Posted by Allan Sniffen on August 12, 2007 at 08:52:32:
In Reply to: Bob Shannon and CBS FM in The New York Times posted by Dan A on August 12, 2007 at 02:07:49:
Bob Shannon is the Dan Ingram of CBS-FM. By that I don't necessarily mean airstyle (although there are some similarities). I mean he's the face of the station. He represents all it has been and what it still is. Look who the NY Times chose to speak with.
Bob did something which I believe is unprecidented due to circumstances and technology. He never ran from the "CBS-FM Aura" during that two year hiatus. He continued as the public face for the format via his web site, appearances on other stations and his continued warmth and dedication to the music and its fans. For those on the Internet, he never left. It should be noted that didn't come without risk on his part. He could have publicly dissed the station in an effort to make himself look more attractive to other formats. When the chips were down and it certainly appeared CBS-FM was gone forever, Bob was the face for those who hoped for a revival.
One other point that I don't see being written even here on this Board after over 8,000 posts. Oldies, as a format, is all about sounding like it's a lot of fun. Those on the air cannot be negative or cynical. I've seen people suggest that Imus could work at CBS-FM. I disagree completely even though I'm an Imus fan. Totally wrong approach for the format. If you don't sound like this is the best job in the world, you're not doing your job.
I've never seen or heard Bob be cynical or negative. Not during his first run on CBS-FM from evenings into PM Drive and not now. And, more importantly, not once during those two years when he had plenty he could be negative about. That's amazing. I know I couldn't have done it. Yet it's a hallmark of the format and is part of what makes it appealing as a day in/day out companion.
Today's CBS-FM is very fortunate to have Bob and his credibilty on the station. It's the right combination of personality and format... and when that happens, the sum is more than the addition of the individual parts.