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10 Questions with ... J. Reed
May 7, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. When we start in radio we sometimes think that we are God's gift to the airwaves and us the "Jock" is the most important thing on the station. That's simply not true. The Music is what the listeners come for first, if you surround your "Jocks" with Hits and they do their part with great content and delivery your station should excel no matter what.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 1998 Overnights KHTN/Modesto-Merced
- 2000 Nights KISV/Bakersfield
- 2005 MD KISV/Bakersfield
- 2007 PD KISV/Bakersfield
- 2009 PD KISV-KKXX/Bakersfield
1. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
My father was in the Air Force, Castle AFB in Atwater, CA so that along with being a kid when Top Gun came out...Thanks Tom Cruise I wanted to be a fighter pilot! I was also not too shabby on the football field so playing in the NFL was also a dream, but while in high school they made you take a test/survey on your interests and it would show you what type of profession you would be best suited for and on-air broadcaster was at the top so things worked out.
2. Think back to your earliest days in radio. Now that you're a veteran programmer, what would you do differently in those early months?
I think that we all get into this industry for the love of the music, the excitement and being recognized in wherever you start out as a "Celebrity." I was guilty of that and if I knew back then that I would be programming two stations I would have jumped head first into learning the ins and outs of what it takes to run brands from the programmers that I was around...i.e. Pete Jones and Dan Watson, and Rene Roberts, instead of trying to get girls numbers at remotes!
3. What do you think was the best advice you received as a young broadcaster/air personality?
When we start in radio we sometimes think that we are God's gift to the airwaves and us the "Jock" is the most important thing on the station. That's simply not true. The Music is what the listeners come for first, if you surround your "Jocks" with Hits and they do their part with great content and delivery your station should excel no matter what.
4. What would probably surprise most people about Bakersfield?
It's is Not The Armpit of California! We are more like the melting pot of California. You can meet so many types of people here. Bakersfield is one of the fastest growing cities in the state. We are a short drive to the ocean and the mountains. Some of the best food on the planet can be found here and Bakersfield was ranked the best place to celebrate World Naked Gardening Day...so take that!
5. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
I have always worked with kids even when I started in radio I was doing overnights and working at a group home for troubled teens. With that and my wife and I celebrating 10 years since we adopted our son Joseph, I wouldn't mind going back to school and getting the education needed to work with foster kids.
6. As a programmer and personality, what would you, personally, like to do better in the second half of 2019?
I really want to get our brands more into the digital video space. Coming up with content for YouTube and social media that is just at entertaining as the things we do on the air every day.
7. What's your favorite song on the station right now?
I'm still really liking "Rule The World" from 2 Chainz and Ariana Grande. I was a super fan of the Amerie song back in the day and I think Chainz and AG did the beat justice.
8. Which new hip hop artists can you see having a long and storied career in hip hop?
That is a tough question. There has never been more "hip hop artists" than right now and honestly I don't know if these "hip hop artists" are making music because they have the love for the art form or just because it's the cool thing to do and then can make a song damn near on their phone. That's troubling but at the same time amazing how far this form of music has came. One of my personal favorite Hip Hop artist that is new to a lot of people is Boogie who is signed to Shady/Interscope. He released his debut album earlier this year "Everything's For Sale" and is a great piece of work and I know he will be around for a long time.
9. Is there an artist that has surprised you with their success in the business?
100% Cardi B!!!! In a little over two years she has became one the biggest names in the business by being herself! Crazy!
10. Best hip hop live show you've ever seen?
By far it was Jay-Z and his Reasonable Doubt 10 year Anniversary show at Radio City Music Hall. That's my favorite album of all time and to be able to see Jay perform each song live and in person was a dream come true!
Bonus Questions
If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
Family Feud. I would say the craziest answers every time, have Steve Harvey clown me and become a internet sensation!
The Voice, American Idol or The Four?
The Voice is my choice. Love the show and how the coaches work with the singers and one another!
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