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10 Questions with ... Jamon "JayTek" Perry
July 26, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Worked in Buffalo NY, Atlanta GA, Wilmington NC, Shreveport LA, Dallas TX, and for the second time in Atlanta.
1) How has having a teenage helped you with your views on radio?
Having a teenage son has helped me stay ahead of the curve on what's coming up in hip-hop. He often looks at the industry that I'm a part of, and wants to do the same thing. He has taken the "hunger for new music" aspect of it from me, and enhanced it tremendously. He scours the Internet looking for new music. He usually finds them via Vine, or Instagram, and then he uses Shazam to identify the proper title. So he keeps me updated, and I use every bit of that information, to keep me informed about new music. Teenagers know their music.
2) Do you have any fond memories of the station or stations you grew up with?
I have many fond memories of WBLK in Buffalo, where I grew up, listening to some incredible talents, which helped shape my own sound. Rockin Roger Moore, Hurricane Dave, DJ Hukher, Skip Dillard, Keith Pollard and so many more, I could go on and on, with great talented names and people
3) Would you share with us some of the people who have influenced your career?
Skip Dillard really influenced me a lot, as well as John Long, George Cook and Steve Hegwood. I really learned a lot under these guys in regards to execution, and programming. While all of them are very different, I must say that I've learned a lot of valuable information from them, that I intend to use as I further my career, on and off radio.
4) Is there anything that Classic Hip-Hop format is missing?
The Classic Hip-Hop format is missing the R&B aspect. So many of the classic songs from the 2000s and the late '90s came from R&B samples or R&B influence. It was the time when R&B groups ran the industry -- New Edition, BBD, Guy, SWV, En Vogue and more. There is no classic hip-hop without classic R&B.
5) What advice do you have for those who want to go into radio?
Be a sponge, be flexible, and most importantly, be willing to work. There are so many talented people who want to be stars but don't want to do the work to become a star. Be genuinely interested in this art form. It's not just a job, it's an art. Treat it as such, be patient and watch your dreams come true.
6) How do you envision the future for Hip-Hop?
The future of hip hop is in great hands with some of this talent coming up now. This culture is full of extremely talented and creative people who only continue to drive the culture forward. It will always be a necessary format and every genre will continue to pick and borrow from it.
7) Would you share some of your hopes and wishes for radio?
- MORE MONEY - Almost everything costs something nowadays and in order to pull off some of these great promotions it takes money. So first wish, money would be no issue, as well as for myself. I don't care how much money you make in radio you'll never have enough.
- TIME - Time to groom these new young talented people. While most of them are really talented they are "green" and they don't have the fundamentals of execution on their side.
- MORE TALENT - while there are some good talented personalities out here I haven't seen many new "stars." Where is the next Tom Joyner, Russ Parr, Charlemagne, Rickey Smiley, Big Boy?
8) Do you think it is important to be an on-air PD?
I definitely think so, because the way this industry is set up it's all about saving money for these corporations and as long as you can do multiple jobs there will always be a need for you. So yes, being in the programming department and being able to execute an air shift is important because I am more attractive to companies who are looking for multi-taskers.
9) Do you have a favorite radio memory, something funny or heartwarming?
None specific, but I have come across some really good and entertaining people in every market that I've worked. The listeners who are active and call every day are the people who have made my career enjoyable and made the shows entertaining for the audience.
10) Would you share your personal goals for the future?
My personal goal for the future is to become a VP/Programming for a company. I love applying what I've learned to other people who want to be in radio just as bad as myself. I love sowing seeds, so that is my goal.
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