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10 Questions with ... Andrew Gordon
April 11, 2006
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NAME:Andrew GordonTITLE:Mornings/Music DirectorSTATION:KRUFMARKET:Shreveport, LAOWNER:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
WXXP (Party 105)/ Long Island: Nights
WNSL/Laurel-Hattiesburg: Nights/APD/MD
KSMB/Lafayette: Nights/APD/MD
KRUF/Shreveport: Mornings/MD1 How would you describe your first radio gig?
Insane! Working at Party 105 in my hometown was a nice introduction to radio. We were in the clubs 4-5 nights a week, and had a great group of people. Being able to work with Vic Latino (now nights at WKTU) as his intern, and watch the master at work, was invaluable. We were a young group of people that all went on to great things: Skyy is the PD at XM 81 BPM, Leo G. is PD at XM 66 Raw, Murphdawg is nights/MD at WHZT, Greenville, Adam Axe is in middays at WKSS/Hartford, JB Wilde is PD/morning guy at WKSI Winchester, Babblin' Bill is production director at WNEW. And I also want to send a shout out to Matt Wolfe at WBAB, Long Island, who gave me my internship at WLIR.
2 How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
We've got a large African-American population in this area, and four Urban stations to take care of them. There are two Rock stations, (one Classic, one Modern). On the CHR side, we're able to lean Pop/Rock more than anywhere else I have worked. Many of the morning shows here are syndicated. I think we're one of only five live morning shows in the market. The locals are great! During the week they are conservative, but when the weekend comes, you'd never know you're in the Bible Belt. We have five casinos, and a downtown area that stays open until 6AM! We also have a minor league hockey team, baseball, and arena football franchise. People here really support their community. It's exciting to go to a hockey game and see 8,500 fans. I don't think the Islanders are drawing that many people. Then again, our team is actually playing well.
3 How is the recovery progressing in your region, these many months following Katrina?
Well, we didn't get hit too bad as far as damage to our area. However, we did at one point become home to about 40,000 displaced people. I am not sure of the exact number now, but some of them chose to stay. I welcome them, and their contributions to our community and culture.
4 What is your favorite part of the job?
Working with my partner Shawn Dion. He is the funniest person I know. People say we sound like we are having fun, and we are.
5 Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
I think Howard Stern is one of a kind, an original, the best! Opie and Anthony are the next generation and so passionate. Ron and Fez ... I love how they do things that might fly over many peoples' heads. They move fast. Either you get it or you don't.
6 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Hot 103.5 ... which I believe went Country, and is now 103.5 WKTU New York.
7 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I am a gym rat. Love to work out.
8 What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I'm a fan of Alternative and love listening to XM 47 (Ethel). Rock has been evolving, with lots of cool new groups that draw their sound from the New Wave bands from the '80's, and the Rock stations in this area won't touch it. They're missing out on some good stuff. Ethel's imaging is out there - real weird - and I love it! With Steve Kingston going in as PD, I expect the station to get even better.
9 What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Work hard, and good things will happen.
10 How can we use the ever-increasing digital technologies to give radio listeners their entertainment fix?
Plain and simple, put more audio on our websites. We are in radio. Our product is audio. How could we not use it on our websites?
Bonus Questions
What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?
Shawn and I voice many of our own drops, and one of my favorites is, "We're a lot better than the Saints, and we wanna play here"
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