Center Stage on Live365 this week is KEWL.FM – "One Station, All the Hits." We spoke with station manager David Moss about their history with radio, their station's programming, and we got some music recommendations. Check out the interview below!
What made you get started in radio?
I have been in radio since 1981, starting professionally in the Philadelphia and New York markets. I left it as a full-time career to focus on business, and have successfully started and exited companies that I have built (non-radio focused).
Recognizing that the radio market is about to undergo a significant transition from terrestrial to streaming, at a professional (not hobby) level, I decided that my next startup would be a media company (KEWL Media, Inc.) and focus to capture a large part of this transition. Our first product is KEWL.fm, but there will be more.
Let me note, this is a very serious venture. We are incorporated as a C corp and will be raising money this summer. In addition, with KEWL.fm and other products roadmapped, you will see a significant innovation towards things that are not being done today – such as the integration of our station deep in to AI for some "kewl" things and more.
What brought you to Live365?
Ease of use, and most importantly the ease of licensing.
What's your favorite part about running your own radio station?
The ability to take advantage of market transitions and hopefully be an inventor in the direction of where this industry is going. All the legacy stations are just taking their over-the-air product and streaming it. The rest are hobbyists. We plan to innovate and lead with a sustainable company.
Tell us about your station's programming. What can listeners expect when they tune in to your station?
While an aggressive ambition, we believe we are welcoming in the new era of radio, where streaming is taking over as the primary way people listen to audio content.
At KEWL Media, Inc., we are at the forefront of this shift, offering streaming entertainment that delivers the best in audio entertainment. Our first product, KEWL.fm, is a unique blend of music not being offered elsewhere, we believe we have something for everyone.
The industry reports that the 25+ audience listens to multiple genres, such as adult hits, modern country, and oldies. Yet, radio today segments them into single offerings, which results in the listener changing the stations every few minutes to switch genres. Musical tastes are not confined to one genre and KEWL.fm will represent a generation of Billboard top songs spanning the genres that our audience likes best from today's hits to top 10 songs you haven't heard in years.
The motto is that we are one station playing hits – all the hits. What difference does it matter what popular genre or year the song was a hit? It is a hit and we will present it that way. While we'll have songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, etc. we will NEVER refer to them as oldies. Why make the audience feel old, which is what oldies stations do by the nature of their name. We play hits! Period!
We also plan to be innovative and cutting-edge, not just the "same 'ole thing." With a unique blend of music and in the near future deep integration of artificial intelligence into the listener experience, we will offer something truly innovative in the radio industry.
You can learn more at kewl.fm.
Name one artist that you play on your station that is underrated in your opinion.
What's your favorite music memory/moment?
Interviewing Daryl Hall and John Oates, and all of the Go-Go's in the early 1990s when I worked for WPST. I got the chance to introduce them at Great Adventure in NJ and hang out with both groups for the day.
Please list your top 5 or 10 songs, with a brief reason why each song made your list.
Funny question given our tagline and position. Favorite songs change over time, so here is a snapshot of today, in no particular order:
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"wait in the truck (feat. Lainey Wilson)" - HARDY
It says something and has a deep impactful message along with being a melodically perfect song. -
"Imagine" - John Lennon
I can listen to this over and over again, and often do. Again, a strong message and song, and musical perfection. -
"The Sound of Silence" - Disturbed
While not a heavy metal fan, I think this remake is perhaps the best version of this song ever performed. David Draiman's delivery is perfection and offers enough darkness to make this eerily compelling. -
"Mad World" - Gary Jules
A wonderful dark version with perfect melodies. Adam Lambert's version is also stellar. -
"Beach Baby" - The First Class
I can't tell you why, except it evokes the spirit of fun and the summer. I have listened to this song and others like it since I first heard it in the 70s.
Listen to KEWL.FM on Live365.com, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram!
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Article Image: The Live365 logo above the KEWL.FM logo on a stage with spotlights shining on it.
