OT & Out-of market: Innovative format debuts on a commercial station!

Off-topic and out-of-market, I couldn’t help but note the innovative new format adopted by 101.7 KXBB Lake Havasu City AZ.  “Badass Blues” is a commercial 24/7 all-blues station, the likes of these we haven’t seen on an “indie” broadcaster for some time now.  Blues in general, tends to appeal to older demographics & is usually a genre found on campus/community FM’s as a specialty program.  In our region, John Kessler’s excellent “All Blues” can be enjoyed Saturday & Sunday evenings 6pm – midnight on 88.5 KNKX.  Sampling “Baddass Blues” via their stream today shows a deep library of cuts in addition to those more familiar to non blues purists.  I was also impressed by the number of local ads I heard. Station owner Sanford Cohen gives a passionate & personal explanation for the format flip on the website.  Congratulations to a broadcaster for taking a chance & breaking out of the mold of stale, tepid, cookie-cutter radio to try something different.  Innovation seems to be sorely lacking here in the metro Seattle market. Here’s hoping to the success of “Badass Blues 101”.