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10 Questions with ... Jordan
February 21, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 6/00-4/02 - WWHT (Hot 1079)/Syracuse: weekends/swing/morning show co-host
- 4/02-4/04 - WEZB (B-97)/New Orleans: nights
- 4/04-present - WKFS (Kiss 107)/Cincinnati: started as nights/MD; PD/PM drive; now PD/morning srive
1) Since we last spoke, you've added morning drive to your PD duties. How's that going?
You mean, how's it waking up at 4:30 every morning, right? Honestly, I'm still not used to the alarm! This change has really led me to be better prioritized though, almost on an hourly basis. I also feel more "tuned in" doing mornings; I feel like I'm not missing anything; we cover so much that it's almost impossible to not know what's going on in Cincinnati or the world each day. I knock out all on-air parts of my daily routine (along with tracking mornings on 96.1 The Beat/Colorado Springs and middays on Y100/Ft. Myers, FL), and focus completely on the programming of Kiss 107 afterwards. It actually works out nicely!
2) You've also switched up afternoons and nights!
We have! Kiss 107 has taken on a complete facelift in the last 12 months, and hasn't lost its footing in the market! We've welcomed Joey in as the morning show co-host, helping to balance the duties on the show. Then, Jare-E. J. as MD/PM drive (from CC/Eau Claire, WI), and most recently we welcomed back the Kane Show to nights, making his return to Cincy after close to 10 years! When you spend your time thinking about and working on how your station should sound and it turns out this way, you can't help but be excited with the end result!
3) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I worked at Hot 1079 in Syracuse, and it was an amazing experience. I learned how to have fun as a team. I learned what it was like to win ... and lose. I learned how to ask questions and not be afraid that I didn't know the answer. I learned the 4a hour Sunday mornings was the most difficult to stay awake through. I learned what it was like to have the respect of those around me (Jason Kidd, Matt Johnson, Chris Mann, Dakota Curry, etc.) who encouraged me to grow and mature as a talent. I learned what loving radio was all about (oh, and who Greg Thunder was).
4) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I love to cook. Maybe it's my Italian heritage, but there's nothing more relaxing than preparing a pot of sauce, homemade meatballs, rolling out homemade pasta and taking it all in at the dinner table with friends. Pairing food with wine, trying my hand at different dishes, it helps me to decompress from a day at the radio station. It's also nice that one of my best friends owns some of the best restaurants in Cincinnati! (http://www.boca-restaurant.com if you're ever in the Cincinnati area!
5) You lean Rhythmic, but you seem to have a knack for finding the right mainstream stuff that'll work with your audience. What criteria do you look for in a Rock-leaning or Country-crossover hit that you may step out early on?
Knowing the sound of your station is crucial when stepping out early on a record you normally wouldn't. It's a matter of timing with me. Is there space on the station for that particular record? Is the record gaining steam with little exposure? Is there a sales story in the market? What are our local Twitter/Facebook followers requesting? Do I even like the record? Chances are, if it wows me, there's a pretty good chance it'll wow others; why hold back on a record like that?
6) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I love NASCAR racing, been a fan since I was 12 years old. #redneckweekend
7) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
We held our Cincy's Cutest Couples contest, where listeners competed for a pair of iPad 2s and a gift card to a local jeweler. On the surface, it seems like a simple photo contest on kiss107.com, but it turned out to be so much more than that. With the help of our Digital PD Dan Gialluca, we guided our contestants on a step-by-step plan to market themselves to their friends and family via social media. Instead of directing listeners who had no interest in the contest to begin with to vote on pictures, we super-served our contestants already involved in the promotion to promote themselves, and it works! Three million+ views, and over 120,000 uniques for the month! A big win for the entire Kiss 107 team!
8) What led you to a career in radio?
Playing guitar, actually. I thought I'd have an "in" on getting my own music played on the radio, or in the hands of those who get music played on the radio.
9) What is the most challenging part of the job?
Having to wait until tomorrow to finish what I wanted to do today ... never enough time in the day.
10) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPhone?
Billy Joel? Simon and Garfunkel? Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons? Huey Lewis and the News? I could go on for days!
Bonus Questions
For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
A Skyline 3-way. Then, they'd have to eat it.
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