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10 Questions with ... Jason Squires
August 21, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- KRAB/KKXX/Bakersfield - 1994-1999
- KSLY/KURQ/San Luis Obispo - 1999-2000
- KFRR/Fresno - 2000 - 2002
- Mediabase 24/7 - 2002 - 2004
- KFRR/Fresno - 2004 - present
1. What are you most proud of since joining the station?
I think the fact that we are still here is very much something to be proud of. Companies are looking at rock formats in general, regardless of genre, and not seeing the big picture. So we're still here and just had an amazing Spring book, but we enjoyed those numbers, and now it's back to work and keep moving forward.
2. How has the morning show change impacted the station?
The Morning After with Skippy is KFRR's first live morning show in a very long time, and the 1st in my tenure here. Luckily, Skippy has a name in the marketplace and she's a P1....a rocker chick who's also a mom. The first year was the 'throw it against the wall and see what sticks'. Since the beginning of 2012, the show has been solidified by a great cast surrounding her from her family, friends and all that. Plus, from a programming standpoint, the station is more balanced and uniform now.
We used to be two different stations when we had the syndicated morning shows, those who liked the shows and those who liked the music. We're seeing people listen longer all day now, which I attribute to the morning show now being live and local and valley based.
3. What are you most proud of from the latest Spring '12 Book?
The fact that we've continued to move upward since the beginning of the year, which shows the music alterations have struck a chord.
4. Why do you feel the station is having more success in 2012?
I made a conscience decision to get the station back to where it always was and has been, which is the alternative rock station for the Fresno market. By doing that, we've been able to take advantage of the big alt hits this year and have a much more palatable and listenable radio station, which has shown to this point.
5. How much are you balancing gut with research when making decisions on new music?
A little of both, Fresno is not LA or SF, so we won't be breaking a ton of bands, but when we finally commit to a new artist or band, we give them a legit shot. I use Imagine Dragons and M83 as big examples of that.
6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Fresno radio market?
I would say the talent in the market, I've said this for years, the amount of talent on stations here beats a lot of other markets, in all formats. There are great broadcasters on every station in this town, which means everyone is sounding great and fighting for every listener in the marketplace.
7. How are using Social Media?
Very effectively, we're very active on both Facebook and Twitter, with exclusive news, concert info and more. For an alternative rock station in 2012, I believe these extra ways to communicate and engage the listener is very beneficial for us.
8. Of all the skills you have gained wearing multiple hats, what part of your job do you enjoy the most?
I still enjoy the live station events and being on-air, that is still my favorite part of the job.
9. What are your favorite stations to stream?
I enjoy KURQ in San Luis Obispo, also KTBZ in Houston and KROQ in LA, those stations are able to give me a good grasp on the rock formats in 2012.
10. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Keep learning new things.....never assume you know it all and never take what we do for granted.
Bonus Questions
What stands out the most from when you were growing up listening to the radio in Bakersfield?
Just being in awe of being in a radio station, since I was around one or in one a good portion of my childhood. It's all I've wanted to do in my life, at first, I just wanted 'to talk on the radio'....that passion has never gone away for me.
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