ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 15, 1996 TAG: 9603150031
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
Sam and Mark, or John Boy and Billy?
We really hit a nerve when we invited you to tell us which WROV-FM show is better - the old "Morning Show" with Sam Giles and Mark Nelson, or the syndicated "John Boy and Billy Big Show" with which the station recently replaced Sam and Mark in the morning drive slot.
Neatly summing it up is the remark heard most frequently - by far - in our poll: ``John Boy and Billy suck!''
Then came the reasons: The newcomers are ``obnoxious,'' ``loud,'' ``offensive,'' ``insulting,'' ``redneck,'' ``ignorant,'' ``disgusting,'' ``abrasive,'' ``annoying,'' ``awful,'' ``terrible'' and ``stupid.'' Over and over again, these same words were used to describe the new jocks whose show originates in Charlotte, N.C.
There also were threats, mostly from loyal listeners, who said they will abandon WROV for the rock oldies station Arrow 94.9 unless Sam and Mark are reinstated. Many said they already had defected.
Meanwhile, the numbers didn't lie. We asked people to call Infoline and vote for a favorite. It was a landslide. Of the 2,607 total votes cast, Sam and Mark received 1,952. John Boy and Billy garnered 655 votes.
Oh, and Howard Stern got about a dozen votes.
But the real story here is with the comments that some 500 of you included with your votes - enough to fill nearly five hours of tape. Many callers were hopeful that their votes, and this poll, would make a difference. Some were more skeptical.
``I have a feeling we're spitting into the wind on this deal,'' one caller said.
Maybe not completely. WROV operations manager Kenny Shelton said the response is not ``falling on deaf ears.'' He said there is ``a very good chance'' Sam and Mark will be reunited - but not in the mornings. They will fill the station's afternoon time slot where Sam has been working solo since the switch was made last month. Mark Nelson has continued as the morning newsman.
Shelton also said it's possible Sam and Mark could be moved back to the mornings, but it's unlikely. Shelton is confident that John Boy and Billy will catch on.
``From talking to stations in other markets, they've said that if you get any positive comments at all in the first 90 days, you're headed in the right direction.'' he said.
Ultimately, the ratings will determine the show's fate. Shelton said that if the new show bombs through both the spring and fall ratings periods, then the station will re-evaluate. ``But I'm not ready to give up on John Boy and Billy yet.''
Other callers took the opportunity to address larger concerns.
``Nobody listens to the radio for comedy,'' one caller said, echoing the sentiments of many. ``Everyone listens to the radio for music. It's the music, stupid.''
The newspaper also was a target.
``You'd think WROV was the only radio station on the dial in this market because it's all you guys write about over there. I really don't care who they have on the morning show, just get it out of your newspaper.''
One caller even offered some advice. ``Maybe the ardent listeners should do what I do. I tape Sam's afternoon show and listen to it the following morning. It's not the best of situations, but it certainly fills the need.''
All of which has left an impression on Sam Giles. He said this week that he has been flattered by the support and attention. He said it has taught him just how strongly people feel about radio personalities.
``I have never experienced anything like this in radio, anything this big,'' he said. And that's from a man who has given away a house and several cars in radio promotions.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Robert Lunsford. color.by CNB