KEXP dj shakedown

[patrick]

What's going on at KEXP?

Amanda Wilde has been fired? Stevie Zoom no longer has the afternoon shift? I noticed that these two were not on the air recently, but I didn't know there was such a big shake down. Curious...

Comments

KEXP Change of DJs & Format

[anonymous]

I don't have my own blog but I saw these comments and thought I could comment on the "change" at KEXP, esp after reading the Seattle Weekly article in the Feb 23 edition. Amanda W was "let go" (she got the news the same day she was let go); Steve was "demoted". They were squeezed out. Neither fitted in culturally with the newer KEXP environment nor musically with the current KEXP programming plan to go to a post-college/alt-pop/urban format during the "Variety Mix" programming. Both Amanda and Steve had some of the widest knowledge and experience with all formats of any of the DJs at KEXP and knew how to mix them seamlessly. If you look at the music charts in the last year and a half, you will see that the amount of jazz, roots, world, and other music genres (not the ones I've mentioned above) that traditionally had been in rotation have been significantly reduced. But the alt-pop etc selections have been increased. It's a programming and cultural change for KEXP no matter how it is spinned. It's up to each listener to decide whether that is a change that meets their musical tastes.

From one who knows -

Re: KEXP Change of DJs & Format

[anonymous]

Amanda wasn't really "let go", say what it was... she was fired. I don't think she was surprised. Anyone at the station who doesn't suck up to the holy trinity - John, Cheryl or Kevin will probably find themselves in the same shoes. I've heard the stories and rumors around the change in stakes at the station, i.e. the money the station needs to run, which has increased so much since the days of KCMU. I can't stand the water down playlist... both John & Cheryl's show are the same and mostly new "indie stuff" (maybe they are getting payed to play some of that crap) and old MTV "cutting edge" bands. Not much substance there. Can you stand the almost daily "Your New Favorite Band"? I can't. I didn't renew my membership this pledge drive and find myself listening more to CDs and NPR then KEXP, which sucks. I think the station has forever changed, and there is no going back. I predict that in the next year or so there will be more "changes to schedule" as they move more and more to the bland side of the dial. Almost makes me long for the days of CURSE (anyone remember that?).

Re: KEXP Change of DJs & Format

[anonymous]

Oh yeah. If you count the ratings, Cheryl Waters evening shows, when she was on Mondays and Tuesdays 9pm -1am was constantly one of LOWEST listened to shows on the station. Arbitron ratings don't lie...

From someone who REALLY knows...