Could a part of the problem be that so very few control music now? Clear Channel, Entercom, Cumulus, etc. control how many stations/reporters?
The songs are picked/selected in distant cities.
I was reading, but of course can't find it (http://www.laradio.com/) where some radio guy lamented that the same garbage was in LA, Seattle and Des Moines. No creativity, same liners. Nothing was different. That is sad! The local pd/md is, I guess, a brand manager and there's no other input other than "yes."