-
10 Questions with ... Jill Riley
October 2, 2017
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I graduated December 2004 with a Mass Comm degree from SCSU in Saint Cloud, MN. While there, I hosted a regular shift at the college and community station KVSC. The bulk of my radio training was in news and production, but my first love has always been music. I landed at The Current shortly after college and I've been here ever since. I did live overnights for just over four years, hosted weekends and a specialty request show called Radio Free Current, then made the move to mornings in April 2009.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Ever since I was a kid, I loved listening to radio. I felt such a huge connection to those familiar voices on the local radio stations. That probably explains my love of morning radio. Also, I'm pretty sure I was born with a deep voice so, there's that ... but seriously, I was discouraged from getting into radio, but that made me want to do it even more.
2. How long have you been at The Current?
I was one of the original hires at The Current, came on board just shortly before KCMP signed on in January 2005. Did live overnights and weekends before my move to mornings. Coming up on 13 years at the station this winter! I've been lucky to stay in the industry this long, and at one station for most of my professional radio career.
3. How do approach your morning show from a noncomm perspective?
What's great about working in public radio is that our morning show can focus on the needs of the listener; putting together a great playlist and giving the listeners the information they need to start the day and have a little fun in between. Our audience is smart and musically curious, so we want to make sure we're doing our best to bring them the best in new music and contextualize the music of the past. We're not the kind of morning show that relies on wacky sound effects and the hot babe of the day.
4. Do you have any special features you do on your show?
We have several features on Oake and Riley in the Morning, but my favorite one is a daily feature called Vinyl Tap. I've been a vinyl collector for many years, so this is one where I truly geek out and let the listeners share in my passion for albums, record shopping and supporting neighborhood record stores. Lucky for me, my co-host Brian Oake is just as passionate about talking records, so each morning at 6:30a we trade off grabbing a record off the shelf, putting it on an actual turntable in the studio, talking about the album and hitting play. The early morning audience has responded in a super-positive way; it helps to have musically curious listeners who give us the freedom to share our passions with them.
5. Do you get involved in the music choice process at the station?
The programming department at The Current is always open to feedback and suggestions, so when I hear something I love, I tell our MD David Safar that I love it, and he's great about taking the staff's advice when we love something or if we're totally over or not into a band/artist.
6. What has been your biggest career highlight?
Interviewing Paul McCartney. I still think that was a dream, but there's evidence that it happened in real life.
7. How often do you participate in station events?
My summers are incredibly busy with stations events and promotions. Everything from Record Store Day, live broadcasts from Eaux Claires, to Rock the Cradle, Rock the Garden, to station promotions like our summer series Oake and Riley in the Afternoon. It's important to us as Current staffers to get out and experience the concerts and community events that our listeners enjoy.
8. Do have any special organization you like to support both on-air and off?
I'm a retired Minnesota RollerGirl and it's an organization that not only brings strong women together to play an amazing sport, but the league gives back to the community with money made from every bout.
9. What is the best advice you would give to young folks who want to get into radio?
Learn how to tell a great story, think of yourself as a content creator and you can succeed in a variety of platforms. You must be well-rounded to make it in this business and it's important to have skills beyond on-air hosting. Editing, video skills, producing, interviewing, creating long form content like podcasting. Be an expert in something other than radio. You want to work in music radio? Then you better be a music encyclopedia and able to express that passion. Have a specialized knowledge and you'll stand out from the rest.
10. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Authenticity. When it comes to my personality, likes/dislikes, music taste, interests, etc. I don't hide who I am, there are no "fake" segments on the show, it's us. I'm not playing a character, I am who I am, on and off the mic. That authenticity is what makes a radio personality relatable and more interesting.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
I was a factory girl. I would pack Scotch tape into boxes at 3M for 12 hours at a time. Want to learn how to work hard? Work in a factory.
First record ever purchased:
The first CDs I ever purchased with my own money... 4 Non Blondes "Bigger, Better, Faster, More!" and Spin Doctors "Pocket Full of Kryptonite."
First concert:
Teen idol Bobby Vee in Brainerd, MN. I was with my parents. Bobby's son, Jeff, ended up being my audio instructor in college. Minnesota is such a small world.
Favorite band of all-time:
The Beatles.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I go to as many concerts as possible, which can be difficult with a morning show schedule, but I make it work. I love record shopping, and spending as much time with my friends and family as possible. I have a two-year-old son, so he's the center of my life!
-
-