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10 Questions with ... Cody Alan
March 25, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
CMT/Nashville by way of KPLX "The Wolf"/Dallas, KEGA/Salt Lake City, WWKA/Orlando and WCOS/Columbia SC.
1) Cody- hey first off congrats on the show! Seems like since the last time we talked that you have added a lot of stations, and the show continues to expand-you must be excited right?
Yes, we are absolutely thrilled over the expanding reach of the show that begins today. We're now in a lot of strong markets, on great stations across the country and are poised for more growth. Hats off to our team for working hard and proving that radio stations carrying our show benefit greatly from the strength of the CMT brand.
2) How has the show changed and evolved in the last year or so?
We've beefed up our promotions, focusing on exclusive CMT trips and giveaways. Plus, our guest list has gotten stronger, with big names only CMT can deliver. Recently we had Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler on the show live from the set of CMT CROSSROADS at the Super Bowl - nobody else can do stuff like that. We're also consistently highlighting the radio show on other CMT platforms, from on-air to CMT.com and social media. For example, I do a Country news update for TV that airs on CMT weekdays. We tape it in the radio studio and push viewers to catch me on radio, which creates great synergy between the channel and our affiliates. In the last year, we've also added Heather Lee as a correspondent and female voice on the show. She's bright, smart, funny and a great complement to our show.
3) Your show seems to have a personal touch to it, without being self serving. That's a fine-line isn't it?
Yeah, I suppose it starts by being real with the listener - making a connection and never taking them for granted. That's why I love to take phone calls live in the studio to demonstrate that I'm no robot on the radio sent to invade your listening experience. I always love the restaurant analogy- even if the entrée (the music and content) is great, the wait staff can screw up the delivery. I just try to make sure a listener has a great experience with the entrée.
4) How do you synergize between the show itself and social media?
To me, it's about interacting with your listeners the way they interact with each other. I love tweeting, and updating Facebook with my real-life moments and humor. I don't think of it as a plug-fest. Rather, social media allows us to share upcoming guests, plus country and entertainment stories that our fans who follow care about. Also, we know that many people are multi-tasking while listening to the radio at night, so we make a point to interact on social sites regularly, while on the air, to make another connection.
5) Which artist has been your favorite to interview recently and why?
I always enjoy Keith Urban, who should run his own media training school for artists- he's always sharp and funny. Bradley Cooper was on not long ago too, and was a great interview.
6) If you could have any guest that you wanted on your show, who would it be and why?
Because our show is live from the CMT studios, we get every Country music star, so I don't have a long list in that world. But from the Hollywood side, Ellen would be great, as I know she'd be funny. And of course, Oprah is welcome anytime!
7) What do you watch, listen to, read etc, to keep up with the latest news and gossip?
All the pop culture sites online, along with People, Men's Health, Country Weekly and, of course, Blake Shelton's tweets. My antennae are always up for any stories we discover on our own because Nashville is our home base.
8) Do you enjoy doing 'live' events? We happened to catch you hosting the Big Machine show at CRS.
Anytime I can banter uncomfortably on stage with Scott Borchetta, that's entertainment! I do enjoy hosting live events, and we take the radio show on the road regularly to meet listeners. Recently, Dierks Bentley played for our affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska to an arena full of 6,500 CMT listeners! What a rush it was to step onto that stage!
9) What do you do to un-wind on the weekends?
Honestly, it's a tough balance working nights and having kids, so weekends are devoted to family. Unwinding usually consists of some Mexican food and maybe a movie. I also work out and run, so I can eat the Mexican food!
10) Have you found any good Mexican food in Nashville? Where?
Chuy's and Cantina Laredo are two of my favorites.
Bonus Questions
1. What reality show would you love to be on?
Amazing Race or The Apprentice
2. Are you addicted to any particular TV show?
Modern Family
3. What are a couple of go-to junk foods?
Reese's and pork rinds - disgusting I know.
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