If you could build a radio station, what kind of programming would you choose? This was the question that Ames’ new “Clear” choice 96.1 FM asked listeners.

“No Frank Sinatra or Barry Manalow for one thing. No rap. No country. No Megadeath,” said one 96.1 FM listener.

“Definitely not country and definitely not very old oldies,” another listener said.

“Nobody needs to play the Spice Girls,” said another.

After several months of research and a four day test run, on August 21 the crew at 96.1 FM debuted the station’s new format: the classical hits of the 70s combined with some hits of the late 60s and early 80s and some jazz.

Developing our format was a “unique thing,” Brad Olson, General Manager and part owner of Ames station, said. We took a different approach. Our goal is to “build a station with local appeal but one to best suit the listener.”

“We did a lot of research. We did phone research in February and March and we had a four day period [last week] for phone-in calls,” Olson said. During this period, the station played a couple of different types of music and listeners were encouraged to call in and vote for what type of music they wanted to hear.

“The first day we were K-FRANK, all Sinatra, all the time,” Mike Watson, Program Director, said. “The next day we were K-ELVIS and on Wednesday we were BUBBA COUNTRY, patterned after a radio station in Oklahoma.”

After hearing BUBBA, one listener responded by calling in and saying, “Ya know, this country stuff is crap; it’s really crap. It’s like watching the ‘Dukes of Hazard’ 24 hours a day.”

“We went out on a limb to get people’s attention,” Watson said.

After Wednesday, BUBBA was “blown up” and traded in for Christmas music where “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” played periodically until the official new format of “Clear” 96.1 FM was unveiled.

“We had a lot of calls,” Watson said. “I think response from listeners has been positive. I haven’t had much of a chance to get out on the streets but so far it has been positive.”

Many people gave their input on music but many also said they want good local news and sports but quick and convenient because most are on the go, Watson said.

“Their [the listeners] ideas mirrored our research,” Watson said. People want good music with local information.

With this, the station is consciously focusing on the local angle for news and sports.

“One thing that will make us different, and I’m not slamming Bob Bunce [the old owner of 104.1 FM which was based in Ames], but 85 percent of his business was Des Moines based. We want to open up a vehicle of businesses in Ames,” Watson said. “One goal is to have at least 10 success stories of Ames businesses where their goods and services have been opened up.”

“Also, before now, 99 percent of the people get weather from Des Moines. It could be raining there and sunny here. It makes no sense. We make no bones about it, we’re an Ames, Iowa, radio station,” Watson said. “And you thought all we did was play records, right?”

The station also “hopes to tie in with university and community activities,” Olson said.

“One of our goals is to serve the Ames and Story County with local news and sports. And to be behind the Cyclones in whatever they do. We want to help out in any way we can with the university,” Watson said.

The station is also concentrating on working out some technical difficulties.

“Setting up and getting ready for computer technology has been interesting,” Watson said. “I know enough to be dangerous.” However, most of the glitches have been worked out.

“Clear” 96.1 FM is a member of the G.O. Radio Group which also owns stations in Webster City, Boone and Creston. Ames was chosen for the location of their new station because the company did extensive research and studied the area and “without a doubt, there was room for another station in Ames. Ames is a growing, contemporary community,” Olson said.

So, while you may not be able to hear your favorite Sinatra song, Olson encourages everyone to tune in and call the request line at 233-0096 with requests and feedback.

“We’re always looking for listener input,” Watson said.