Magic 106.7's Playlist

[spilot113]

 Barry Manilow, etc... they probably haven't played anything by him in at least 10 years.

Could've been other competitive factors they responded to.

But the point is, that WLTW originally played songs much "lighter" than even Barry Manilow.  That's their history.....and many people remember them for that.

Magic never played Tony Bennett, Sinatra, etc.

[radiodouble]

Now maybe they always played these songs, however this is the first time that I really noticed though.

A lot of people have a false impression of Magic.

Many think of it as a "Light AC"...like WLTW...or the old WSSH.

Magic was never in this category....but more of a mainstream AC.  They seem to play almost anything contemporary that is popular with adults.

Unlike WLTW and the old WSSH and stations that evolved out of the old Beautiful Music formats....Magic has always had a much younger base than most people realize.  (They usually surprise people at how well they do 18-34...especially in their evening show)

I assume most guys never listen to Magic...so I think that is why they are surprised when they finally hear certain songs.

Remember, todays soft rock (Springsteen, Genesis, Pink) is different than yesterdays soft rock (Neil, Barbara, Kenny)

Not that I remember. I have been more or less tuning into Magic since the 1980's, back when they used the moniker "Continuous Soft Hits" instead. Common songs that they would play were Heart "These Dreams", Simply Red "Holding Back The Years", and of course staples at the time Irene Cara's "Flashdance, What A Feeling", etc.

In 1989 they repositioned themselves as Continuous Soft Rock instead and artists such as Bonnie Rait were added, all the while still being pretty soft.

Then about at at turn of the millennium is when I first noticed songs that did not quite fit the "Continuous Soft Rock" image. This evolution into what they are has been quite slow, however during the past 2 years in particular there has been a dramatic change in their programming being much more Mainstream than they have been before.

Does anyone else want to chime in on this? That is what I remember anyway.

you can't be any more soft rock than 'crazy little thing called love' or 'it's only rock'n'roll to me'. shlocky tunes radio enters 21st century.

[radiocop]

I played 'Break my Stride' on Magic (on a cart) in 1983.

[Retro]

I played 'Break my Stride' on Magic (on a cart) in 1983.

But that was a regular AC song back then though.

[mistermicrophone]

I played 'Break my Stride' on Magic (on a cart) in 1983.

But that was a regular AC song back then though.

Magic is, and has been for a long time, a Mainstream AC.  The format has evolved over the years as a different generation of women have grown into the demo.  If you split the 25 - 54 demo down the middle, you are looking at some who graduated high school in 1987-ish.  They don't care for Neil Diamond or Babs, that was "mom's music."  Same with Michael Bolton or Celine Dion; that stuff was boring compared to some of the contemporary hits of the day.  There may be few songs from those artists and some other 70's and 80's songs that test well (someone mentioned Take Me Home Tonight...it's on 77 out of 106 AC reporters), but what they are playing for currents is palatable to a 40-ish year old woman, regardless of texture or what most men on this board think.  As the format has evolved, so has the station...that's why they are successful.

[Erie_Lackawanna]

and keep in mind - the 40 year old adults (women AND men) of today grew up with their mom and dad listening to Magic 106.7.  There isn't one station in the Boston Market that is not only STILL owning its original format, but doing it with, for the most part, their original airstaff.  Yes, they've had changes in the morning, but Mike Addams has been there long enough to make your brain hurt trying to remember who (other than the brief Tom Bergeron stint) else did morning drive.  Afternoons have shuffled a bit over the years (John Kosian for a time iirc), but Dan (I'm Not Wearing Pants) Justin sounds great there.
Nancy Q, Mark Laurence, Candi O, Boucher and even Mike B make the potential of broadcast job security seem almost within reach.

so it makes sense for Magic to play the hits from 25 years ago as each and every one (even Manilow) would not be offensive to the 40+ year old listener. 

the previously mentioned songs (such as Break My Stride and Walking On Sunshine) were even played on WHDH and WBZ when they were still carting up the hits, making the Cash Call, Calling All Sports or letting you request even older songs with the Famous Jim Sands.

consistency.  familiarity.  and the occasional "Fresh" risk (whether it's with an on-air bit or playing Umbrella).   

kudos to Greater Media for sticking by "what got them to where they are today."  The Magic format has served them well.

[Eli Polonsky]

Afternoons have shuffled a bit over the years (John Kosian for a time iirc)...

John is now one of the two voices of the recorded underwriting announcements on WBUR, along with former WCRB announcer Mary Ann Nichols.

[Retro]

Magic is, and has been for a long time, a Mainstream AC

But my point was that it was a regular Mainstream AC song, not cutting edge as one might have though. Magic is much more being a trend-setter now than they were back then.

[mistermicrophone]

Magic is, and has been for a long time, a Mainstream AC

But my point was that it was a regular Mainstream AC song, not cutting edge as one might have though. Magic is much more being a trend-setter now than they were back then.

In what way?  Within the format, they are consistent with most Mainstream AC"s in terms of adds.  Within the market, 80% of their adds have built in familiarity because of the exposure on Mix and/or KISS.  The other 20% are AC songs that they need to  groom themselves in the market.  Of their top 20, only two songs have 100% market airplay in Boston.  One of which is Michael McDonald and the other WAS played on KISS and maybe even Mix, Elliot Yamin.

[Retro]

Magic is, and has been for a long time, a Mainstream AC

But my point was that it was a regular Mainstream AC song, not cutting edge as one might have though. Magic is much more being a trend-setter now than they were back then.

In what way?  Within the format, they are consistent with most Mainstream AC"s in terms of adds.  Within the market, 80% of their adds have built in familiarity because of the exposure on Mix and/or KISS.  The other 20% are AC songs that they need to  groom themselves in the market.  Of their top 20, only two songs have 100% market airplay in Boston.  One of which is Michael McDonald and the other WAS played on KISS and maybe even Mix, Elliot Yamin.

They are reshaping what Mainstream AC is.