-
10 Questions with ... Rich Davis
April 24, 2007
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Rich DavisTITLE:PDSTATION:WRVWMARKET:NashvilleOWNER:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
98YCR/York, PA; B104/Baltimore; B104/Allentown; Star 104.5/Philadelphia; KDWB/Minneapolis; Z104/Madison; WRVW/Nashville!
1) Most Mainstream Top 40s are not dominating their markets right now. What are the key factors that make The River a top player in Nashville?
There are a couple of things that have lead to my success here. First off, as a mainstream right down the middle radio station, I can pick the hits from whatever genre they come from. People have asked me over the years what kind of "guy" I am, meaning what genre of music do I like the most. Fact of the matter is, I'm a "hit" guy. I don't care if it's Akon, Carrie Underwood, Hinder, or Mims, if it's a hit I want it on my station. Second is consistency. I don't have one fulltimer on my staff who has been here less than three years. The team is anchored by Woody and Jim who have been consistent performers here since the end of '98 along with Intern Adam (not really an intern) who's been here over three years. Ryno, my afternoon guy, has been here for five years. Butter, my night guy, has been here since '03 and Madison, who tracks middays for me out of Birmingham, has been on for over three years too. Even my imaging guy Jeremy Snell has been here since 2004. I've got the best team I have ever had and I'm proud to have them alongside me in the trenches every day.
2) What titles have been the strongest performers for you this year?
"What Goes Around Comes Around," "Irreplaceable," "Say It Right" and "It's Not Over."
3) What's your take on this "People Meter" thing, and what impact do you think it'll have on your ratings?
It has already changed the way we do things. I'm eager to see the numbers roll out from the Philadelphia Spring Book. That's when we'll really know the impact of it and how it's going to change what we do on a day-to-day basis even more.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
Clearly there are a ton of great things about my job. Getting to do something I love so much is amazing. If I had to pick one thing though, it's the ability to touch someone's life in a positive way through my station. It could be as simple as making someone laugh on the way to work, it could be raising money for kids with cancer through our Radiothon for Vanderbilt Children's hospital or it could literally be saving a young person's life through the Dawson McAllister show I run on Sunday nights. The power of radio is amazing and one that I never take for granted.
5) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
I've got some interesting stuff on my iPod. Let's see ... here's a good one. Danielle Brisebois "What If God Fell From The Sky." Man, that's a great song.
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Bill Lee. Yes, I'm a radio geek. I still crank out the old Tone E. Fly night and afternoon airchecks from when we worked together in Minneapolis at KD. Those were fun times. JJ Kincaid, whom I helped hire in Minneapolis, now kickin' it in afternoons at Z100. I told him years ago that he would be a star, and look at him now!
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
I grew up with B104, WMAR Hot Hits Baltimore, Hot 95.9, Q107, WAVA, and Z104 in Frederick. Any one of those stations at any given time was my favorite and influenced the way I program to this day.
8) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
Oh man, that's easy: 1984. I was 14. Prince, Yes, Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Wham, Van Halen.... What a year!
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Never take anything for granted, treat people the way you want to be treated, be honest, smile often, never ever lose the passion, listen, be grateful, and you will succeed!
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
I touched on it above. Be passionate, and never let anything stand in the way of your dreams. I have two parttimers on my staff who are on the air because of their passion. Ashlee Foxx and Lunchbox love radio and 107.5 the River. You can't teach passion. Part of the reason I hired Butter was because I knew he really wanted to be a part of this station. He grew up listening to it, and it was his dream to be here fulltime. He cares about how it sounds. You can't teach or force that.
Bonus Questions
BONUS QUESTION: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I am it!
-
-