November 8, 2019
If you could create the ideal Pop star for today and blend the best qualities of artists from any era, which artists would you draw from and why?
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Brian Mack, WXXL: I would take the songwriting skills, the workhorse engine and the bedside manner of Ed Sheeran, and match that up with the swagger and musicianship of Bruno Mars, and toss in the great looks of Shawn Mendes. Jagger, WKSS: The musicianship of Prince, the songwriting ability of Bruno Mars, and the vocals and live showmanship of Michael Jackson.
Mike “OD” O’Donnell, WKRZ: I think the format could use a real good Pop/Dance artist rolling some hits. I would combine Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and Destiny’s Child era Beyoncé.
Lenny Diana, WAQY/WLZX: I’d clone Paul McCartney’s songwriting DNA in everyone. |
Toby Knapp, WASH: I would want to take Taylor Swift‘s lyrical abilities, Justin Timberlake‘s showmanship, Michael Jackson‘s sick talent, Prince‘s sick talent and combine ’em with some John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and a dash of Whitney Houston-meets-Pink. Can you imagine how Earth-shattering that would be in ONE artist? That would be a musical force you could not ignore.
Java Joel, WAKS: The innate charisma of Frank Sinatra. The songwriting and versatility of The Beatles, the multi-talents and showmanship of Prince.
Mike Miller, WZFT: Justin Timberlake for talent and Billy Joel for longevity that his talent had endured. Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Media Strategies: The ideal Pop star of today would be completely original and not a blend of anything from the past! Chris Michaels, FM100: Justin Timberlake, Prince, and Bruno Mars! A perfect blend of someone who can sing, dance, and perform on stage. |
Rick Vaughn, KENZ: The graciousness of a young Janet Jackson with the self-promotion of MC Hammer. Sassy, WKXJ: Britney Spears for charisma, her aura was just great. Vocally Mariah Carey, and visually Christina Milian she (to me) always had a superstar look. Todd Shannon, WAPE: If we’re talking all-time, I have to start with the magnanimous qualities of The Beatles. Then my mind takes me back to the Pop heyday of the late nineties with *NSYNC, BSB, and Britney Spears. Top 40 was on fire during that period. It was all about Moms in minivans and their kids having something in common. When that happens, really good things happen for Top 40.
Jammer, WEZB: Pat Benatar and Justin Timberlake. Fish, WKRZ: I’ll start and end with The Beatles. The songwriting, the looks, the hooks, the live show, and the charisma. They have that true Pop sound and that’s what our format desperately needs right now. |
Orlando, WLLD: If I could take the musicality H.E.R the swag of Bruno Mars, studio ability of Pharrell and the fan connection of Machine Gun Kelly, that would make a pop star for the ages. Now that I think of it, we’d have Prince 2.0!
Matt Johnson, KSLZ: I would take qualities of artists that have evolved Pop music forward. In the last twenty years, I would include these artists in that class: Justin Timberlake, will.i.am, Lady Gaga. It’s about whoever is setting the stage for that next decade of music, and only certain artists have that touch. Currently Billie Eilish is the obvious one. It remains to be seen if she’ll have longevity, but right now she’s certainly trending that way.
Rob Roberts, Cox Media Group: Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande.
R Dub! Z90: Louis Armstrong for his ability to play and instrument well and his one-of-a-kind voice; Frank Sinatra for his class and gusto; Michael Jackson for his dance moves, Lenny Kravitz for his coolness, EPMD for their lyrics and Stevie Wonder for his overall vibe.
Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: John Lennon’s songwriting skills, Mariah Carey’s vocal range, Justin Timberlake’s stage presence, Michael Jackson’s dance moves, Ariana Grande’s social followers, Lionel Richie’s personality and Cher’s costumes.
Kobe, WWHT: I would take the triple-threat qualities of Justin Timberlake, the talent of Adele, and the charisma of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Jeremy Rice, WBLI: I don’t think there is an ideal pop star, you have to start organically. Yes, it’s cool to say “this artist” reminds you of Michael Jackson or The Police or whomever. But the best artists are UNIQUE and sound like no one else, they have their own sound.Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
What are the biggest challenges you face with teaching a new generation of jocks about radio, when many of them didn’t grow up using the medium the way you did?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@fmqb.com or bburke@fmqb.com
