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| Spanish Radio Format Debuts on WHAT-AM 1340 Philadelphia |
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 by: iradiotom - Philadelphia, PA
started: 08/26/11 4:26 pm | updated: 09/29/11 2:30 am |
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Philadelphia radio station WHAT-AM 1340 has changed its programming to a Spanish language music format. Since August 1st, the station has been silent prompting listeners to wonder what happened to the music on WHAT.
The Spanish format replaces the Oldies and Standards music format that had been featured on the WHAT-AM 1340 since September, 2007. Once known as Martini Lounge Radio, WHAT AM 1340 played music of the Great American Songbook featuring classic artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin as well as contemporary singers such as Michael Buble and Diana Krall.
Despite being removed from AM 1340 WHAT, Martini Lounge Radio can now be heard on Philadelphia's internet radio platform iRadioPhilly.com.
Click Martini Lounge Radio to listen.
Since its debut in Philadelphia in 2007, fans of Classic Standards music grew to love Martini Lounge Radio and were thrilled to have it on the radio dial. Many former listeners of 1340 WHAT are relieved that Martini Lounge Radio and the music lives on at iRadioPhilly.com.
Prior to Martini Lounge Radio, WHAT AM 1340 played an Alternative Rock format called Skin Radio, featuring artists such as Dave Matthews and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Skin Radio can also be heard on Philadelphia's internet radio platform iradiophilly.com.
Click Skin Radio to listen.
iRadioPhilly.com features 18 conmmercial free radio stations specifically designed for Philadelphia area listeners. Go to the home page for all the stations available, 18 different genres from jazz, classical, top 40, classic rock, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, indie rock, country, urban contemporary etc. |
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| TOP STORIES |
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| (6) responses |
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 by: ronnomix - McCordsville, IN | responded: 09/05 11:12 am |
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Cant believe WHAT 1340 change formats! Grew up in NJ (Trenton, then central). Lived in Norristown from 86-90. Always loved the Philly vibe with shows at the Spectrum/Tower Theatre/Ripley's/Starrs/The Bijou/John Wannamakers @ Christmas...ditto with Strawbridge
Lived in Nashville Tn prior to moving here to Indianapolsis. Listened to WHAT 'streaming'
Liked Wee Willie/Bob Craig/Mike Bowes and the rest of the staff! Now.....also cant believe WYSP is gone...after how long...remember listening'when Sonny Fox (Mr.Wonderama) was on in the early 70's!!!
Have to say this...this damn thing called 'talk radio' has become more than an obsession that has replaced music on the dial.....its 'weird' how someone will 'hang on the line' for hours just to talk to a Sean Hannity' for a few minutes....but whose comprehension for music listening has dwindled to almost to nothing! (OF course this IS NOT everyone....but it sure darn seems it!)
Thanks for reading this!
Rob Kopfer
McCordsville Indiana
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 by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/05 11:08 pm |
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Rob -
Not sure if you read this post: Why Change 94.1 WYSP FM to WIP; Ultimate Demise of WYSP It has a quote from OM of WYSP on why they changed to the talk WIP. All about ratings.
Glad to hear you listened to WHAT streaming out in IN. I was the Program Director at WHAT when we changed formats to Martini Lounge Radio and it was a pleasure to bring in and work with Bill Weber, Bob Craig, and Mike Bowe, and the rest.
We are not affiliated with the station and have no control over what station management is doing there, or even know what they are doing. However, we do know how important this music is. We are keeping it alive here streaming on iradiophilly.com just for you and the rest of the listeners. The Martini Lounge station here at iradiophilly is the format I ran there on WHAT. I know in the other post you weren't fond of streaming the stations, but you might give this station a chance if you streamed the on-air version before.
- Al Clay |
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| by: ronnomix - McCordsville, IN | responded: 09/07 10:58 pm |
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Let me clarify a bit....yes we (my wife and I) have over 4000 lps and nearly 3000 cds. Plenty of genres to listen to, believe me! (Anyone with a collection as large as ours wouldnt listen to any stations, on the dial or on the net!)
Though, the music played on WHAT held a special place within....and it WAS brought to life with the likes of Wee Willie Mike Bob Anthony and the other cool cats! Live DJS are a big thing with me... esp several of the above who 'represented' Philly as I remember it!
For me, it has a lot to do with the 'timeframe of the music'....
And mostly , if I'm wrong....there isnt a live dj on Martini Lounge...that to me is a major prerequisite to this music.
I believe you ARE doing a great job of playing the music WHAT played here on Martini....kudos and accolades....hate to repeat myself...but its a dj thing......but all the best to you
Rob
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/07 11:26 pm |
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Rob -
I can't argue with you there, those guys were great at adding life to the music I was programming while at WHAT. It was an honor to work with those legends. There is no question that the host/DJ on a station adds a major dimension to it. We'll see what happens on our stations. When we first started Martini Lounge Radio on 1340 there weren't any DJ's either. Thanks for your support and best to you! |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/11 9:44 pm |
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| WHAT 1340 will formally debut as El Zol - El Ritmo del Philly on 9/12 at Noon. |
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| by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 09/29 2:30 am |
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| WHAT AM 1340 has now officially been sold to Aztec Capital Partners Inc. advised by Art Camiolo. |
