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10 Questions with ... Randi West
April 14, 2009
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NAME:Randi WestPOSITION:PDSTATION:WDCG G105MARKET:Raleigh/Durham/Chapel HillOWNER:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
I invented the radio! Lol...
Saga WYMG (Rock) 1989-1992
WLRW (Hot Ac) 1992-1994
Jacor/Clear Channel 1994 to present with stops in Toledo, Cincinnati, and now Raleigh.1) When we last "10 Questioned" you, you were voicetracking on a zillion Kiss-FMs. What's your "extracurricular" schedule like these days?
Middays KKDM/Des Moines; middays (celebrating 10 YEARS on the air there). lol
10a-12, WKFS/Jacksonville; 12-2 on XM 21; voiceover work for WLQT/Dayton and My 1061 in Philly.
2) It seems that over the last couple of years, G105 has been enjoying some of its best ratings ever. Is this due strictly to your genius, or are there other factors?
I would say that the success of G105 has been out of the dedication of our people. People make all the difference and everyone here is after the same thing. It's hard work and being tirelessly committed to excellence. Musically, Top 40 has also seen some great product in recent years and that always helps.
3) Has your morning show, "Bob & The Showgram," managed to piss off anyone else lately, or have they been behaving?
Never have I known a show so beloved and so misunderstood. Sounds like a contradiction, but true. Things have been solid for the show with consistent ratings ... and I have to attend fewer meetings when they are behaving. Tomorrow, ask me the question again and maybe the answer won't be the same.
4) Give us a feel for the rest of your staff.
Brody in middays is the hardest working dude in radio. It doesn't work without him. Brody handles web, Music Director and Assistant Program Director duties. Brody takes a lot off my plate so I can focus on the larger picture stuff. Geller is another key component. He does nights and is a creative, but random, genius. Geller is talented in a production room when it comes to imaging; if we get an idea, he can get it immediately on the air. The way these two work together takes a lot of stress out of my world. Carly Laskey is the marketing director. She comes to the table prepared with innovative ideas and execution. Larry Jessup is the promotions coordinator and he is the executor of our promotions in most cases, and he has learned from Carly, who is one of the best in the business.
5) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
You know, these days I evaluate the "lifestyle" landscape more than the radio one. It's important to know what is happening in the radio landscape in each market. Finding trends about what our listeners do has been an important component. Weaving us into their lifestyle is a lot easier than trying to make them a part of ours. We go where THEY are. We create new events to excite them. That balance is crucial.
6) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
Every station has a personality. If I could bottle what we have here, I would be rich. It's a difficult thing to describe. It's not a THING. It's a feeling. I think that has been the truly unique thing here. Different people, different ideas with the same goals. Makes it challenging and fun.
7) What is your favorite part of the job?
Being on the air. I can escape to the studio. Doesn't every PD love that?
8) What is the most challenging part of the job?
Being on the air. Lol. Being a PD takes a lot of my day and it's challenging to not let your on-air product suffer, and since I do afternoons, that is a challenge.
9) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Kane. Always admired his work and have had the opportunity to be on the air with him in some markets. I think he is an amazing talent, but his work ethic is what makes him attractive to any PD.
10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
It's fun. But mostly, I think I can make a difference. I don't pretend to know more than others and there are a lot of talented people out there to learn from, but I do think the things I do, the people I teach or coach, the promotions I do, and the way I lead CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. At least I hope that I can. The idea that you are a complete stranger's best friend in the car or at home is powerful. You are there experiencing their life with them and we don't realize it ... but maybe it's time we remembered that.
Bonus Questions
What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I only have four knuckles on my hands.
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