Bet You Don't Know Jack...

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The new JACK radio billboard near downtown Nashville. There's a new guy in town, and his name is Jack.

Truth is, he's been around the block a few times. In other words, "This ain't his first rodeo..."

I'm talking about the new radio station, 96.3 JACK-FM, here in Nashville.

That, in and of itself, isn't news -- to me.


What IS news to me, is the fact that their format is rather unique...

It seems that the whole "Jack" marketing concept and unique radio format has been tested in a number of different markets before it eventually landed here in Nashville a couple of weeks ago:

WMAK-FM replaced its oldies station with a new classic hits format and called it "96.3 JACK-FM"

96.3 JACK-FM radio station billboard in Nashville, Tennessee. JACK is a classic hits format aimed at younger listeners.

Get this: the music is "70's, 80's and 90's classic hits". What?! Isn't it interesting what is considered "Classic" these days?...

Still even more interesting to me is the fact that there are no disc jockeys!

So, is this a radio station... or a playlist?

"If you don't know Nashville's got a new radio station, then you don't know Jack ...96.3 ...Playing what we want."


Why Do People Listen To The Radio?
I know there isn't one radio station for all people -- which is why all these different radio formats are great.

But I think I'm definitely in the minority, because I tune into the radio purely for the combination of music AND talk.

I tend to have a short attention span, so any repetition of music (no matter HOW much I like it) gets boring to me. I need change, diversity, tidbits, random stuff -- to keep my attention.

Such is why, among my many oddities, is the fact that my favorite radio station is: SCAN.

Personally, I like hearing from someone on the other end of the radio on occasion. If nothing else, than to make me feel like I'm tuned INTO something that matters. That, and the fact that I might happen to "learn" something from pieces of information shared by the show hosts or disc jockeys.

I also tend to get a significant amount of my local and national news from the radio -- especially since I don't sit around watching TV these days. However, I AM at my computer and in my car a lot -- where I like to tune in to a variety of different radio stations. That's the key for me: Variety.

The radio stations I tune into most include some "talk radio", some disc jockeys spinning favorites, some show hosts interviewing singers & songwriters, some local news, some national news, some traffic, and some weather.


What I Learned Today...
I must be "old".


UPDATE 8/26/05: Here it is 3 months later, and I actually find myself listening to Jack Radio (96.3 FM) more than I thought I would -- usually during my lunch break when I'm driving to wherever I'm driving to.

I mean, where else are you gonna hear that song "I Don't Wanna Work... I Just Wanna Bang On My Drum All Day"?!
OR... "Pop Muzik". And, a good WHAM song now & then is good for EVERYONE's soul, right?

JACK plays a variety of the most "catchy" tunes you've ever heard. Chances are, you'll recognize 95% of the songs after hearing just the first few notes alone -- they're THAT nostalgic.

From what I can tell, it's a lot of obscure #1 hits (or maybe Top 10). It's more than just one-hit-wonders though. Almost always, it's a song that "takes you back".

As they say... they're "playing what we want". One thing's for sure, you won't hear a lick of Country!

It's definitely tons of fun to go back and reminisce with each new (old) song comes on the JACK radio station!


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    7 Comments

    Tammy Molnar said:

    I listened to Jack FM for the first time yesturday. It was a great experience. As soon as I tuned in, I heard my favorite band U2 playing. I'm hooked and will keep my dial set on Jack Fm.

    Lynnette said:

    Alas, I heard a Country song on JACK radio!

    This, despite the fact that I said "you'll never hear a lick of Country!" (above)

    Of course, it was a Garth song ("Friends in Low Places") and that's about as close to NOT playing Country as you can get.

    Debby Wilson said:

    Hi there.
    Glad to have you in town. I've been listening to your format, when I heard you "play what we want" was hoping to get some Gerald Smith music to you.

    Have a listen to Gerald at www.YouPlayLikeChet.com www.HitHappensEnt.com or www.GeorgiaQuacker.com
    He's got some great stuff. Currently Shut the Duck Up is making waves in Europe.

    If you want to be the first to play some of the best country comedy
    music, let me know.
    D. Wilson, manager
    Hit Happens Entertainment, LLC

    David said:

    This is a website (unofficial) for the NEW oldies 97.1

    Ricki Croxdale said:

    Ive been around 47 years and all over the country and this is the best radio station ever, keep up the good work.

    Lynnette said:

    I think that last comment was intended for the actual radio station.


    But THANKS... I think my taste in music rocks too! :o)

    Cindy D. said:

    Your music selection ROCKS! The best years of my life were in the 80's and 90's, and every song you play brings me back to those wonderful memories and events. I took a recent Neilsen radio survey and complained vehemently about all the "talk" in the mornings on various channels here in Nashville- Someone must have listened to me complain about all the "Rick&Bubba's", "Bob&Tom's", and "John Boy&Billy's", because now Music City now actually has a wonderful music channel! Thanks for the awesome tunes! I've converted all my coworkers at Saint Thomas Hospital's MRI department to listen to you! LoveYa! Cindy D.

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