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10 Questions with ... Chris Coleman
November 22, 2005
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NAME:Chris ColemanTITLE:APD/MDSTATIONS:WBHK/98.7 KISS-FMMARKET:Birmingham, ALCOMPANY:Cox RadioBORN:Toledo, OhRAISED:Birmingham, AL
Please outline your career so far:
KCEP 88.1 Las Vegas Mar 1987-AUG 1988
Far East Network-Philippines Sept 1988-June-1991
WENN Birmingham-July 1991-Mar 1993
WFXE/WOKS Columbus-Production Director Mar 1993-Aug 1994
WBLX Mobile Asst. Production Director Sept 1994-June 1997
WBHJ Birmingham-Mixshow, Morning Show Host June 1997-Feb 2000
WEUP Huntsville- APD-Aug 2000-Sept 2001
WIZF-Cincinnati-Afternoons Oct 2002-Sept 2005
WBHK-Birmingham-APD/MD Sept 2005-present1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I was in the United States Air Force and doing mix shows for KCEP Las Vegas while being stationed at Nellis AFB from Mar 1987 to Aug 1988. I use to listen to Alvin John Wapples on KMTW-1340 all day at work, which was when the Motown satellite network was being piped in. I was influenced by a host of DJ's. My father was my BIGGEST influence, Boppin Bill Coleman, and legends like Scotty Andrews, Shelly Stewart, Tall Paul White, the BLACK POPE, Johnny Austin and Stan Granger, outside of Scotty Andrews, these guys were legends in Birmingham.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I am a second generation radio head. I used to go to the radio stations with my dad back in the day. Just to see him making someone's day by playing their favorite song, I even went to remotes with him. I remember I was about 7 or 8 and he left to go to the bathroom and the station came back to him, say let's go live to Boppin Bill at the fairgrounds and I picked up the Mike and did the break just like he was doing it, the GM called my dad a GENIUS! Dad said, "Thanks son you saved my behind." Right then I knew I wanted to be a DJ.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
YES!!!!
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now? How do you feel about the PPM replacing the diary?
I see myself teaching corporate radio the way to kill satellite (by bringing personality radio back to radio). As far as the PPM goes, I always thought those diaries are sometime misguided because everybody just don't have time to fill those diaries out, and urban radio gets the short end of the stick ALL the time!
5) What's your take on radio currently? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
Radio is CONSTANTLY changing. Now that I am in management, I am being exposed to stuff on an hourly basis. I think radio is going through that transition that TV did in the early 80's when cable really started to impact America. With so many avenues the listener has to get music, radio has to get more creative to keep that listener listening longer.
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Keep your relationships tight because you never know who knows who.
7) What was the toughest part of the transition you had to make when you moved from Cincinnati to Birmingham?
Now that I'm in management, I am learning time management, which is something I never had to do because I was just an on air talent in Cincy. Now I'm just trying to learn this management game. I want to be the best talent and manager I can be.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Managing my TIME!
9) How well do you think today's urban broadcasters really understand Arbitron?
My radio wife, Terri Thomas in Houston, really took out time to make sure I understood the book. I think the Arbitron is an on going process and today's programmers are being taught by corporate. I think it's up to the individual jock who want to get ahead to pull their PD to the side and say I WANT TO LEARN THIS BOOK!
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets and no missed opportunities.
Bonus Questions
What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?
PD's you think you know get in places and forget where they came from.
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
My girl Terri Thomas told me to take this job. She said "It's YOUR time now, honey." Terri has never told me anything wrong and I'm glad I listened
Do you read ... everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
The newspaper in any city I'm working in.
What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?
The Ultimate Hustler because in this day and time you got to have some kind of hustle about you to survive.
What PD's are the future of Urban radio?
I see BIG things for Terri Thomas, not because she's my closest friend, but because there is nobody in this industry like her. She genuinely loves the people who work for her and she constantly gives her all. Long John in Dallas, this guy never ceases to amaze me every time we talk. He is one of my confidants when I need a little guidance. Derric Jurrand in Nashville, this guy's a sleeper, don't sleep on him he's got some things that will shake up this industry. If a company gives him a chance, oh boy, it's going down. Terry Bello in Cleveland. I have known this cat for about 28 years, and that neo-soul stuff is all him and when it blows he's going to be rich from consulting. His show is incredible!
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