The soft hits radio format dubbed "Magic" took a powder on Philly radio in 1994, as its local champion (and virtual namesake) WMGK shifted focus, moved into classic rock territory. But today the "Magic" returned to internet radio, the latest in a string of orphaned specialty formats (from Sinatra-style "Martini Lounge" music to alt rock "Y-Not Radio") adopted by local web channel packager iRadioPhilly.com.
Yes, James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend," Hall and Oates' "She's Gone," and Lionel Richie's "Feelings" are prominent in the reborn "Magic" mix. But so, too, are easy listening, contemporary ballads from the likes of Marc Anthony and Adele, said Mike Bowe, an iRadioPhilly air personality who was also a DJ during the format's peak period of popularity in the 1980s. "It's soft rock for today. Nobody plays this stuff. The consultants think everybody wants up-tempo. They'll tell you it's too down. It's definitely unique from other stations."
Just in the nick of time, Mr. Taylor is dishing his first new album of mellow, folkpop music in 13 years next Tuesday, "Before This World." A free preview is available here.
And speaking of the current WMGK, today marked the opening of the station's annual fund-raising drive benefitting veterans and their families. Front row tickets, autographed items and "money can't buy experiences" with artists like The Who, Eagles, Van Halen, Styx, Foreigner, Doobie Brothers and George Thorogood are newly available for auction bidding at wmgk.com. The annual John DeBella Veterans Radiothon caps the effort on June 19, as the morning man broadcasts all day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on 102.9 FM from outside the National Constitution Center.
Last year, WMGK raised more than $147,000 for the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Philadelphia which provides services, programs, opportunity and advancement to local veterans and their families.