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10 Questions with ... Jim Allen
August 9, 2005
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NAME:Jim AllenPOSITION:PDSTATION:KZMG Magic 93.1MARKET:#108 Boise, IDCOMPANY:Citadel Broadcasting
Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)
1985: WCAK Ashland, KY
1985-86: WLGC Greenup, KY
1986-88: WIRO Ironton, OH
1988-89: WLGC Greenup, KY - WKEE Huntington, W. VA
1989-93: WKEE Huntington, W. VA
1993: WWWQ Bowling Green, KY PD
1993-94: WAZY Lafayette, IN MD
1994-97: KQCR-KXMX Cedar Rapids, IA APD/MD
1997-98: KFFM Yakima, WA PD
1999-2001: KRSK Portland, OR APD/MD
2001-03: WDJX Louisville, KY APD/MD
2003-Present: KZMG Boise, ID PD1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I updated the recorded weather forecast, smoked a lot of cigarettes, ate a lot of pizza, and thought I knew it all.
2) It's our 10th anniversary this year. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Watching too many foreign films and getting really tired of Ace Of Base!!
3) What is the radio vibe like in your market?
It's a very competitive market, with many well-established (and good) morning shows. Apart from being a fantastic place to live, Boise is also one of the fastest growing markets in the United States. In fact, we found out just yesterday that we've moved up to market #108 in the Arbitron world!
4) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
There were several, actually: WLW/Cincinnati, WLS/Chicago and WOWO/Ft Wayne..
5) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
In no particular order: Rush, Johnny Cash, The Arcade Fire, Kate Bush, Charlie Rich, John Coltrane, Danko Jones, The Killers, Vangelis, Drive By Truckers, Mylo, Stereophonics, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Big & Rich, U2, King Crimson, Eloy ... I could go on and on and on and on ...
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
It has something to do with "opinions" ... better know what YOU believe in and be prepared to go to bat for it at some point down the road.
7) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Professionalism and customer service are where it's at.
8) Podcasting. Instant downloads. Blogs. How can we use the ever-increasing digital technologies to keep people coming back to radio for their entertainment fix?
Local, local, local, local, local!!
9) If they made a movie of your life, who would play your part - and why?
Is there an actor who's somewhere between Vin Diesel and Drew Carey? I'm thinking that's the guy, and as soon as we find him, JIM AND THE TOP 40 FACTORY is coming to theatre near you!
10) Which artists impress you these days as new potential stars at our format?
Crazy Frog! That guy will be around FOREVER! I'll be curious to hear how his music progresses as he enters his more "serious period" a few years from now.
Bonus Questions
What other on-air names have you used?
JD Allen
Steve Connor
Jason Dean
Mailman Mike
Cheez Wiz
"The Stapler"
Hilary Duff
Boris Yeltsin
Google McYahoo
Naught Serious -
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