Interestingly, the column from Shawn Ross is about the throwback format in bigger markets this week, as he profiles Chicago’s WSHE and Miami’s WPOW. I’ve been planning to profile WJZQ/Traverse City, MI and WRKU/Door County, WI for a couple months now. I finally did the comparison listen last week.
WJZQ transitioned from CHR last October to a 90s and 2000s based format, very heavy on hip-hop. By the time I gave the station a first listen in February, the playlist had broadened to include currents again, as well as a wider variety of music from the 90s and 2000s. Because of the sense of place I get when listening, and the music being a good mix of current and gold, it has quickly become my default. Here’s WJZQ at 1:00 P.M. on May 30.
- Usher – Caught Up
- Harry Styles – As It Was
- Sir Mix A Lot – Baby Got Back
- Olivia Rodrigo – Obsessed
- 24KGolden Ft. Iann Dior – Mood
- Ashley Simpson – Pieces of Me
- Carlie Rae Jebson – Call Me Maybe
- Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends
- Mariah Carey F. Fatman Scoop and J.D. – It’s Like That
- Marshmallow and Cane Brown – Miles On It
- Omi – Cheerleader
- SZA – Saturn
WRKU appears to be jockless, and doesn’t know what it wants to be. In a monitor of the station last weekend, there were lots of 2000s rhythmic tracks not heard in this monitor. I do find the way this station is run kind of interesting, as they seem to have very few spots. I do get a sense of place while listening, but that’s mainly from the commercials. Here’s the station at 1:00 P.M. on May 31.
- Charlie Puth – We Don’t Talk Anymore
- Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent
- Lord – Royals
- Hozier – Too Sweet
- Miley Cyrus – The Climb
- Phillip Phillips – Gone, Gone, Gone
- Chloe – Have Mercy
- Nelly Furtado – Say It Right
- D4BD – Feel It
- Destiny’s Child – Jumpin, Jumpin
- Ariana Grande – No Tears Left to Cry
- Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say
- Dove Cameron – Boyfriend
- The Kid Leroy F. Justin Bieber – Stay
- Camilla Cabello – Havana
- Kevin Campbel – Round and Round
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