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10 Questions with ... JJ Holiday
May 16, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started by spinning POLKA records while still in college – I've done Overnights, Nights, PM Drive, Middays, PD, OM and our Morning show has been syndicated for a decade. Outside of sales, I've kinda had a cup of coffee in all the leagues. Been at KCLD now for over 17 years…this is home.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I know it sounds like a joke, but I was spinning POLKA records in between reading obits and airing church services on KCHK in the heaving metropolis of New Prague, MN. Best damn Sunday morning host evah.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I went to college to play baseball and ended up headed for Law School as a history major. When baseball didn't pan out and being a lawyer sounded like a drag, I figured I'd try to get a gig somewhere around baseball since I knew it well. Thought sports broadcasting would be fun and that's how radio became an option.
3. You're 17 years into your run at KCLD. What do you love the most about working and living in the central region of Minnesota?
I really love raising my family here. Good and kind people. I feel blessed that my kids and wife are all as happy here as I am. Even my 2 kids in college are just down the road 5 miles at school.
4. How does your morning show with Kat and 'The Playhouse' jump start the rest of the station's broadcast day?
With FUN. That's the calling card of the station. If it's not FUN, it's not getting high billing. That is the filter we try to run everything through…yeah, it's gotta generate money, but that doesn't mean it can't be FUN. And…fun is not always technically sounding or right according to the "rules of radio." We like to color outside the lines a lot.
5. Who would be a dream guest to have come to the studio and plug in across from you folks?
Someone like Larry David would be amazing. We really like to generate ideas from other experiences and I have a feeling he would be outstanding to interact with. If he's not around…SNOOP.
6. How do we become more attractive to the potential Gen Z and Generation Alpha audiences?
I do not believe you can fake it. I have a 15-year old and he knows how lame I am…BUT…he and his friends hear content that is universal to their lives as well as their parents' lives. FUN content is FUN to everyone… I hope.
7. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
I once cored out a blunt for Snoop after a show in Minneapolis. With Minnesota about to make the Mary Jane legal this summer, I'm gonna get a lot of mileage out of the story soon.
8. If you could take a spin in the custom All Access Back To The Future Delorean, which legendary station from the past would you like to work at for a week?
Who wouldn't want to do nights on Z100 in NYC during the 90's? That would be trip.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
KDWB and KQRS in Minneapolis got a lot of my quarter-hours growing up. I've been fortunate enough to actually hire some of those legends to help at KCLD over the years, like Tony Fly and Zannie K.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I had a stint in Duluth, MN where a great guy named Tom Bishop really took me in and let me grow and learn. He was fun and really cared about his team. He trusted my talent and passion and really gave me a chance to grow. I'll always be grateful for that – he's the reason I've had success. The OM that hired me at Leighton, Matt Senne, was also a guy who let me carve out my path and gave me plenty of rope. I'm a big fan of not over-managing and I'm sure I've learned that from Tom and Matt.
Bonus Questions
With the venue of your choice available and an unlimited budget, which 6 artists would you pull together for a summer station blast?
I'm thinking it has to be outside, so any farmer's field will work for this during a Minnesota summer…here's the lineup:
Dr. Dre/Snoop/Eminem
Bruce Springsteen
Taylor Swift
Billy Joel
Beyonce
U2 -
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