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10 Questions with ... Johnny Maze
October 3, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- KHLR (103.9 The X)/College Station, TX 1995-97
- KTBZ (94.5 The Buzz)/Houston 1997-2000
- KCCQ (105.1 Channel Q)/Des Moines, IA 2001
- KSYR (92. The Buzz)/Shreveport, LA 2002
- KRXE (X105.9)/Lafayette, LA 2002-2004
- WRXW (Rock 93.9)/Jackson, MS 2004-2007
- WXZZ (Z Rock 103)/Lexington, KY 2007-2011
- KICT (T95) KFXJ (104.5 The Fox)/Wichita, KS Sept 2011- March 2016
- WZBH (93.5 The Beach WGBG (Big 98.5)/ Salisbury-Ocean City, MD April 2016-August 2017
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Hitting the gym, seeing matinee movies on the cheap, playing Texas Hold Em poker, taking longer walks with my dog SJ throughout the day and taking road trips to see family, friends, pro baseball games in Philly, D.C. and Baltimore and also going to concerts in those cities.
2) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Absolutely. I've been a part of the radio business since being in high school and see a resurgence of the industry on the horizon. So, definitely, would like to continue being a part of the programming teams at stations.
3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This happens to be my longest stretch of being on the beach looking for an opportunity. Staying positive that I find the right gig soon.
4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
You learn real quick who has your back when you are not employed. I continue to get weekly calls, emails, and texts from industry people (thank you, you know who you are) who care about my well-being and keeping me informed about any opportunities they hear about. I am also online every day here on All Access, Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as over a half-dozen of the bigger radio companies checking their job openings page to see if any opportunities pop up.
5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I've been programming Rock stations for the last 15 years. I would like to continue being a part of the programming team, whether as PD, APD, or MD and stay involved in either Active, Mainstream or Classic Rock.
6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
It's funny. When I was in the hiring process before being let go, I was always super busy and wasn't able to respond to everyone who was interested in the position. Now being on the other side trying to find a job, it's hard not getting responses from many of the people that I have sent e-mails to. I try to put myself in their shoes and know that they have a bunch on their plates and not let it get to me. But I will say, when I am back in and in a position to hire, I will think twice and make a better effort to respond to everyone.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
Interestingly, what I've enjoyed during my time away from normally listening to the station that I always worked for, I've streamed many Rock stations all over the country to hear what they are doing. Everything from finding out who they use as their voiceover talent, to the imaging writing and assembly and their promotions. While listening to the stations, I browse their websites.
8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
It's hard to choose just one. Working at my hometown station KTBZ in Houston was a career highlight for sure. My last and most recent ratings at WZBH, we achieved the best ratings the station has ever had. (#2 12+ overall, #1 Adults 25-54 and #1 Men in every male demo). It was validation for the hard work put in by my staff and me.
9) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
I miss the conception of putting the product on the air. From brainstorming promotional ideas, choosing the music to play, writing imaging, talent coaching, utilizing the social media assets, working with the record industry, local promotors and businesses and non-profit organizations to create a solid product.
I don't miss anything really least. When you enjoy what you do and you're wired like that, you don't think of it as work and you don't mind working long days, many nights and many weekends.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
Being a part of the radio industry is what I've always wanted to do. So in five years, in 10 years, for the remainder of my professional career, I want to still be involved in some way. Whether its programming a station or maybe even crossing over to the record side, I will always want to be involved.
Bonus Questions
Your favorite new diversion is ...
I find myself staying up later now than I normally did. I still wake up early to get a jump on each day looking at the websites for opportunities. With that said, I find myself taking midday naps now, and I don't feel guilty about it. Ha ha.
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