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10 Questions with ... Jon Smith
August 13, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started with 107.5 The End in Salt Lake in 1998 doing weekends and overnights. By 2004 I had worked up to afternoons when I left to work at crosstown rival KJQ. When they flipped to Jack-FM I left the market. From 2005 to just this past May I've been in Southern Utah where I got my PD stripes and morning show experience. In May, I was offered my dream job to be on X96.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I honestly think everybody else knew this is what I wanted to do before I did. My friends and I would make our own radio shows on tape mimicking "Radio From Hell". So it's really cool that I get to work with them now.
2. Why was X96 your dream job?
I grew up listening to KJQ, and was in Junior High when X96 came on the air. I was this little radio rat who collected stickers and followed the DJ to all their remotes. I once got bitched out by a teacher for writing "X96" all over my notebook once. I still have it!
3. What part of your job do you love the most?
You will never find a more loyal audience than you will in Salt Lake City. The listeners here LOVE the music, and are genuinely excited about coming to station events. It's really cool to be a part of.
4. How would you describe your midday shift?
Since I'm still new, it's mostly me trying to say the right station name. I track out a sister station in Southern Utah called X98.9 so I owe Todd Nuke Em a dollar every time I say the wrong name. It's happened twice.
5. What would surprise people most about your show?
Most people seem to be surprised that it's live. Which is a sad commentary about our industry.
6. What is your show prep routine?
I try to spend as much time prepping as I do on the air, but that's not always possible. I'm definitely not a prep service guy, I like to write my own material and gather my own news. I can't help but laugh when I hear two or more jocks in town using the same prep service punch lines.
7. How are you using social media?
Social Media is a HUGE part of what we do. It's a perfect opportunity to be live and local. Anything you can do to be more accessible to your listeners is a tool you can use. We also realized that not everyone who is on reading our Facebook posts or Twitter feed is actually listening. So it's kind of like a separate show.
8. Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why?
Everyone loves KROQ's Kevin and Bean. I'm no exception. I'd drop my pants for either one of them.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?
Diet Coke!
10. What are you most passionate about?
I'm such an ADD guy that I'd get halfway through the answer and change it to something else.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
I'm a gun collector! I also like to go to Disneyland as often as possible.
Last non-industry job?
I think it was at a call center. I got fired from a LOT of day jobs coming up through the radio ranks. I'd be at work and Biff Raff (from KENZ) would call and tell me to come in to do a show and I'd just stand up and walk out.
First record ever purchased?
I think it was either DEVO or Oingo Boingo
First concert?
Midnight Oil
Favorite band of all-time?
Oh such a tough question. I have always loved bands that are (or were) genuine with their songs and shows. Oingo Boingo, The Ramones, and The Clash all come to mind.
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