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10 Questions with ... Dave Weaver
November 15, 2005
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NAME:Dave WeaverTITLE:Program DirectorSTATIONS:KXAZ-FM (AC)- KPGE-AM (news and Country)MARKET:Page, AZCOMPANY:Lake Powell CommunicationsBORN:Yonkers, NY (Still lost), 1964RAISED:Raised in New York, spent the last 25 years in Richmond, VA
Please outline your radio career so far:
Mix 103.7 (AC) and the CoxRadio group, Richmond from 2000-2005
WVGO 106.5 (AAA), Richmond 1992-1997
XL102 (Classic Rock), Richmond 1987-19921) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was a board op/part timer for XL102. We had a 12 share at one point and number 1 in the market. One of my biggest influences was Bob Neumann now in West Palm beach. Bob was an old school PD that took as good care of the part timers as he did full timers. They just don't grow them like him anymore
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
When the GM Claire Schaffner at XL told me that I should consider a career in accounting instead of being on-air. I was bound and determined to prove her wrong. I don't have the best pipes in the world, but I learned how to use personality to replace a deep voice. I guess I owe her some thanks
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Page is the most beautiful city I've ever visited. Right near the Grand Canyon and Gorgeous Lake Powell. It's like waking up to a postcard everyday.
4) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
I have been so lucky to work with so many talented individuals over my career. Dick Hungate, Steve Forrest, Jon Barry
5) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
I was in Phoenix and loved The Peak. They use John O'Hurley in their imaging and they play quite a variety without compromising their format.
6) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
By far a Web Geek. Small market radio makes you learn thing you don't have time for.
7) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
Right now, I have the Bangles CD in my car, also have icehouse (the band, not the beer), the outfield and a few 80's compilations (everything from rem to echo and the bunnymen to the smiths and the cure). I love 80's music cause that's the era I grew up in and the era I played clubs in
8) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
What goes around comes around. Despite not having the "big voice" I've survived by being dependable, honest and hard working. Most everyone I've ever met would rather work with a good person that a super voice
9) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
A Christmas parade in the early 90's. I was driving the van down Broad Street and we were tossing out CD's to the crowd. A kid got hit in the head with a CD. That's not the worst part the CD "Little Bastard" by the Ass Ponies. I got a good earful that Monday.
10) Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story? (The names can be changed to protect the innocent).
The best advice I've ever gotten came from my last PD Tim Baldwin. Tim is a dream PD that loves his staff and treats them like gold. I was lamenting leaving and told Tim that it would be hard to find a PD as great as him. His advice to me was to go out and be that kind of PD somewhere else. What great advice!
Bonus Questions
How do you interact with your sales staff?
I try to encourage selling the station positively and not apologize to the clients for charging them. Clients will sniff out a weak salesperson and try to get them to compromise the on-air product. Having the sales force believe in the product makes it much easier for them to sell.
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