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10 Questions with ... Paul Orr
August 13, 2007
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NAME:Paul OrrTITLE:Program DirectorSTATION:KRMDMARKET:Shreveport, LACOMPANY:CumulusBORN:El Dorado, AR - within the KRMD coverage mapRAISED:In the Radio Business
Please outline your radio career so far:
I started out a CHR night-jock in Texas and got into Country in Dallas at KSCS. After that, I got into Country programming in Oklahoma City at KTST and from there programmed market-leading country stations in Fort Myers at WWGR, WCKT and WQNU, in Greenville at WSSL and Baton Rouge at WYNK. After WYNK I tried a few things before going to work for Cumulus in Dallas at The Wolf and now programming KRMD.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first real job was helping my Dad, Jerome Orr, at KELD/El Dorado, AR. Working for Dad and Mom at their station, KCAS/Lubbock was my first paying gig. Early influences would be Kidd Kraddick and Jimmy Steele on KEGL/Dallas, Rob Roberts at KRLB/Lubbock and Chuck Luck and Jay Shannon at Z-102. Also, Driscoll's Imaging and The Jammer on Y-95 Dallas, Jack and Kidd on Z-100. Then in Country, Rusty Walker, Phil Hunt, Charlie Cook, Jay Phillips and Les Acree.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"? My family was driving through Dallas when I was around 9 or 10. I was a fan of the legendary KEGL. The spots ended at :55 and with a produced imaging, they kicked off a :40 Minute Eagle Free Flight into Donny Iris's "Love is Like a Rock". I decided that I wanted to "do that" for a living.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely, and I'd bring friends - just like this time.
4) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
Singing and Songwriting (still working that on the side, too)
5) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
For once, it's not a three-way Country Battle like in Oklahoma City, Fort Myers, Greenville, SC, Baton Rouge and Dallas. The resources and freedom provided by Cumulus are unparalleled. KRMD has terrific heritage and we broadcast from beautiful studio on the Louisiana Boardwalk. I walk down the halls and see pictures of one of my mentors, Les Acree and I feel honored to be here.
6) If you are wearing more hats this year than last, what area is suffering and how are you handling that?
I was wearing a completely different hat, programming AC, last year. I have a truly great APD and MD in James Anthony. He's been here (he'll get mad at me if I tell you how long but it's been a whiiiiile). James knows the ins and outs of this operation. I'm truly blessed to have him as a partner in producing KRMD.
7) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Well, I'm eager to stream. I've noticed we don't have radios at our desks anymore, and since I want to win with at-work listening, I'd like to deliver our product via a platform that can be heard on a computer. Today, terrestrial radio has the advantage. Satellite costs. The average listener can't hear Internet radio in the car. I was at a hunting show in Shreveport over the weekend and I met a lot of Country P1's that do not own a computer.
8) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now? S
Succeeding! It's a great time, the best time ever for radio! Just as local TV stations continue to grow and profit next to expanding cable options - local radio stations will grow and profit.
9) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
The web site is the video to our audio. Everyone on the staff should always have a digital camera within arms reach and be asking themselves, "should this be on the web site"? I think we still don't comprehend how important the web site is, and how much content we will eventually place there.
10) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Scott Innes at WYNK in Baton Rouge connects with the audience like nobody else.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite artist you have met?
I never met Garth but I feel like I have from the many accounts I've heard, from people who have. Everyone I've ever talked to who met him was blown away with his kindness. He knows how to do it.
2. What singer/performer/artist really inspires you and why?
We just had Martina McBride here. Her show was more than entertaining - it was really spiritual for me.
3. You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
My GM is Phil Robken and my boss in Atlanta is Charlie Cook. I am crazy about both of them - really. Seriously! I would want to know if I could wrap my new truck with the KRMD logo. You couldn't buy this job from me for a couple of mil.
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