| Timeless Favorites | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Availability | National |
| Owner | ABC Radio Networks (through Citadel Broadcasting) |
| Launch date | 1981 |
| Past names | Stardust, Unforgettable Favorites, Timeless Classics |
| Website | timelessmusiconline.com |
Timeless Favorites is a 24-hour satellite music service of ABC Radio Networks (through Citadel Broadcasting) distributing a mix of soft oldies and adult standards to radio stations around the USA. [1] It is a combination of two former formats: gold-based adult contemporary Unforgettable Favorites (also known as "Memories") and adult standards Timeless Classics (originally known as "Stardust"). The current lineup of DJs includes Steve Gunn, Laurie Bandemir, Scott Reese, Vic Thomas, and Mike Matthews on weekdays, and Steve Cumming, Frank Welch, Angie Michaels and Bob Lawrence on weekends, as well as Jack Grady. [2] Classic artists heard on Timeless Favorites include The Carpenters, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barry Manilow, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Anne Murray, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, Carly Simon, The Bee Gees, Glen Campbell and Paul Simon. [3]
History
Satellite Music Network (later taken over by ABC) started the Stardust format in 1981 in the Chicago area, and Eddie Hubbard was one of its first DJs. [4] Past personalities include Jack Davis, Joe Lacina, Dave Rafferty, Patty Pratt, Larry Carolla[5], Ron Baxley and Bud Buschardt. For most of its history Stardust was an adult standards format, focusing on the big band era in its early years and evolving over the years to include more oldies and adult contemporary music. The format was called "Unforgettable Favorites" on the air for a while until ABC's Memories, another satellite format from the same company, began using the term. Stardust became "Timeless Classics" and continued to use the term until early in 2007. Among the artists who have recorded standards in recent years that were included in the format: Paul Anka, Michael Buble, Ray Charles, Manilow, Bette Midler, Ronnie Milsap, Ronstadt, Carly Simon, John Stevens, Rod Stewart, B. J. Thomas, Debby Boone, and Steve Tyrell. [6] In Summer 2006, with the end of the Memories format, Stardust changed to its current sound, adding a number of songs from that format.
References
- ^ http://www.abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=341457, Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
- ^ http://www.mix106.net/meetthetalent.html, Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
- ^ http://www.timelessmusiconline.com/songsweplay.asp, Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
- ^ http://www.wlezfm.com/index.php/site/Press/, Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
- ^ http://www.wlsp.am/gpage3.html, Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
- ^ http://www.timelessmusiconline.com/songsweplay.asp, Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
