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10 Questions with ... Chris Alan
September 6, 2005
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NAME:Chris AlanPOSITION:PDSTATION:WAEV (97-3 KISS FM)MARKET:Savannah, GACOMPANY:Clear Channel Communications
Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)
WXMK/Brunswick, GA; Promotions Director/Swing
KSYN/Joplin, MO; Nights/MD
WWWX/Appleton-Oshkosh-Green Bay, WI; PD/Afternoons
WAEV/Savannah, GA; APD/Afternoons
KCHZ/Kansas City, KS; Nights/Imaging
WAEV/Savannah, GA; PD/Afternoons1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
In my first full-time gig, I was Marc Summers' bitch at WXMK!
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I was a smart-ass 16-year old who won a contest to be a guest DJ. The PD (LJ Smith) offered me a P/T job the next week. So, I blame LJ.
3) The Pop chart shares many titles with Rhythm and Urban - both formats with a large presence in your market. How does this affect your decision making process when dealing with such product?
Savannah's population in 60% urban so it is a huge factor, but the real success of the station has come from sticking with guitar-based songs as our 'bread-n-butter' and only playing the biggest songs from Urban/Rhythm. Since Savannah is more of a 'blue collar' town there has to be a delicate balance between the Urban and Rock records that you play. Sometimes that means you will have to go out on a limb and use your gut on a guitar-based song or spend more time developing it. One thing remains a constant - once that type of track is developed it remains a part of your playlist, and subsequently your library, for a very long time. We've found success with that songs like that, but they take longer to develop, as opposed to something hooky from 50 Cent or Gwen Stefani. For example, it took "Pon De Replay" 200 spins before hitting Power, while it took over 500 for Crossfade to get there. As I write this, we're currently over 1000 spins on "Cold," the song is in Power and it's still #2 in my callout.
4) Using one sentence for each, how would you describe the on-air staff at the station?
Kidd Kraddick - With females, he's got the #1 morning show in Savannah!
Russ - My APD who deserves a lot of credit for our success and delivers a highly rated midday show, covers web duties, movie promotions, and still has time to do charity work!
TJ - Depending on who you ask, he's the mandatory smart ass- OR chick magnet-night jock every CHR needs! (I mostly stick with the 'smart ass' option)
5) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
I would say Otis Day from WIXX in Green Bay. I was always amazed at how smooth his phones were and the way he could throw the 'laugh jab' one-liner at the listener and have them cracking up. Then he would do Otis Theatre (a bit I later stole and used) with a joke you had heard a million times and have you rolling with the characters and production.
6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Growing up outside of Jacksonville it was all about WAPE. The Big Ape would be my dream station to program but I don't think they will have any openings there until Cat Thomas retires and by that time I may be approaching retirement myself. HA!
7) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I am huge family guy! When it's my time that is where I spend it. I spend two nights a week being super-dad while my wife is in a class. Other than that, sadly, like all the other radio people I know, my hobby is radio. But it pays the bills! Mom, if you're reading this, I am still not ready to get a 'real job!'
8) hat music do you listen to when you're not working?
My wife and I will jam to Modest Mouse, Dave Matthews, Wallflowers kinda stuff. Lately we have been introducing our kids (ages 5 and 7) to some of the greats like Iron Maiden and Pantera ... ha ha! We have been chilling with a lot of Elvis and The Beatles, passing it along to the next generation.
9) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Learn everything! It's always so funny when I interview someone and the only thing that they talk about is 'going on the air'. I would rather have a jock that can produce something on Cool Edit or write a great promo/commercial and may not be the best/smoothest voice talent that has ever wandered in off the street. At least I know that in today's radio they can step up in other areas and excel. Many can talk in to a microphone and hear themselves, but a rare few can hear the radio in their head and make it great for a listener!
10) Podcasting. Instant downloads. Blogs. How can we use the ever-increasing digital technologies to keep people coming back to radio for their entertainment fix?
"Keep people coming back?" When did they leave? More people are exposed to radio weekly than any medium. You do have to let people know that you are embracing this cool new technology but never let them think that you are afraid of it and they will keep coming back. For example, we offer clips/best of bits of Kidd Kraddick for iPod downloading, but we realize that if they are fans enough to get the clip they are surely coming back for the show the next day.
Bonus Questions
Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
I worked for a Country station for a while and the big Fall book promotion from the genius OM was the "Wheel Of Meat!" If you're thinking of a big spinning wheel then you're right! Except the needle would land on pictures of meat that the listener would win. I couldn't make this up ... the catch phrase he had the personalities using in the studio: 'The Wheel Of Meat, Can't Be Beat!'
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