OT & Out-of market: Innovative format debuts on a commercial station!

Off-topic and out-of-market, I couldn’t help but note the innovative new format adopted by 101.7 KXBB Lake Havasu City AZ.  “Badass Blues” is a commercial 24/7 all-blues station, the likes of these we haven’t seen on an “indie” broadcaster for some time now.  Blues in general, tends to appeal to older demographics & is usually a genre found on campus/community FM’s as a specialty program.  In our region, John Kessler’s excellent “All Blues” can be enjoyed Saturday & Sunday evenings 6pm – midnight on 88.5 KNKX.  Sampling “Baddass Blues” via their stream today shows a deep library of cuts in addition to those more familiar to non blues purists.  I was also impressed by the number of local ads I heard. Station owner Sanford Cohen gives a passionate & personal explanation for the format flip on the website.  Congratulations to a broadcaster for taking a chance & breaking out of the mold of stale, tepid, cookie-cutter radio to try something different.  Innovation seems to be sorely lacking here in the metro Seattle market. Here’s hoping to the success of “Badass Blues 101”.

Author: Mike Cherry

retired broadcaster: on-air, MD, PD, asst PD, Prod Mgr, IT, station technician/engineer, pioneer Internet webcaster, station installation/maintenance; 12 years in commercial radio, 17 years volunteer in campus/community radio in B.C., Alberta & Wash. Amateur radio operator & "DXer" specializing in AM night-time DX, short-wave DX/listening & remote SDR DXing/listening

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Some comments may be held for moderation. (New users)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.