‘The Rocket’ makes
a classic move
Station switches genre from
alternative music to classic rock format
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
When 95.7 FM, The Rocket, played R.E.M.'s "It's
the End of the World As We Know It" from 1988's "Eponymous" CD over
and over last weekend, it was not making a statement.
"We were doing what is called a stunt in radio,"
said Bob Ford, the station’s general manager. "It brings attention
to the fact that something is coming."
That something was the unannounced change from
The Rocket's alternative music format to a classic rock genre.
Alicia Banner, a junior in University Division,
said she was disappointed that the station switched its music style
with no warning.
"I just think the way they did things, and just
switched, was wrong," said Banner.
The Rocket switched from alternative music to classic
rock after reviewing ratings for all stations run by Artistic Media
Partners of Lafayette. The company controls WAZY 96.5, WGBD 95.7, WLFF
95.3 and WAZY 1410 AM.
"We look at our whole group of stations and see
what makes sense for us demographically so we can sell our product,"
said Ford.
The company made another switch weeks ago by changing
WAZY 96.5 to a "contemporary hits," or top 40, radio station.
Banner said she thought 95.7 The Rocket had a good
variety of music before the change.
"I don't think anyone is going to want to hear
the kind of music they play now."
Wess Scott, a former employee of The Rocket, said
that he has had several phone calls from friends saying that they were
opposed to the change because 93.5 WKHY is an existing classic rock
station. Scott said he knew the change was coming and his job was eliminated
because of it.
"The new change was needed, the format we had was
dying out," said Scott.
Glenn Sparks, a professor of communication, said
that he has lived in the Lafayette area since 1986 and that it is not
uncommon for radio stations to switch their genres.
"When numbers aren't high enough or the station
believes they can do better, you'll get these kind of changes," said
Sparks.
While changes in the genres of radio stations are
not unexpected, neither are the reactions of former listeners.
"I think that generally speaking, initially, there
may be some disappointment and discontent because those people who are
listening to one station for a particular format may have to go elsewhere,"
said Sparks.
Ford asked that everyone give the station a chance
and that if listeners are looking for more modern music they should
listen to 96.5 WAZY.
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