Whenever you tweak or switch formats at a station, it's
inevitable that some listeners will complain. Fortunately, the positive
responses I received on the phone to the music I selected on WEW outnumbered
the negative ones. One of my favorite calls came from a listener who
said, "I'm liking what I'm hearing you play this morning--that Ramsey Lewis tune, especially. This signals a
good format change. This sure beats the sappy music your
station used to play. This is much easier to listen to while I'm
working." Another caller thanked me for being one of the few DJs who would think to play Coleman Hawkins on the air. One morning, however, after playing "Everybody's Boppin'" by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, I heard from an irritated listener.
"Now, that's really soothing," she said sarcastically. "That's really great for me to get up and have my coffee to. Thanks a lot."
"Sorry you didn't enjoy that," I replied. "It's a well-known jazz tune."
"Well, as I see it, you're there to please the majority," she said. "How many people like jazz? Not that many. I don't know about this station. They're making changes, you know."
"Yes," I responded. "We're putting a wider range of music into the mix these days."
Her reply? "Well, I don't like some of the changes, but I thank you for letting me express my opinion."
Credit where it's due: At least, she ended her call on an up note.
