Tales of a Shrink

So, how did I spend my Valentine's Day? Well, since Jason is in Chicago, I watched TV, and ~~ate~~ binged on chocolate chip cookies. As I like to say, "If you're feeling full, at least you're feeling something."

On to happier things...

Those of you who lived in Southeast Michigan might remember the day in 1997 when the city of Detroit's soul was crushed under the weight of boy bands and insipid bubblegum pop. Yes, I'm referring to the day that WQRS, Detroit's classical radio station for decades, officially changed its format to alternative rock.

Now, don't get me wrong: I love alternative rock as much as the next brain-dead product of the MTV generation. But Detroit already had several very successful alternative rock stations. The administration at WQRS claimed that there weren't enough advertisers to keep the classical station afloat. Of course, they never addressed the mismanagement of the station--for example, they had decided that they would only advertise "upscale" products, meaning they would air ads for diamonds and fur coats, but never for soft drinks or cars. Rather than open up the advertising policy and recruiting new advertisers, the administration decided to try and compete in an already-crowded market.

As it turned out, switching WQRS away from classical was a bad decision. The station has never been as popular as it was when it was classical. It has changed its format at least three times in the past nine years, trying desperately to capture an audience.

Those of us who want to hear classical music had to listen to CBC 2, broadcast out of Ontario. CBC 2 is a wonderful station, but it's also a reminder that Detroit didn't have its own classical channel. And WQRS had unique programing, like "Guess who's playing the classics," a show in which local celebrities would choose their favorite music and talk about what it meant to them.

Everything was bleak until recently, when WRCZ started broadcasting. Now, Detroit has its own classical station again. So far, the program schedule is very skeletal, but if you listen, you will hear reminders of the once-great Classical station.

For example, this morning, while driving to work, I heard the "Sous-alarm," a 7:15 am broadcast of a John Philip Sousa march. When I was a kid, I used to wake up just as the clock radio next to my bed, set to WQRS of course, would start playing the Sous-alarm. This morning, driving down the expressway, listening to the radio, my eyes filled with tears.

It's a good day to live in Detroit.