From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1966
WCHB Adds Own Excitement To Rhythm and Blues Format
DETROIT — R&B music is the most exciting music in the world now, believes WCHB program director Bill Curtis. That, plus a “lot of hard work,” is the foundation on which the R&B station has built its success. Billboard’s latest Radio Response Ratings survey of this market, the fifth largest in the nation, showed the station as the major influence on sales of R&B records. Fifty per cent of the record dealers, distributors, one-stop operators, and local and national record executives voted in favor of the station over its competition in broadcasting in the Detroit area.
Although R&B music has grown increasingly so popular that Hot 100 stations are playing more and more of it, Curtis wasn’t worried. “We play more of it and we try to play it before they do. But it’s the most exciting music in the world right now, and nothing will ever take it’s place.”
The station has been responsible for giving many new R&B records that important initial exposure; in fact, the exposure has been so important that the power of the station has forced rock ‘n’ roll outlets in the city to play the records because of the sale created. An example is “Sunny” by Bobby Hebb, said Curtis. This was the flip side of a record, but during a listening session Curtis was impressed with the B side over the A side, “A Satisfied Mind.” “Just a fluke that I listened to it,” he said. “I don’t go around turning over a cat’s record.” But “Sunny,” which the station went on to play, went to No. 1 at local Hot 100 format stations.
Another record the R&B station broke in the market was “Open The Door To Your Heart” by Darryl Banks on the Detroit-based Revilot Records and Curtis predicted it would be “a big one.”
“I get a kick out of exposing a new recording product, helping it become a hit. At least you know you’re doing something worthwhile. Also, you get an indication of the power of your station and how much you can influence your listeners.” END
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(Information and news source: Billboard Magazine; July 2, 1966)
