It might not yet be the ‘little station that could’ but it sure is the radio station that’s trying. And, however you choose to look at things, Kevin Adell’s self-anointed “Superstation 910 AM” is showing up in the Detroit radio ratings after a relatively short time on-the-air. Bill Shea goes into great detail in the latest issue of Crain’s Detroit Business.
Adell has populated his station with top-notch talent including the likes of Steve Hood, Cliff Russell, Karen Dumas and others. At the same time, the oft-controversial owner has also brought in what some might refer to as a “cast of characters” including disgraced former Michigan lawmakers Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser for separate shows. Talk radio should be insightful but also entertaining and such additions bring both a curiosity factor and ‘wow’ level that can motivate listeners to tune in.
What is also impressive about the upstart is the level of promotion that is being utilized. Billboards, live appearances (including the recent Detroit Chamber Mackinac Conference), snazzy station vehicles (including a metallic-painted broadcast-ready mini-trailer) ensure high-profile awareness. This harkens back to radio’s heyday of the 60s and 70s when stations and their personalities were “everywhere” and promoted heavily.
Most importantly, they say timing is everything and certainly “The voice of the urban community”, as the station positions itself, has come along at the right time. No matter your politics and no matter your position on recent and on-going tragic police/African American events across this country, a dialogue is necessary – vital. Right now, 910 AM is doing this as well as anyone. Providing a forum, a platform, to talk, debate and, one would hope, move toward understanding and resolution.
It is what media is supposed to do – act in the public interest. And while it is early, the Superstation is an interesting one to watch and listen to.