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10 Questions with ... JJ Ryan
May 7, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Social media is the new request line and where our listeners are spending a large amount of their time each day. We wouldn't ignore a listener walking by our setup at an outdoor event so why should we ignore them on social media? With my staff, we constantly review how we're taking advantage of social media to build their personal brand and bring new listeners into the station fold. It's fun, free, and a great way to strengthen the bond with our listeners!
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started in radio when I was 14 years while attending middle school at WRVO/Oswego, NY. That led me to an on-air position a few months later at WNYO on the SUNY Oswego campus. I also simultaneously spent some time at WZZZ-A/Fulton, NY hosting a weekly Top 40 show. At 17 I joined Clear Channel/Syracuse where I did weekends on WBBS (B104.7) and WWHT (Hot 1079). I also joined Entercom's WBEE/Rochester, NY where I did imaging and fill in work at the same time. In 2003 I moved to Fayetteville, AR as APD/MD/nights for Cumulus KMCK (Power 105.7). I was promoted to PD in 2007 and then added OM duties for both the Fayetteville, AR and Ft. Smith, AR Cumulus clusters in 2011. In 2012 I moved to Tulsa, OK as the first PD of iHeartMedia KTGX (106.1 The Twister) and eventually KTBT (92.1 The Beat) as well. In 2014 I transferred to Sacramento, CA as the PD for KBEB (B92.5) and KHYL (V101.1). In 2017 I transferred to Oklahoma City, OK as the PD for KJYO (KJ103) and KXXY (96.1 KXY) where I'm at now.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
It was in my hometown of Oswego, NY, for a local college radio station WNYO while I was attending middle school after doing a brief internship at the local NPR affiliate WRVO on the SUNY Oswego campus. I remember doing a shift from 6a until 10 a on Sunday and thinking I hit the jackpot. It was only a small 100-watt station and I actually had to turn the transmitter on before my shift every week, but I had an absolute blast. I also filled in doing any shifts I could and when the school was on break I went in and did 10-12-hour shifts whenever I could because the station would go 'dark' during those breaks. The fact they trusted me enough to operate the station on my own when no one was around was pretty amazing. I'll never forget that. I did get in big trouble for playing Britney Spears "Baby One More Time" because I wasn't supposed to play any 'Mainstream Top 40' though.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I was 12 years old. My father happened to know Bob Gesner, the owner of WGES/Minetto-Oswego (then Star 105.5). Mr. Gesner invited me to the radio station to sit in and watch their morning show. I walked in with a box of Dunkin Donuts (because even then I knew jocks loved free food), and they immediately put me on the air with them. I was so nervous but had so much fun. I left there obsessed with radio and wanting to be just like them I then discovered a local school teacher named Ed Fayette who hosted a show called 'Saturday Night Dance Track' every week that I loved.
From there, my focus turned to the bigger Syracuse stations. WNTQ (93Q) was the heritage Top 40 and a new Top 40 had just launched WWHT (Hot 1079). It was the first "radio war" I had ever heard and/or experienced. Hot 1079 was attacking 93Q, and I didn't know what to think. As a kid in middle school, I thought it was the greatest thing I'd ever heard. Everything from the music, the imaging, and the personalities fascinated me.
I ended up landing a part-time on-air position at WBBS (B104.7) and WWHT (Hot 1079) while in high school. It was like a dream come true, and I still do occasional fill-in work on Hot 1079. I get just as excited now as I did when I was 17 being on that station.
3) You folks continually have to deal with some rough, potentially deadly weather. How do you keep the staff prepared? And how do you make sure that your listeners know that they can come to you for reliable information?
Between our various live on-air talent in the building and our local TV partner (KFOR 4), we have the ability to go wall-to-wall with severe coverage at any time to keep our audience informed. KFOR promotes that their severe weather coverage is also heard on our stations if viewers are not at home to watch it on TV. We also have a detailed severe weather plan that we follow when major disasters hit the market that require coverage after the storm and/or disaster happens. Each member of our programming department has a role assigned to them and everyone chips in to make sure our radio stations are slathered in wall-to-wall coverage so we can keep our listening audience informed.
4) In addition to programming KJ, you also program Country sister KXXY. How do you balance all of it?
I've been juggling at least two stations for the past 10 or so years. Initially, it was really difficult, but I learned to multi-task. I have a daily outline of what I need for each station, and try to follow that as best I can. Somedays one station requires more attention than the other. Anything that gets pushed to the side, I wrap up at home later so I don't walk into the office behind the next morning.
I have an incredible staff. Bill Reed is not only my morning show on 96.1 KXY, but my right-hand man. Frito, MD on KJ103, is also an incredible help.
5) You also do afternoons on KJ. Is the air studio sort of an 'oasis' for you?
Of course! I love programming, but going into the studio and doing my show is always a reminder of why I got into this business in the first place. Nothing replaces the excitement I get talking to listeners and playing the music.
6) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
Stevie Wonder. I'm a massive fan of his and I'm pretty sure that would be the one interview that I would be nervous doing and definitely have a 'fanboy' moment with. If you're looking for an artist that I play on the radio currently, then I would say BTS. I had the opportunity to interview them in 2017 before they started to blow up in the U.S. and it's still one of my favorite interviews from the past couple years. I have so many more questions that I want to ask them and they're so much fun to chat with.
7) How important is the world of social media for you and the staff?
Very important. Social media is the new request line and where our listeners are spending a large amount of their time each day. We wouldn't ignore a listener walking by our setup at an outdoor event so why should we ignore them on social media? With my staff, we constantly review how we're taking advantage of social media to build their personal brand and bring new listeners into the station fold. It's fun, free, and a great way to strengthen the bond with our listeners!
8) "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
KJ103 has a lot of live remotes. That puts us in the community a lot, but we still look for community events where we can make an impact. Sometimes it's sending an on-air personality to judge a Chili Cook-Off. Other times it's emcee'ing a run/walk with thousands of people. It all matters. We do our best to find one to two events per month that give us that community involvement.
Our morning stars, TJ, Janet, and Jrod, have been doing the 'KJ103 Community Crew' since well before I arrived. They'll volunteer with an organization or fundraiser and invite listeners to join them. They just did one recently with Habitat for Humanity. They helped build a home alongside KJ103 listeners.
We do 'Thank You Thursday' on 96.1 KXY to recognize local first responders, which sounds incredible on the air. We recognize a different department each week on the air and have lunch catered, too. Our on-air personalities go there and get pictures with everyone that we post to social media. The first responder community is a very tight community. They deserve to be recognized. They get excited about it and share it on their accounts. It's a huge win/win for everyone involved.
9) What was your favorite radio station growing up? Favorite jock(s)?
This is tough! WNTQ (93Q) was my first love. After WWHT (Hot1079) launched, though, it immediately became my favorite because of their presentation and vibe. I remember listening to Java Joel Murphy and Kane, idolizing both of them. Kane would let me call him on the request line and talk to him for what seemed like forever each night. He never once seemed annoyed or bothered. One summer he invited me to shadow him at the 'New York State Fair' during his live show broadcast. It was an experience I will never forget. His encouragement to pursue my dream is what led me to where I am today.
Billy the Kidd on KHKS (106.1 KISS FM)/Dallas has been one of my favorites forever. He's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, and the guy is a rock star. I still listen to his afternoon show every once in a while to get pumped up for my own show.
Erik Z on WKSC (103.5 KISS FM)/Chicago is one of my favorite up-and-comers. He's a natural on the air, always thinks outside the box, and is constantly coming up with new video and/or social content whether he's on the air or off the air. It's no wonder he landed a gig with MTV. I wish I had 10% of the talent he possesses.
Elizabethany on WIHT (Hot 99.5) in DC is not only hilarious but very real. I honestly never know what she's going to say next whenever I stream the station, and that's my favorite part about her. She'll make you laugh so hard that you cry but can also make you actually cry, too, when she talks about something serious.
Lastly, I still watch artist interviews with JoJo Wright from KIIS (102.7 KIIS FM) and am mesmerized each time. No one makes an artist seem more comfortable than JoJo. He does an incredible job prepping for an interview. The interviews are entertaining, natural and really compelling. He was also one of the first shows I ever streamed on the Internet (man, I'm old) when I was in middle school. Hearing him now still brings back those memories. I listened to him every night and still do whenever I can. I'm still trying to figure out how he stopped aging, though.
10) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Rick 'RJ' Jordan was the first programmer to give me a shot at a big station. I was 17 and doing weekends for him on WBBS (B104.7). RJ and his APD, Skip Clark, were both instrumental in helping me grow and learn as much as I could. RJ and Skip then introduced me to Erin Bristol, who was the PD of WWHT (Hot 1079); she offered me a weekend position there. These positions allowed me to do swing work for Chris Keyzer at WBEE (92.5) in Rochester, NY, who is still a mentor of mine to this day.
Brad Newman who hired me as the MD and night host on KMCK (Power 105.7)/Fayetteville, AR gave me my first full-time opportunity.
Don Cristi, SVPP of iHeartMedia/Tulsa, really helped me grow a lot in a short amount of time. I would say was my biggest influence. In less than two years with him, I learned a lot about programming and managing people. If I can become a quarter the manager he is, I will feel like I succeeded. DC is a special kind of person. Also, he's not my boss anymore, so this isn't me sucking up right now...
Lastly, iHeartMedia EVPP Tony Coles has been incredibly instrumental and supportive since we started working together in Tulsa. His support over the years truly helped make my dreams in this industry come true. He also loves pizza, and how can you not be a fan of someone who loves pizza?
Bonus Questions
If someone was visiting OKC for the first time, what you make sure that they saw and or experienced?
Food or drinks? Head to Bricktown. It's packed each weekend and has a great bar scene.
Something fun? I'm an amusement park enthusiast so I have to say Frontier City to ride the rollercoasters and other rides.
Like weather? Come up to our KJ103 studio on the 11th floor studio during a Tornado Warning and watch the storm move across the skyline while our building sways because of the strong winds. Bring a change of underwear with you, though. It's pretty incredible.
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