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10 Questions with ... John J. O'Connell Jr
July 1, 2008
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TITLE:OM/PDSTATION:WPBZMARKET:West Palm BeachCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:December 16RAISED:Medford Massachusetts
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in radio in the late-70s at WXKS (KISS 108)/Boston during the Sunny Joe White years. It was radio at its finest. I'm most proud of that. Also was at WZOU/WJMN, and did brief stints at WBCN (one week, draw your own conclusion there) and WEEI. I've spent 13 years here at Florida's New Rock Alternative -- 103.1, The Buzz.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Truck driver
1. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
That my lifelong passion was to be an artist. I chose only to pursue a career in radio when I discovered that most artists die poor. Little did I know that it's usually the same deal with people in radio. I love to draw. I took more art classes than I can remember and I'm considering taking more. I have this crazy appreciation for art and from time to time I get the urge to sit in my backyard and sketch. I'll draw landscapes, fish, and animals or people but I am so critical of my work that I usually destroy it or hide it when I'm done.
2. Why has WPBZ been a successful Alternative station?
One word, passion! I think basketball coach Rick Pitino said it best when he said that he's rather be surrounded by people who are passionate and talented than those who have the most talent but very little drive. I agree. We have had both types pass through our doors over the years but it has been the passionate ones who have made a difference. Those people treat this radio station like a part of their family, not as a place of work. I look at people like Buzz Production Director Mick McCabe who is very talented and could work wherever he wants, but instead chooses to stay here because of his passion. I could say the same for midday host Jason Davis, afternoon host Ross Mahoney or my night jock Tre. We all love this radio station and believe in it. More importantly we're all passionate about what we do every day and that is the difference. That's how you ultimately win
3. What led to The Buzz's increase Winter '08 Book?
The return of local morning radio to the Buzz was the difference for us. In late November we brought Jeremy Loper and Brian Smith on board. Both of these guys had been on the air at the Buzz previously but not as a team. Loper was doings afternoons and Smitty was a part-time jock. They teamed up together in Ocean City Maryland and formed The Rexxx and Smitty Morning Show. A year later they took their show to afternoons on WFLY (Fly 92.3) in Albany. We were very fortunate that they were willing to give up the snow of Albany for the warmth of the Florida sun. In February we added the very talented and beautiful Randi Rasor, formerly of the 99.7 The Blitz in Columbus, OH, to the show. This move completed the team and gave us the local show that we needed to compete in the marketplace.
4. What was the station's biggest highlight from the Winter '08 Book?
Without a doubt it was our 18-34 full week numbers. We have had issues with the stability of our target demo primarily due to issues in morning drive. With the addition of Loper, Smitty and Randi I expect that we'll see more consistent numbers as the show develops. Remember, so goes the morning, so goes the rest of your day and we're proof of that.
5. What has been the biggest change at The Buzz over the past year?
Getting back to our roots and making this radio station 100% local. Local radio is the key to winning, more importantly its local morning radio that makes the difference. I don't want to hear about syndication and the benefits. In my opinion there are none. Being local is what radio is all about. It's what your audience expects and if you do it right, everyone wins. I expect great things from Loper, Smitty and Randi and I am confident that they will deliver. I look at where last year at this time and where we are now and there is a world of difference. Every daypart has been able to benefit from the momentum that Loper, Smitty and Randi are generating.
6. What makes The Buzz unique?
Primarily it's our imaging that sets us apart. We have a really twisted sense of humor and one way or another we incorporate it into everything that we do. From promos to IDs to sweepers and sweep starters, we take pride in what comes between the music. In addition we are very proud of our musical recipe. From grunge to punk, indie to underground and mainstream to alternative rock we play only the best of the best and we do it on a consistent basis. We like to break new music but we also like to play the hits because there is no other way to win.
7. Could you rundown your on-air line-up with a little insight of each jock?
The Morning Buzz with Loper, Smitty and Randi 6a-10
Jeremy "Loper" is the brains behind the Morning Buzz. He is an amazing talent who began working here at the age of 15. Now he is married with two children. He works hours on end everyday to prepare for next show and demands perfection. In short, he is a star and one day I'm sure everyone will know who he is.
Brian "Smitty" Smith is a brilliant musician and he uses that talent for the benefit the Morning Buzz by creating original parody songs. He is smart and opinionated but very confident. Smitty is the perfect compliment to Loper because he is single, heavily involved in the local music scene and very into pop culture.
Randi Rasor has it all. She is smart, funny, brash, loveable, foul-mouthed yet beautiful, and she possesses the greatest appetite known to modern man. What more could you ask for in a morning show member? All kidding aside she is a talent and a half and will be in radio for a long time. God help me!
Jason Davis 10a-3p
Jason's been here since we signed on in 1995 and he is the most natural jock I've ever heard. God I hope he doesn't read this. He is so natural that his casual delivery would make most program directors freak out, however I think that it makes him sound like the guy next door and that's a huge asset when you're trying to be local.
Ross Mahoney 3p-7p
He started as an intern, worked his way up from a board-op to a part-timer to full-time overnights, nights and eventually afternoons and music director where he is today. Best of all he accomplished it all in just 10 years! LOL!! Ross is a walking, talking musical almanac. The guy has a memory like no other which is great because mine is completely shot. He is my right arm, a major asset to the programming department and a big part of Buzz Bake Sale.
Tre 7p-12 mid
Tre came to the Buzz about four years ago but I feel as though I've known him for a lot longer. He is an unbelievably talented guy with a very sharp wit and killer sense of humor. Hit bits are outrageous and he is hands down the most compelling jock on this radio station. If we are going to win at night, he is the guy who is going to do it.
8. What would an outsider find most surprising about your market?
I would have to say that the most surprising thing some one would discover about West Palm Beach is how entirely different it is from Miami. I get calls from people who have never been here and for some reason they all seem to think that because West Palm Beach and Miami are both located in South Florida they identical sister cities. Sure we're only 70 miles away but these are two completely different markets that don't resemble each other in any way with respect to lifestyle, commerce, language, and yes radio.
9. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
At one point I was a production director and very knowledgeable in the area of digital editing, but somewhere along the way technology passed me by. I just didn't have the time to sit in a studio and learn everything that there is to know about the newer digital programs and that still bugs me. I'm not saying that I'm totally lame but I'm just not where I'd like to be.
10. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Be yourself. I meet a lot of people who think that their job allows them to be someone that they are not and I just can't help but laugh. We're in radio people. We are not brain surgeons or rocket scientists. Our decisions are not going to save lives or save the world so just give it up and realize in the larger scheme of things that radio is just radio and you are who you are. My advice; lose the self importance and you'll be more successful at what you do.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Offshore Saltwater Fishing started out as a hobby but now I'm obsessed. I fish at least once a week with my best buddy in the world, my son Matthew. We call ourselves the Dolphin Slayers. Relax, I mean Mah-Mahi Dolphin not the mammal. We target Wahoo, Dolphin, Kingfish and Sailfish. When we're not fishing we're making rigs, reading fishing magazines, buying new gear, or researching new places to fish. Recently we managed to catch at 35 lb. dolphin, and we previously bagged a 25 pounder.
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