...which, even though it feels like it, aren't ON and HOT every day.  [even though the run-up to' it' is maybe even MORE important than the actual time when real numbers are actually compiled and where millions of dollars are ultimately, then, divided into piles.]
------------------------------------------------------------

And you know what 'boy'...Even at their career peaks less than 50% of all listeners LIKED Elvis...or the Beatles.  So?  It WAS a gutsy move.  What about the other half + of your audience?

Last edited by Old Codger (October 19, 2017 9:25 am)

 

October 19, 2017 9:33 am  #9


Re: Gord Downie

Old Codger wrote:

     What about the other half + of your audience?

​The other half wants more Harvey Burger Weinstein & Andy Kim Jong Unn
 

 

October 19, 2017 11:41 am  #10


Re: Gord Downie

Old Codger wrote:

I'm sure it was.  The comment wasn't about whether or not is was the right thing to do.  It was about management and sales squirming with it...especially during ratings...which, even though it feels like it, aren't ON and HOT every day.  [even though the run-up to' it' is maybe even MORE important than the actual time when real numbers are actually compiled and where millions of dollars are ultimately, then, divided into piles.]
------------------------------------------------------------

And you know what 'boy'...Even at their career peaks less than 50% of all listeners LIKED Elvis...or the Beatles.  So?  It WAS a gutsy move.  What about the other half + of your audience?

The beauty thing about "management & sales" at Newcap is we are all on board and encouraged to do what's best. We don't have to screen things or ask permission here - If it'll sound good & makes sense, we do it. Yes, stations like this do exist. As for the other half, the positive feedback outweighed the negative by a landslide. Those that know "boom" know it was genuine and tolerated it. If they didn't like it we simply explained what we were doing, why and that we would return to normal in 24hrs - they seemed cool with it. 

 

 

October 19, 2017 11:50 am  #11


Re: Gord Downie

boom boy wrote:

the positive feedback outweighed the negative by a landslide. Those that know "boom" know it was genuine and tolerated it. If they didn't like it we simply explained what we were doing, why and that we would return to normal in 24hrs - they seemed cool with it.  

No, those that didn't like it, didn't complain. They sampled other stations and may have cost you listeners. People know that complaining is futile, so why bother?

But, now, you have set a precedent. Will you go "all" (insert dead artist here) every time someone kicks it?

Frankly, to me, optically, it seems you capitalised on his death: bandwagon-jumping, if you will.

 

October 19, 2017 12:18 pm  #12


Re: Gord Downie

cGrant wrote:

   optically, it seems you capitalized on his death: bandwagon-jumping, if you will.

everyone can't be perfect like AM640
 

 

October 19, 2017 12:43 pm  #13


Re: Gord Downie

cGrant wrote:

Frankly, to me, optically, it seems you capitalised on his death: bandwagon-jumping, if you will.

So, which is it then? Bad for ratings or capitalizing? Because it can't be both.

 

October 19, 2017 1:18 pm  #14


Re: Gord Downie

Don wrote:

So, which is it then? Bad for ratings or capitalizing? Because it can't be both.

Sure it can. Are you assuming my use of the word "capitalising" was used in the positive tense? It was not. Neither is the term "bandwagon-jumping".

 

October 19, 2017 1:45 pm  #15


Re: Gord Downie

boom boy wrote:

Old Codger wrote:

I'm sure it was.  The comment wasn't about whether or not is was the right thing to do.  It was about management and sales squirming with it...especially during ratings...which, even though it feels like it, aren't ON and HOT every day.  [even though the run-up to' it' is maybe even MORE important than the actual time when real numbers are actually compiled and where millions of dollars are ultimately, then, divided into piles.]
------------------------------------------------------------

And you know what 'boy'...Even at their career peaks less than 50% of all listeners LIKED Elvis...or the Beatles.  So?  It WAS a gutsy move.  What about the other half + of your audience?

The beauty thing about "management & sales" at Newcap is we are all on board and encouraged to do what's best. We don't have to screen things or ask permission here - If it'll sound good & makes sense, we do it. Yes, stations like this do exist. As for the other half, the positive feedback outweighed the negative by a landslide. Those that know "boom" know it was genuine and tolerated it. If they didn't like it we simply explained what we were doing, why and that we would return to normal in 24hrs - they seemed cool with it. 

 

You can feel this genuine-ness when listening to Boom.  The personalities and the way the station operates is more "human" than the other robotic ones.  Its less corporate and more old fashioned radio.  One of my faves.

 

October 19, 2017 7:08 pm  #16


Re: Gord Downie

Boom is great to listen to during their all 80's holiday long weekends.

And their on-air talent has personality.

Only thing I find is that the music catelog is much more CHUM than back in the day 102.1 the Edge. Some Fiction Factory, Econoline Crush, the Mission etc even if they saved it for weekend nights, would go a long way to refreshing the same ol' tunes they've been playing for yonks.

A few different canadian tunes would be good too. Where's Coney Hatch..Orphan/Queen City Kids?

And, is the Kings "This Beat Goes On/Switching To Glide" now the new bathroom trip tune...cuz it's being WAY WAY overplayed on Boom AND Q107.

Last edited by betaylored (October 19, 2017 7:46 pm)

 

October 19, 2017 7:13 pm  #17


Re: Gord Downie

betaylored wrote:

Boom is great to listen to during their all 80's holiday long weekends.

I am all about the 80's!! My absolute favourite decade; memories of high school, weed and loss of virginity. That said, I must admit that even I get tired of the 80's long weekend halfway into Monday.

 

October 19, 2017 8:00 pm  #18


Re: Gord Downie

cGrant wrote:

betaylored wrote:

Boom is great to listen to during their all 80's holiday long weekends.

I am all about the 80's!! My absolute favourite decade; memories of high school, weed and loss of virginity. That said, I must admit that even I get tired of the 80's long weekend halfway into Monday.

 
cGrant, same thing happens to me. That's why I was banging on about Boom expanding their library. They also miss out by not playing tunes for their Q crossover listeners. Rainbow's "Street Of Dreams" and "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" is a much better song from Night Ranger, but all they play is the treacle-y "Sister Christian." Alan Parsons Project...Uriah Heep, Corect Spelling "Love Me Today" - there's enough solid 80's pop/rock to make a strong long weekend line-up.

 

October 20, 2017 6:40 am  #19


Re: Gord Downie

cGrant wrote:

   My absolute favourite decade; memories of high school, weed and loss of virginity   

It's a proven, scientific fact that one's favorite tunes are from the 10 years of high school, weed and especially loss of virginity
 

 

October 20, 2017 8:28 pm  #20


Re: Gord Downie

It's gonna be horrible listening to oldies radio serving 'those' who attended school from about 1989 til now.  Gawd awful shit.

Anyway...I'm glad that Boom has a different attitude re: radio.  If it's apparent to the listener THAT might explain how they've inserted themselves into the equation re: ratings...'specially with the fellas who are severely 'underserviced'...'cause they're fellas.

I still wouldn't have gone all-Gord/all-Day.  [fill in show-host's name]  Will pay further tribute to Gord Downy this morning at 10:00 [3 songs max], at noon [3 more], at 4:00 [3 more], tonight at 8:00 [3 more]

I agree with cGrant. [the moon must be in the 7th house and Jupiter has realigned with Mars?]  90 something percent won't call to complain...they'll just go elsewhere.  1 artist marathons ain't gonna fly no matter what the occasion.

Not sure about Ms.C.'s "proven scientific fact" though.  I can't recall how many times I lost my virginity but I'll tell you this...it was great every time.  And the thing that was long and hard on me was grade 2.  Must be why I remember all the GOOD songs from the mid 50s well into the 90s when severely diminishing quality forced me to stop listening to the radio.  [music radio that is...'cause talk radio has always been a yawn festival for me]

At least now some...repeat SOME...of the current releases are pretty good.  Most of it's still crap though.

Oh and what the 'eff' are Q 107 doing?  Take some viagra boys or you'll never see Alice.  Man you're missing the boat with some of that pablum you've added into the mix.  Grow a pair.

 

October 21, 2017 6:32 am  #21


Re: Gord Downie

Old Codger wrote:

     I can't recall how many times I lost my virginity but I'll tell you this...it was great every time.  And the thing that was long and hard on me was grade 2.  Must be why I remember all the GOOD songs from the mid 50s well into the 90s 

You lost your virginity over four decades, commencing in grade 2?      Another Errol Flynn!      
 

 

October 21, 2017 9:12 am  #22


Re: Gord Downie

It might have been my 8th year in grade 2.

 

October 21, 2017 11:29 am  #23


Re: Gord Downie

Old Codger wrote:

It might have been my 8th year in grade 2.

If you remember the sixties you were probably listening to Beach Boys Pet Sounds L.P. 
 

 

October 21, 2017 8:02 pm  #24


Re: Gord Downie

Ms. C. wrote:

Old Codger wrote:

It might have been my 8th year in grade 2.

If you remember the sixties you were probably listening to Beach Boys Pet Sounds L.P. 
 

So I guess 'Love You' is right out...

 

October 25, 2017 12:16 am  #25


Re: Gord Downie

cGrant wrote:

betaylored wrote:

Boom is great to listen to during their all 80's holiday long weekends.

I am all about the 80's!! My absolute favourite decade; memories of high school, weed and loss of virginity. That said, I must admit that even I get tired of the 80's long weekend halfway into Monday.

Just don't listen at 6 am on a weekend morning during their cancon wasteland.  
7:25 AMLOVERBOYTURN ME LOOSE 
7:16 AMBRAN VAN 3000DRINKING IN L.A. 
7:12 AMAPRIL WINEOOWATANITE 
7:07 AMCOREY HARTEVERYTHING IN MY HEART 
7:04 AMTRANS-XLIVING ON VIDEO 
7:01 AMSTEPPENWOLFBORN TO BE WILD 
6:54 AMTHE BOXL'AFFAIRE DUMOUTIER 
6:49 AMTHE TRAGICALLY HIPBOBCAYGEON 
6:46 AMJONI MITCHELLRAISED ON ROBBERY 
6:42 AMKON KANI BEG YOUR PARDON 
6:39 AMKIM MITCHELLPATIO LANTERNS
6:29 AMSARAH MCLACHLANBUILDING A MYSTERY 
6:25 AMSTREETHEARTUNDER MY THUMB 
6:16 AMHEARTWHAT ABOUT LOVE 
6:12 AMBLUE PETERRADIO SILENCE
6:09 AMNEIL YOUNGHEART OF GOLD 
6:05 AMROUGH TRADEALL TOUCH 
6:01 AMHONEYMOON SUITEWHAT DOES IT TAKE

Last edited by Prod Guy (October 25, 2017 12:18 am)

 

October 25, 2017 4:58 am  #26


Re: Gord Downie

Prod Guy wrote:

cGrant wrote:

betaylored wrote:

Boom is great to listen to during their all 80's holiday long weekends.

I am all about the 80's!! My absolute favourite decade; memories of high school, weed and loss of virginity. That said, I must admit that even I get tired of the 80's long weekend halfway into Monday.

Just don't listen at 6 am on a weekend morning during their cancon wasteland.

Totally forgot about this quirky anomoly, if that's the word I'm looking for.* I love me some Frozen Ghost, Strange Advance, and let's not forget the Northern Pikes with their hit song 'Cancon Wasteland' erm, 'Teenage Wasteland."
 
*if it's the wrong word, you gotta know someone will Webster's the definition. And by someone I mean g.c (appreciate it when he does though.) ;)

Last edited by betaylored (October 25, 2017 5:05 am)

 

November 6, 2017 11:08 am  #27


Re: Gord Downie

mjf wrote:

Not too surprised to see a small station like Indie 88 go all Tragically Hip but I'm surprised to see big commercial stations like Boom 97.3 and Q107 playing all Hip! 

Here's the other side of the coin. In an article posted on fyimusicnews.ca, the head of Rogers Media Rock Radio explains why many of his stations went All-Gord-All-The-Time for days after Downie's death. I'm not sure I agree with him, but he does make a case for what they did.  

The Story Of Gord-FM

 

November 6, 2017 5:26 pm  #28


Re: Gord Downie

RadioActive wrote:

mjf wrote:

Not too surprised to see a small station like Indie 88 go all Tragically Hip but I'm surprised to see big commercial stations like Boom 97.3 and Q107 playing all Hip! 

Here's the other side of the coin. In an article posted on fyimusicnews.ca, the head of Rogers Media Rock Radio explains why many of his stations went All-Gord-All-The-Time for days after Downie's death. I'm not sure I agree with him, but he does make a case for what they did.  

The Story Of Gord-FM

One comment from this story stands out. I agree 100 per cent.

[size=125][size=100]"Programmers play safe sometimes and for good reasons. There are proven and successful programming rules that we should never forget, but we can’t operate with blinders or be too afraid to colour outside the lines."

I believe consistency is important for a radio station, but so are the occasional surprises you throw at the listener. It keeps things interesting, and makes you stand out. It's no different than any other business, really.
[/size][/size]
 

Last edited by Dale Patterson (November 6, 2017 5:27 pm)


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