From: Bob Davis (earthjuice_at_prodigy.net)
Date: 2004-03-24 14:04:55
This sounds like it was a pretty cool radio show.
Shame it got canceled.
Outlets for new/progressive artists continue to shrink.
:(
------------------------------------
The 'Funk Jazz Lounge Radio Show' Cancelled by Hot 105 Radio Station
Neo-Soul Radio Show hosted by Demas cancelled
Miami, FL (PRWEB) March 18 —Sunday, March 16, 2004 will be remembered in the neo-soul/poetry
community as the day the airwaves cut their support of the creative, artistic, grassroots
movement for a genre of music that is not supported by mainstream radio. Hot 105 Radio Station
(105.1) cancelled the stations' specialty show "The Funk Jazz Lounge" radio show that was
hosted by the show's creator, guiding force and personality, Demas for three years.
Hailed as the hottest "Neo Soul/Neo Classic" show that was home to national artists such as
Dwele, Indie.Arie, Floetry, Mike Phillips, Goapele and Kindred to name a few. In addition to
some of the well known, artists, "The Funk Jazz Lounge" radio show also supported and
introduced local South Florida artists such as Lee Williams and The Square Egg, Leesa Richards
and Hash Brown. Hot 105 radio station has now become one of those radio stations that have
turned its back on a genre of neo-soul music and local artists.
"The Funk Jazz Lounge" radio show brought added value to the station. The show was broadcasted
live from the Royal Palm Hotel for a monthly brunch event that lasted 6 months. In addition
Demas, CEO of Funk Jazz Entertainment expanded his Sunday platform into a weekly soulful,
upscale environment for mature young professionals to relax and listen to the sounds of live
neo-soul, rare grooves, acid jazz music, as well as spoken word poetry sessions. This weekly
event has been extremely successful for the past three years and continues to garner media
attention from national media such as Black Radio Exclusive Magazine, Now Magazine, Urban
America Newspaper, Urban Network Magazine, The Miami Herald, Street Miami and The Miami
Sunpost to name a few.
Aside from being extremely disappointed about the cancellation of his show, radio personality,
Demas was shocked. "I am surprised and saddened that management did not call me for a meeting
to address that there was a problem with the show's ratings. We could of worked together to
come up with a solution first, before completely axing the show", stated Demas.
According to the program director, the show was cancelled due to low ratings. "I am just as
disappointed about the "Funk Jazz Lounge's" cancellation. While I believe the show was one of
the most distinctive programs on South Florida radio, the listener support ratings-wise just
wasn't there. Demas put his heart & soul into the show and deserves praise for bucking the
"blandness" of most mainstream radio and presenting a new concept" stated Derrick Brown, Hot
105 program director.
Listeners and supporters of Demas and "The Funk Jazz Lounge" radio show were upset that the
show's host was not given a chance to say good-bye and thank them for their ongoing support.
To date, Hot 105 has not issued a statement regarding the cancellation.
Although Hot 105 cut its support of the weekly show, Demas and "The Funk Jazz Lounge" will not
be without a home for long. Prominent national and local radio stations have already started
to inquire about how they might be able to provide a home for "The hottest
Neo-Soul/Neo-Classic show".
_________
Bob Davis
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