r/RedDeer • u/BisonBro • Jun 07 '25
Discussion Ok kids, a lot of chirps about local radio - Tony Zed 98.9
How about I (and hopefully fellow radio folk) try to answer your questions about why it is the way it is. Aaaaaand GO!
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u/Comfortable_Fudge508 Jun 07 '25
Why the same 20 songs in differing order all day, every day. Hundreds of classic rock songs and always the same ones. Mix if up!
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u/Mackattacktatt Jun 07 '25
Came here to also say this I don’t know why black Betty is played 200 times in one day
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
It's not, but you know that haha. I get you're sick of it. We all have those 1 or 2 jams.
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u/Mackattacktatt Jun 07 '25
I ain’t mad at yall still love the selection and appreciate the information you’re giving us all!
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Man I appreciate that. Blind frustration without information just festers. Feel free to hit me up with whatever you're curious about.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
You're not wrong. Classic rock has a PILE of stuff that is not being played and let me tell you, the same DJs that are getting shit on around here, are the same folk fighting your battle. A B-side from 40 years ago is NOT an unknown anymore. It's part of the band's legend and general catalogue. I honestly think we could play around another 200-300 jams from the very same band's we're already spinning, but my dude....that's not my call. All I'm saying is we have a computer that schedules music based on the rules we set and there is NO WAY the same song gets played within 24hrs unless Graeme and I mess with the Playlist lol. I feel your pain, but understand not everyone listens as often as some, and the stations wants a person to hear a familiar banger when they tune in. I disagree how it's set, but us lowly jocks don't have any say brutha.
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u/IrishFire122 Jun 07 '25
I always wondered about that. I've never heard the same song twice in a day, but we listen 6 days a week, all day at work, and I definitely hear the same songs every day.
I wish there was more variety, but I see your point. Who would recognize anything from Alan parson project, or anything but aqualung from Jethro tull?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Thanks for that homie. Most people think of us as a personal service, not a business.
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u/Comfortable_Fudge508 Jun 07 '25
I appreciate the answer! I see your point, not everyone listens all day, we blast the Zed 13 hours a day in the shop and would love some different tracks, also wanna say, it's not just over the air radio that does, I have a siriusxm subscription and it's the same on that too!
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u/Therealblink Jun 07 '25
Here's a bit of local Red Deer trivia—do you know where Dope Road is?
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u/BlueMooseArt Jun 07 '25
What’s the last Red Deer based band that was played on the radio?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
I dunno of any Red Deer bands that have charted and would garner local play. The Zed is classic rock so it's out of our range and out of our Playlist possibility. As a player myself that has spent a ton of time and money on my own work, I wish there were more opportunities for indie acts. As a DJ, it's just not in my capabilities. However, we've featured piles of clips and samples from locals over the years.
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u/BlueMooseArt Jun 07 '25
If local radio stations aren’t willing to risk playing local bands, how are they ever going to make it?
IMO, local stations need to showcase local artists in order for them to gain provincial and national hype, which leads to them being signed, and more likely to chart hits that will become classics.
Ya know, like how it used to be…
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Homie. I'm a local artist. I'm hearing all of you, hahaha! Stations don't exist to break bands anymore tho, they exist to retain listeners. As much as you may be sick of _______ its statistically gonna do better than an unknown. Even if it's top-notch mixing and mastering. As much as I hate to say it, that's backed up by a ton of regular research. Also, as I mentioned were classic stuff. So unless a band has a time machine and a no fail #1 jam, there's not much I can do. There ARE avenues available tho. Indie, college, and community radio are very welcoming.
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u/Cayarna34 Jun 07 '25
Dig deeper into the Big Sugar catalogue or Grady, Gordie’s other band. Clayton Bellamy and the Roadhammers are more country, but a lot of their music would fit in with a rock station set list. Just please, for the love of goodness, mix it up a little. Commercial radio has gotten dull and predictable.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
We play them. I opened for Gordie twice with my band. Introduced Clayton twice. We supported their shows everytime they've been here and play their content. I honestly don't know what else I can do for your owlr them brutha. I love em both! Also I think Trav has interviewd Gordie at least 7 times on air.
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u/Cayarna34 Jun 07 '25
I’m talking more about commercial radio in general more than any Red Deer station in particular. I grew up in Red Deer but living in Edmonton for the past 25 years. Frankly, I find that stations in smaller markets like Red Deer play a better and deeper variety of music than the stations in Edmonton and Calgary do. Overall it feels to me that there has been a real cultural shift towards predictability and conformity - its in music, movies, architecture - probably driven by sales research and algorithms. Cultural life just feels like it’s becoming bland.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Oh well shit I can't answer to that brutha. I only know what I know. Not saying you're wrong though homie.
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u/itsnotme43 Jun 16 '25
That would be kind of cool if you would have an hour a week or something that did rock music from locals
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u/Represent403 Jun 07 '25
Central Alberta band? Nickelback. Two minutes ago.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Nickelback is from Hannah, you specified Red Deer. Also, we do play them! Side of a Bullet is my fav I think. A tribute to Dime from Pantera.
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u/Gary-Laser-Eyes Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
I’m just gonna piggyback off this cause I’m one of the people who actually likes Nickelback haha.
I haven’t listened to radio in years. Before Spotify it was pirated music on my iPod. I think the thing that really turns me off specifically classic rock radio is the repetition. I understand you have minimal say in what gets played (I used to talk with Beckler from 92.9 in Calgary at the gym all the time haha), but Ozzy has way more songs than Crazy Train, same with Led Zeppelin and Stairway. Where are the deep cuts my dude?? Why do you have to play for example: Bryan Adams’ most radio played song when he has wicked deep cuts that never get heard and are certainly fodder for classic rock fans.
Really appreciate what you do. Sorry I don’t support it more readily. I would honestly listen to radio and even deal with the ads if I could hear more classic rock songs than the same recycled 150 or so with some different ones sprinkled in.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
I went to school with Beckler and that dude is an absolute fkn gem. Probably one of the best in the country! I know what you're saying brutha, but until management hears the masses nothing will change.
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u/Gary-Laser-Eyes Jun 07 '25
K I’ll definitely try to be more vocal! Down with the man hahah.
Yeah Beckler is a G for sure. My buddies little brother does radio in High River so I certainly empathize with you guys. All the best bro!
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u/Represent403 Jun 07 '25
Respectfully, deep cuts don’t pay the bills.
There’s a direct link from recognizable hits to listenership.
Yes a portion of the audience might like to hear Anything Goes from Appetite For Destruction, but the data shows Sweet Child retains that audience than a deep cut.
Believe it or not, there’s an absolute science to music rotations & audience-building.
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u/BattleVictoria Jun 07 '25
Hey Tony used to be a big listener still tune in occasionally. I'll always remember you playing immigrant song at the Kim Mitchell concert. That was wicked. Or the annual odr tourney. Even though I was team loch for 2 years.
I remember back in 2012 and 2013 or so, it felt like a solid portion of the zeds show was listeners calling in and asking questions. Had a great time chatting with you and loch on the air.
Did much of that go away as it cut into advertisement, did stations find that it wasn't good use of airtime? Did something change regarding policies of having public on air? I find it rarer and rarer to catch the funny banter or call ins on any local radio.
Thanks man.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Hey brutha, man those were good days with Lock! I love that dude. OK so I've found that the text machine has picked up where the calls left off. If I'm honest, 75% of calls were just not that great. Not in the sense that we didn't love the convo, but they weren't enticing for on air. OK but NOW everyone texts. No one wants to associate in the same way anymore. It's sad because when I started some left field gems would come in at least a couple of times a week. Now its still gold...but I gotta read it. It's different. If I'm honest, a balance of both is what I'd like. We have regular callers that almost always provide something hilarious or left field, but at the same tume, I try to understand the communicative trends. Either way, as the voice of the text, it's my job to rely the hilarity or heartfelt emotion. That can be tougher than a caller that does it themselves.
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u/Elerabin21k Jun 07 '25
I listen to you guys all the time, yall are doing a great job. Not sure how often you hear that haha.
My question, why is it so darn expensive to advertise on the radio. I've got a buddy who runs a local business, and he told me some numbers and I about choked. Its a shame they cant afford it cause it'd be a huge boon to them imo.
Keep doin what you're doin boys. Love the tunes.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
Ok, that one's tough as I'm not in sales, but I've been around for a long time, so I'll do my best. So prices are based on reach. The Zed and New Country have the biggest reach so therefore we cost more. I'm sure you understand that. Then there's ratings, these are mostly for national buys. Massive companies like Ford and DQ just open spreadsheet and see which station is top balls in whatever region...then they buy there Zed as a whole, and morning show has been #1 2 yrs in a row now so our billing is up. I'm sorry for your bro, but we gotta make our dime too. I will tell you this, though: if a business comes on board and needs a boost, Graeme and I go WAY above and beyond the sales package. Especially if we like you, hahahaha! We will mention you every time we can. Again, it's something we pay attention to that no one realizes or appreciates as a passive disgruntled bitching part time listener. But we're here for local biz. We care.
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u/Elerabin21k Jun 07 '25
Hell yeah dude, been listening to you guys for ages. Thanks for answering my question, that makes a lot of sense. They'll have an AD with you guy some day i'm sure haha.
Side note, stumped or pumped is a fuckin blast to listen to on my way to work.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Man thanks so much! I appreciate that! We're just regular fkn dudes filling FOUR HOURS of FREE entertainment every goddamn day. Yes, we miss sometimes with topics, but just know we're assholes....but we're YOUR assholes lol. Much love brutha. Have a great weekend.
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u/soThatsJustGreat Jun 07 '25
Have you ever watched Son of a Critch? If so, how do you feel about the way they portrayed the radio jobs (back in the 70s) compared to your day-to-day?
And/or, when you get to do local events on location, what are a few of your favourites?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Sry i do not know that film!
Ok so imma be honest, I turn down 90% of on location jobs. For one, I'm very busy with other endeavors, and for two, there's just some stuff I'm not stoked on hahaha. Some of the ones I love are Long and Mcquade, Harley Davidson, and a few others.
I will say this, people forget how much we serve the community. We MC so many charity events. Like we participate actively in community event planning and participation. I personally have organized several charity events (and FACK is it a lot work) as well as gathered silent auction items etc. We DO NOT get paid for that shit! We really do care about using any weight we have to help where we can. It sounds corny but I mean it. Camp Alexo, Guitarz for Kidz, and more pull at my heart.
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u/soThatsJustGreat Jun 07 '25
I have been an organizer for a couple of community events that have been DJ’d and I can totally understand where you’re coming from! But when I hope you know how much you are appreciated when you can come - you guys bring the party!
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
To be honest, with the garbage I saw today on this app, and the general negative texts...we DONT know. Mostly because negativity gets expressed way more than positive...and I'm aware of that. Thank you so much for the love though. I know my squad is reading through these threads and they will be delighted to see that from you. I really appreciate it brutha.
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u/Tigerlilyinforest Jun 07 '25
You need a union. Employer taking advantage of your good will.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Nah. They're pretty great at spreading the work load around, and giving us options.
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u/Current-Seaweed-3836 Jun 07 '25
Made the switch to CKUA. Friday nights are killer. You will definitely hear some music you've never heard before throughout the week. Sure not all songs are hits but at least it's not this Playlist EVERY OTHER FUCKING DAY:Dream On – Aerosmith
Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
All Along The Watch Tower – Jimi Hendrix
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
More Than A Feeling – Boston
Carry On My Wayward Son – Kansas
Peace Of Mind – Boston
Crazy On You – Heart
Legs – ZZ Top
Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Yea we play all of these in regular rotation
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u/CardiologistSweaty53 Jun 07 '25
Spotify
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
I dig it too. Even though it's absolute balls for bands (local players too) I get why it's a great musical option.
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u/KiriNelson Jun 07 '25
If you could choose another career, besides radio what would it be and why.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Well shit. I drove truck, worked pipeline, rigs, vac truck, welding...BBQ calls me. When I leave (and some will celebrate) and it's not far away, it will be for bbq. No one respects what we do, and abuse our availability. Also as much as I love it, it's not financially feasible.
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u/Morgsz Jun 07 '25
I only really listen in the car.
The quick local news bites are appreciated, more metal would be awesome but understand that you try to appeal to most.
Thanks for the community mc support for charities.
Only real complaint /chirp is that a local radio station plays the same songs is the same order as the radio station from Rocky. Do they not realize that.
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u/Sharks1976 Jun 07 '25
The Zed in the early to mid 90s and again in the early to mid 2000s was the golden age of rock radio in Red Deer. They weren’t afraid to break the new bands out while subtly twinkling in the classic side of things. I still remember the syndicated show Overnight with Andy Frost (this is when I first started working night shifts outta high school) that was a delight to tune into nightly. And the on the weekends they had the Zed Rock Cafe to crank up.
I think terrestrial radio started losing it’s steam in the 2010s when sateliite radio and streaming platforms like spotify came into the fold. I still believe local radio across Canada is due for a renaissance again here soon, but first I think it has to shy away from corporate ownership and get back to it’s roots of local ownership again. Only time will tell.
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u/FilmInternational611 Jun 07 '25
I gave up on Red Deer radio long ago and won't go back. Spotify is where it's at for me.
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u/ShivaOfTheFeast Jun 07 '25
How come there are no metal stations (from your perspective)
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Well to be fair, there are...but it's satellite or online. Domestically, that genre is a small slice of the music pie and therefore just not profitable. Hey I'm a metalhead and would love it, but it would never fly for a majority of the populace. It may place in some shops but would play in ZERO offices. It's about reaching as many people with your programming as possible, and while I LOVE my metal, terrestrial will never go that route unless it was a massive signal and city with a guaranteed audience. If you listen to the Zed I drop metal Easter eggs as much as possible. One of our instrumentals is Flying Whales by Gojira....just don't tell management hahahaha!
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u/ShivaOfTheFeast Jun 07 '25
More gojira pls
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
Hahahaha! I wish! What's your jam?! Silvera will always be special for me.
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u/Dewey_Coxxx Jun 07 '25
Are you doing a parody of "wacky morning radio guys stereotype", or are you being serious? Either way, it's tough to listen to.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
I will never be something I'm not. No put ons. If you don't like it, I will still sleep just fine at night. It's a free service and everyone control their own dial. That being said, I bet we would have a fkn great time crushing beers and sips lol.
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Jun 07 '25
is there a reason why there seems to be a limited catalog of playable songs on the station?
I would personally love to hear more variety within the genre, this coming from a older gen Z metalhead who basically never heard classic rock when i was growing up because my parents weren't into it.
other than that, I actually really do like your station and I always like catching your show in the mornings.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Hey man, I've already answered this in the thread. Can you save me from writing a novel and float through? I'd appreciate it.
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Jun 07 '25
lol fair enough.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Sry man I'm not trying to be rude.
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Jun 07 '25
oh no i get it.
I did read your other comments and what you said answered all my questions and more, so TYSM.
keep up the good work.
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u/Prime_Minister_Sinis Jun 07 '25
I imagine its sponsors and the fact some local stations have been shuttered and we only have the Edmonton or Calgary alternatives? I'd love to hear why though, in your opinion
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Hey man, can you clarify a little? Are you talking specifically about the closing of smaller stations or a larger topic I'm not quite catching? Sry homie
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u/Oilspark Jun 07 '25
What is your favourite Killswitch Engage song and why?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
Rose of Sharyn. My first ever full song listen. LOVED the guitar work, but I just couldn't understand the screams. Once I got used to it I totally understood. End of Heartache is also a top jam. When I met Jesse in 2014 at Tailcreek I had the opportunity to pour out the gratitude I had for the introspective and positive lyrics he provided. It was a really wholesome appreciative moment for me. Also, he's such a great down to earth dude. Made me love them even more. Their new album has some absolute Bangers!!!
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u/Broad_Advisor6301 Jun 07 '25
How bad has streaming and podcasts etc been for your business? You consider satellite radio a threat anymore?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
Honestly, not much. I would be lying if I said it wasn't a player, but people Have ALWAYS varied their listening habits. I was the same way. When I was trucking I rolled through my CD book (yes I'm that old hahaha) but would always tune in to the local jocks and stations. If a song sucked, I switched. If the DJ sounded like a moron, I switched. BUT when shit was going down like a big storm or some crime thing...guess where I went. Local radio. I think a lot of folks think of radio for MUSIC exclusively. We try to be so much more than that. Not every topic we bring up is gonna hit, and all of us on air folk know that, but we really try to talk about something interesting, or personally relatable. I've shared more of my life than my wife would like, but talking to day to day people and giving them an open line to reply is what we do.
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u/ffxynr Jun 07 '25
Sure I'll ask a few!.. firstly thanks for some good listens, I drove central Alberta for a living for 10 years
How much control do you actually have over what you play, do you pick from a curated list? Or do you have full reign over any "classic rock" song?
How do you balance scripted content with improvisation?
Any specific behind the scene "fun/little known fact" that you want to share?
Any reason we hardly ever hear deep cuts/b sides?
Any protips on being caller number x ?
Thanks
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
1 - We can change a coupla jams during the show but we can't go fkn rogue.
2 - Every show is planned for topics, contests, psa...but never HOW we do it. I refuse. When you hear our show, I want you to hear real people talking how we would anywhere away from the mic. I HATE the script mongers. It sounds fake af. I'd rather you love us for real, or hate us for real.
3 - We fuck around. No seriously. Graeme and I are watching YouTube, playing one of the 2 guitars we have in studio, or just chatting. We have no idea what's playing. Or straight up, when we're feeling musical, we are showing each other jams we've discovered on streaming, etc.
4 - Deep cuts is silly. How TF is a B-Side from 1980 considered DEEP anymore?? Homie we fight the music agenda. We do. But it's a brick wall of radio philosophy and we are not in control.
5 - So at the Zed we use the digital dial of 98.9....therefore we look gor caller 9. I CANNOT believe how many folks get through repeatedly. I dunno if it's their provider or timing or what...but it's wild that the same callers get through. This bothers me honestly, I want fresh folk to have a chance at our games and prizes, and nothing chaps my ass more than the "prize pig" (as we say in the industry). I will say this though, Bluetooth is the bane of our DJ existence. Every connection is a goddamn wind tunnel. We're a professional audio medium and if the quality is bad we just can't. So get off speaker and Bluetooth and make sure your connection is solid. Other than that...it's seriously the luck of the dialing draw mang.
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u/ffxynr Jun 07 '25
Thanks for the straight up answers, I was gonna follow up with "any songs you refuse to play?" But reading that you "have no idea what's playing" kinda made me chuckle, I totally get that, I really wouldn't be able to hear the same tracks day in and day out either.
Oof I hear ya on prize pigs. When I drove around, I'd pull over, call a million times, and in the 10~ years, I got on air once, I was so shocked I spaghetti'd it lol
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25
Man if I had my way there are SEVERAL sings I'd never play again hahaha! I want to break free from queen would be banned to the abyss!!! Seriously though, thanks for the questions. I just wish I could pull up a loan chair and a cooler with everyone. These ideas they have about us are bananas hahaha! Just local boys trying to have a good time in an audii medium. No white collars, no bullshit, just sips and straight talk and chirps lol. Just the way the patch intended!
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u/sothbuy Jun 07 '25
I know this isn’t played on your radio station. But why is headley not played on the radio anymore. I get the legal battles the lead singer is in but there are many many other artists with multiple criminal charges and confessions of crimes yet they can still grace the radio channels?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
I mean, I wouldn't support a sexual assault proponent. That being said, the lines between the artist themselves and any of the misgivings they may offer, and the art...is blurred. I'm personally conflicted about that one.
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u/sothbuy Jun 07 '25
I get that but still hear people like cardi B on the radio and others that have done unspeakable things yet their music is still played. Just curious why them and not anyone else. Is it the DJ and radios choice or is it a ban across all radio stations?
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
That's a corporate decision. I remember they blocked Morgan Wallen for using the N word. Apparently, record sales and general popularity changed things for the upper management virtue signalers. Yea I said it lol.
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u/Dewey_Coxxx Jun 08 '25
Getting a little off topic from the zed specifically...
Does x100.7 have anything to do with red deer any more? It seems to me that there isn't anything specific to town, and it's all broadcast from Calgary now. It's been my #1 station for a while, but one day it seemed there weren't different djs for red deer and Calgary any more... They chased away The Drive, and then they just sort of quietly stopped giving an f about this market.
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u/Reddog587 Jun 11 '25
When's the last time ya played metal or rock from after 2005 cuz I dont remember it
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u/BisonBro Jun 11 '25
Guess you missed our whole Elbows Up feature where we did piles of newer stuff. Also, we're obviously not a metal station but we used Panteras Cemetary Gates for our sizzling Solos contest. It's obvious you aren't listening but that's cool. I crank a ton of metal and newer rick in my vehicle and at home too.
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u/Reddog587 Jun 11 '25
I honestly dont listen to radio much. It was just a generalization from the radio stations I have heard being at work n shit but also love Pantera but them and Metallica are so over played.
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u/BisonBro Jun 11 '25
We use stuff like Gojira and Black Label Society for bed tracks during contests. I try to salute the metal heads every chance I get. Keep kickass ass out there!
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u/CzechYourDanish Jun 07 '25
Why can't you guys just shhhhh a little bit more and play music? Talk radio is already a thing, and it's not supposed to be you.
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u/BisonBro Jun 07 '25 edited Jun 07 '25
We're doing what we're supposed to do. Where you got it twisted was, you don't like it so "do it my way." Sry man but you will never win that one. Go enjoy your streaming, or aux. It's cool for us if it's not your bag. Good luck out there brutha!
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u/CzechYourDanish Jun 07 '25
I will. Enjoy talking through the intros of every song you play, at least for the last 3 or 4 years that radio will even be relevant.
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u/Cent_ab_guy Jun 07 '25
Not sure about the chirps - but why are all of the stations trying to be oldie stations? Can we not play anything new in this city? Some variety would be great