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10 Questions with ... Big D
July 14, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 104.7 KCLD/St Cloud, MN - Nights - APD - MD
- Z93 /La Crosse, WI - Mornings
- 101.3 KDWB /Minneapolis - Nights
- 93.1 The Party/Las Vegas, NV - Mornings - APD
1) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Yeah, for sure. I have been an APD in the past and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I came to Vegas. It's fun to be a part of all of the station's day-to-day functions. From programming to promotions you literally have the chance to get your hands on everything.
2) What are you doing social media-wise?
EVERYTHING I CAN! We're a brand new station and there are so many things you have to do to connect and make an impact. Social is one of them. I'm not big on just sharing stuff to get web hits. I try to interact, or even post random stuff about myself or my day. Also, people are hungry for validation, so retweets, favorites and follow-backs are a must for me.
3) What is your favorite part of the job?
For me, it's anything community or charity. It's the part of this career I take the most pride in. Think about it, someone is putting together a charity event that will make money and improve other people's lives and they want YOU, because of what you do for a living, to help them deliver the message. I'm sure that sounds sappy to some but it really has been something I have loved since day one.
4) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Toby Keith! I grew to like Country more over the past few years but I've always liked Toby Keith! Or the MTV boy band parody guys from 2Ge+her! It's not mine, it's my wife's!
5) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
101.3 KDWB! It was the absolute best station in the Twin Cities ... still is! I used to listen to JJ Kincaid, Michael London, Dave Ryan, Tone E Fly, Scotty Davis and others. Not many people can say they got to work at the station they grew up listening to.
6) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I know a lot of guys will lead with JJ Kincaid, but I honestly love the guy. I went from a listener of his, became his intern and now I can truly call him a great friend. I've also been lucky to work with a few of the most amazing programmers in radio, including one of the best Country PDs in the radio, JoJo Turnbeaugh; Rich Davis, who is now in Seattle; and Chris Pickett, who I was lucky enough to work with at my first on-air gig and now again here in Las Vegas.
7) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
A couple years ago I wasn't into Country but after being blessed by a few tracking gigs for Country radio, it really taught me about the music and the format. Now it could be anything from Brantley Gilbert to Big Sean!
8) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
Creation! You can take something that was just a random thought and with some sales support and brainstorming make it the biggest event in your market for the entire year. In a lot of jobs or careers there are limits to how far you can push. Radio is one of a few careers that whatever level you want an idea to get to, you can push it there.
9) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Always be a student! It's something I heard from a few different people along the way, and I really feel that it helped me a lot. No matter the market, station, format or shift, you will never know everything, so keep your mind open.
10) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?
It is really evolving. You're getting more are more talent that have experience in multiple formats making an impact. A guy like Chunky who had tons of success in Top 40 is now doing Country mornings and slaying it. More jocks being less glued to formats and willing to try new things is really keeping the talent pool DEEP!
Bonus Questions
For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
You would think being in Vegas I'd say the Strip or a show, but for me it's the mountains in the residential areas of Vegas. I'm from the Midwest, so to be out here and to walk through the mountains is one of the coolest things to me.
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