Radio AAHS (OZ) brings imagination back to radio.
Rec.Radio.Broadcasting Moderator
the main reasons for going) was the opportunity to listen to and
record what has to be the most unique, fresh and innovative radio
format I have come across in years.
Starting a couple of years ago on a single 5000 watt radio station in
Minneapolis, this new format has grown to satellite network status and
now has affiliates in Washington D.C., Phoenix Ariz and two outlets in
the L.A. area, with more on the way.
The station is calls Radio AAHS (pronounced 'OZ", as in the Wizard) and
bills it's self as 'kid's radio', but it is much more than that. When
we hear the phrase 'kid's radio' we might envision an audio version of
sesame street, or a stilted and condescending 'grownups preaching to
kids' sort of thing. But nothing could be further from the truth
where radio AAHS is concerned. At first listen, you might think you
are tuned to "Doctor Demento", since AAHS plays a lot of novelty, and
animated songs. But as you listen you begin to realize that this is
much more than novelty music.
The sound is bright, clever, very positive and stresses both fun and
responsibility in a very non-preachy and stimulating way. The music
is king. Sure you have your staples of Kermit the Frog, Raffie, and
such, but it goes way beyond that. The music literally defies
categorization, borrowing styles as far flung as rap, folk, country,
techno-dance, reggae, blues, rock&roll, dixieland, and even
classical, Radio AAHS is a potpourri of very interesting, and truly
fresh stuff.
All of the music, regardless of style, carries with it the positive
messages of self esteem, imagination, getting along with others,
daring to be different and preserving the environment. To try and
describe this mix would be virtually impossible, because it is so
diverse. Some artists are well known in the pop/rock world (such as
Paula Abdul doing Zippity Do Da, Little Richard doing a rocked out
version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Michael Jackson with Black or
White and Heal the world, and many many others), but a larger
percentage of the selections are from artists and groups that are not
as well known on the pop/rock stations but none-the less create a
marvelous sound that is sure to please kids from 5 to 75. Some of
these artists are Tom Chain, Tom Paxton, Parachute Express, The Teddy
Bear Band, Reggae For Kids, and a host of others too numerous to
mention.
In addition to music, Radio AAHS has regular features such as
Storytimes where an interesting story is read over the air, sometimes
accompanied by sound effects and such, the 'Brain Game' where a
question is asked and callers try to guess the answer and win prizes,
The good deed day where listeners nominate someone for a good deed,
and if they win, they get prizes, and a lot of impromptu little
stories and even jokes told by listeners. The DJ's are all different
and they get involved with the music and the kids who listen. On the
weekend is the 'Top 1o Countdown' where requests are tabulated and the
top ten most requested songs are played.
Radio AAHS is not merely kid's radio. It is family radio in it's
purest and best form. It is a station that Mom and Dad can listen to
as easily as their kids and because it is not preachy, but instead
fun, entertaining and subtly educational, kids do not grow tired of
it. On weekday mornings, kids actually come in to read the newscasts!
Currently CD Broadcasting, parent company of radio AAHS, is expanding
and seeking affiliates. Everywhere that the signal is heard it is
widely accepted and becomes an instant success. In Minneapolis, the
station came in at number 4 in one rating sweep. Big name advertisers
like Blockbuster video have produced commercials specifically for
Radio AAHS. Even with a very restrictive commercial policy (No ads
that are likely to be misunderstood by kids, no ads that appear too
manipulative etc) they have a full commercial load and have
advertisers waiting in line. For a niche format, Radio AAHS is a
blockbuster in it's own right. Mainly because it is filling a void
that is not being filled by mainstream broadcasters and they are doing
it in a manner that is honest, fun and stimulating to the mind, heart and
imagination.
In my humble opinion, this station is the freshest, most innovative,
fun and exciting format to be even moderately accepted in commercial
radio in recent times. I listen to it regularly through the tapes
and have even considered getting a dish for that purpose. However I
have been told that CD broadcasting is planning on buying a station in
Chicago soon, although nobody there will tell me which one or when.
WWTC, the flagship station in Minneapolis, is also a great sounding
station. With my Sony SRF A100 stereo AM/FM receiver on wideband, and
with a super strong signal (less than 10 miles from their 4 tower
array), the tapes I made sound superb, almost as good as FM, although
not stereo and there is a faint 10khz whistle at night due to a 1270
station in Rochester, some 80 miles to the south.
So if you have kids, or if you are (like me) a kid at heart, you will
probably love Radio AAHS. In this era of bland, dead-end, un
interesting repetitions of the same crap, Radio AAHS is a shining star
indeed. I don't know which bird it's on, but it is discreet stereo
(not SCPC or digital) so it should be easy to get on most, if not all,
TVRO systems.
Me, well Ill listen to my tapes until the station signs on here. Who
would have ever thought that I, "Mr. I HATE SATELLITE FEEDS" would
ever get so excited over a satellite network, let alone drive over 800
round trip miles to hear it But I guess anything can happen (In fact
that is the name of a radio AAHS song). (OK send in the men in the
white coats now :->)
My next article will be on the tour I took of Minnesota Public Radio's
facility, hosted by Loren Omoto, who is a reader and contributor to
this journal.
____________________________________________________________________________
William Pfeiffer - Moderator | Radio is a sad salvation, |
rec.radio.broadcasting - Internet Radio Journal | Radio is cleanin' up the |
Article Submission - r...@airwaves.chi.il.us | nation. "Elvis Costello" |
Subscription Desk - jou...@airwaves.chi.il.us | 'That's the biz - baby!' |
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Karen Davis
Interesting that you mentioned "Kids Radio". I'm here in Tempe, AZ (ASU -
Phoenix area), and a co-worker told me about it. I hadn't heard/read any-
thing, and I couldn't seem to find it. Do you happen to know where I can
locate it on the dial here? She (the co-worker) has since forgotten where
it is.
[Modertator's Note: I don't know the station either, but I do know that it
IS on AM, so scan your local band till you find something 'different' and it
is probsbbly AAHS. Note, I think that all (or most) of their affiliates have
calls that are some variation on the work 'kid', such as KYYD somewhere in
Texas. I am waiting for a full package of info from them and I'll post
another article. Bill]
--Jamie's Mommy (Karen Davis)
ck...@src4src.linet.org
This is great! It looks like AAHS picked up where "Kids America" left
off. Unfortunately, "Kids America" went bust in 1986 and the host (or
hostess?) took it locally to WXPN, Philly.
What's wrong with satellite feeds, anyway? :)
[Moderator's Note: Don't get me started :-), too late! :-).
I have a personal dislike for the current incarnation of 'centrally
programmed' (Read: Satellite fed) radio for three reasons. 1) It takes away
the 'local flavor' of radio and makes everything sound 'homoginized' and
canned (IMHO). 2) It makes it even harder for new up-and-coming broadcasters
to 'cut their teeth' by drastically reducing the number of small market
stations employing air talent. 3) Unlike 'network' programming of the past,
todays satellite feeds attempt (in a feeble and unconvincing way [IMHO]) to
fool the listener into believing the signal is local, by not announcing the
fact that they are a network, and by inserting local ID's in the DJ's voice
timed to coincide with the actual DJ's talk. Before I get deluged with a
hundred letters telling me the fiscal realities of station operation, let me
say that I realize the financial attractiveness of such services. That does
not mean that I have to *like* it. I think it is the sneaky, pandering
attempts to sound 'local' that insult and offend me the most. Radio AAHS
does not do that. They mention, somewhat regularily, that they are
a 'network' and that they have 'affiliates' which air the program in several
cities... etc. Much more honest. Bravo! Oh well... *YOU* asked :-). Bill]
Chuck
--
C-64 guru of the Long Island PubNet Project! | "Oh, Fisher nuts!" *BAM*
E-mail: ck...@src4src.linet.org <-- all goes here | "No, hon, Amy Fisher
nuts."
aq...@cleveland.freenet.edu <-- can't afford to call
"Have you ever been seduced by a good... stiff... martini?" - Robin Quivers
Mark Guidotti
>Me, well Ill listen to my tapes until the station signs on here. Who
>would have ever thought that I, "Mr. I HATE SATELLITE FEEDS" would
>ever get so excited over a satellite network, let alone drive over 800 miles
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
... There's Hope! :-) ...
[Moderator's Note: Yeah, I s'pose. I also heard SMN's "real country' feed
and didn't mind that too much either. Perhaps the end of the world is coming
:-). If *ANYONE* gets word of when, and what station MIGHT start carring
AAHS in chicago, please let me know!!!. Bill]
best regards,
mark
--
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Mark Guidotti, P.E. c/o Teradyne, Inc. (Teradyne/Attain) (408) 434-0822
guid...@icd.teradyne.com
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