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10 Questions with ... Dro 'El Jefe' Silva
May 13, 2008
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TITLE:Program Director/Talk Show HostSHOWS:"Next!" (WWBA)/"The Hideout With El Jefe and J-Dubs" (WJFK/Washington)COMPANY:Genesis CommunicationsMARKET:Tampa BayBORN:Lubbock, TXRAISED:Dallas, TX
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Just the highlights: 2000-2002: Air Personality at WJXQ (Active Rock) & WWDX (Alt. Rock) Lansing, MI; 2002-2005 & 2007-Present (Weekends): Talk Show Host/Producer at WJFK (FM Talk) Washington, DC; 2005-2006: Talk Show Host WTKS (FM Talk) Orlando, FL. Currently, in addition to doing weekends on WJFK via ISDN from Tampa, I'm the Program Director for Genesis Communications, Inc. - Tampa Bay (News/Talk AM 1040 WWBA & ESPN 1470)
1. How did you get your start in radio? Why radio?
At the age of 19 during a summer break from Texas Tech, I volunteered at a jazz station in the barrio in El Paso, TX. I didn't know a single artist, but I didn't care because I was on the air. Luckily, they had a teen oriented talk show and I was able to join the cast.
Talk radio has always been my passion - starting my sophomore year in high school and hearing Howard Stern in Dallas on 97.1 The Eagle. I was of course drawn in by what makes Howard, Howard. But what I learned most is how powerfully personal the medium is for the listener. When doing my show(s), I always try to keep in mind what it means to be the average person needing the radio to get through work, a commute or even life.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
The two Genesis stations are my top passions right now. It's an exciting time at both stations so getting - and keeping - everything rolling consumes me. Then I do the show ("NEXT!") on WWBA so that is incredibly important. Plus, focusing on "The Hideout" for WJFK takes up my Saturdays. Non-radio related, I just got a puppy. Not the best time for it considering how busy I am, but our walks are great "decompression" time. Finally, despite constantly disappointing me, I'm still passionate about my Dallas Mavericks.
3. You've been doing "The Hideout" for several years, but your new gig is on an AM station for an AM audience. Have you had to adjust your style and mindset for the new gig? How's it been going so far? And what have you learned so far about being the boss?
The change in mindset already happened when we (J-Dubs & I) ditched "The Hideout" to do "NEXT!" on then 92.3 Free FM in NYC. We had some enlightening conversations with programming guru John Mainelli that helped us refocus what we did as hosts. "NEXT!" on WWBA is humming along, but anytime you replace one show (in our case the 1st hour of Neal Boortz) with another (NEXT!), hardcore listeners of the original show will be upset.
Organization is the key to everything when you are the boss! CK (WJFK's Chris Kinard) has shared some tips on managing one's time. Also, dealing with and coaching personalities has been a pleasurable challenge.
4. "The Hideout" typifies an FM talk-for-guys show, but occasionally would veer into politics. "Next!" deals with what's in the news. You've been able to shift gears between the genres, but do you see yourself settling into one type of talk for the rest of your career? In ten or fifteen years, what kind of talk radio do you want or expect to be doing?
I love being able to do both and hope to do each type of show for the rest of my career. There's a nerdy side to me that loves politics and local issues so "NEXT!" fills that need. "The Hideout" is therapeutic because it is a lot more intimate, while infinitely more topical than it was before. If I'm still talking to the masses (via radio or any other platform) in 10 years, I'll be happy regardless of the type of show. Although, getting paid to do an uncensored show is a goal I still have.
5. You've been active in using the Net in conjunction with your shows, podcasting, doing "post-show podcasts," and having message boards for your fans to form a community. What advice would you give other stations and shows about using online elements for marketing and to reach more listeners?
Content has to be consistently updated. Be it via blogs, videos or even forums. However, just cutting and pasting modules is not quality content. It also cannot be half done. It all starts with the air talent. Personality driven shows and jocks utilizing their sites to compliment their shows usually have the most hits and get the most out of viral marketing.
6. You're a solo host on WWBA, with J-Dubs working behind the scenes. What are the pros and cons of doing "Next!" without a partner? (And while we're on the topic of J-Dubs, what's the best and worst thing about working with him?)
Pro - When solo in the studio, it reminds you that you are speaking one-on-one to the listener and allows you to better cater to them.
Con - Solo hosts have a tendency to become "blowhards." It's nice to have someone in-studio to keep you (and your ego) in check.
Dubs' pro - He's one of the funniest guys on radio. The kid always has quality jokes and takes.
Dubs' con - His oversized tongue and lack of diction.
7. Of what are you most proud?
Hosting a daily FM Talk Show (The Hideout) in a top 10 market (Washington, DC) in my mid-20s is probably what I am most proud of so far. It was a dream of mine to do that kind of show and the fact that I got to do it so early in my career is something that can never be taken from me. Becoming the PD of a News/Talk and a Sports station in a top 20 market at the age of 30 is a close second.
8. What do you do for fun?
Quality time with my loved ones - girlfriend, puppy & cats - and cleaning out the DVR.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ______________.
...my morning workout and caffeine.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best: "Don't take any day on the air for granted." - Don Geronimo
Worst: "Don't bad mouth the music." - Chili Walker
Bonus Questions
Bonus question: You have multiple names on the air and off. Do you ever experience an identity crisis? Do your friends and family know what to call you? When you order at Starbucks, what do they write on the cup to call you when your order's ready?
Yes! Dubs probably has it the worst. When he met me I was Alex Cruz. Then I became El Jefe, which I still use on FM. Now I am Dro Silva on AM. He'll rotate between Jefe & Dro.
My actual name is Alejandro so family still calls me Alex. Radio buddies tend to call me Jefe. At Starbucks, I use Dro. Radio names are stupid. LOL.
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