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10 Questions with ... Jeff White
February 11, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- NC Aquariums on Roanoke Island - Education Curator
- WVOD, 99.1 The Sound - MD
- Paradigm Agency, Music Department - Contracts Administrator
- KRML - PD
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I was always a passionate fan of radio, for both music and sports. In college, I would hop on late night with some friends that had shifts on WKNC, but I began to think of it professionally when I started doing The Coyote Morning Cafe on WVOD. As luck would have it, after a few years a full-time gig as MD opened up with new ownership.
2. Who were/are your mentors?
John Matthews, who is now at WQHZ in Erie, PA, and Matt Cooper, PD at WVOD, are at the top of the list, but there are a slew of others that I am indebted to.
3. What happened for the station to abandon Jazz programming for Triple A?
The simple answer is an ownership and philosophy change: The decision to go in the direction that we have had to do with the realization that the new KRML was exactly the station that the Monterey Bay needed.
4. How would you describe the music on the station?
Inclusive. The mix is wide with a fair amount of depth, focusing on artists of substance and songs of merit. We like to give a solid nod to the music that has brought us here, as well as being a trusted source for new music.
5. What other special programming does the station offer?
In-house, we produce "The Spotlight Hour," a weekly live hour-long local music feature; "Pub Talk," a weekly live event at a local brew house; "The All American Carnivore" with the executive chef at Sticks, Pebble Beach; "Women On Top," focusing on female humor and issues; "Bow-Tie Soul," dedicated to world and soul music with the inside angle on male fashion; and "Home Girl," a daily feature focusing on green home and garden tips. We also carry "Little Steven's Underground Garage" and "Passport Approved" on Saturday nights and will probably integrate a little more specialty programming as we move ahead.
6. How do you position the station?
Our tagline is Community Radio for the Monterey Bay and our mantra is pretty simple: Broadcast the most eclectic, yet curated, mix of music in the area and to invest in this community by what we report, who we align ourselves with, and promote causes and events that we believe in. We hope to fill that gap between public and commercial radio for intelligent listeners.
7. Tell us about the Monterey/Carmel market.
It is a very unique market; it's fairly active and intelligent, spanning the spectrum of wealth from Pebble Beach to the blue collar culture of "America's salad bowl" in the Salinas Valley. There is a strong hospitality and tourism presence, as the area is definitely a destination, and a healthy ocean culture with the presence of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and world-renown marine labs researching one of the most active ecosystems in the world.
8. What is your typical day like?
I'm usually in the studio around 7a and most days I'm on the air until 6p. I'm live as long as I can be but right now I'm our only jock, so voicetracking is a crucial part of the daily routine. Next up is usually meetings. Branding and aligning our "new" station is a concerted effort with our team of three -- and daily pow-wows are vital. Our library and imaging is still evolving, so a fair amount of time is dedicated daily in that department. Production and log work are usually the daily finale, except for the few days that we have evening remotes.
9. How much interaction do you have with record labels?
Not enough! Building a station is a time-consuming endeavor, but I look forward to working more with those great folks that I know at the labels once things get a little more manageable!
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Well, if I wanted to change careers, I'd probably become a National Park Ranger or work in the surf industry ... somewhere warm.
Bonus Questions
Last Non-Industry Job:
Education Curator for the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
First record ever purchased:
Led Zeppelin IV
First concert:
Steve Miller Band
Favorite artist of all-tTime:
Johnny Cash.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Surfing, playing guitar and piano, and hiking with my wife and dogs.
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