Muzak

[Michael]

That's something I like to hear while pumping gas. Al Green too.

[Darth_vader]

I believe the AM/PMs that do use a satellite- or computer-based BGM service are on DMX. At least, those I have been to in Oregon and eastern Washington are.

All the AM/PM's around my area just play the local radio, I've usually heard either KKCW or KYCH, but at least one in Clark County is known to play Internet audio feeds over its loudspeaker.

Earlier this Summer whilst obtaining my prepaid $30 of unleaded at its attached gas station (I think I got, like, two gallons total for that price) I heard none other than the cheery voice of Larry London announcing that we were listening to the VOA Music Mix Network, right there in the carport. And yes, this *was* in the USA! (I also noticed the same thing happening at a certain McDonalds in Oregon a few years back.)

[johnbasalla]

Loud music was being played at a Wendy's on Cleveland Ohio's East Side. First I heard a number of old R&B tunes and thought... "Ok, so we got a "Soul" thing going". Well soon after I sat down, suddenly the German language version of NENA's 1980s hit "99 Luftballoons" ("99 Red Balloons") came on. That was unique. A couple of Rock tunes appeared before going back to R&B. On the return to R&B I heard "Get on The Good Foot" by James Brown. A good Soul-Brother #1, somewhat forgotten hit. Somewhere along the line they played a Wilson Pickett track that I didn't remember, but it was definitely him, and recorded during his hey-day on Atlantic Records. "I'm A Roadrunner" by Jr. Walker & The All Stars made an appearance, as did "You've Got What It Takes" by Marv Johnson. Then when they got away from the R&B a second time, they bored me with "My Eyes Adored You" by Frankie Valli. This was a good experience as the music was not meant to be background sound. It was louder in volume then most other establishments.

[Darth_vader]

Sounds like you were treated to Jukebox Gold. That's what most of the Wendy's properties around here also play. (It was also one of my favourites when I wasn't running Foreground 1 or Expressions. ;o)

Wendy's *is* a known Muzak user.

[gr8oldies]

For the most part and I don't know who gets to pick the channel at each location. I know of a couple of franchised locations that have XM.

[ddsparxx]

Yesterday afternoon, I heard Neil Diamond's "Septermber Morn" followed by Roberta Flack's "The Closer I Get to You" at a "credit union" bank.

[Jay F]

I was excited to hear Sweet-Action on a muzak system at a McDonalds yesterday. I haven't heard that song in ages.

[RMarino]

I once managed a restaurant that used Muzak.  We were told by the owner to always keep it on the "'70s Hits" station, but on my shifts I always switched it to "Jukebox Gold."  That channel has a great variety.

[vchimpanzee]

Yesterday afternoon, I heard Neil Diamond's "Septermber Morn" followed by Roberta Flack's "The Closer I Get to You" at a "credit union" bank.

Now THAT'S what you play in a business setting.

[Jay F]

I walked into a business with Muzak on and heard the start of a song I hadn't heard in years. Within a few seconds of the guitar intro I recognized it was George Harrison-Blow Away. Sure enough that's what it was and I enjoyed every second of it. The amazing thing is I haven't heard the song once since it was a current in the Spring of 1979. Yet there was a space in my memory that stored that information all this time. I don't know what's more awe inspiring the human memory or Muzak for finding and playing so many of these hidden treasures.