The Straight Skinny

 

 

The Feedback Loop, 1.0

 

 

 

By Carol Archer

 

"It's totally gratifying to see how well KIFM is doing, and I'm envious of how supportive management has been of Mike Vasquez's endeavors and the format in general. Sure, reaching the pinnacle of success in the format as they have requires talented people on every rung of the station ladder. But, as you know, management sets the tone, and that is obviously the case at KIFM.

 

"Your pieces were so on the money and so well written, but I adore this line you wrote more than any other: Smooth Jazz programmers who aren't getting powerful results might do well to stop pulling obsolete

levers."

Jazz in a Parking Lot

CBS Radio's WVMV(V98.7)/Detroit air personality and Director of Public Affairs Sandy Kovach notes that it's been a sizzling summer for Smooth Jazz fans in the Motor City, and she adds that the station is doing its fair share to deepen its emotional bond with listeners: "In addition to several weekend jazz festivals, we present many weekly jazz series' in various parts of the metro Detroit area. You'll find V98.7 somewhere almost every day of the week.

Former WNUA/Chicago PD and longtime midday air personality Rick O'Dell writes: "You are off to a flying start… and I wanted to send kudos your way on your columns [on KIFM].

People who have the guts to get on stage and dance get

tickets or CDs, while they last; or as we call it, Dance for a Chance. The best part is it's all free, and with what our [Detroit] area is going through right now, our listeners can use all the free fun they can get. – Sandy Kovach

"It is especially incredible to see crowds of 500 or 600 people in a parking lot every Friday in nearby Canton. In fact, our show at Kohl’s parking lot drew nearly 800 people for [flautist and WVMV morning host flautist] Alexander Zonjic and Friends' performance. The Canton Color Tour Jazz

Series is in its fourth year and has been so successful that many other cities are trying to emulate it. We have great musicians and our famous dance 'contest,' where people who have the guts to get on stage and dance get tickets or CDs, while they last; or as we call it, Dance for a Chance. The best part is it's all free, and with what our area is going through right now, our listeners can use all the free fun they can get!"