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Posted by: Osk Dec 14 2004, 09:24 AM

Originally published on November 22, 2004



At CD101.9, there's a Chill in the air

By DAVID HINCKLEY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Smooth-jazz WQCD (101.9 FM) wants to get cooler. So starting today, it becomes "New York Chill."
What this means, says program director Blake Lawrence, is that CD101.9 will be incorporating the relatively new style of music called "Chill" into its familiar smooth jazz tunes.

"You'll still hear George Benson and Sade," says Lawrence. "But it'll be mixed in with this new sound you're hearing in more clubs and trendy places around the city."

"Chill" started in Europe in the late '90s, says WQCD senior vice president Barry Mayo, and it incorporates elements of pop, jazz, electronica and world music. It has some overlap with the "lounge" music that has become hip in recent years, though Lawrence says WQCD will continue to focus on contemporary recordings.

Breakout artists of chill music include Chris Botti, a trumpeter now on tour with Sting, and Brian Culbertson.

A number of smooth jazz artists like Dave Koz are also using "chill" elements, notes Lawrence, who took over as WQCD program director in July.

About 30% of WQCD's music will be "chill," says Lawrence, and that won't be the only change listeners will notice.

"We'll have longer music sets," he says. "We're also eliminating most call-in features, so the only things our hosts will talk about will be the music and New York. They won't be selling things."

No changes are planned in the on-air lineup, Lawrence says.

The infusion of "Chill" music should attract a younger audience, says Mayo, without turning off the loyal core.

"When the station went to smooth jazz around '88," says Mayo, "it appealed to young professionals, people in trendy places around the city. We're looking to recapture some of that feeling."

It is, says Lawrence, "the kind of evolution all formats go through."

WQCD has long been popular with 25- to 54-year-old listeners, but in the last year it has slipped out of the top 10 in that advertiser-coveted demographic. In the summer Arbitron ratings it was 13th with 3.1% of the 25-to-54 audience.

Posted by: kounslor Dec 14 2004, 09:43 AM

So is "Chill" like a new format that other stations may pick up 100%?

Posted by: Osk Dec 14 2004, 09:48 AM

Yes...If the format works here -best believe other stations across the country playing simular formats will follow suit.

Simular to how years ago when Emmis helped to shape the "Hot" urban format. NYC is still a leader in terms of being the key test market for new formats. Other stations across the states generally follow.

Posted by: Quel Dec 14 2004, 10:06 AM

That's right... just keep on sweeping out the old and make room for the new.

Posted by: TheProfessional Dec 14 2004, 11:19 AM

CD 101.9 is going to give light to many artists who are on the cusp of going mainstream, sort of like Norah Jones, Dido and many others who touch on the genre of Chill. This weekend I listened to the station, and it was amazing.

Posted by: ELOCIN Dec 14 2004, 11:23 AM

Posted by: warren8989 Dec 14 2004, 11:38 AM

That should be dope. Having a alternate station to vide to instead of the same songs we hear all the time at "other" stations will be a plus

Posted by: Quel Dec 14 2004, 11:44 AM

This is a good thing indeed. I needed a new night station.

Posted by: Johnny Neumatic Dec 14 2004, 11:45 AM

I always enjoyed CD 101.9 in the afternoons and evenings...definitely some "sauce music" for you and your mate ...

Posted by: bpolite Dec 14 2004, 02:41 PM

Good post Osk.

Posted by: deka Dec 14 2004, 03:22 PM

that's really dope! I always wanted to hear more of that suite 903 style mix CD that cornerstone drops every month.

Posted by: LARRY LOVE Dec 14 2004, 04:33 PM

Thanks for the post for the information and the introduction to a genre that I'm not quite sure as to whether I'm familiar with or not.......... but will check it out....

been thinking about the adult contempo market lately.......... hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

............... and Quel:
Very nice sig. you DO it, grrrrrl.

Posted by: Kaleem Dec 14 2004, 11:03 PM