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10 Questions with ... Jason Reed
May 24, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
1999 – 2002 – Mid-Day / APD - WHAJ - Adventure Radio – Bluefield, WV
2002 - 2007 – WAEZ / Afternoon Drive
2007 - 2018 – WAEZ / Corporate Program Director – CHR
2018 – Present – Operations Manager / Bristol Broadcasting Company (Tri-Cities)
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Boot camp! It was the best possible scenario for a first gig in radio. I got to do everything from run Casey Kasem and high school sports to setup remotes and dress up as the Kickin' Chickin and walk down Main Street as a stunt boy. Best promotion? Being a 16 year old kid doing Pool Patrol's with the “Hawaiian Tropic Girls.” We did all the stuff a major market would do but we had to do it cost effectively and with few people. We made it happen though and the people I got started with are still some of my best friends today.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Like a lot of fellow industry professionals I fell in love with radio as a kid. I would stalk the local jocks at remotes, try to win contests, bug the overnight guy. Sometimes you just know what you want to be when you “grow up.” It was an easy call for me.
3. You’re in the midst of an incredible run for Bristol Broadcasting, with close to 20 years in the books. Can you spotlight a handful of highlights from that part of your career?
I can't say enough about Bristol Broadcasting Company. We're a family. The respect and value our owner Lisa Bouldin places on people is truly incredible. I've had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from great programmers and air talent during the last 20 years. Also the support to execute events like Electric 94.9's Acoustic Christmas, launching stations like 99.3 The X and so many other community engagement promotions have definitely been highlights.
4. How did navigating the pandemic make you a better programmer?
We quickly learned what listeners truly value and that's information that helps them better live their lives. During that time it was anything from a heads up that the local grocery store changed its hours or where to get COVID tests. Coming out of the pandemic we've held true to the best practices established during that time. We deliver more content focused on the local lifestyle. What’s happening this weekend, where can you take the kids to do something fun, etc.
5. You still crack the mic every afternoon. What do you still love about being on the air?
This helps me stay engaged with the overall sound of the station from the personality perspective. Does the format execute well? Am I giving our talent the right tools to do their job? It makes it harder to miss those details that I may not experience if I were totally off air. Also hitting the post on a winner call is still the best feeling EVER!
6. Who would be a ‘dream guest’ to have plug in across from you on your show?
Real Talk: I am terrible at artist interviews. I have absolutely no idea.
7. With all of the technology and information at our disposal these days, is it easier or harder to find the real hits in 2022?
I think the bigger question is: What is a real hit in 2022? Is it something that makes it to #1 on the chart? Is it the highest streaming record in your market? Is it callout? TikTok trends?? I think all the data helps and ultimately you make the call, but getting a true consensus across demos is harder than ever. We're in a weak cycle and the pandemic has lengthened that. We need records at Pop that kids love and their Mom's love too. Can someone make this happen please?
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Passion and honesty can't be faked (for long).
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
I grew up listening to my hometown station which was J104 (WHAJ) in Bluefield, WV. I was glued to it. My favorite station outside of my hometown was KIIS-F in Los Angeles. I loved to stream Sean Valentine and JoJo Wright back in the early 2000's. Those guys had fun in the studio every day and really pulled you in with all the interaction. I stole a lot of ideas from those guys back in the day for sure.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
We have a company of great programmers who I lean on all the time like Mark Summer in Paducah, KY, Wade Hill and Jeff Whitehead in Charleston, WV and then Jay Patrix, Nikki Thomas and Bill Hagy here in the Tri-Cities. Outside of Bristol Broadcasting guys like Tommy Chuck and Michael McCoy at WNCI have always been willing to give feedback, answer questions or talk shop. I've always appreciate that.
Bonus Questions
With the venue of choice at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a station show?
Hmmm... Right now it would be Harry Styles, Adele, Jack Harlow, Kane Brown and Justin Bieber. BOOM!
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