Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Easy Does It? Well, Even Sirius XM Couldn't Hang On
Posted 09-05-2015 at 08:20 AM by case44
Many moons ago, long before there was a Sirius or an XM, radio used to have a thing called the easy listening format, and it was usually heard on what used to be a new phenomenon known as FM. And we used to give that format labels, often referring to it as "elevator music". You also hear this to be called beautiful music.
It used to be, in many cities, that you'd have about three or four such stations on FM using that format. That was back in the 1970s when easy listening was in its heyday. But then, the format would decline in the late '80s, and demographics, along with listening habits, have changed. Fast forward to today, and I would occasionally listen to a channel on Sirius XM (Channel 69) called Escape, which was the only outlet offering easy listening instrumental and vocal favorites.
That was, until August 13.
For reasons we still don't know, Sirius XM decided to dump the channel and the format, although it would continue to be available on an app. Look, folks, there's actually still an audience for that sort of thing, even though it's mostly an older group. I am, um, almost in that category, but the point is, there is still an audience for that sort of thing, and you've got to have it available for listeners. Fortunately, in the internet age, there are actually still some options. I've only recently come across a station in Prescott, Arizona, that has had that format since the early 1980s. It's KAHM-FM (102.1), and it has a wonderful streamline all over the world. Another station that I frequent (and have known about long before KAHM) is KNCT-FM (91.3) out of Killeen, Texas. Very fine station. Whenever I take an extended trip to Austin, that channel is usually set to my settings, as its signal can be picked up very well in that area.
Now, if you do a Google-search, you will find various outlets that will give you easy listening and beautiful music when you want it on your computer. When you drive, however, well.....
For me, there is peace of mind knowing that easy listening will never go completely away. Besides, I liked those calm cut-ins from the DJ du jour and the soothing voice in between the song selections. Face it, sports fans; it just takes me back.
It used to be, in many cities, that you'd have about three or four such stations on FM using that format. That was back in the 1970s when easy listening was in its heyday. But then, the format would decline in the late '80s, and demographics, along with listening habits, have changed. Fast forward to today, and I would occasionally listen to a channel on Sirius XM (Channel 69) called Escape, which was the only outlet offering easy listening instrumental and vocal favorites.
That was, until August 13.
For reasons we still don't know, Sirius XM decided to dump the channel and the format, although it would continue to be available on an app. Look, folks, there's actually still an audience for that sort of thing, even though it's mostly an older group. I am, um, almost in that category
, but the point is, there is still an audience for that sort of thing, and you've got to have it available for listeners. Fortunately, in the internet age, there are actually still some options. I've only recently come across a station in Prescott, Arizona, that has had that format since the early 1980s. It's KAHM-FM (102.1), and it has a wonderful streamline all over the world. Another station that I frequent (and have known about long before KAHM) is KNCT-FM (91.3) out of Killeen, Texas. Very fine station. Whenever I take an extended trip to Austin, that channel is usually set to my settings, as its signal can be picked up very well in that area. Now, if you do a Google-search, you will find various outlets that will give you easy listening and beautiful music when you want it on your computer. When you drive, however, well.....
For me, there is peace of mind knowing that easy listening will never go completely away. Besides, I liked those calm cut-ins from the DJ du jour and the soothing voice in between the song selections. Face it, sports fans; it just takes me back.
Total Comments 4
Comments
-
That KAHM streamline I just mentioned?
It will cease next Monday....
Posted 09-09-2015 at 06:02 PM by case44
-
What did you expect from such a format, Case? You're right; it's a dying breed. I remember listening to those elevator stations with my parents in the car as a small child. I just couldn't admit that to my friends, however.
Never knew it actually had an audience.Posted 09-10-2015 at 06:32 PM by malfunction
-
I do agree with you about how tough it is to lose a "companion". That's the great thing about the internet, and that is numerous options.Posted 09-10-2015 at 06:35 PM by malfunction
-
I'll admit, sometimes when I'm tuning away from rock and pop, there is something soothing about the easy listening channels. I'm just glad they've kept smooth jazz on Sirius XM; it offers a nice departure.Posted 09-12-2015 at 10:07 AM by Gurn350
