Country Music on Long Island

The Jazz Bus: Country Music Comes To Long Island
It has been years since we had a true full time country music station in this area. Long Island never seemed to be a hot bed for “country” activity. Bands seem to shun the area mostly getting as close as the PNC Arena in Jersey or the casinos of the tri state. So additionally for this area live country music was a rarity just like a radio station. Taking it back to the 70’s I do remember WHN-AM and most recently WYNY as country outlets, both too short lived. Clubs like Max’s Kansas City featured Waylon Jennings in 1973, a show still considered a breakthrough in our area, followed by acts appearing at The Lone Star (later uptown as Lone Star RoadHouse) but on Long Island only a few small places catered to the true fan.
Demographic studies done by radio land execs proved that the Country music fan is not what some believe; a missing tooth or two, hard drinking, driving a rusted pickup, trailer park heartbreaker. No, today’s fan is primarily a married, home owner, with two cars and a mortgage: a suburbanite. The group lately has been slightly skewed toward the female variety, aka the CONSUMER, and a great loyal audience base. That same study indicates that if a country music station built upon this estimated fan base that station will surpass the listener base of say WPLJ, one of the most listened to stations in the tristate area.
It’s here, the station anyway, MY COUNTRY 96.1 (WJVC) broadcasting out of Center Moriches. Only problem for me (Far West Suffolk County) is the signal is either too weak or non-existent at certain times of the day. However, the ease of the internet allows me the opportunity to pick 96.1 up on my computer, (LICOUNTRY.COM) where I spend way too much time anyway.
Country music is the new Rock, simple. Well at least it is for us “older rockers” who wish to see great musicianship, live. Recently in my travels to NYC (Madison Square Garden) I saw Brad, Keith, Sugarland, Kenny, et. al. and compared those great shows with the musicianship of Eric, Jeff, Jimmy, Alvin. Sacrilegious some would say.
July 3, LI DUCKS Stadium, The Country Music Fest sponsored by the aforementioned MY COUNTRY 96.1. Arriving a few minutes before the starting time of 6P.M. we found the parking lot almost filled to capacity. Walking toward the stadium one could see a sea of cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and of course the obligatory “Daisy Dukes”. With recorded music soaring in the arena spontaneous line dancing sprung up and we didn’t even start LIVE yet. After a few announcements the show was off and running. Six bands in 3 hours, downtime minimal due to each band using the same equipment, twenty five minute sets, BINGO, fireworks at 9. A wonderful night of music was had by all. Amazingly but somewhat expected ,the “buzz” in the exits was all positive; Great show, great sightlines, good sound, video screens a plus, all the concessions were opened all night, bathrooms spotless… you get the idea. Another “surprise” show will be announced soon. I’m in. jazzbus@gmail.com