The ever-evolving KMCQ

[Dusty Dale Brooks]

For the past several Fridays I have had long commutes from far north Seattle to Gig Harbor. Last Friday KMCQ was incredible. Great song followed great song. This Friday it was entirely the opposite: stiff after stiff. It is one thing to hear overplayed safe stuff on KJR-FM but for the most part they are good songs. There are also some really good stiffs that will still get an "Oh wow" out of me, and I think I own just about anything that was either a hit or a great stiff from about 1959 to the mid 1980s.

Therein is the bitter with the sweet. KMCQ will dazzle and sometimes amaze me with the songs they play. And while the listener in my loves it, the broadcaster in my cringes.

As I neared Tacoma yesterday I heard a new positioner: "And if you listen real hard, you just might hear a song from the 80s." Not long after that I heard "Bad" by Michael Jackson. It didn't work in the context of the set. It was a complete train wreck.

Since I assume that it is still completely turn-key I can only suspect that this week's music mix is at the suggestion of their rep firm who is probably hearing  from buyers of their sellers that KMCQ skews too old.

Enjoy the eclecticism of KMCQ while you can folks, its days may be numbered.

[Mookie]

The only issue I have with KMCQ is they obviously have set music-mixes as I've heard Get Back by Elton John in the noon hour almost every other day this week. I'm even fine with the lack of a DJ even though they should seriously consider investing money into doing what 98.9 is doing and name the song and artist after it's over.

Otherwise if they skew too old, then KIXI literally plays to dead people as 70% of their (very good selection) songs are 50s and 60s.

I'll be damned if KMCQ goes and we're stuck with the roughly 25 songs KJR is playing.

[WDAE-FM101]

Here's the reply to the original post direct from KMCQ

104.5 KMCQ Seattle - All songs of the 60's and 70's We have never played "Bad" by Micheal Jackson. Looked at the log for Friday, there was no Micheal Jackson played. Wonder what this guy was listening.
Feel free to go to the following page and ask them any questions or provide feedback.  They really respond!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/1045-KMCQ-Seattle-All-songs-of-the-60s-and-70s/286312000379

[WDAE-FM101]

Here's KMCQ's response to the first post: 
104.5 KMCQ Seattle - All songs of the 60's and 70's We have never played "Bad" by Micheal Jackson. Looked at the log for Friday, there was no Micheal Jackson played. Wonder what this guy was listening.

I would encourage you to ask them questions or provide feedback on the following link - they are very responsive.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/1045-KMCQ-Seattle-All-songs-of-the-60s-and-70s/286312000379

[Brown]

I listen to KMCQ and am nowhere near death in my 30's . Today I heard "Ghost Rider" by The Swanks, "Season of The Witch" by Donovan. Too old? This is great stuff.

[toonces2u]

I am still in love with KMCQ. My only criticism (besides playing any 80s records) is that they play way too much Springsteen, and lately I have been hearing a lot of the same records with much more frequency. As for the previous reference to Michael Jackson, I definitely heard Beat It played on Friday, 3/23. I have heard Billie Jean on the station as well I have not heard Bad as of yet. I love the fact that they play northwest 60s records by acts like The Fabulous Wailers, The Sonics and Merrilee Rush (That Kind Of Woman and Everyday Livin Days) and records by some other NW artists that I had never heard before. So, I am willing to forgive the occasional 80s record for now.

[Brown]

I have heard "Beat it" rarely, but never heard Billie Jean or Bad. Called the studio there was a board op and asked if either of those songs play, the answer was no. Sometimes its easier to ask. 

[Bongwater]

Regardless of what the bean counters in this industry say, KMCQ has definitely made an impact musically. 

[Janet W]

Dusty Dale, I have noticed the same thing. KMCQ has changed and they are all over the place. Yes I love them because they play so many long, lost gems from the 60's and 70's, but lately there have been a lot of unknown stiffs.  I find myself turning them off more.  I used to be able to listen for longer stretches. Whomever is choosing the music is playing too much Meatloaf. I keep hearing his voice on songs I don't even know. There are still some great gems they could play. How about "Dinah Flo" by Boz Scaggs, how about "Black Pearl" by The Checkmates.

I've also noticed that they must be using a CD changer.  I'll hear 3 disco era songs in a row, then 3 songs from another genre, or 3 novelty songs.  I know I am listening with a broadcaster's ear, but I wish they would reign in a bit.  I still appreciate the wide selection, but a lot of the songs are not fitting together well like they used to.  They also hit some songs over and over like "First I Look at the Purse" by The Contours. I hear that all the time along with the song "Walking the dog."

I hate to say this, being a former longtime DJ, but I have built several playlists on Spotify and am listening to them more than the radio now.  How else am I going to hear my favorite song by Donovan - "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" or "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" - Just sayin'

[Brown]

I have listened to KMCQ for a long time now and noticed every 6 months or so they go through something different, not always songs I like then gets even better.
Some music being played more often these days but not enough to jump off or make me listen less. There are still gems that I hear like yesterday "Ghost Rider" by The Swanks or My Mirage and In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly, heard it last week.

Agree with Bongwater, like KMCQ or not the station has made a difference in Seattle radio. Hope they stick around for a long time.
They do take requests I call.